Chapter Forty

**Amelia’s POV**

The day passed in a soft blur.

Between fittings, hair styling trials, and the quiet buzz of the staff preparing for the evening, I barely had time to catch my breath. But it wasn’t the flurry of preparations that made my chest flutter with anticipation.

It was the fact that this birthday… this celebration… was mine.

And Nico had made it happen.

When the sun dipped low, casting long golden shadows through the windows, I stood in front of my mirror. My fingers trembled slightly as I clipped the delicate necklace around my throat. The midnight-blue dress shimmered with every movement I made.

Then a knock echo, gently.

“Come in,” I said.

Maria stepped in with a soft gasp. “You look breathtaking, dear.”

My cheeks warmed. “Thank you.”

She walked over and gently placed a box on the vanity. “Mr. Valente asked me to give you this.”

I raised a brow in surprise. “A gift?”

Maria smiled. “He said to open it before coming downstairs.”

After she left, I slowly untied the silk ribbon