Partly, she was hoping to run into Seth.


    However, she came up empty-handed.


    It was as if Seth had vanished into thin air.


    His phone was off, her messages went unanswered, and she couldn''t even reach


    Jude anymore.


    After returning to Rivercrest City, she paid a visit to the Harcourt family estate.


    Still nothing.


    Even Evelyn said that Seth hadn''t been home in a while.


    ire clicked her tongue. "Is he nning to hide like a coward for the rest of his life?"


    Noreen said nothing.


    Who knew?


    But over this period, her emotions had gradually settled, and she had spent a lot of time thinking about the past.


    Lately, she had noticed many things she hadn''t seen before.


    It was like getting to know Seth all over again.


    Everything pointed to the fact that Seth cared about her deeply.


    But it was also true that he had chosen to be with Bianca Lowell.


    And it was true that he had been nning to get engaged to her.


    Like ire, Noreen didn''t want her mood ruined by men, nor did she want to dwell on it.


    They both sensed each other''s feelings and tactfully avoided the topic.


    "Tomorrow''s your birthday," Noreen said. "How do you want to celebrate?"


    ire replied, "I haven''t thought about it. You know I haven''t celebrated my birthday in years."


    Because her birthday was also her parents'' wedding anniversary.


    And it was the day her mother had taken her own life.


    After her mother''s death, she had never celebrated her birthday again.


    "Then let''s just have a simple dinner," Noreen said, understanding her pain point without probing further.


    "Okay, let''s invite your mom, too."


    The restaurant was booked by Noreen. It was at Willow Brook, a ce she had mentioned to ire before and that ire had always wanted to try.


    The next morning, ire had a magazine interview. Afterward, she nned to go directly to the restaurant to meet Noreen.


    But just as her interview ended and she was about to call Noreen, Felix showed up.


    She was about to pretend she hadn''t seen him and walk away, but Felix hurried after her and grabbed her arm.


    "Let go!" ire''s expression changed, her voice sharp with annoyance.


    Felix didn''t let go; instead, he tightened his grip. "I came all this way to celebrate your birthday, and this is the attitude I get?"


    His words made ire hesitate.


    Celebrate her birthday?


    How novel.


    In the nearly six years they''d known each other, and five years of marriage, he had never once celebrated her birthday.


    And now he suddenly wanted to?


    Had hell frozen over?


    ire shook his hand off and asked coldly, "How did you know today was my birthday?"


    Just as Felix was about to answer, another person walked in.


    It was Madeline Lynwood.


    "I told Felix," Madeline exined.


    ire let out a sudden, coldugh. "You really know how to stick your nose where it doesn''t belong, don''t you?"


    Of course. How could Felix possibly remember her birthday?


    Felix frowned, unhappy with ire''s tone. He began to lecture her, "What kind of way is that to talk? We came all the way from Northcrest to celebrate with you, and Madeline even went to the trouble of picking out a gift for you. Is this how you treat us?"


    As if on cue, Madeline immediately held out the shopping bag she was carrying.


    With a carefully crafted look of


    caution, she said, "Felix said he


    didn''t know what you''d like, so he asked me to pick out a gift from hime as well. There are two in here. I hope you like them."


    ire didn''t reach for the bag.


    She had no intention of epting it.


    A chill ran down her spine.


    Seeing Madeline holding the bag awkwardly, Felix''s frown deepened. He prompted ire, "Madeline spent. a whole day choosing these two gifts. Don''t disrespect her kindness."


    Clearly, he was worried ire would embarrass Madeline.