Chapter 1 Her Birthday

The plane had landed quite some time earlier when Samira Lowell finally walked out of the Goldland airport. Night had already settled in, and the clock had passed nine. The day carried special meaning. It was her birthday.

When she switched on her phone, the screen immediately filled with messages from friends and coworkers. Greetings poured in one after another. Yet among all those messages, one absence stood out. Declan Whitmore, her husband, hadn't sent anything. The smile on her face disappeared at once.

By the time Samira arrived at the villa, it was already well past ten. Maribel, the housekeeper, looked startled when she opened the door and saw her standing there.

"Mrs. Whitmore! But... what brings you here?"

"Where are Declan and Kylie?" Samira asked in a firm voice.

"Mr. Whitmore hasn't come back yet, and Miss Kylie is in her room," Maribel explained. "She's quietly playing."

Samira said nothing more. She handed her luggage to Maribel and went straight upstairs.

Through the slightly open bedroom door, she saw her daughter already dressed in pajamas. Kylie sat at her small table and focused completely on what she was doing. She was so absorbed that she didn't notice her mother's presence.

"Kylie?" Samira whispered.

The little girl lifted her head. Her bright eyes sparkled as a wide smile spread across her face.

"Mom!"

She rushed forward and wrapped her arms around Samira for a brief moment. Almost right away, she pulled back and returned to what she was doing.

"Mom, I'm busy..."

Two months had passed since Samira last saw her. That quick hug did nothing to ease the ache she had carried all this time. Still, seeing how excited Kylie looked, Samira held back and didn't want to interrupt her joy.

"Kylie, are you making a shell necklace?" Samira asked softly.

"Yes!" Kylie answered with pride. "It's for Mrs. Sloane's birthday next week. Dad and I collected these shells together, and we polished them ourselves. Look at them. Aren't they shiny?"

Samira felt her throat tighten. Meanwhile, Kylie kept talking, completely energized.

"Dad also ordered other gifts for Mrs. Sloane. And tomorrow..."

Samira interrupted her without meaning to.

"Kylie... do you know what day it was today?"

"Huh? What?" Kylie muttered. Then she frowned slightly. "Oh, Mom, wait. I placed the bead in the wrong spot..."

Her response drifted into silence. Samira stood there without moving and watched her daughter, who never looked up again. After a moment, Samira quietly turned and walked out of the room, a heavy weight settling in her chest.

When she reached the downstairs hall, Maribel noticed the sadness in her eyes.

"Mrs. Whitmore, I spoke with sir earlier," Maribel said gently. "He mentioned that he's very busy tonight and suggested that you get some rest."

"I understand," Samira replied softly.

Still, Kylie's words kept echoing in her mind. Acting on a sudden impulse, Samira pulled out her phone and dialed Declan's number. The line rang for a long time before he finally answered. His voice sounded distant and cold.

"I'm still busy. We'll talk tomorrow."

Before she could respond, another voice sounded clearly in the background.

"Declan, who's calling so late?" It was Merrick Sloane.

Samira's breath caught in her throat.

"It's nothing," Declan said curtly.

The call ended right after that. No explanation followed.

Months had passed since she last saw her husband. Samira had traveled all the way to Goldland, hoping he would at least welcome her warmly. Instead, he hadn't even given her a full minute of attention. Their marriage had always felt distant and cold. Patience had never seemed to exist between them. Over time, she had grown used to that indifference. Normally, she would've called him again and tried to find out where he was or asked if he could come home. This time, exhaustion won. She let it go.

The next morning, after thinking it through carefully, she tried once more. Because of the time difference, her birthday hadn't ended yet in Goldland. She had hoped to spend it with Kylie and Declan. A simple meal together as a family was all she wanted. That small birthday wish now felt impossible. Declan didn't answer the call.

Much later, a message finally appeared. "What?"

Samira replied at once, "Are you free for lunch? Could you bring Kylie? Just the three of us."

Declan responded shortly after, "Alright. Tell me where."

Samira answered, "I'll send you the address."

After that, there was silence.

He had forgotten. Her birthday meant nothing to him. Even though she had expected disappointment, a wave of bitterness still rose inside her.

Samira dressed with care before heading downstairs. As she approached the living room, she overheard Kylie speaking with Maribel.

"What's wrong, darling?" the housekeeper asked gently. "You seem sad."

"I was really looking forward to going to the beach with Mrs. Sloane tomorrow," Kylie said with a small pout. "Dad and I had everything planned. But now that Mom showed up out of nowhere, it's going to be awkward. She's always mean to Mrs. Sloane..."

"Darling, she's your mother. You shouldn't speak that way," Maribel replied softly. "You might hurt her."

"I know... but Dad and I like Mrs. Sloane more," Kylie admitted. "Can't she become my mom instead?"

Samira felt the words strike her like a blow. Her breathing faltered for a moment. For years, she had poured all her love into her daughter. But after Declan brought Kylie to Goldland to grow his business, their father and daughter grew closer, and Samira slowly found herself pushed aside.

Heartbroken, Samira returned to her room. She quietly placed the gifts she had brought for Kylie back into her suitcase.

Not long after, Maribel came upstairs and explained that she had taken Kylie out. She told Samira she would stay nearby if she needed anything. Samira remained seated on the edge of the bed, weighed down by an overwhelming emptiness. She had left everything behind to make this trip, hoping it would bring back a sense of warmth between them. Instead, she was met only with indifference.

Later, Samira wandered through the unfamiliar streets of the city. At some point, she remembered the lunch she had arranged. Just as she was about to send the location, a message from Declan appeared. "Something unexpected came up. I have to cancel lunch."

She wasn't surprised. Declan had always canceled without warning and without much thought. In the past, it would've shattered her heart. Now, she felt nothing but emptiness.

By chance, she ended up in front of a restaurant she knew well. It was the place where they used to dine together. An odd pull made her step closer. Then her eyes suddenly froze.

Through the large window, she saw Declan sitting inside with Merrick Sloane and Kylie. The three of them laughed together over a pastry. Merrick broke off pieces and fed them to the little girl, who burst into cheerful laughter. Nearby, Declan watched the scene with quiet warmth. His gaze rested on Merrick the entire time.

So that was the "unexpected" situation he mentioned.

Inside that restaurant were the woman and child sharing a moment that should have belonged to her.

A bitter smile formed on Samira's lips. She stood there for a few seconds longer before turning away.

When she returned to the villa, Samira sat down at the desk in her room. Her hand trembled as she wrote the final lines of a divorce agreement.

Declan had once been the dream of her youth. Yet he had never truly cared about her. If that single night hadn't happened, and if their families hadn't forced the issue, he would never have married her. She used to believe that if she tried hard enough, he might eventually see her.

Seven years later, reality finally caught up with her.

Samira placed the papers into an envelope and handed it to Maribel. She asked her to give it to Declan.

Then she picked up her suitcase and spoke firmly to the driver.

"Take me to the airport."