Under the heiress facade

Hera had seen fireworks before, but never at such a grand scale. It felt as if the entire night sky was on the verge of exploding, with the show continuing uninterrupted for a full ten minutes. "Happy birthday, Hera..." Bernard said on the other end of the line.

The fireworks were so loud that Hera couldn't hear him clearly.

"What did you say? I couldn't hear you."

As the fireworks gradually quieted, the sky, once filled with vibrant colors, darkened again, and everything fell silent.

"Open the door."

A deep, magnetic voice came through the phone.

Hera blinked. She wondered if Bernard could really be there.

She quickly turned around to open the door, but no one was there.

Her emotions, which had soared like a roller coaster, plummeted instantly. After all, it was New Year's Eve. She didn't think the Killians would possibly let him leave.

"You tricked me..."

Hera trailed off. She looked down in disappointment, only to notice two rows of red rose petals on the carpet that hadn't been there before.

The petals led from her door down the hallway to the stairs. Following the trail, she went to the living room, where at the end of the petals was a pair of white leather shoes.

large bouquet of red roses.

birthday," Bernard said, handing

think that I forgot

did it on

swelled with emotion as she rushed forward and hugged him

with one arm and buried his head in her hair, breathing in its light fragrance to fill the void of his days away from

New Year's feast was filling enough. Can you

and released Bernard, only then noticing

room had been transformed

"Hera, happy birthday."

in a delicate cake tower from the kitchen that had

"Happy birthday to you..."

singing and placed a birthday crown on Hera's

everyone, melting her heart. It was only then that she realized they had

together, Hera made a wish and blew out

"Here's your birthday present."

first to hand her

presented her with a share certificate. Both certificates were for 10% of their respective companies' shares, Sedna and Everett Group. Meanwhile, Lilith

going to study in Jedburgh next year, this is for you. This apartment might be small, but it's better than a