Chapter 269

Chapter 269:

“It’s his birthday tomorrow p>

I said it out loud before I caught myself.

“Yes, it is. He doesn’t like birthdays. Or maybe he just doesn’t like celebrating them with me p>

She gave a self-deprecating laugh.

“He’s always kept us at arm’s length. I’ve never been able to fix that. But tomorrow’s a family day. We’re getting older, Mirabelle, me and his father and grandfather. We’re not after anything. We just want peace at the table. That’s all p>

I kept quiet.

I didn’t know the full story.

I knew his mother died when he was young.

I knew he got pulled into the Laurent household after that, as the bastard son. It wouldn’t have been easy. Last time we’d been at the Laurent estate, I could tell he barely tolerated Gwendolyn. But now that he ran LGH, the whole family treated him with respect—no, with awe.

“I got it,” I said. “I’ll ask if he’s open to doing something for his birthday p>

“Don’t ask him outright.” Gwendolyn’s voice sharpened. “Just come over tomorrow. Help set things up. Once everything’s ready, then call him. Say it’s a surprise. He’ll listen to you. You’re practically family. One meal together—he might finally let his guard down p>

I hesitated. “Fine p>

I didn’t think she meant Ashton harm. Maybe she didn’t even like him much, but she wasn’t stupid enough to cross him. Besides, he’d gone all out for mine. The Nyx stock, the fireworks, the cake. I wanted to return the effort.

After I hung up, I went downstairs for water. While the glass filled, I tried to think of a gift. Nothing came to mind.

𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙘𝙠 𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙝 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮: gⲁ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀⫸ⅽ𝗼𝗺

I brought the glass back up just as Yvaine started mumbling about being thirsty.

I held it to her mouth. She drank with her eyes half-closed, then knocked out again right after.

I dropped onto the short velvet couch by the bed. She slept through the night without another word. In the morning, Yvaine woke before I did.

Her voice was dry but steady. She said she didn’t remember anything after arriving at Riley’s bar, just that she’d ordered way too many drinks.

She looked fine—pale, but upright. I stopped worrying.

Yvaine promised—twice, then a third time—that she wouldn’t go drinking alone again.

Once I believed her, I left. I headed straight to the mall, circled every floor, and didn’t stop until I found a watch that might be to Ashton’s liking. Sleek face, dark leather strap, no pretentious logos. It felt like something he would actually wear.

I spent the entire morning and afternoon working on the improvements. I switched out the plain buckle for a brushed steel clasp, engraved with his initials. Then, I traced the inner side of the strap with a hidden inlay of black gold foil, visible only when he took it off.