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Chapter 21
Two days later, it was Marissa’s birthday.
Declan had cleared his entire schedule for it. But as he stood in the kitchen, staring at the
half–frosted cake, it hit him–he barely knew what flavor she liked.
In the end, he ordered one of everything.
It was the first time he’d ever celebrated her birthday properly.
Before his accident, someone like him–untouchable, revered–never spared a thought for the
birthday of a scholarship girl quietly living under his roof.
And after he was paralyzed, all he cared about was hiding his broken self from the world. She’d
become the closest target, someone to unleash all his bitterness and shame on.
Later, with her patient care and quiet encouragement, he’d started to heal. He’d learned how to
lower his defenses, how to treat others with something close to kindness.
But by then, she was already gone.
He’d convinced himself it was fine. He just needed more time–time to catch up, time to understand her. Now that she was back, they had a future. And in that future, he’d learn everything -her routines, her quirks, her favorite flavors–and make them part of his life.
The moment he got home, he practically rushed to show off, lining up all the gifts in the living
room like a kid seeking praise.
“Riss,” he said with a grin, “take a look. See if there’s anything you like. If not, I’ll get you more.”
Marissa had already braced herself for two outcomes–either he’d forgotten her birthday altogether, or he’d throw an over–the–top show.
She hadn’t expected this.
The entire living room was filled with cakes and gifts, almost cluttering the space.
“You didn’t have to do this,” she said, blinking in disbelief.
Declan hesitated, opened his mouth, then closed it again. He stumbled through a few vague excuses, clearly avoiding the truth.
And that’s when it hit her.
Chapter 21
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In a divided village, a young man from the lower village falls for his childhood friend.
During the short time they’d truly spent together, his focus had never been on her–not really. It
had been on his legs, his own downfall, or on Celeste. The little attention he’d given Marissa… it had barely been anything at all.
He didn’t even know what kind of cake she liked.
She let out a quiet chuckle, almost to herself.
Thank God she’d chosen someone else.
Seeing her smile, Declan thought she was pleased and smiled back in relief.
She didn’t correct him. Instead, she picked one gift at random.
“This one’s fine,” she said lightly.
It was a bracelet–amethyst, simple but expensive.
The pale purple stones sat cool against her palm, making her skin look even fairer. As she turned it
in her hand, her gaze drifted to the small certificate tucked inside the box.
Nearly a million dollars. And still considered one of the cheaper gifts among the lot.
Her mind drifted.
She remembered the early days when she’d just arrived in Crestfall. She had barely any money- just enough for a few meals. Certainly not enough for rent.
She’d scraped by, taking odd jobs while figuring out how to survive in a foreign place. If she’d had something like this bracelet back then–even selling it at half price–she could’ve bought herself some safety, maybe avoided that night when she’d almost stumbled into a murder scene just
looking for a place to sleep.
But luck, or fate, had tossed her a lifeline instead.
Adrian.
She met him while working a café shift. Maybe it was just the rare joy of hearing a familiar accent,
maybe the comfort of a stranger who felt like home–but he’d struck up a conversation.
She’d just smiled politely, trying to be a good employee. She had no idea that a few sentences with him would end up changing the entire course of her life.
Chapter 21
