Chapter 354

Evelyn lifted her gaze and met Harrison's piercing blue eyes. In their depths, she could see her own reflection shimmering like moonlight on water.

"Happy birthday, Harrison."

His lips curved into that devastating smile she knew so well as he reached out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Thank you, darling."

Evelyn sprang up from the couch, the earlier melancholy vanishing as she practically skipped to the dessert table. With ceremonial flourish, she presented the homemade cake like it was the crown jewels.

"I baked this myself. You'd better eat every last crumb."

Harrison's chuckle sent pleasant shivers down her spine. "Wouldn't dream of doing otherwise."

She carefully placed candles on the frosted surface, the lighter's flame casting dancing shadows across their faces as she began singing in her soft contralto. "Happy birthday to you..."

The scent of vanilla and burning wax filled the air between them.

"Make a wish, Harrison."

His intense gaze never left hers as he closed his eyes briefly. When they fluttered open, Evelyn found herself holding her breath without realizing it.

Together, they leaned forward and extinguished the tiny flames in one synchronized breath.

Evelyn handed him the silver cake knife, her fingers brushing against his. "The birthday boy gets first cut."

Harrison had celebrated countless lavish parties before, surrounded by society's elite. But this simple moment with Evelyn - just the two of them in his penthouse - outshone them all.

"Let's indulge then," he murmured.

As they finished their slices, Harrison's private line buzzed. "Happy birthday, my darling boy!" Beatrice Whitmore's melodic voice carried through the speaker.

"Thank you, Mother."

"I know you have Evelyn with you this year, so your father and I won't intrude." Beatrice's conspiratorial tone made Evelyn blush. "Though I did reserve you a table at La Perle Noire tonight. The reservation details are coming through now. Don't keep the poor girl waiting!"

Before Harrison could respond, the line went dead. His phone chimed with the restaurant details seconds later.

Shaking his head at his mother's antics, Harrison extended his hand to Evelyn. "It appears we have dinner plans. Shall we?"

"Lead the way," she answered with a smile.

Beatrice had chosen Pamore's most exclusive couples' restaurant - an intimate establishment known for its romantic ambiance and impeccable service. Crystal chandeliers cast a soft glow over linen-draped tables as they entered, drawing admiring glances from other patrons.

They settled at a window table overlooking the city lights, the view almost as breathtaking as the way Harrison looked at her across the candlelit table.

Outside, a sleek black sedan pulled into the valet parking. Nathan Sterling frowned at the restaurant's ornate facade, his phone vibrating insistently.

"Nathan, are you at the restaurant?" Eleanor Blackwell's voice held that particular note of maternal expectation he knew too well.

"I'm here. Where are you?"

"Go straight to table 26! I've arranged a lovely girl for you - the Winslow heiress. Don't you dare—"

Nathan ended the call mid-sentence, his jaw tightening. As he turned the ignition, a flash of chestnut hair through the restaurant's floor-to-ceiling windows caught his attention.

It had been weeks since that fateful encounter with Evelyn Carter, yet the sight of her now made his pulse stutter. She was even more radiant than he remembered, laughing at something her companion said.

Against his will, Nathan found himself staring, that familiar ache returning to his chest with startling intensity.