Liezel opened the door, and her brother Antony walked in along with his wife Jenny, followed by Benson and Danny. 

“Uncle Tony, where’s my gift?” Hera ran to him and jumped into his arms, staring at him with her big eyes in great anticipation for her birthday gift. He laughed at her eagerness. “Let me wish you a happy birthday first, little Miss Hera,” Antony said, kissing her cheeks. She giggled when he blew raspberries. He made her sit on the kitchen counter and handed her a gift. 

Hera quickly unwrapped her gift and held a book with a purple colour cover, designed in sparkling glitter on either side. The book felt heavy in her small hands, and as she lifted it, a questioning look formed on her face while she examined the cover. “What’s this, uncle Tony?” She asked, her little nose scrunched up as she frowned. 

“It’s your secret journal. Do you like it?” Antony asked, stroking her cheek. Instead of answering his question, Hera asked another question.. “What’s a Jo, Jonra, uncle?” She couldn’t even pronounce the word correctly. Antony chuckled at the look of confusion on her angelic face. She looked even cuter. 

“It’s a journal, Hera.” He tried to teach her how to pronounce it correctly but sighed in defeat when she couldn’t say it. “Okay, little Hera, you can call it a diary too. You can use it to write about your special days, your secrets, your wish, your dream, etc.” Antony explained. 

Hera’s eyes filled with awe, and her tiny fingers touched every inch of the book. Surely, everyone could see that she fell in love with the book. She’s very fond of shiny things, and purple was her favourite colour, after all.

“Uncle Tony, you said, I can write my secret in this book. Can I stick something in it too?” She asked with hopeful eyes, and he nodded his yes. She jumped from his lap, ran inside, and came running back within seconds only to ask Liezel a question. 

“Can I use the glue, aunt Lizzy?” Hera asked. “Yes, sweety, you can, but be careful. Don’t make a mess out of it,” she warned, but her eyes filled with visible affection. Hera giggled and disappeared with her diary. Antony followed her into the room and observed her from the door while Hera pasted the chocolate wrappers. 

He went and sat next to her on the floor. “Little Hera, what are you doing, child? Why are you pasting empty chocolate wrappers in your diary?” He asked, and Hera answered with a wide grin. “They’re not empty, uncle. There’s a message in it for me,” she replied and immediately covered the wrappers with her little palms when he peeked to read it. “No, you should not see, it’s bad manners, uncle Tony. It’s only for me,” she said, scowling in disapproval, and Antony chuckled at her reply. 

“Okay, little Hera, can you at least tell me whose message, it is?” Antony asked, sounding curious and a huge smile spread on Hera’s lips. Her big bright green eyes widen with joy, and her reply made Antony speechless.

“It’s from my boyfriend. Don’t tell anyone, uncle Tony, he’s going to marry me when I become very tall,” she said excitedly.

Antony’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “And who is that boyfriend, Hera? Do I know him? What’s his name?” He asked, bending to her level. Hera covered her mouth and shook her head in a no. He whispered in her ear, “Your secret is safe with me, Hera. I won’t tell anyone, I promise,” he assured. 

Hera looked thoughtful for a few seconds and realised she didn’t know his name. She forgot to ask him his name this time too. 

‘Silly me!’

Hera scowled in disappointment for forgetting to ask name again. 

“You don’t know him, uncle. He’s, Mr Hunter,” she said, and Antony’s playful mood disappeared along with his smile. Hera hid her diary under her clothes in the rack after pasting the empty chocolate wrappers in it, oblivious to Antony’s tension. 

That name “Mr Hunter” scared him to death. 

Masking his fears, he decided to ignore the ugly past for the time being. He smiled at the angel in front of him. “Its cake cutting time, Hera. Let’s join everyone, and aunt Jenny has a surprise for you,” he said, standing up, and offered his hand to her. Hera took his hand and dragged him to the living hall. 

Jenny’s birthday gift made Hera happy. It was a purple princess gown. Liezel gifted her a teddy bear, and Danny gave her a new set of colour pencils but didn’t wish her happy birthday. 

Liezel helped Hera with cake cutting and served everyone dinner. She realised that her husband and son didn’t even wish a happy birthday to Hera. Her son refused to talk to anyone and silently picked at his food. He was as stubborn as a mule for an eight-year-old boy. 

Danny ignored Hera all the time, no matter how much she tried to make him talk. Liezel knew he was angry with her. After dinner, he left with Antony and Jenny refusing to stay with his parents. Benson silently offered to tidy the hall and kitchen while Liezel carried sleepy Hera to the bedroom. 

“Happy birthday, Hera,” Liezel whispered as she kissed on the forehead of sleeping Hera. “You’re so beautiful, Hera. Like an angel,” she said, running her palm on the crown of Hera’s head affectionately. “I’m sorry for keeping you away from your parents. I’m sorry for hiding the truth of your identity. Please forgive me, child,” she confessed softly, holding Hera’s little hand in hers. 

“You sound so full of guilt.” Her husband’s voice startled her. He dropped something on her lap. “I hope these papers will lift some of the burden of guilt from your chest,” Benson said. 

Liezel could sense the sarcasm dripping from his every word, but decided to ignore him. She picked up the papers to check. It was fake adoption papers. It would prove that Hera was adopted by them and thus makes them her legal guardians. 

They’d decided to admit Hera in the same boarding school where Danny was studying. 

“I promise you, Hera. As long as I live, I’ll never let any harm come to you. Good night, my child.” Lizzy kissed Hera, one more time and switched the lights off thinking about tomorrow and hoping for the best.