Chapter 849 The Weight of a Gift

Chapter 849 The Weight of a Gift

"I have to ask, Holden," Kian said, eyeing the triumphant curve of Holden's smile, "what's with the suspense? That car must have cost you a fortune. How much did you sink into it this time?"

No wonder Holden had been so bold earlier. The man had been hiding a serious trump card—a global limited-edition supercar, and in pink no less. Clearly, he had gone all out for little Michelle.

Thomas gave a low whistle and nodded in agreement. "He's right. This wasn't easy to pull off. That car isn't something you can just walk into a showroom and buy."

Everyone knew the price tag ran into the millions. And even then, money alone wouldn't pry one away from a collector's garage. It took persuasion, connections, and persistence. Holden had never been a car enthusiast—unlike Atticus and Isabella—so getting his hands on one of only ten in the world, and in such a short time, was no small feat.

Holden narrowed his eyes at them, a smirk tugging at his lips. "You don't need to know how I got it. The point is, it's Michelle's now. So tell me—does this count as meaningful enough?"

Before Kian could answer, Atticus spoke up. "It does. You put thought into it."

Holden's grin widened instantly. Getting Atticus's approval was as good as a gold seal.

Kian, however, was less than pleased. "Atticus, if you say that, I have to protest. I'll admit Holden went to some effort, but are you saying my gift doesn't measure up? That estate took me months to find. I even had it remodeled top to bottom in a princess theme, so when Michelle turns six or seven, she can walk into her own fairy-tale castle."

Atticus shot him a flat look. "Did I say yours wasn't good? You're you. He's him. Both are for Michelle. Why turn it into a contest? And maybe look around—this isn't the place."

That shut both Kian and Holden up. Atticus had only acknowledged Holden's effort, not dismissed Kian's. Everyone knew securing the deed to an overseas estate wasn't something you did on a whim. Kian must have been planning it for a long time.

This was a celebration, not a family scoreboard. The gifts were for Michelle, not ammunition for bragging rights. In the wrong ears, too much back-and-forth could twist the meaning behind them.

Isabella, cradling Michelle in her arms, stepped in with a warm smile. "Kian, Holden, I'll accept both gifts on Michelle's behalf. I understand your intentions even more than she can right now. Thank you, Kian, for preparing something so far in advance—a dream kingdom just for her. And thank you, Holden, for going to such lengths and expense to give her a first car she'll never forget. She's too little to say it herself, so I'll say it for her."

It had all been playful banter to begin with. No one in this family would let something like this create distance. As Atticus had said, there was nothing to compare—only the hope that Michelle would love them both someday.

Kian reached out and gently brushed Michelle's hair, leaning close enough that only Isabella could hear. "The estate isn't just for Michelle. There's a part of it for you too. What you didn't have growing up, I'll make sure you have now."

Isabella froze for a moment, looking up at him as a sudden warmth spread through her chest. She wasn't the only one who remembered that shadowed childhood. Around her were people who cared—people who had always cared. Daniel had carried that guilt until the very end, pouring all his remaining love and time into her.

She had long since stepped out of that darkness, but hearing Kian promise to give back what she'd missed still struck deep. "Thank you, Kian. You're the best."

Her eyes glistened. She wanted to hug him, but with Michelle in her arms, she could only hold his gaze.

Holden suddenly leaned in, glancing between them with exaggerated suspicion. "What's with the whispering, Kian? Talking behind my back?"

Isabella laughed, her earlier emotion breaking like sunlight through clouds. 

Kian just shook his head at Holden, half exasperated, half amused. "You're too old to be acting like this. Keep it up, and you'll never find a girlfriend."

Holden barked a laugh. "Never find one? Who says I can't? I just don't want to. Big difference. My single life is perfectly fine, thanks. Why invite trouble into it?"

On that point, Holden had never wavered. What he couldn't understand was Atticus and the others—men who had once sworn they'd die bachelors, only to fall headfirst into love. Someone in this family had to stay clearheaded, and that someone was him.

Isabella and Kian exchanged a glance, each reading the same weary amusement in the other's eyes. Kian thought Holden was wasting his time—when the right moment passed, regret would follow. 

Isabella thought Holden's walls were simply too high. Maybe, she mused, she'd have to work on breaking them down, just as she kept an eye on Orion's love life.

While they were talking, Michael approached. Among today's guests were relatives from the Brown family, and with Aiden's recent passing, Stella had accompanied Michael to exchange a few words with them. Now, the conversation over, he returned to the stage.

"Bella, let me hold Michelle for a bit," Michael said, not interrupting their banter. He took the baby from her arms, giving her a moment to relax.

The gift-giving wasn't over yet. Since this was a private celebration, Olivia—matriarch of the Wilson family—was the natural choice to host from the stage.

Next up was Orion. His gift was a hand-painted portrait—mother and child. In the image, Isabella sat in a sea of flowers, her hands resting on the curve of her belly, her face serene and luminous. It was the Wilson family's sunlit conservatory, captured in paint.