Chapter 56

AMARA’S POV

I didn’t know how to act. Because I wasn’t used to this kind of attention. I wasn’t used to walking into a place and seeing people waiting for me, smiling like I mattered.

And I definitely wasn’t used to someone like Dorian Wellington being the reason behind it.

We all sat around the long dining table, plates already arranged, wine glasses sparkling under soft lights. The restaurant wasn’t crowded. It felt like the whole space had been reserved just for us, and that alone made my stomach twist.

Davina sat beside me, grinning like she had personally planned the entire universe.

Her sister and some childhood friends were there too, looking overdressed and excited. Jayden was on the other side, already acting like he belonged.

And Dorian…

Dorian sat across from me.

Calm. Quiet. Composed, like this was nothing. But every time I lifted my eyes, I caught him watching me.

Not staring like a creep.

Just… watching. Like he was making sure I was okay. Like he was waiting for me to stop looking like I wanted to run away.

I kept telling myself to relax. It was just dinner. Just a birthday dinner. But my heart wasn’t agreeing.

People talked and laughed, food was served, drinks were poured. Someone made a joke about how I was getting older and Davina immediately yelled that nobody should try it.

I laughed, but it felt strange. Not because it wasn’t funny. Because it felt too good. It felt too… safe.

Davina suddenly picked up her glass and tapped it gently with a spoon.

“Okay, okay!” she announced, raising her voice.

The table quieted almost immediately.

Everyone turned to her, smiling. Davina stood up dramatically, holding her glass in the air like she was about to give a presidential speech.

“Attention everybody,” she said. “I’m about to embarrass my best friend, so if you don’t like emotions, this is your chance to leave.”

Everyone laughed.

I narrowed my eyes at her. “Davina…”

She pointed at me. “No. Sit down.”

My cheeks burned. Davina took a breath, then looked at me properly. Not playful. Not teasing.

Serious.

And that alone made my throat tighten.

“I know Amara doesn’t like attention,” she began, “and she’ll probably pretend she hates this… but I don’t care.”

People chuckled softly. Davina’s voice softened.

“I’ve known Amara long enough to know she’s one of the strongest people I’ve ever met. And not the loud kind of strong. The quiet kind. The kind that wakes up every day, carries her problems on her head like a basket, and still somehow shows up for everybody else.”

I blinked fast, suddenly uncomfortable. Not because she was lying. Because she wasn’t.

Davina continued, her eyes fixed on me.

“She’s the type of person that will be breaking inside but still ask you if you’ve eaten. She’s the type of person that doesn’t ask for help, even when she needs it. And I’m saying this today because she deserves to be celebrated.”

My chest tightened.

I glanced at Dorian without thinking. He wasn’t smiling. He was listening.

Like every word mattered. Davina lifted her glass higher.

“So today, I just want to say… happy birthday, Amara. I’m proud of you. And I pray this year gives you what you deserve. Softness. Peace. Love. And money. Plenty money.”

That last part made the whole table laugh. I laughed too, but it came out shaky.

Davina sat back down, satisfied.

Everyone clinked glasses and said happy birthday again, and I tried to smile like my eyes weren’t burning.

I didn’t want to cry.

But when I looked across the table and met Dorian’s eyes again, something about the way he was watching me made my throat tighten even more.

It wasn’t pity. It was something else. Something I couldn’t name.

After a while, food started coming again. Conversation picked back up. Davina leaned close to me and whispered, “Don’t cry. If you cry, I’ll slap you.”

I let out a small laugh, wiping my eyes quickly.

“I’m not crying,” I lied.

Davina rolled her eyes. “You’re emotional. Let it happen.”

I swallowed and nodded slowly, then focused on eating. But even as I ate, I kept catching Dorian’s eyes.

Then the lights in the restaurant dimmed slightly.

I frowned. “What’s happening?”

Davina’s smile widened. A waiter appeared, carrying a large cake with candles glowing on top. Another waiter followed behind with a smaller tray of desserts.

Everyone at the table started clapping.

Then the singing started.

“Happy birthday to you…”

Davina sang the loudest, of course. Everyone joined in. Even Jayden was singing, completely off-key.

I covered my face with my hands, laughing in embarrassment.

“This is too much,” I muttered.

The cake was placed in front of me.

The candles flickered, warm and bright, and suddenly my eyes started stinging again.

The song ended, and everyone cheered.

Davina leaned forward. “Make a wish!”

I stared at the cake, the flames dancing in front of me. I didn’t even know what to wish for.

I had spent so long wishing for survival that wishing for happiness felt strange. But I closed my eyes anyway.

And for the first time in a long time, I wished for something selfish. Something soft. Something I wasn’t sure I deserved.

Then I blew out the candles.

Everyone clapped again, louder this time.

I opened my eyes and smiled, and my heart felt full in a way that scared me. Because happiness like this didn’t usually last.

Dinner continued after that. People took pictures, laughed, talked about old memories. Davina kept forcing me to pose, dragging Dorian into a group picture too.

He didn’t complain.

He just stood there, hands in his pockets, letting it happen like he didn’t mind being included in my life.

Eventually, the night started winding down.

My friends hugged me goodbye. Davina squeezed me tight and whispered, “Don’t let him stress you. Enjoy today.”

Jayden gave me a playful wink before leaving.

And then it was just me and Dorian. The restaurant suddenly felt too quiet.

Dorian stood beside me as we walked out.

The cold air hit my face, and I hugged my arms around myself.

I turned to him.

“Thank you,” I said softly. No words could describe how grateful I am.

He nodded once. “we’re not done yet.”

I blinked. “What?”

“I have one more surprise for you.”

My chest tightened again.