CHAPTER 83: HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Braelyn’s the pictureudden burst of light made me flinch. One second, the apartment was dark and silent, the next, everything was bright and loud. A spray of sparkles shot into the air, glittering briefly before fading, and a chorus followed right behind it.

"Happy birthday, Lynn!"

I stood there, frozen. Completely still. Like my brain had not caught up with my body, or the room, or the sound. It felt as though I was watching everything through a thin sheet of glass.

The Birthday song started. They were all chorusing except for Lucien, who stood behind me with a knowing smile. He smirked at my shocked expression. Then crossed his hand on my shoulders, "Don’t tell me you forgot your birthday Mrs Volkov. You look like you saw a ghost." He taunted pushing towards the crowd.

A small smile tugged at my face. For the first time, I didn’t retort to his snarky comment. I turned back to the room filled with familiar faces.

Genny was holding a cake. A real cake. White frosting, soft swirls, small golden edible beads made with glucose scattered over it like they didn’t know where to settle. Joey was beside her, smiling at me like he already knew I was about to cry and was preparing to tease me for it.

It was the rare moments when they were in the same room and not at each other’s necks

A few others hovered behind them, familiar faces from work and other places. Even Devon was here. Some of my department colleagues I considered close acquaintances. I wondered how Genny was able to get all of them here and they really came.

When we came in first my eyes didn’t settle on any of them. They went to Lucien first.

Lucien didn’t step forward or speak. He just stood slightly behind me, hands tucked into his pockets, head bowed just enough to hide his expression he didn’t want to steal the spotlight from me

There was a small smile on his face, urging him to go in. My eyes stung at the moment an old buried memory resurfaced in my mind when Raphael had thrown me a surprise party like this

But today he probably didn’t remember my birthday. A man whom I never told was here.

Lucien’s shoulders relaxed, and his jaw wasn’t tense. His gaze softened instead of burning. His lips read ’What are you waiting for’ as his eyes read something quiet that made my chest tighten.

Genny came closer, holding the small cake, carrying exactly 25 little candles burning brightly, with her grin impossibly bright on her lips. "Happy birthday to you..." She ended the song then chimed

"It’s time to make a wish birthday girl..." She grinned. Joey, who stood by her side, urged me. I stood blankly in front of the cake for a moment. Then sniffed trying to fight the tears. My hand clamped my mouth and I tried to hold myself together

I nodded at them. Then rubbed off the tears in my face. Lucien walked to my side and then held my hand. His fingers intertwined with mine. My head bobbed to him

He smiled at me. "Aren’t you going to blow out the candles, or do you want me to blow them?" He teased me. I laughed, the type with tears in my eyes.

Some of the guests looked surprised by Lucien’s action but hid it perfectly. I didn’t know if he did it because of his fake plan or something else. With a bright smile, I closed my eyes and thought of the times I was truly smiling.

I should have wished for happiness, but something was pressing me down on my chest. I opened my eyes with a sharp glint flickering through then blew the candle

I made my wish one I wouldn’t speak of. Genny cheered after I blew out the candle.

I blew the candles out.

There were cheers and clapping again, Joey took the cake from her and she ran to hug me tightly before forcing the cake knife into my hand to cut the cake

The music switched on and she walked towards her dining table where different snacks and dishes were placed to keep the cake.

"Do you know how hard it was to pretend I had no idea today was your birthday?" she said, half-laughing, throwing a glare at Joey. "I nearly told you five times. I swear Joey bribed me with food to stay quiet."

Joey made a wounded noise. "Bribe? It was emotional support! I was helping you keep the secret."

I laughed or something close to laughter. My throat felt tight, and the sound came out weak. I remembered Genny feeling tense today. She didn’t even mention my birthday at the hospital earlier today and it completely skipped my mind that even when Lucien brought up a weird excuse to go to her place I didn’t suspect it might be a surprise party

"You idiots," I said in a small voice.

"Yeah," Genny replied softly, leaning her head against mine for a second. "We know." She gave me a can of soft drinks while passing Lucien a beer

"Tonight is to celebrate you Braelyn." She chimed.

The room felt warm. Both the temperature and the emotions that filled the room. Everyone was here to celebrate something I forgot.

I had a couple of birthday wishes. Joey explained it was actually Genny’s idea which she kept on denying. I noticed her eyes drifting behind me to the figure quietly enjoying his beer.

She leaned in to whisper. "It’s your husband’s idea but he never man up to accept it..." My lips twitched. She was called Lucien, my husband, because the hospital had made that mistake.

When I asked him about it, he always avoided the topic, saying he didn’t make anyone assume as such.

"Happy birthday Braelyn..." Devon chimed in, holding a beer in his hand.

He was one of the oldest in the room and I was surprised he showed up. Devon was like a mentor and a father figure to me. He taught me everything I knew about business by his side was a younger girl with the same light blue eyes.

"Happy birthday Lynn..." She squealed, pulling me into a hug. "I am glad I showed up." Celeste chimed then whispered. "I also dragged Dad here. He didn’t want to come because he felt he would look out of place."

I chuckled at her words. Celeste was invited by Genny who was her close friend although I wasn’t as close to her we had a good relationship because of the business relationship I had with her father

"Thanks for coming." I chimed. She smiled. Devon excused himself to grab another beer, leaving Celeste and me. I later noticed he walked up to Lucien and they got into a deep conversation.

Celeste held my hand. "It was nothing." She nodded before glancing at a man who stood at the other side of the room." That’s Ashton. The wedding is next month." She said excitedly...

So that was her fiancé, the one Devon complained about the most. My lips twitched, he looked like a good catch in my opinion. He wasn’t really handsome but had a good build and sunny personality.

"He is quite the catch..." I laughed out loud. Celeste nodded approvingly before pouting. "Dad doesn’t really like him, but we are getting married anyway."

Her eyes drifted to her father, who was still talking to Lucien, and she shot him a glare. He must have felt her burning gaze because he glanced back at his daughter

She scoffed then turned back to me. Her eyes softened. "I heard you were in the hospital. Hope everything is fine." My gaze flickered. Genny must have told her.

I still managed a smile. "I’m fine..it’s just stress and all." Celeste frowned. We spoke a bit about her upcoming wedding and some random stuff before she asked a question that made me freeze.

"I can see Raphael didn’t make it..the guy you came earlier with, is he a relative? I can see the obvious resemblance. " She said looking in Lucien’s direction

"Raphael just got promoted and Lucien is also a Volkov," I replied. She frowned slightly.

"I thought as much, but he kind of looks familiar," she muttered deep in thought before she got interrupted by her fiancé. She had to excuse herself and then leave

The party was fun with just music, food and drinks. The guests started leaving one after the other as the night drew and soon it was just 4 of us left in the room

Genny had suggested the housekeeper would do most of the cleaning tomorrow, but I wasn’t okay leaving her place in a mess. I suggested helping with cleaning dishes.

Genny had refused at first, but after insisting, she hesitated and agreed. She a Joey stayed in the sitting room bringing down the decorations while Lucien and I handled the dishes

"I think this is the last one," Lucien said, placing a pile of plates beside me. "Are you sure you can handle all these?" He muttered rolling off his sleeves to help me rinse

I just discovered Genny’s dishwasher was bad, so I was stuck hand washing, which I was coming to terms with. It helped get my mind off things.

"I can handle it," I said, placing a washed plate into the other sink for him to rinse. Lucien hummed

His voice came softly. "Happy birthday Braelyn. I hope you get whatever you wish for." He said. My gaze flickered and I glanced at him

He was holding out a picture.."I didn’t know what to get you but I was able to..." Before he could finish his sentence, I jumped at him and pulled him into a hug. Tears streaked down my face..

It was the picture that Mother Amelia tore. How did he get it? Lucien froze.