Chapter 139 Happy birthday Emily

Chapter 139 Happy birthday Emily

"Alan, don't run! You'll make your sister fall!" Rose called out from the kitchen counter, her hands still busy smoothing white frosting over a birthday cake.

In the main hallway, five-year-old Alan was busy pulling the hand of a curly-haired toddler girl who tottered behind him with unsteady steps.

"She won't fall, Mom! Emily wants to see her cake!" Alan shouted back. The young boy held his sister's fingers tightly, guiding her until they reached the kitchen doorway.

Two-year-old Emily clapped her hands in delight the moment she spotted the strawberry decorations on the cake. "Cake! Want cake!" she cheered playfully.

Evan, standing beside Rose, immediately dropped to one knee to bring himself down to his children's eye level. He pulled Emily into a warm embrace, then patted Alan's head.

"Wait a moment, sweetie. The cake isn't finished yet," Evan said softly to Emily.

"I helped pick out the strawberries, Dad!" Alan said proudly, thumping his own chest.

"Yes, Alan is a wonderful big brother for taking care of his sister," Evan praised with a wide smile. His eyes rested on Emily, who was currently busy fiddling with the buttons on his shirt. Evan's face looked bright and relaxed, completely free of any tension from the past.

Madam Miska rushed into the kitchen carrying a stack of clean tablecloths.

"Mrs. Rose, the table in the backyard is ready. Where would you like the small plates set up?" Madam Miska asked, making sure every detail of the event was perfect.

"In the upper right cabinet, Madam. Thank you so much," Rose answered with a smile.

"You are very welcome, Mrs. Rose. I must ensure Miss Emily's second birthday party goes off without a hitch," Madam Miska replied cheerfully before hurrying back out.

"Alan, can you do your father a favor?" Evan asked his eldest son.

"What is it, Dad?"

"Fetch Emily's gift box from the desk in my study. Pick out the prettiest ribbon for it."

"On it, Dad!" Alan immediately took off toward the study, feeling as though he had been given an important assignment.

Rose paused her spatula strokes on the cake, tilting her head as she looked at Evan holding Emily on his lap. "Three years went by so fast."

"Very fast," Evan answered quietly. He stood up with Emily in his arms, walked over to Rose, and wrapped an arm around his wife's waist. "And I never get tired of seeing this house filled with their laughter."

Rose rested her head against Evan's shoulder for a moment. "Thank you, Evan."

The front doorbell rang loudly, followed by the familiar commotion of footsteps coming from the living room.

"Anybody home?" a man's voice called out from beyond the kitchen.

"Dylan! Sonya!" Rose exclaimed, quickly wiping her hands with a towel before walking over to greet them.

Dylan and Sonya walked into the kitchen. Dylan carried a six-month-old baby boy sleeping soundly against his chest, while Sonya held two large gift boxes wrapped in colorful paper.

"Happy birthday to my absolute favorite niece!" Sonya chimed, immediately setting the presents on the table and taking Emily from Evan's arms.

"Keep your voice down, Sonya. Our baby just fell asleep," Dylan whispered with a wince, gently rubbing his son's back.

Rose chuckled softly at Dylan's protective demeanor. "You two arrived so quickly. Come in, sit down."

"We didn't want to miss a moment," Sonya said, kissing Emily's chubby cheek. "Look at who's looking more and more like her mother."

"Though her stubbornness definitely comes from Evan," Dylan cut in with a laugh.

Evan patted Dylan's shoulder lightly. "At least my child doesn't cry every time the doorbell rings like yours does."

"Hey, he's just sensitive!" Dylan protested, making everyone in the kitchen burst out laughing.

Alan came running back into the kitchen holding a gift box wrapped in a red ribbon. "Aunt Sonya! Uncle Dylan! Look, I picked out the ribbon for Emily's present!"

"My, what a wonderful choice, Alan," Sonya praised, dropping to her knees to sit Emily beside him. The two young children immediately busied themselves inspecting the gift box.

Rose stood next to Evan, watching the lively scene in their kitchen. Sonya was busy chatting with Emily, Dylan was trying to soothe his stirring baby, Alan was eagerly describing his gift, and Madam Miska was bustling back and forth carrying party supplies. The atmosphere in the house felt full, vibrant, and overflowing with warmth.

Evan leaned close to Rose's side, nudging her arm gently. "Happy?"

"So happy," Rose whispered softly. Her eyes sparkled as she looked at all her family members gathered in the room.

In the middle of the laughter in the kitchen, a male servant walked in with hurried steps. His face was pale, and he held a black envelope without a postage stamp in his hand.

The servant approached Evan hesitantly. "Forgive me for interrupting, Mr. Evan. A letter was just delivered to the front gate."

The laughter in the kitchen came to a sudden halt. Dylan turned, as did Sonya and Rose.

Evan took the black envelope, unsealed it without a word, and read the single line of text written on the paper inside. Instantly, the happiness on Evan's face vanished, replaced by a rigid, hardened jaw.

Rose stepped closer, resting her hand on Evan's cold arm. "Evan? Who is that letter from?"

Evan slowly lowered the paper in his hand. He turned to look straight at Rose, his gaze sharp a

nd heavy with tension.

"He's out, Rose."