?Chapter 1209:

    Everyone’s faces glowed with pure joy, their smiles full of warmth, and their blessings unmistakably sincere.

    This scene felt eerily simr tost year, as if time had briefly looped.

    The only real difference? On his twenty-eighth birthday, Freya had simply said, “Happy birthday.” This year, on his twenty-ninth, all he got was, “It’s been a long time.”

    Liam and Gerardunched a barrage of party poppers at once, sending a flurry of confetti, ribbons, and delicate petals cascading over Kristian’s head like a celebratory storm.

    In this world, there were countless things that could mend a person’s spirit—but for Kristian, nothing was more healing than the unwavering love and care of his family.

    “How did you all even end up here?” Kristian’s expression shifted—his features softened in that rare, subtle way.

    Just moments ago, Gerard had mentioned sending Melinda a quick photo, yet here they all were in the flesh.

    Liam set down his party popper and slung an arm over Kristian’s shoulder, speaking with his usual easygoing charm. “We figured you’d be bored out here all by yourself. Birthdays should be lively and full of good vibes!”

    “Don’t just stand there. Come blow out the candles and make a wish,” Melinda called, just as she finished setting thest candle onto the cake.

    “I already—”

    “That was before. You’ve got two cakes this year, so you get to make two wishes,” Melinda cut in, already a step ahead of him.

    She had a pretty solid idea of what was on his mind. She also knew that the first wish he’d made probably had everything to do with Freya.

    Liam struck a match and lit the candles one by one, unusually attentive for once. “Take your time and wish for something good. Maybe a big career leap? Or finding ‘the one’?”

    “Let’s go,e on!”

    “Make a wish!”

    gα?ησν????s?c???? brings imagination alive

    Their voices ovepped in a cheerful chorus as they broke into the birthday song.

    Their singing carried not just melody, but genuine affection, radiant smiles, and the kind of love that ran deep.

    Kristian scanned their faces, then quietly closed his eyes and made his wish in his heart. “May those I love, and those who love me, enjoy a lifetime of peace and happiness.”

    Something changed in Kristian after that birthday celebration.

    He starteding home more often, spending quality time with his family, eating properly, and finally getting good sleep.

    No one brought up Freya around him anymore, and he never mentioned her either.

    It felt like life had rewound to a gentler time—back when he was a few years younger.

    Before they knew it, another year had flown by.

    Kristian no longer obsessed over pushing the Shaw Group to new heights. He chose to maintain what he had, steady and calm.

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