Chapter 154
"Oh, this one, haha!" Nathan looked at a small framed picture of them, aged five and thirteen, covered in flour and butter. "I remember this. It was my birthday, and you wanted to bake a birthday cake, and I wanted to help. I ended up slipping and poured a bowl of flour. I cried, but you told me we are the birthday cake today! Then Mom ordered us a real birthday cake and pizza."
Nathan stared at the picture fondly, as if such a menial memory that Madeline had totally forgotten about was very important to him.
Madeline felt that she had been stabbed in the heart. She didn’t realize how Nathan remembered many small things that never crossed her mind because she had always focused on the bigger picture.
Nathan didn’t want to lose any of his memories with his family. Though he didn’t have much, he remembered every one of them and could recall them perfectly, especially his memories with his big sister.
As he took out all of their albums, a picture from inside the album dropped on the floor.
Nathan picked it up and curled his lips as he tried to suppress his joy.
He glanced at Madeline and stared back at him. "What is it, Nathan?" she asked. "Did you find something interesting?"
"Well, not really interesting," Nathan said, but he walked towards Madeline and handed her the picture of baby Nathan, who slept peacefully in the arms of eight-year-old Madeline.
Madeline had a big, innocent smile at the camera.
Unfortunately, that smile was gone long ago when Madeline realized that the entertainment industry was not the sunshine and rainbow she expected.
She was forced to grow up prematurely, knowing she had to survive in showbiz without backing.
"This takes me back..." Madeline murmured. "I remember how small you were when you were just born. I was so happy because I got a baby brother."