Chapter 176 A Mistake

Chapter 176 A Mistake
ALMA

I couldn't believe it. Today was my birthday, and I didn't even know. They truly wanted to surprise me. Gosh, I knew something was fishy.

“Let me apply some lip gloss on you,” Bianca said happily as she started applying lip gloss to my lips.

“You're quite lucky, Alma. I know this might sound uncomfortable to you, but I envy you. You got to end up with a man like my brother, Sebastian. He is a good man,” she said carefully.
I chuckled and looked into her eyes.
“Don't ever wish to be like me. My life isn't that great, dear. I had been suffering before I met your brother,” I said casually.

A thick silence followed, and she scoffed.

“I really don't know what he sees in you,” she said flatly.

My fist tightened, but I forced a smile.
“Why?” I asked. “Because I don't match his status?” I asked.

She rolled her eyes and folded her arms across her chest.
“You don't deserve Sebastian,” she muttered.

“Why? Because you realized your choice wasn't good? You also made that statement. I didn't deserve Luis, and now I don't deserve Sebastian. Who the heck do I deserve, Bianca?” I asked softly.

She blinked, lifting her chin.
“I don't know.”

I let out a quiet laugh and nodded.
“You envy me, whereas you were struggling to bear a child for someone who fucked you in his marital bed and still couldn't introduce you to his family. Yet you went ahead and got pregnant for such a man, a married man,” I shot back.

Her fist tightened.
“You also got pregnant for an engaged man,” she snapped.

I got to my feet. I don't think we could ever be close because we don't even click. She looks down on me every time. No matter how sweet her words are sometimes, the part where she believes I don't deserve her brother always stays locked in her heart.

I just hope she meets a good man who can heal her from the pain Luis caused.

But right now, it's my special day. I don't want to ruin it with any misunderstanding.
I walked out, leaving her there. As I stepped into the hall, the blue designer gown my father had bought was so beautiful. I really looked like a princess.

Everyone was standing with glasses of wine in their hands, and in the middle stood a huge cake.

I clamped my hand over my mouth in awe.
This was quite a celebration.
And I loved how it was just a simple gathering filled with loved ones... except one person.

“Cheers to your new age,” Nick's voice came.
Why is Nick here?
Still, I forced a smile. It's my birthday... but how old am I? Since I had been celebrating the wrong birthday, that means my age might be affected.

I walked toward my dad.
“How old am I? ” I whispered.
“Twenty-one years. What's wrong?” he asked carefully.

I shook my head. Okay, that means I'm still the same age, just with a different birth month. That's quite fair.

The celebration continued, and suddenly Elijah whispered something to my father. My father nodded in approval.
Then Elijah rushed toward Sebastian and whispered something to him, and Sebastian nodded quickly.

My brow furrowed. Is it another surprise? There are already so many gifts here. I wondered what this one could be as Elijah rushed outside.

“Enjoy yourself, dear,” Lady Flores said as she walked up to me and handed me a glass of orange juice, which I took and sipped.

“You look so beautiful, my dear,” Lady Flores said calmly.

I instantly hugged her.
“Thank you, Mother.”
“Where's Bianca?” Mrs. Mandoza asked as she walked up to me.

I gestured toward the door. She was inside.
Mrs. Mandoza nodded and walked toward the room.

“Did you have some misunderstanding with Bianca? ” Lady Flores asked, reading my expression.
I hesitated but nodded.
Lady Flores sighed.
“I know she's your senior, but at times she acts quite childish because she's already used to getting the best things, and she doesn't know it's different with human beings. You can get beautiful things with money, but getting good people doesn't require money. It's far beyond that,” Lady Flores said.

My eyes stayed glued to her as I paid attention to every word.

“Alma, she's now your sister-in-law. Even when she says things you don't like, just respond to her with wisdom. I know Sebastian would stand by you, but don't encourage an argument between him and his family just because of you, okay?” she said.

I nodded and hugged her.
Suddenly, Elijah came in with a beautiful lady. She was a bit chubby, but she was cute.

Who is she?
“Hello, family. This is Diana, my fiancée. We will be getting married in two months' time,” he announced, and everyone erupted into applause.

Okay, that's quite a surprise for today.
“She came all the way here yesterday to bake this beautiful cake for my precious cousin. She'll also stay for the wedding and bake the wedding cake too. She's a caterer and is currently doing her master's at XU,” he announced, and everyone clapped again.

“Thank you so much, and happy birthday, Nina. I have heard a lot about you. I'm happy to finally meet you in person,” she said as a sincere smile spread across her face.

“Thank you,” I replied, returning the smile.

“Thank you all for being here to celebrate my beloved daughter's birthday. I also want to specially thank Sebastian, Diana, Bianca, and Elijah for helping me with the preparations, as well as Lady Flores, Mrs. Mandoza, Nick, and my best friend and nurse. Thank you all,” my father said, and everyone clapped loudly.

The rest of the party continued as I cut the cake, and we all celebrated together.
I had never celebrated such a wonderful birthday.

I'm truly grateful to have them in my life.
A few minutes later, everyone started leaving. I stood beside my father as I watched Elijah introducing the male nurse to his girlfriend. The male nurse made some sign language for her. She didn't understand, so Elijah interpreted for him.

After some minutes, they all left, leaving only Sebastian and me. My father left with the male nurse.

“Alma, did you have a problem with Bianca? I noticed she never came out after you did until my mother had to bring her out, and I could see she had been crying. What did you two talk about?” Sebastian asked.

I exhaled and explained everything to him.
He pulled me into a hug.

“You are special, Alma. If anything, I don't deserve you,” Sebastian said, making all the hurt dissolve within me.

He pulled away and stared at me.
“I have one more surprise,” he said.
I looked around him.

What surprise? There's nothing in his hand.
“Close your eyes for a moment,” he said.
Instantly, I did.

My chest raced with anticipation.
“Now open them,” he said. I quickly did.
My entire body froze.

A tattoo of my name, NINA, was inked across the left side of his chest.

"That's exactly what hurt" he said softly.