Chapter 285

Aria listened quietly as they finished singing the birthday song , a faint smile touching her lips . “ Can we turn on the lights now ? ” she asked .
Caleb and Owen looked helpless . “ Sure . ”
As the lights came on , Aria saw several snacks on the table , with a cake taking center stage .
She glanced up and noticed streaks of flour still smudged across Caleb’s face , even a dusting on his nose from kneading the dough .
Aria slowly approached with a soft chuckle . “ Caleb , did you bake this cake yourself ? ”
Caleb froze , surprised . “ How could you tell ? ”
Aria chuckled . “ You’ve got some flour on your face . ”
Caleb checked his reflection on the phone and immediately wiped the flour off , shooting Owen a sideways glance . “ Why didn’t you tell me ? ”
Owen replied lightly , “ If you’d wiped it off , how would she know you made the cake yourself ? ”
Speechless , Caleb didn’t say anything more . He handed Aria the gift . “ Happy 23rd birthday , Aria ! ”
Caleb scratched his head and said with a sheepish grin , “ It’s my first time baking a cake , so it’s not exactly a looker . “ ,
Owen set his gift down on the other side with his usual calm . “ Happy birthday . ”
Aria smiled . “ Thanks . ”
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Meanwhile , at Saxon Manor , everyone said to Silvia with a bright smile , “ Happy birthday , Silvia ! ”
The whole family gathered together , their faces alight with smiles , yet an unshakable sense that something was missing lingered in the air .
Caleb had always been there for her birthday , every single year .
But this year , for the first time , Caleb wasn’t there .
Silvia felt a pang of disappointment , but didn’t let it show . “ Thank you , Grandpa , Mom , Dad , Uncle Luke , and Nathan . ”
“ Make a wish first , ” Zoe said gently .
As Silvia closed her eyes , Zoe and Logan exchanged a glance , their eyes filled with quiet melancholy .
Today also marked Aria’s birthday .
They had never once celebrated their daughter’s birthday .
Nathan glanced at the empty seat where Caleb should have been and let out a quiet sigh .
He couldn’t help but envy Caleb , who was free to up and leave whenever he wanted , unchallenged and unquestioned .
He also couldn’t help but envy Derek’s shameless confidence .
As Silvia opened her eyes , the three of them swiftly masked all traces of their emotions and forced cheerful smiles .
After the birthday celebration ended , Silvia took out her phone and opened her that with Aria . She typed , [ Happy birthday . ] But no matter how many times she stared at those words , she just couldn’t bring herself to hit send .
Born on the same day , yet from that very moment , their fates diverged .
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From that day on , she took over Aria’s identity .
Silvia clenched her phone , hesitated , but in the end , she just couldn’t bring herself to send the message .
She had no right to do it .
A message from Caleb popped up : [ Happy birthday ! ]
Silvia’s face lit up with joy . She quickly replied : [ Thanks , Caleb . ] It was attached with a heart emoji .
In the dead of night , a shadowy figure , wrapped head – to – toe in dark clothing , materialized soundlessly outside Betty’s place .
She moved in fits and starts , scanning her surroundings warily . Inch by inch , she crept closer , climbed over the fence , and slipped inside . Producing a slim metal pick , she slid it into the doorjamb and began working the lock with practiced , silent precision .
With a soft click , the door eased open .
She slipped inside , making a beeline for the room where Aria usually slept .
Flicking on her flashlight , Hannah swept the beam across the room , her eyes scanning every detail . She pulled open a drawer – oddly empty . A light tap on the bottom , then a firm press , and the hidden compartment sprang open .
Hannah’s eyes lit up as she lifted the panel and saw a blood – red seal .
It matched the photo Culver showed her exactly .
Hannah’s heart leapt . ‘ This is it ! ‘ she thought , excitement surging through her .
Hannah quickly stuffed the seal into her pocket , restored the drawer to its original state , locked the door behind her , and slipped out through the window , leaving no trace she’d ever been there .
No sooner had she left than a tall figure emerged from the shadows where she’d just disappeared .
Fryderyk’s eyes locked onto the thief’s retreating figure . Just as he sprang forward to give chase , someone grabbed his arm .