Chapter 266 CHAPTER 266

Chapter 266 CHAPTER 266

ARIA’S POV

ANNIVERSARY DAY:

I Slowly opened my eyes and immediately noticed Something unusual Scattered across the bed.
Soft red Petal flowers Covered the sheets, Surrounding me in a beautiful Circle.
For a few Seconds, I Simply Stared at them, Completely Confused by what I was Seeing.

My hand moved over my now noticeably bigger Stomach as I Slowly Sat up.
I looked around the room and noticed tiny Candles, ribbons and more flowers arranged everywhere.
A Soft Smile immediately Spread across my face as I realized Cassian had been up early.

I Carefully climbed out of bed, making sure I didn't move too quickly because of my Pregnancy.
My feet touched the floor and I immediately noticed a Small note lying beside the bed.

I Picked it up and read the words Carefully written across it.
“Follow the flowers, my love.”
My heart immediately Started beating faster as I looked toward the bedroom door.
There was another trail of Petals leading out of the room and toward the hallway.

I Slowly followed the trail, my hand resting Protectively over my three-month Pregnant Stomach.
Every few Steps, I noticed another Petal placed Carefully on the floor.
A Small part of me already knew exactly who had Planned everything.

Cassian had been acting Strange for days and now I finally understood why.
This was what he was hiding from me.
Still, I couldn't help wondering how far his Surprise actually went.
I Smiled to myself as I Continued following the trail.

Another note was waiting near the hallway, resting against a Small vase filled with roses.
I Picked it up and read the Short message written across it.
“Keep going, beautiful.”
I laughed quietly because I Could Practically hear Cassian saying those words in my head.

The Petals led me past the staircase, through the hallway and toward the living room.
My excitement grew with every Step because I could already feel that Cassian had Planned Something big.

I reached the final Petal.. I Stopped and looked up, then I Saw Cassian Standing in the middle of the living room.
The entire mansion had been transformed with flowers, Candles, fairy lights and Pictures of us.

He was wearing a dark Suit, holding a Small bouquet of roses behind his back.
The moment our eyes met, his face lit up with the warmest Smile I had ever Seen.
I Covered my mouth with my hand because the emotion hit me So Suddenly.

Cassian Slowly walked toward me, his eyes never leaving mine.
He reached me and lowered his head.
“Happy one year anniversary, my love.” He whispered.
I couldn't hold myself back anymore.

I rushed into his arms and wrapped my arms tightly around him.
He immediately hugged me Carefully, his hand resting gently against my back.
My eyes filled with tears as I realized how much effort he had Put into everything.

“Happy anniversary, baby.” I whispered against his Chest, feeling my heart overflow with emotion.
He kissed the top of my head and held me Closer.
For a few Seconds, neither of us Said anything.

I Simply listened to his heartbeat while his arms remained wrapped around me.
There was Something incredibly Comforting about Standing there with him after everything we had Survived.
One year of marriage had Passed, yet Somehow it felt like we had lived through an entire lifetime together.

Then I Pulled away and looked around the room again.
“Cassian, you did all of this?”
He laughed Softly and nodded, looking almost Shy despite everything he had Prepared.
“I woke up early so I Could decorate everything before you wake up.”

The Secret Phone Calls, the mysterious Smiles and the way he kept hiding his Phone Suddenly made Sense.
I Stared at him for a few Seconds.
“You've been Planning this all these while?”
Cassian raised an eyebrow and Pretended to look Confused.

I laughed and Pointed at him.
“This is why you've been acting Strange and kept hiding your phone for days… You even go as far as leaving the room to make Calls, and Smiling whenever I asked what was wrong.”

He Started laughing when he realized I had finally figured everything out.
I folded my arms and Cassian walked Closer and gently Pulled me into another hug.

“I wanted to Surprise you.”
“You almost made me think you were hiding Something terrible from me.”
He laughed Softly.
“I Could never do Something like that.”

I rolled my eyes Playfully, but I couldn't Stop Smiling.
“You were acting Suspicious and you weren't even good at hiding it.”
He looked offended for a moment before laughing again.
“I thought I was doing an excellent job.”

“You were terrible at it.”
I Said, laughing.
Cassian shook his head and Pulled me Closer.
“Maybe I was just hoping you'd become Curious.”

“Well, congratulations, because I was definitely Curious.”
He kissed my forehead.
“It was worth it if I got to See that fake frown on your face.”
My heart immediately melted at his words.

I looked around the room again, noticing how every detail had been Carefully arranged.
There were Pictures from our wedding and photographs from our life afterward.
Some Pictures showed us laughing, while others captured quiet moments that only we understood.

Seeing them brought back memories I hadn't realized I was Still carrying so deeply.
We had gone through arguments, pain, fear, healing and moments when our future had looked uncertain.
Yet here we were, one year into our marriage, Standing together with our baby growing inside me.

I touched my Stomach and felt tears Slowly gather in my eyes.
Cassian immediately noticed the change in my expression.
He gently Placed his hand over mine.
“Are you okay?” he asked Softly.
I nodded but another tear escaped before I Could Stop it.
“I'm more than okay.”

“I Can't believe it's already been one year,” I whispered.
Cassian gently held my face between his hands.
“Neither Can I.”
He looked into my eyes with an expression filled with love and Something deeper.

“You know, there were moments when I was terrified I would lose you.”
My heart ached when I heard those words because I knew exactly which moments he meant.

I reached up and touched his cheek.
“But you didn't lose me.”
He Closed his eyes for a moment, leaning into my hand.
I Pulled him into another hug, feeling his arms tighten around me.
For a few Seconds, we Simply held each other without Saying anything.

Cassian Slowly Pulled away and wiped a tear from my cheek.
“I don't want today to be about the Painful things.”
He Smiled and gently touched my Stomach.
“I want it to be about us, how far we've Come and the life we're building.”

I nodded, unable to hide the Smile that Spread across my face.
“You and our baby are my whole world.” He Said.
My tears finally fell.
I laughed through them and gently hit his Chest.

“You're making me Cry too much on our anniversary.”
“Those are happy tears.” He laughed.
I shook my head while trying to Stop Smiling.
“Still, you're not allowed to make me Cry this much.”

Cassian grinned. “I'll try to behave then.”
“You better.”
He laughed and I gently Pushed his Shoulder.
He Pulled me back into his arms and hugged me.
Everything around us disappeared and it felt like there was only him and me in the world.

Then he reached behind him and handed me the bouquet of roses.
I accepted the flowers and noticed another Small note attached to them.
I Carefully Pulled it loose and read it.
“Go get dressed, because our anniversary adventure is only beginning.”
I looked at Cassian with wide eyes.
“Adventure?”

He nodded with a mischievous Smile.
“Yes, we're going out.”
I immediately became Curious.
“Where are we going?”
Cassian shook his head.
“That would ruin the Surprise.”

I narrowed my eyes at him but he only laughed.
“You're enjoying this too much.”
“Maybe.”
“You know I hate being kept in the dark.”
“I know and that's exactly why I'm enjoying it.”

I shook my head while laughing.
“Now, go get ready, beautiful.”
I Slowly turned toward the staircase, Still holding the flowers against my Chest.
My mind was already racing with possibilities.

A restaurant, a hotel, a Private dinner, maybe even another trip somewhere beautiful.
Whatever he had Planned, I knew it would be Special because Cassian had Clearly Put his heart into it.

I took a few Steps before turning around to look at him again.
He was Still Standing in the living room, watching me with a Proud Smile.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” I asked.

“Because you're beautiful.”
I immediately felt my cheeks become warm.
“I turned back and Started walking upstairs.
I was almost at the top when Something caught my attention.

I noticed Something lying on the final Step.
I Stopped and bent down to Pick it up.
It was a Small black box with my name written across the top.
I Slowly turned toward Cassian.

He was Standing at the bottom of the stairs, watching me with a mysterious Smile.
I Pulled the box Closer to my Chest. “Cassian... what is this?”

He didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he Crossed his arms and looked at me with an amused expression.
My eyes narrowed as I Stared at him.
“Don't tell me this is another clue.”
Cassian's Smile only grew wider.
“Open it.”

I looked down at the Small black box again and my fingers Carefully moved across the lid.
Cassian remained Completely Silent at the bottom of the staircase.
I lifted the lid and looked inside, then my breath caught in my throat.

There was a Small, beautifully wrapped key resting inside the box.
Beside it was another note folded neatly in half.
I Picked up the note with trembling fingers and unfolded it.
Only four words were written across it.
“Your next Surprise awaits.”

I looked at Cassian in disbelief.
“What's the key for?”
He finally Started walking toward me.
His Smile became Softer as he reached the staircase.
“You'll find out Soon.”
I Stared at him, realizing the anniversary Surprise was much bigger than I had imagined.

Cassian reached me and gently took my hand.
“Come with me.”
I looked at the key again before Placing it safely inside my palm.
“Where?”
He Smiled but he didn't answer.

I followed him down the staircase, Completely Curious about what waited ahead.
Cassian held my hand firmly as we walked toward the front door.
The moment he opened it, I noticed a black luxury car waiting outside.

A driver was Standing beside it and another Small bouquet of roses rested on the Passenger seat.
I turned toward Cassian with wide eyes.
“Wow, this is insane.”

He Smiled.
“Today is about making you feel loved.”
My eyes Softened as I looked at him.
“You already make me feel loved every day.”
He Squeezed my hand gently.
“Then let me make today unforgettable.”