Chapter 282: Cassius Throws Her a Birthday Surprise
Gemma felt a huge weight lift off her shoulders.
The Doltons were locked up–finally, some peace.
Her surgery had been a success too, and she’d gained valuable experience. Definitely worth celebrating.
As she stepped out of the hospital…
The city lights were just flickering on, painting the streets with a golden glow.
A car sat nearby, hazard lights blinking. Cassius.
She smiled and hurried over.
Inside, the car was warm.
The kind of warmth that seeped into every inch of her body.
The ice in her eyes melted. Only warmth remained.
“We still going for archery?”
They’d planned it earlier, and while she hadn’t been that into the idea, taking down the Doltons had put her in a damn good mood. Now? She was kind of excited.
Cassius handed her a steaming cup of milk tea.
“Yeah, if you’re up for it, let’s go right now.”
Gemma nodded. “Not sure if I’d say I love it, but life should be about trying new things, right?”
“Oh, by the way, this milk tea is amazing. Where’d you get it?”
“Just grabbed it from a random shop,” Cassius said, turning his head slightly, almost guilty.
From the driver’s seat, Brooke let out an inaudible sigh.
Random, his ass.
Cassius had overheard Gemma mention milk tea to Noah.
Then he’d gone on a full–blown mission, auditioning tea makers until he found the perfect one.
That cup nearly cost Brooke his damn legs.
It deserved recognition.
“Dr. Kelestine, I know the brand.”
Brooke said with a grin.
“It’s called ‘L’Amour Suprême.“”
Gemma blinked. First time hearing that name.
but then it clicked.
Cassius never cared for luxuries, yet everything he touched—his clothes, his home, even the most mundane things–was top–tier.
Even something as trivial as milk tea.
Way out of her league.
“Oh, fancy name.”
She took a sip. Perfect flavor.
Luxury was luxury for a reason.
She had a feeling this cup alone cost half her paycheck.
“Dr. Kelestine, do you like the taste?” Brooke asked.
Gemma nodded
Who wouldn’t love the taste of money?
“Great. The shop is opening soon. We should have you cut the ribbon at the grand opening.”
Gemma pointed at herself. “Me? That doesn’t seem… right.”
‘I’m a doctor. People come to me when they’re sick.”
“Milk tea makes people happy. Having me there might be bad luck.”
Brooke hadist thought of that. He chuckled, slightly embarrassed.
Then once we open, I have a cup sent to you every day.”
12:47
Chapter 282: Cassius Throws Her a Birthday Surprise
Gemma narrowed her eyes.
“Wait. Brooke… is this your shop?”
Brooke froze. Oh. She misunderstood.
“No, no. Dr. Kelestine, this is Mr. Cassius‘ shop. The moment you mentioned milk tea to Noah, he started looking for…”
“Brooke!”
Cassius‘ voice carried a subtle warning.
Brooke wisely shut up.
Gemma, however, was in shock.
Cassius, the man always ten steps ahead, never wasting time on trivial matters… opened a milk tea shop because of her?
“Well… milk tea is a profitable business,” she said, scrambling for something to say. “You’ve got great business sense, Cassius.”
Flattery. The ultimate conversation saver.
Cassius nodded. “Mm. As long as you like it.”
Gemma, “???”
What did her opinion have to do with anything? It wasn’t like she ran businesses.
“This shop is for you and Noah,” Brooke added at just the right moment.
“Whenever Dr. Kelestine wants milk tea, just call ahead and order.”
Gemma, “!!!”
She cleared her throat.
“This… this is a little excessive, isn’t it?”
Cassius asked, “Are you happy?”
“Huh?”
She blinked, then instinctively answered, “Yeah, I am.”
“Then it’s not excessive.” Cassius handed her a napkin.
Gemma quickly wiped away the milk tea from her lips, but her heart pounded like a wild deer, like it might break her ribs.
She was going to lose her mind.
“I–I–I mean, wait, no, I-”
Words failed her.
The car turned a corner, and they merged onto the main road outside Frostspire Grand Lodge.
Every tree along the street was decorated with lights.
Some shaped like flowers, others like tiny fairies or animals.
“Look at those lights,” she said, grasping at anything to change the subject.
Even though her face was burning, and her heart was racing too fast to think.
“Yeah, they’re beautiful,” Cassius said smoothly. “Didn’t you notice the words on them?”
Gemma hadn’t. She looked closer.
Each glowing decoration had two characters underneath: Happy Birthday.
“Whoa, is someone celebrating a birthday? This is insanely romantic.”
Cassius‘ expression softened instantly.
His gaze drifted from the lights to her face.
Even without makeup, she was stunning–dark hair, red lips, breathtaking.
“Gemma.”
Mm
“Happy birthday,”
Her heart stopped.
She turned to him, eyes wide, pointing at herself.
“My birthday?”
She didn’t celebrate birthdays, Growing up in a rural village, birthdays weren’t a thing. Her parents barely acknowledged her existence, let alone a special day just for her.
In college, she’d scraped by on scholarships and part–time jobs—no way she’d waste money on cake
Seting
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Chapter 282: Cassius Throws Her a Birthday Surprise
Then she’d married Marcus.
Her whole life had revolved around saving his eyesight.
By the time things finally got better, she was pregnant with Ali.
Her world became her husband and child. She never even thought about her own birthday.
“I checked your ID,” Cassius said.
Seeing her stunned silence, a rare flicker of uncertainty crossed his face.
“If your birthdate isn’t accurate, then let’s make it official today,” he said.
“But if you don’t like it, we can-”
“I love it.”
Gemma wiped at her eyes, overwhelmed.
“Cassius, I… I’ve never celebrated before. I don’t even know how. I didn’t get you anything either.”
The car slowed to a stop.
Cassius signaled Brooke to step out, then lowered his voice. “On your birthday,” he said, “the birthday girl’s only job is to be happy. Everything else is
someone else’s responsibility.”
“That’s it?”
Gemma clenched her hands together. “All I have to do is be happy?”
“I… I think I am, actually. I—”
“Look outside.”
Cassius flicked her forehead, cutting her off.
Gemma pressed her fingers to the spot he’d touched. A tiny spark of electricity ran through her skin.
12:48
