?Chapter 229:


    “Surprise!”


    The moment Belinda swung the door open, the room erupted in a ze of light.


    The sudden brightness was so intense that she couldn’t keep her eyes open.


    As her eyes adjusted, she saw that the living room was teeming with familiar faces.


    Her college roommates, ssmates, and friends from the university club were all there, each wearing a smile.


    In the heart of the crowd stood Madisyn, donning a whimsically colored, pointed party hat.


    She wheeled forward a towering three-tiered birthday cake, leading the chorus of a hearty, “Happy Birthday, Belinda!”


    Belinda stood frozen, momentarily stunned as if struck by lightning.


    It took her a moment to realize…


    Today was her birthday!


    Over the recent years, life had been tough, preupied with caring for Kristopher, and her birthdays had slipped by unnoticed.


    She hadpletely forgotten.


    Yet, Madisyn had never forgotten it!


    This thought made Belinda’s heart swell with emotion. Her lips quivered, her eyes brimmed with tears, and she finally let them flow. After she had married Kristopher and faded from her friends’ lives, she never expected this reunion.


    But here they were, all her friends reunited in her apartment, ready to surprise her and revive the birthday traditions she once cherished!


    “See, I’ve moved Belinda to tears!” Madisyn, surrounded by friends, chuckled and pointed out Belinda’s tears, teasing her yfully.


    Belinda offered noeback.


    G a lno v els  is packed with thrilling adventures


    She simply nodded, her voice soft. “You really have moved me.”


    “Don’t cry.”


    Her former college roommate shed aforting smile and said, “You rushed into marriage right after graduation. We all thought it was such a pity. If you had… ”


    Focused on your career back then, who knows what heights you might have reached?”


    “We all read about your divorce from Kristopher yesterday.”


    “Belinda, we’re here not only to celebrate your birthday but also to cheer for your fresh start!”<fn3622> Content originallyes from find(?)ovel</fn3622>


    Tears streamed down Belinda’s cheeks as she nodded, feeling the warmth of everyone’s support. With joined hands, she made a wish, blew out the candles, and began slicing the cake for everyone.


    “Happy birthday, Belinda.”


    Just as she finished distributing the cake slices, a deep, gentle voice reached her ears.


    She looked up.


    Darren stood there, extending a beautifully wrapped pink gift box. “Madisyn put me up to riling you up today… I wasn’t sure how to get under your skin.”


    A flicker of regret crossed his face. “I overstepped earlier. I’m sorry for that. I’ve been holding onto this gift for quite a while. Please, take it.”


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