Chapter 237
Rain beamed as she entered her office, greeted by a burst of confetti and colorful balloons. Her team cheered in unison, “Happy Birthday, Prosecutor Lancaster p>
She was completely taken by surprise and couldn’t help but laugh, delighted by the unexpected celebration. “You’re probably wondering how we found out?” Jane teased with a grin. “Well, aside from knowing everyone’s birthday because I make it my mission to remember everyone’s birthday here, Mr. Lancaster was extra thoughtful and asked us to make sure your day was special even if you insisted on coming to work p>
Rain felt her heart warm, realizing how much thought Alexander had put into making her birthday memorable.
“Did he really?” Rain asked, her cheeks tinged with color as her team nodded enthusiastically.
“Oh, yes! He even sent over treats and this enormous bouquet,” Jane said, gesturing to the stunning flower arrangement on the reception table. “Your desk is overflowing with papers, and since you didn’t want us rearranging things, I wasn’t sure where to put it p>
Rain chuckled, holding up the small succulent Alexander had given her last Friday. “Only this little one fits on my desk. Let’s keep the bouquet there for now,” she replied with a grin.
Then Marlon, Jane, and Matt each handed her small gifts. “You really didn’t have to,” she said, her smile widening. “But thank you so much p>
Just then, Henry stepped in, raising an eyebrow. “How am I the only one who didn’t know it was your birthday?” He shot Jane an accusing look, making her smile awkwardly.
“Don’t look at me! Matt was supposed to remind you Jane defended herself, glancing pointedly at Matt.
Henry gave Matt a look of mock suspicion. “I smell a conspiracy here p>
Matt chuckled, unaffected. “The husband doesn’t seem comfortable with you, Prosecutor Wayne, so what can I do p>
Rain gulped, already guessing what had happened… Alexander must have asked Matt to keep Henry out of the loop.
“As if that would stop me from getting Prosecutor Lancaster a gift,” Henry said with a smirk. “Anyway, happy birthday. I’ll have your present delivered here soon. Be sure to let your husband know p>
Rain shook her head, laughing. “Really, there’s no need, Henry p>
“Oh, but I insist,” he replied with a wink.
Jane quickly interrupted and said, “Right! We have a mini party planned in the break room after lunch. You’ll have the best meal, cake, music, and the chance to actually ’take a break’ on your birthday p>
Rain laughed, feeling a warmth she hadn’t felt in a long time. “Alright, alright, you’ve convinced me. I’ll take a break, but only for cake!” she teased, earning a round of cheers and laughter from her team.
Rain entered her private office, setting the little pot of succulent on her desk with a wide smile. “My desk is still missing something,” she murmured thoughtfully. She couldn’t wait to add a small photo frame of her and Alexander… she knew she’d enjoy glancing at it every now and then while working. Just the thought of it warmed her heart, and she felt an extra surge of happiness on this already special day.
At the Cartier’s Mausoleum
Summer gently placed a delicate flower on the small burial vault marked “Alina Sarena Cartier,” where her firstborn daughter rested. “She’d be twenty-four today,” she murmured softly to her husband, Arlan, who stood silently by her side, his hand resting on her shoulder in quiet support.
“I wonder what she would have looked like,” Summer continued with a wistful sigh. “If she were alive, if she were with us p>
The years had passed, yet the pain of losing their daughter had never dulled. Every year, they returned to this spot on her birthday… the day she was meant to enter their lives but instead left without a single breath.
Arlan tightened his grip on her shoulder, his own grief hanging between them in the stillness of the day. They had created a life together, full of love and happiness, but Alina’s absence was a constant shadow, a dream that would forever remain just out of reach.
“I think about her often,” Arlan finally spoke, his voice thick with emotion. “How different everything might have been with her here… but she’ll always be a part of us p>
Summer nodded, blinking back the tears that had become so familiar on this day. “I just hope… wherever she is, she knows we love her. That we’ve never forgotten p>
Together, they stood in silence, honouring the daughter they never got to hold long but who would forever remain in their hearts.
After a few more moments, the couple walked to the greenery cemetery going back to their car. “Carla is arriving earlier than she initially planned. I will prepare a grand welcome for her,” Summer commented as Arlan opened the car door for her.
“She’ll like it,” Arlan said reassuringly. “I just hope everything smooths out for her, especially now that Alexander’s completely out of the picture. We both know how much she cared for him,” he added, watching Summer sigh heavily in response.
“Some things aren’t meant to be,” Summer murmured. “She’s still young, and time has a way of healing even the deepest hurts p>
There was a terse silence that Summer broke with a sigh. “I called Renzo, and he said Carla’s still sleeping. Her shoot wrapped up around dawn, and she’s been pushing herself to come home earlier than planned p>
Arlan nodded with a soft chuckle. “It’s not like we could stop her if we tried. You know how stubborn she can be. Let’s just wait for Renzo to let us know when she’s awake so we can video call and wish her a happy birthday p>
Summer smiled, nodding in agreement. Summer had a surprise gift for Carla that she planned to give in person. But an idea suddenly came… “What if we surprise her?” she suggested to Arlan, her eyes sparkling. “Let’s book a flight now. I’ll see if I can clear my schedule for the day, and you do the same p>
Arlan smiled, catching her enthusiasm. He knew how much Summer wanted to uplift Carla, especially after she’d been so heartbroken over Alexander’s marriage. “Alright, let’s do it,” he murmured warmly, pulling Summer close and pressing a kiss to her forehead. “I’ll clear my schedule for today and tomorrow. She’s going to love this p>