chapter 133
Elena's POV:
I woke to an empty bed, Sebastian's warmth already faded from the sheets.
Before I could wonder where he'd gone, the bedroom door creaked open and Sebastian wheeled himself in, his movements still carrying that studied awkwardness he'd perfected over weeks.
"Good morning, birthday girl," he said, maneuvering the wheelchair beside the bed with careful precision. "Sleep well?"
"You were up early." I stretched, noting the slightly mussed state of his hair.
He reached for my hand, pressing a kiss to my knuckles. "Your phone's been buzzing. Might want to check it."
My stomach tightened as I reached for the device. Three missed calls from Dad. With trembling fingers, I called him back.
"Sweetheart," his voice came through warm but exhausted. "Happy birthday. I'm so sorry, but I won't be able to make it today."
"It's okay, Dad." I kept my voice steady, though disappointment settled heavy in my chest. "Is everything alright?"
"Rebecca's condition has... it's complicated. The doctors need me here." A pause, weighted with things he couldn't say. "I'm so sorry, Elena. I wanted to be there."
"I understand. Really." I glanced at Sebastian, who was watching me with careful neutrality. "Take care of what you need to. I love you."
"I love you too, sweetheart. So much."
The line went dead. I stared at the blank screen, swallowing past the familiar ache of being second priority.
"He can't come," I said unnecessarily.
Sebastian's hand found mine. "The Sterling family affairs are... demanding right now. Your father is doing what he must to protect certain interests." His thumb brushed across my knuckles. "He wanted to be here, Elena. That matters."
"I know." I managed a small smile. "It's fine. "
"Come," Sebastian said, backing the wheelchair away. "Alfred has been polishing silver since dawn, apparently proper birthday presentation requires military precision."
I laughed despite the lingering disappointment. "Lead the way then. Can't keep Alfred's perfectly polished silver waiting."
When we reached the grand hall, I stopped in my tracks.
Everything Sebastian had mentioned in his Instagram post—the very details I'd mocked—were real.
Cream roses and baby's breath lined the staircase in elegant cascades. Soft music floated from speakers I couldn't see, hidden within the very walls he'd joked about.
The morning light streaming through the windows caught on what had to be thousands of dollars worth of fresh flowers from multiple continents, their subtle fragrance filling the space.
"Oh," I breathed, pressing a hand to my chest. "You actually... all of it..."
"Every ridiculous, wasteful detail," Sebastian confirmed, a note of satisfaction in his voice. "Still think I'm a fool with more money than sense?"
I turned to him, tears pricking my eyes. "I think you're my fool with more money than sense."
"I'll take it." His smile was soft, private. "Happy birthday, darling."
Soon, the guests began arriving in elegant waves.
Luna appeared first in a flowing black dress that draped beautifully over her pregnancy, while Michael fussed with her white fur coat despite her protests that she wasn't cold.
"Birthday twins!" Luna exclaimed, carefully navigating a hug around our matching bumps. "Look at us, two whales trying to embrace."
"Speak for yourself," I laughed. "You look gorgeous."
Damian burst through next with his usual energy, Felix trailing behind with an air of studied sophistication. Isabella surprised me by actually showing up, having apparently postponed her Milan trip.
"I couldn't miss this," she said, presenting an elegantly wrapped box. "Besides, someone needs to document Sebastian acting like a normal human being."
Nicholas and Rose arrived together—actually together—with Lily babbling happily in Nicholas's arms.
Rose wore a stunning burgundy dress that made her look like she'd stepped from a magazine, though she kept glancing at Nicholas with barely concealed uncertainty.
The afternoon flowed with champagne and laughter, gifts piling up despite my protests. Alfred, resplendent in his morning coat, meticulously recorded each present in elegant script, his fountain pen moving across the ledger with practiced precision.
As evening approached and dinner was served, the atmosphere grew warm with friendship and wine.
Stories were shared, gentle teasing exchanged, and I found myself forgetting my father's absence in the glow of chosen family.
Then the lights dimmed.
"What's—" I started, but Luna squeezed my hand.
The dining room doors opened, and there was Sebastian. Standing. Walking. Pushing an elaborate birthday cake that sparkled with candles, his movements careful but undeniably steady on his own two feet.
The room erupted. I couldn't breathe, couldn't think, could only stare as my husband approached with that smile that had undone me from the very beginning.
"Surprise," he said softly, and the cake suddenly seemed like the least important thing in the world.
"When—how—" My voice cracked, hands flying to cover my mouth. "Sebastian, when did you—"
"Just these past two days." He set the cake on the table with steady hands, his eyes never leaving mine. "I wanted to save it for today, to give you a proper surprise."
I was crying now, unable to stop the tears as they streamed down my face.
Here I was, surrounded by friends who'd become family, watching my husband stand tall and strong after weeks of uncertainty, feeling more loved than I'd ever imagined possible.
"Hey now," Sebastian said gently, reaching up to brush away my tears with his thumb. "No crying on your birthday. We have wishes to make and candles to blow out."
"These are happy tears," I managed, laughing through the emotion.
"Still tears." He cupped my face tenderly. "Come on, love. Everyone's waiting."
I looked around the table—Luna dabbing at her own eyes, Margaret beaming with grandmother pride, even Nicholas looking suspiciously misty—and felt my heart overflow.
"Make a wish!" Damian called out, starting a chorus of encouragement from around the table.
I closed my eyes, the wish forming instantly in my heart: Let the people I love stay close, let everything be well. Simple. Perfect. Everything I needed.
The candles went out in one breath, and the room burst into applause.