<h4>Chapter 240: The Birthday Girl</h4>


    Rain smiled widely as she spotted Alexander leaning casually against the car, waiting for her. He immediately stepped forward to help with her paper bags, his eyes narrowing briefly at the chocte bouquet she held in her other hand.


    She half-expected him to ask about it, but he didn’t. Once they were settled inside the car, Rain couldn’t resist anymore. She pulled a chocte from the bouquet, unwrapped it, and took a bite. She’d been craving these pistachio choctes, the expensive kind Henry had given her as she left the office.


    "Want some?" she asked, offering it to Alexander.


    "Who gave you that bouquet?" he finally asked, eyeing it.


    "Oh, it’s from Henry," she replied casually, savoring the chocte. Instantly his face darkened. She knew he was being a little possessive, but his reaction amused her.


    Alexander immediately grabbed the bouquet and ced it in the back seat, muttering, "I’ll get you something better than that."


    Rain grinned, pouting as she murmured, "Don’t be so petty. Henry’s just a colleague, and besides, these choctes are my favorite..."


    "But they’re not healthy," he replied, frowning.


    "I know... It’s not like I’m going to eat them all at once!" Rain teased, pulling the chocte just out of his reach as he tried to snatch it.


    "Fine," he conceded with a smirk, leaning closer. "But I’ll have my taste from you."


    Before she could respond, he brushed his lips against hers, stealing a taste of the chocte.


    Rain’s breath caught as Alexander’s kiss deepened, his hand resting against her cheek as he savored the taste of the chocte on her lips. The unexpected tenderness made her heart race, and when he finally pulled back, she was left with a shy smile.


    "Guess it is pretty good," he murmured, his gaze softening.


    She yfully nudged his shoulder. "See? You just had to try it my way."


    Alexander chuckled, shaking his head. "I’ll still get you something better, though," he added with a smirk. "Something that won’te from your overly attentive colleague."


    "Oh, so you were jealous," Rain teased, crossing her arms as she shot him a mischievous look.


    Alexander nced at her, feigning indifference. "Jealous? Maybe just a little," he admitted, his voice warm. "It’s hard not to be when I want you all to myself."


    His words made Rain’s cheeks flush. She settled into afortable silence, watching the city lights blur past as the car moved onto the main road.


    When she noticed they were heading in a different direction, she nced at him curiously. "Are you nning another surprise?" she asked, eyes sparkling with excitement. Alexander was always finding ways to surprise her, and she wondered what he was up to this time.


    Alexander chuckled, yfully pinching her nose. "Look at you, dying of excitement!"


    She pouted, humming, "I can’t help it... I’m getting used to this. You’ve been spoiling me way too much!"


    He smiled, his gaze softening. "My wife deserves the best in this world."


    Rain’s heart skipped a beat at his words, her cheeks flushing again. She was getting used to these moments with Alexander, yet each time he called her his "wife" with such affection, it still felt new, sending warmth through her that she couldn’t exin.


    "Let’s have dinner first and get you nice and full," Alexander murmured, pulling her close as he gently took the chocte from her hand and, to her surprise, popped it into his own mouth with a grin.


    Rain chuckled, enjoying the warmth of the moment and the quiet intimacy of the car ride.


    After afortable silence, Alexander spoke up. "By the way, Tyron gave me some good advice today about Father’s condition," he began, stroking her hair softly and cing a gentle kiss on her head.


    Rain listened attentively as Alexander shared Tyron’s perspective. "He’s right," she said thoughtfully. "It’s a relief that we all know about this now. Just let me know when you’re ready, and we’ll sit down with Father together."


    Alexander nodded, considering her words. "I think I’ll tell William first. He’ll need a moment to gather himself, and then the three of us can talk to Dad. What do you think?"


    Rain smiled, appreciating how openly Alexander shared his thoughts with her, involving her in family decisions and truly valuing her opinion. "Yes, that’s even better. Let’s do that first."


    Feeling a wave of gratitude, she hugged him tightly, her heart full. "You know," she whispered, "you’re the reason I can’t hold a grudge against Sanya, even after everything. Because of her, I crossed paths with you, and I found you..."


    Alexander chuckled, shaking his head with a grin. "We definitely owe her some gratitude," he said yfully. "But let me tell you, if it wasn’t you... if this had happened with someone else... Sanya would’ve been in jail by now."


    Rain took a deep breath, feeling grateful that fate had brought her so much more than she’d ever expected. As the car slowed to a stop, her eyes sparkled with anticipation, excitement radiating from her as she stepped outside.


    The waterfront was breathtaking. The twinkling lights reflected off the bay, casting a magical glow over the entire setting. Alexander led her to a private spot at a small, secluded bay-front restaurant, where a cozy table had been set up just for them, right at the water’s edge.


    Rain’s gaze fell on the spread before them: sauteed abalones, tunas, grilled lobster, grilled oyster, steamed ms, kingcrabs and a tall tter of fresh prawns. She covered her mouth in delighted surprise, her heart soaring as she realized he’d made her long-time dreame true.


    "This...this has been on my list forever!" she said, her voice almost a whisper as she reached out to hold his arm. "Thank you, Alexander. You really know how to make everything perfect."


    Alexander smiled, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I’m just trying to spoil you," he teased with a grin. "It’s your birthday, after all, and I want to make sure it’s perfect."


    He pulled out her chair, and Rain quickly took a seat, watching him as he settled in beside her. After they both put on their clear stic gloves for the meal, Alexander reached over, peeling a prawn with a practiced hand and cing it on her te.


    "Only the best for the birthday girl," he murmured, leaning in as he began to feed her.