As the days passed, she slowly adapted to life here.

When her parents asked about her future plans, she fed her mother a piece of fruit and winked.

"Mom, I've been thinking about that lately. I’d quite like to pursue further studies, but I also want to rest for a while and find a job to experience society. Do you have any suggestions?"

The wind was a bit strong in the garden, so Mr. Sterling brought two blankets for his wife and daughter, wearing a cheerful smile.

"You’ll only be twenty-three after your birthday in a few days. As for work, there will be plenty of opportunities for that later. I still hope you can freely pursue the life you want—continuing your studies or taking advantage of your youth to travel the world are both wonderful options."

Mrs. Sterling nodded in agreement, lightly tapping Selina’s head.

"Selina, we support whatever you want to do. Take your time to think, there’s no rush. Let’s talk about your birthday first. You’re turning another year older—how do you want to celebrate this year?"

Her birthday?

Selina thought back to her previous twenty-odd birthdays, all of which had been celebrated with the Thornes.

This was her first birthday in Spain, and many quirky ideas popped into her head.

"Since we just moved in, how about a pajama party for the neighbors? Or we could go to Iceland to see Auntie—is there aurora this season? But then again, I kind of want to go surfing or skiing..."

Seeing their daughter worrying over these happy little things finally set the Sterlings' hearts at ease.

They didn't have her until they were nearly thirty, and they had raised her with every bit of love and indulgence, hoping only for her happiness.

Because of their oversight, she had been hurt so deeply by Julian, and the couple had been worried for a long time.

Seeing that she had truly moved on now made them both very happy, and they decided to grant all her wishes.

"Then we’ll have a Birthday Week. A party on the first day, skiing on the second, and off to Iceland on the third..."

The family were all people of action. Once the ideas were set, they immediately drew up a celebration plan.

They bought many flowers to decorate the garden, prepared a feast of food, and sent out invitations to the neighbors.

On her birthday, as soon as Selina woke up, she received blessings from her friends back home.

She thanked them one by one. Scrolling to the bottom, she saw messages from Mr. and Mrs. Thorne.

Both had sent their blessings exactly at midnight, along with red envelopes.

After hesitating for a few minutes, Selina decided to express her thanks.

As soon as the message was sent, the screen showed "Typing..."

Shortly after, Selina received a new message.

"Selina, I know you don't want to bring up the past, and I don't want to ruin your mood on your happiest day. So, I just wish you a happy birthday, good health, and that everything goes your way. Be happy every day, and make sure to eat lots of cake."

Selina knew that no matter how close the Sterlings and Thornes had been, they could never go back to the way things were after what happened.

But she also understood that people shouldn't be judged collectively; the fault lay with her and Julian, not the elders.

Though they wouldn't have much contact in the future, she still had feelings for the Thornes, who had treated her like their own daughter since she was a child.

Faced with this gesture of goodwill filled with guilt, Selina felt a touch of emotion in her heart.

She accepted the red envelope and sincerely expressed her apologies and gratitude to the two elders.

"Uncle, Auntie, thank you for the blessings. I’ve always felt the care and love you’ve shown me over the years. So, regardless of what happened between him and me, in my eyes, you will always be my favorite Uncle and Auntie Thorne. I also wish you both good health and that everything goes smoothly for you."

Chapter 21

It had been too long since she had truly let herself go, so at this pajama party, Selina had several glasses of wine.

After a fierce pillow fight, her mood was heightened to its peak, and she was so excited that she felt like greeting even a stray cat.

This state lasted until the party ended. After walking the last two neighbors, who were a bit too drunk to stand, back to their homes, she hummed a song as she walked toward her own house.

From a distance, she saw a blurry figure standing at the entrance, holding a box in his hand.

It was so late, and her birthday had already ended—who would be coming now?

As she drew closer and saw the face clearly, the smile on Selina’s face vanished instantly, and her tone turned cold.

"What are you doing here?"

Catching the change in her mood, an imperceptible flicker of heartache flashed through Julian’s eyes, and his voice was somewhat raspy.

"Selina, happy birthday."

Selina did not respond to him. Looking straight ahead, she walked to the door, unlocked it, and was about to go inside.

Julian, thinking she hadn't heard him, called her name again.

"Selina, happy birthday. This is the birthday gift I prepared for you."

His voice was so loud that Mrs. Sterling heard it from the living room and called out from afar.

"Who is it? Selina, is that you back?"

Selina didn't want her parents to know Julian was there, so she replied quickly.

"It’s me. I’m just getting some fresh air; I’ll be in in a moment."

Only after saying that did she turn back to look at Julian, stating her stance concisely.

"I don't need it."

The light in Julian’s eyes gradually extinguished.

Yet, he forced a smile and continued to persuade her.

"I know you don't want to see me, but I promised you before that I would prepare a gift for your birthday every year. I don't want to break that promise. Selina, please just take it."

As he spoke, he opened the box.

Seeing the dazzling, magnificent gemstone necklace inside, Selina fell silent for a long time.

On her sixteenth birthday, the Sterlings had also given her a necklace.

Julian had been surprised to see it and told her that his family had a necklace rumored to be an heirloom with a very similar style.

Afraid she wouldn't believe him, he had specifically gone home to bring the necklace over, telling her triumphantly:

"Isn't my family's one much better-looking than yours? But let me tell you, my mom plans to save this for her future daughter-in-law. You can just have a look."

Back then, Julian always had Nina’s name on his lips.

Selina had thought he was hinting to her that he didn't like her at all and that there was no possibility of them being together.

Those sentiments, which she hadn't had the chance to voice, were buried deep in her heart from then on.

Even after that, when they slept in the same bed and she heard him say many ambiguous sweet words, making her heart flutter countless times—

She never dared to tell him that she had loved him for many years.

She would always remember the casual smirk on his face as he held up that necklace and the absolute certainty in his tone.

So, seeing this necklace again, Selina still felt a sense of trance.

In it, there was a recollection of the past, but there was no longer any thrill.

She took a few steps back, creating distance from Julian, her voice clear and light, yet incredibly firm.

"Don't do these pointless things anymore, Julian. We ended a long time ago. This necklace, and everything you send in the future—I won't accept a single thing."

With that, she turned and walked into the house without pausing her step.

A cold autumn wind blew, making Julian shiver uncontrollably.

He watched the retreating figure and felt as though something was being hollowed out of his body.

The resentment and pain he had suppressed for so long finally collapsed at this moment, pouring out.

"What exactly do I have to do for you to forgive me? We've been together for over twenty years—are you really going to cut all ties with me?"

"Selina, no matter how many harsh words you say, I will never give up. I will prove to you that you are the only one in my heart. In this lifetime, it has to be you!"

No matter how he shouted until his throat was raw,

Selina never looked back.

Chapter 22

Early the next morning, the Sterlings packed their bags, intending to go skiing.

Relieved not to see Julian when she stepped out, Selina pushed her suitcase toward the back of the car.

Just as she finished loading, she heard Mr. Sterling let out a sound of surprise.