Gregory watched the flush creep up the tips of Anathea’s cars before finishing his sentence.
“I mean your cake and cooking.”
Anathea shot him a sharp look.
Smiling, he pinched her cheek, then finally let her go. He grabbed candle and stuck it into the cake.
“It’s only 11:00 pm. There’s still an hour left until midnight. My birthday isn’t over yet.” He lit the candle with a lighter. The flickering flame cast shadows across his sharply defined features.
Standing before the nearly melted cake, he raised his hands, closed his eyes, and softly made a wish. “I wish for Annie and the baby to be safe, healthy, and happy.”
“Wishes don’t come true if you say them out loud,” Anathea said, glancing at him.
Gregory looked genuinely puzzled. “Really?”
“You’ve never made a birthday wish before?” Anathea frowned.
“No.” Gregory shook his head. “I’ve never celebrated my birthday before. This is my first.”
Anathea froze for a second, staring at him, unsure if he was messing with her. How could the man in charge of Sinclair Group have never celebrated his birthday?
Catching the suspicion in her eyes, Gregory gave a small smile. “I’m serious. I’m not lying.”
As he said that, a faint hint of melancholy flickered in his eyes.
He really hadn’t celebrated his birthday before. What Eleanor held every year was a party for Gregory Sinclair, not for him.
Those parties were just Eleanor’s excuse to mingle with Castenea’s high society. Whether he showed up or not never really mattered.
So every time he watched Anathea celebrate Xander’s birthday, he couldn’t help but feel a little envious.
Anathea turned her face away to avoid his eyes. Stiffly, she said, “Blow out the candles after you make a wish.”
“Okay.”
Smiling softly, Gregory leaned forward to blow out the flame.
As the smoke curled into the air, he looked straight at Anathea and said quietly, “Annie, I don’t usually make wishes because I don’t like leaving my fate in the hands of God. But I’ll do everything I can to make this wish come true.”
He wished for Anathea’s safety. That was the one he said out loud. But he had a secret wish too. He wished Anathea would always stay by his side.
In the final hour of the night, Gregory and Anathea finally sat down for a quiet dinner.
Gregory made oatmeal for Anathea. As for himself, he reheated the food she’d cooked and ate it like it was the best thing in the
world.
He had no idea what spices Anathea used, but he was completely hooked on her cooking. Honestly, it was probably because he was addicted to her. Anything she made just tasted better.
Anathea had no idea what was going through his head. After they finished eating, she took out a box and slid it to
“For me?” Gregory raised an eyebrow, looking amused. “Didn’t think you were the type to buy me things.”
“It’s not,” Anathea said flatly. “It’s for Xander. Help me give it to him.”
him.
4
Chapter 295
At that, Gregory’s smile faded. He picked up the box, and curiosity got the better of him. He opened it.
+25 BONUS
Inside, resting on a bed of deep blue velvet, was a pair of cufflinks, His eyes lit up. “Xander’s just a kid. What’s he gonna do with cufflinks?”
Anathea didn’t answer.
So, this was clearly a gift for him.
Gregory’s whole mood shifted. He grinned at her, eyes bright with delight. “Thanks. I love them.”
Anathea didn’t show much emotion. She just murmured, “I’m going to shower.”
Then, she walked off.
Gregory watched her go. His gaze trailed after her. When he saw the faint blush on her earlobes, his smile deepened.
Anathea headed to the walk–in closet, grabbed her pajamas, and stepped into the bathroom.
When she came out, fresh from the shower, she found Gregory already sitting at the edge of the bed.
He’d showered in the guest room, and now he was comfortably seated by the nightstand. The box from Samantha rested next to
him.
Chapter 296
