?Chapter 683:

    Lifting herself onto her toes, Elliana ced a gentle kiss on his lips. “Thank you, darling.”

    A faint blush crept onto Cole’s face as he hugged her. “This is my very first attempt at cooking, so I can’t promise anything about the taste. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to eat much.”

    Rather than say anything right away, Elliana sat down and carefully tried each dish. When she finished, she beamed at him. “It tastes wonderful!”

    Cole joined her at the table, sampling his own cooking with a bit of hesitation. Deep down, he knew the food was nowhere near what the family’s chef could make, and he figured it was just barely eptable. ncing at Elliana, he spoke with uncertainty, “Really, if you’re not hungry, don’t force yourself.”

    Elliana met his eyes with certainty. “I really do like your cooking! Cole, every important first—our marriage, our first night, and now your first homemade meal—has been with me. I’m incredibly grateful for that.”

    The list of firsts kept growing. A sudden wave of gratitude washed over Cole as he realized just how many of life’s milestones he had experienced by her side. A bright smile warmed Elliana’s face.

    Elliana turned to Cole, her eyes bright with excitement. “Darling, I want to have birthday cake and make a wish!”

    A gentle smile spread across Cole’s face. “Alright.”

    He carefully lit twenty candles on the birthday cake and began singing the birthday song just for her.

    Paulina dimmed the lights in the dining room and quietly led the servants away, leaving the room peaceful and private for the pair.

    With a sense of hope, Elliana closed her eyes and wished with all her heart. As soon as she finished, she slowly opened her eyes, took a deep breath, and blew out every candle. The happiness on her face lit up the whole room.

    Cole reached for the remote and brought the lights back to life. Moving behind her, he wrapped his arms around her and leaned in close, his voice soft as he asked, “So, what did you wish for just now, hmm?”

    Elliana answered, “I wished for something selfish.”

    Curiosity flickered in Cole’s eyes as he lifted a brow. “Just how selfish are we talking?”

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    Elliana honestly replied, “I wished that you forget the whole world but me if curing Psychephrenia means you have to lose your memory. I want to be the most important person in your world.”

    Cole didn’t say a word, but the smile on his lips said it all. He kissed her cheek, happy to know she made such a wish because he was equally selfish when it came to her.

    “We should eat. There’s still a birthday gift waiting,” Cole suggested.

    A curious look appeared on Elliana’s face. “What kind of gift?”

    Cole gave her nose a gentle tap. “If I tell you now, it ruins the surprise. Just wait a little longer.”

    Though she made a face at him and pouted, she decided not to press for more, choosing instead to enjoy the meal.

    By the time they finished eating, night had wrapped itself around the sea, turning the water into a ck, endless stretch.

    Elliana expected Cole to suggest a walk on the beach, just like they did the night before, but he surprised her by leading her up to the rooftop instead. From the rooftop of the mansion, they had a sweeping view of the entire shoreline, taking in the sea from an entirely new angle. Above them, the sky sparkled with stars, and soft moonlight bathed everything in silver.

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