Chapter 123 — A Morning Meant for Us
I was still half-asleep when I heard a gentle knock on my door.
At first, I thought I was dreaming. The room was still dim, the curtains only letting in the faintest line of early morning light. My body felt heavy with sleep, and for a few seconds, I didn’t move.
Then the knock came again. More deliberate this time.
I pushed myself up slowly, my hair falling into my face. My heart was already beating faster, though I didn’t know why. Something about being woken up that early made everything feel uncertain.
I slipped out of bed and walked to the door. When I opened it, I froze. Edward was there.
And behind him was one of the maids, holding a breakfast tray.
“Good morning,” he said, smiling.
My surprise must have shown clearly on my face because his smile widened.
“Why are you here so early?” I asked quietly.
“I wanted to surprise you,” he said.
The maid shifted slightly behind him, adjusting the tray.
“I asked them to prepare breakfast for you,” Edward continued. “But I wanted to be the one to bring it.”
I blinked. “You… brought me breakfast?”
He nodded. “You’ve been doing too much lately. I don’t want you stressing yourself today.”
There was something gentle in his tone. Something intentional. I stepped aside quickly. “Come in.”
He wheeled himself inside, and the maid followed carefully, placing the tray on the small table near the window.
I noticed everything on it–tea, fresh bread, fruits, eggs, even honey.
“You didn’t have to do this,” I said.
“I wanted to,” he replied.
“I also have another reason for today,” he said suddenly.
I blinked. “Another reason?”
“Yes.”
He leaned back slightly. “I want to take you out.”
“Out?”
“To a boutique.”
I stared at him.
“For what?”
He looked amused. “To shop.”
“Shop?”
“Yes,” he laughed softly. “Clothes, jewelry, whatever you need.”
“Why?” I asked, genuinely confused.
“Because you deserve it.”
I shook my head immediately. “No, that’s not necessary.”
“It is to me.”
“I have enough clothes.”
“You don’t have enough clothes for someone who is about to become very important publicly.”
I frowned slightly. “Important?”
He raised an eyebrow. “You’re my girlfriend.”
The word still felt unreal.
“I don’t want you stressing today,” he continued. “No work, just us.”
My heart warmed a little.
“You really planned this?” I asked.
“I woke up early for it.”
Silence filled the space. I looked down.
My mood hadn’t been right since yesterday. Since Jasper’s words. Since I saw Edward enter Vivian’s room.
I hadn’t meant to bring it up. But it was sitting there, heavy inside me.
Edward noticed. His eyes softened. “You don’t look happy.”
“I’m fine,” I said automatically.
He didn’t look convinced.
The maid looked between us awkwardly.
Edward turned to her. “You can leave us.”
“Yes, Sir.”
She bowed slightly and left the room, closing the door behind her.
“What’s wrong, Elara?”
Just the way he said my name made my chest tighten.
I hesitated. Then I took a breath.
“I saw you,” I said quietly.
He frowned slightly. “Saw me?”
“You went into Vivian’s room the other day.”
His expression changed immediately. Not defensive or angry. Just serious.
“Oh.”
I folded my hands together. “Why did you go there?”
There it was.
The question that had been sitting between us.
Edward let out a slow breath.
“I needed to talk to her about us,” he said calmly.
“She’s finding it hard to accept that we’re over,” he continued. “And I needed to make things clear. I told her she should leave the mansion. I told her I don’t want her causing trouble.”
“You told her to leave?” I asked.
“Yes.”
His eyes were steady on mine. I studied his face carefully.
There was no hesitation. Just honesty.
Something inside me loosened.
He watched me for a moment longer. “Is that what’s been bothering you?”
I nodded slightly.
He moved closer. “Elara, if something is troubling you, tell me. Don’t carry it alone.”
“I just…” I exhaled. “I didn’t want to seem insecure.”
He shook his head. “You’re allowed to feel things.”
My lips curved slowly. The tightness in my chest eased.
“I’m sorry,” I said.
“For what?”
“For doubting.”
He reached for my hand.
“I chose you,” he said firmly. “And I don’t regret it.”
That was all I needed. My mood lifted without me even realizing it. The room felt brighter.
I smiled.
But then something crossed my mind.
“When exactly is your birthday?” he asked suddenly.
I blinked at the sudden change of topic.
“My birthday?”
“Yes.”
I hesitated. “Ten days from now.”
His eyes lit up. “Ten days.”
He nodded slowly. “Then we need to prepare. For your birthday party.”
My eyes widened. “Party?”
“Yes. A big one.”
“No,” I said quickly.
He frowned. “No?”
“I don’t want a big party.”
“Elara,” he said gently, “have you ever had a big birthday celebration before?”
I looked away. “No.”
“Then this one will be the first.”
“Edward…”
“I want the pack to celebrate you,” he said firmly. “I want everyone to know how important you are.”
I swallowed.
“I just want something simple,” I said quietly. “Just you and me.”
His expression softened.
“That’s sweet,” he said. “But I want more for you.”
There was determination in his voice.
“You deserve to be celebrated,” he continued. “Properly.”
I didn’t know what to say. No one had ever insisted on celebrating me before.
“I’ll think about it,” I murmured.
He smiled slightly. “Good.”
At that exact moment, far away from my room, in the kitchen–the maid who had delivered my breakfast walked in.
She was smiling.
“Do you know what I just saw?” she whispered to the other maids.
Callista turned immediately. “What?”
“Alpha Edward is taking Elara shopping today.”
There was a pause.
Then murmurs.
“Shopping?”
“Yes. Boutique. Clothes. Jewelry.”
Callista’s expression darkened instantly.
Her jaw tightened.
“Really?” she asked quietly.
“Yes,” the maid replied. “He woke up early just to surprise her.”
Callista said nothing more.
But her eyes burned.
Without another word, she turned and walked out of the kitchen.
Straight toward Vivian’s room. She knocked twice.
Vivian opened it.
“What is it?” she asked coldly.
“Edward is taking Elara shopping today,” Callista said immediately.
Vivian’s face changed, her fingers tightened on the door.
“What? When?” She demanded.
“Later today.”
Vivian’s eyes darkened. For a second, she looked like she might explode.
“What will you do?”
Vivian stepped back into her room. “Tell me when they are ready to leave.”
“And then?”
“I’ll make sure they don’t.”
Callista’s eyes widened slightly. “How?”
Vivian’s smile. “I’ll fake something. Maybe I’ll faint, just collapse.”
Callista’s lips parted. “And you think he’ll stay?”
“He won’t leave if he thinks I’m in danger,” Vivian said confidently.
“And I’ll help you,” Callista said quickly.
“Yes,” Vivian nodded. “You’ll be the one to scream. Alert everyone.”
Callista smiled now.
Vivian walked toward her mirror, adjusting her hair.
“They won’t leave this house together,” she said softly.
Callista felt excitement rising inside her.
Back in my room, Edward reached for my hand.
“Be ready by noon,” he said.
And I nodded.