Chapter 240

The six brothers stood nearby, their gazes tender as they watched the scene unfold.

Evelyn Laurent quickly composed herself, wiping away her tears with the back of her hand. She flashed Victoria Langley a bright smile. "Mom, I want cake!"

Victoria beamed. "Julian, go get the cake!"

Julian Langley responded immediately. "On it!"

He strode toward the back of the room.

Alexander and Sebastian Langley followed without hesitation.

Together, the three brothers wheeled out an ornate dessert cart draped in satin.

The other three brothers busied themselves with candles, party hats, and utensils.

Evelyn's eyes sparkled with anticipation as she stared at the covered cart.

She had always had a sweet tooth.

Yet in seventeen years, she had never truly had a birthday cake of her own.

The only cake she remembered tasting was one she'd snatched from Brandon Lowell.

That year, on Brandon's birthday, he had tried to bully her—only to end up wailing as she beat him up. Without hesitation, she had stolen his cake.

The price was a brutal beating from Vincent Lowell.

From then on, she stopped expecting anything for her birthday.

She knew no one would ever give her a cake.

Vincent and Margaret Hill would never love her.

She had long since learned not to crave familial affection.

But now—

Her birth parents and brothers were determined to make up for those seventeen lost years.

They wanted her to be the happiest princess in the world.

The cart stopped in front of Evelyn.

She took a deep breath and lifted the satin cover.

Before her stood a towering seven-tier cake, each layer adorned with lifelike sugar flowers so exquisite they stole her breath.

Carefully, she removed the glass dome.

The rich scent of buttercream enveloped her.

She swallowed hard.

Her stomach growled—the archery match with Ethan Sullivan had drained her energy, and now the sweetness made her ravenous.

Victoria lit the candles and dimmed the penthouse lights.

Warm candlelight flickered in the darkness.

"Make a wish, Evelyn," Victoria murmured, gently placing a birthday hat on her daughter's head.

Evelyn bit back fresh tears, clasped her hands, and closed her eyes.

When she opened them again, she blew out every candle in one breath.

"Happy birthday, Evelyn!"

Her family's voices rose in unison.

Fireworks burst across the night sky.

As the lights came back on, Victoria handed Evelyn the cake knife. "Go ahead, cut the cake."

Evelyn took the knife, eyeing the masterpiece before her. She blinked playfully. "It's too beautiful. I can't bring myself to ruin it."

Victoria chuckled fondly. "There will be one every year from now on."

Evelyn grinned, tightened her grip on the knife, and made the first slice.