?Chapter 626:


    Gerard pressed his lips together and started the engine, weighed down by a heaviness in his chest.


    A pang of guilt surfaced.


    Why hadn’t he pushed harder back then—insisted they sit down and talk things through?


    Kristian never even liked Ashley. And yet he still divorced Freya for her. Wasn’t that utterly senseless?


    Lost in thought, Gerard pulled into the parking lot.


    When Kristian stepped out of the car, Gerard called out and handed him something. “Mr. Shaw.”


    Kristian paused. Even in his suit, looking every bit the man of prestige, his mood gave him away. He looked less aloof and more like someone burdened by quiet sorrow.


    “Happy birthday.” Gerard offered the item with a faint smile. “I hope this year brings you everything you’ve been hoping for.”


    Kristian epted the gift box, his voice low and hoarse. “Thank you.”


    “Go on up.” Gerard tried to lift the mood with a bit of warmth. “Your family is waiting for you.”


    “Come with me.”


    “No, thank you.”


    “Come on. Juste.” Kristian’s eyes wereyered with something unreadable, something aching. For thest two years, it had always been Freya and Gerard who nned his birthday surprises.


    Freya wasn’t here this time. But Gerard should be. After a pause, Gerard nodded. “Alright.” His reason was simple.


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    Kristian was in no state to hide how he felt, and his forced smiles might give him away. Gerard could help soften the edges.


    But he underestimated Kristian. From the time he was young, unless it was love, Kristian never let his family see him fall apart.


    By the time they reached the door, he’d pulled himself together.


    All the emotions were buried deep beneath the surface. He looked like a maning home from a regr day at work, like nothing in the world was weighing him down.


    Watching him, Gerard felt something twist inside.


    So even someone like Kristian masked his pain to keep from worrying his parents. Maybe that’s just what adults do.


    Kristian stared at the door, hesitated for a breath, then lifted his hand and opened it, stepping inside as if it were just another ordinary night.


    “You’re back so quickly?” Liam blinked in surprise. “Didn’t Gerard say there was somest-minute issue and you’d be dyed by an hour?”


    Kristian replied, his voice carrying a chill. “I let others handle it.”


    Liam didn’t ask any further questions. He grabbed both Kristian and Gerard, pulling them along. After a bit of buzzing around, it was finally time for the main event—blowing out the candles.


    The lights went off. Two candles shaped like the number 28 flickered on the cake.


    Liam began singing the birthday song with a grin. Kristian, who usually rushed through this part without much care, found himself strangely at ease tonight.


    He closed his eyes and made a wish. He hoped Freya would stay happy and healthy, free from all worries.


    He didn’t wish for her toe back to him. All he wanted was her happiness, even if it cost him everything.


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