Chapter 145: 145.Gifts
Tabitha’s POV
She beams at me. Anyone watching would think she’s going all out to make her stepsons’ birthday perfect. I’d probably believe it too, if I didn’t know that the smile on her lips and the spark in her eyes are nothing more than an act.
Her attention shifts to the man who approaches her from behind. Alpha Emery. My mom’s husband wraps his arm around her waist and plants a sweet kiss on her cheek. My mom smiles at him.
Look at that. Sure, Emery Aldair is an intimidating man, but he always appears to be a loving husband to my mother.
Or maybe he’s just as good as her when it comes to wearing a mask. After all, he’s not exactly the greatest husband to his late wife or father to his children—his sons say so.
“Tabitha…” he calls to me, so I walk towards them.
“Yes?”
“My sons may be a pain in the neck most of the time but tomorrow is a special day for them,” Alpha Emery declares, his arm still loosely wrapped around my mom’s waist.
“Yes. Birthday, huh?”
My stepfather hums. “It’s gonna be a big party. So why don’t you invite that friend of yours—Andres, is it? Augustus’ Kingston’s son.”
Oh.
“Andrew,” I correct him. “But, uhm, sure, I—uh. I can text him… see if he’d like to come.” Yup. He’d come, alright. But I don’t think the birthday boys will appreciate his presence on their birthday.
“Didn’t you invite Augustus too, darling?” my mom asks while stroking Alpha Emery’s chest.
I wonder what she’s really thinking at this moment. Is she imagining how she’d stab her husband in that exact spot when she finally gets the chance? If that’s what she’s thinking, her mask of devotion hides it perfectly.
“I did,” Alpha Emery confirms. “But I heard from his secretary that he’s back in the mainland and will be staying there for a few weeks to handle some business. His son remains on the island though. So I thought it’d be a great idea to invite him instead.”
Huh. So Andrew’s dad ditched him? Damn, I hope he’s okay.
“The 24th birthday is always special for the Aldair family. It’s a family tradition that we welcome this age with much enthusiasm than any of the other celebrations before it. Tomorrow is bound to be something special.”
My mom smiles at Alpha Emery as she hums in agreement. For a moment, the smile on her lips looks genuinely real, as if something he said had truly pleased her.
A special celebration, he says?
Suddenly, Mario’s words echo in my mind.
“Take your daughter back, Isla. The plan will proceed tomorrow. We’re done here.”
The… plan?
My heart pounds against my ribs. I didn’t understand it last night, but now it feels like a warning. Sweat beads on my forehead as I hear the brothers rustling their way into the mansion.
The rogues are planning something tomorrow. And I don’t think it’s a coincidence that it will happen on the brothers’ twenty-fourth birthday.
You would think I am attending a funeral, judging by the way the brothers look. Not even the warm greetings from the guests manage to pull a smile from any of them.
“Don’t you four look delightful,” I say when I finally make my way over. “Happy birthday.”
The party has only just begun, and guests are steadily pouring in. Earlier, their father cornered them into entertaining a few important arrivals, so this is the first chance I have to approach them.
“Thanks.” Finally, Jace’s lips curve into a handsome smirk. “I can’t wait until this party is over.”
“I thought you’re the type to like parties?”
“Not this one.” The smile on his lips falters. “Although I don’t mind the food.”
“Of course,” I mutter sarcastically. “Is that the only saving grace of today’s occasion?”
“The only saving grace is if this wraps up early.” Jace grabs a pastry from a passing server.
“And you? Have you eaten already?” Evren asks, tilting his head as he studies me.
“I—uh, no. Not really.” I haven’t had much of an appetite since yesterday.
“That’s not good.” Evren signals to a waiter nearby and lifts a small plate from the tray before it can be offered elsewhere. He picks out a few safe options and places the dish into my hands. “Start with this. You don’t get to skip meals.”
“Why are you all so hung up on me eating?”
“We won’t be if you’re eating properly,” Luca replies.
Rolling my eyes, I give in and take a bite. I’m not about to argue with the birthday boys today. Jace leans in to steal a few bites from my plate, helping me finish it off. Luca and Evren look satisfied as they watch me clear what’s left. Meanwhile, Reed wanders off and plucks a cocktail from the bar.
When he returns, he takes a generous swig of the cocktail and grins at me. “So… You got us any gifts?” Reed asks, raising a brow.
About that… “Well, I…”
“He’s just joking, you don’t have to give us anything,” Luca says and elbows his brother.
Reed grunts, almost spilling his drink.
Not that I had any time to get them anything when I just found out about this special occasion last night!