Chapter 174

Chapter 174
Lena's POV

The lights flooded on, and I froze completely, my hand still on the switch, my entire body going rigid with shock as my brain struggled to process what I was seeing.

My living room had been transformed into something I'd never expected to see in my own home—balloons in soft sage green and white clustered near the ceiling, strings of warm fairy lights draped along the bookshelves, white roses and lavender arranged in simple glass vases on every surface. The dining table was covered with food I actually liked—delicate sushi rolls, fresh fruit arranged in careful patterns, a matcha mousse cake instead of the chocolate monstrosity most people assumed I preferred.

And then they appeared, all at once, like they'd been holding their breath waiting for this exact moment.

"Surprise! Happy Birthday, Lena!"

Isabelle stood up from behind the sofa, her face bright with genuine joy. Diana sat in her wheelchair near the window, Jack positioned protectively behind her with his hands on the chair's handles. Rachel and Sophia burst out from the direction of my study, holding streamers and grinning like they'd just pulled off the heist of the century. Alexander raised a wine glass from his spot by the dining table. Martha emerged from the kitchen, still wearing an apron and beaming at me.

Emily stood just behind me, finally dropping her carefully neutral expression in favor of pure delight.

And at the back of the room, leaning against the doorframe to my study with his hands in his pockets and that infuriating half-smile playing at his lips, was Rowan.

He wasn't wearing a suit. He had on a deep blue sweater that made him look softer, more approachable, almost domestic. His eyes met mine across the crowded room, warm and cautious and hopeful all at once, like he was bracing for me to either burst into tears or throw everyone out.

I had forgotten it was my birthday. I never celebrated it, so it didn't matter.

My throat closed up. My vision blurred at the edges. Everything I'd been holding back all day—all week, all month—crashed over me in a single overwhelming wave.

I bit down hard on my lower lip, trying desperately to keep my composure, but my eyes were already burning.

The cheering died down. The room fell into an awful, expectant silence.

Isabelle took a tentative step forward, concern creasing her brow. "Darling, are you all right? Did we frighten you?"

"Lena," Diana said quickly, her voice tight with worry, "if you don't like surprises, we can—"

"Is she okay?" Sophia whispered to Rachel, loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Did we mess up?" Rachel whispered back, equally audible.

Rowan straightened from his casual lean against the doorframe, took two steps into the room, then stopped, like he wanted to come to me but didn't dare.

Emily's hand settled gently on my shoulder from behind, grounding me.

I closed my eyes, took a shaky breath, and when I opened them again, my vision was even blurrier but my mouth was curving upward despite everything.

I let out a sound that was half laugh, half sob, and rolled my eyes dramatically at the ceiling. "You guys..."

I paused, sweeping my gaze across every single face in the room—Isabelle's maternal concern, Diana's anxious hope, Rachel and Sophia's wide-eyed worry, Alexander's polite uncertainty, Martha's warm affection, Emily's knowing smile, and Rowan's careful, guarded expression.

My voice came out rougher than I intended, thick with emotion I couldn't quite hide. "This is the most sentimental thing I've ever seen."

Then I pointed at the dining table, my vision swimming with unshed tears, and my voice cracked slightly as I added, "There's so much of my favorite food here, so none of you are leaving tonight. You hear me? You're all staying until every last bite is gone."

I wagged a finger at them for emphasis, trying to inject some levity into my wobbly tone. "And I'm warning you right now—anyone who wastes food is going on my grudge list. Permanently."

There was a beat of stunned silence.

Then the room erupted.

Laughter and cheers filled the space, so loud and genuine it felt like the walls themselves were celebrating. Isabelle pressed a hand to her chest and let out a relieved laugh. "Oh, thank God. I thought you hated it."

Rachel bounced on her toes. "I knew she'd love it! I told you guys!"

Sophia grinned at me. "We were so scared you'd be mad."

Even Alexander chuckled, raising his glass higher. "To Lena, who makes threats sound like compliments."

The tension shattered completely, replaced by warmth and noise and the kind of chaotic affection I'd never had in my childhood home. My chest felt too tight and too full at the same time, like my heart was trying to expand past my ribcage.

Rowan's smile finally relaxed, the worry melting from his eyes. He didn't move closer, didn't say anything, just watched me with an expression I couldn't quite name but felt all the way down to my bones.

Isabelle was the first to reach me, pulling me into a tight, enveloping hug that smelled like something floral I couldn't place. "I knew you'd like it, darling," she murmured into my hair. "Happy birthday."

I hugged her back, my arms wrapping around her frame, and whispered, "Thank you," against her shoulder.

She patted my back like a real mother would, like I mattered to her not because of contracts or business alliances but simply because I existed. "You deserve this, sweetheart. All of it."

When she finally let me go, Jack wheeled Diana closer. Diana reached out and took my hand, her grip firm and her color much better than the last time I'd seen her. "Happy birthday, Lena," she said quietly. "I know things have been hell lately. But you deserve a night where people celebrate you."

I crouched down so we were at eye level, my hand still in hers. "You should be at home resting."

Diana's smile turned wry. "Miss your birthday? Not a chance."

Jack cleared his throat from behind her wheelchair. "She threatened to call an Uber if I didn't bring her."

I laughed despite myself, squeezing Diana's hand once before standing. "Thank you for coming."

Rachel and Sophia descended on me next, practically vibrating with excitement as they shoved a neatly wrapped box into my hands. "This is from both of us!" Rachel announced. "We picked it out together!"

"We were going to get you a fancy briefcase," Sophia added, "but that felt too boring."

I shook the box experimentally, hearing a soft rustle inside. "Let me guess. Books?"

Rachel's grin widened. "You got it! But they're special books. You'll see."

Alexander approached with his wine glass still raised, his smile genuine. "Happy birthday, Lena. It's been an honor being friends with you."

I picked up a glass, clinked it against his. "Thank you, Alexander. For everything."

Martha wiped her hands on her apron and came over, her eyes crinkling with warmth. "Happy birthday, Miss Lena. Mr. Reynolds started planning this a week ago. He even made a list of everything you actually like."