Episode 2: The Last Birthday
820 Words
The moment Rosalie stepped into the grand hall, a chorus of cheerful voices greeted her.
"Happy Birthday!"
She barely had time to react before her mother pulled her into a warm embrace.
"My precious girl," Evelyn Verenne whispered, gently brushing a strand of silver-blonde hair behind Rosalie's ear. "Twenty already... where did all the years go?"
Rosalie smiled softly.
"I'm still your little girl, aren't I?"
"You always will be."
A deep laugh echoed through the hall.
"I think your mother plans on keeping you at home forever."
Alexander Verenne walked toward them, his commanding presence instantly filling the room. To the outside world, he was the influential head of the Verenne family, a man respected and feared in equal measure. But to Rosalie, he was simply her father.
He rested a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Happy birthday, Rosie."
"Thank you, Dad."
Before another word could be exchanged, three familiar voices interrupted at once.
"Move aside."
"We've been waiting longer."
"She's our sister too."
Rosalie couldn't help laughing.
Her three older brothers finally pushed their way through.
Adrian, the calm and dependable eldest.
Lucas, whose teasing never seemed to end.
And Noah... the family's biggest troublemaker.
Noah folded his arms dramatically.
"You've hugged Mom and Dad."
Rosalie nodded.
"You've completely ignored your favourite brothers."
"I only have three brothers."
"Exactly."
She burst into laughter before hugging each of them one by one.
"I missed you guys."
"You saw us at breakfast," Lucas said.
"I can still miss you."
The hall filled with laughter.
Even the servants smiled as they watched the family.
This...
This was what the Verenne family was known for.
Not just their wealth.
But the warmth they shared.
...
By evening, the Verenne estate glittered beneath hundreds of crystal lights.
Guests from influential families arrived one after another, each bringing expensive gifts and heartfelt congratulations.
Music floated through the ballroom while laughter echoed beneath the towering chandeliers.
Rosalie greeted every guest with the same kindness she showed everyone, whether they were distinguished visitors or the staff who had watched her grow up.
She thanked each person sincerely.
Remembered their names.
Asked about their families.
No one could deny that the Verenne family's only daughter possessed a heart as beautiful as her smile.
As the celebration continued, Noah suddenly appeared carrying a neatly wrapped box.
"This one's from us."
Rosalie blinked.
"All three of you bought me one gift?"
"We actually agreed for once," Adrian said.
"You should feel honoured," Lucas added.
Rosalie carefully untied the ribbon.
The moment she saw the cover, her eyes lit up.
"No way..."
It was the newest volume of her favourite comic—the one she had been waiting months to read.
"You found it?"
"It wasn't easy," Noah admitted proudly.
"You've been talking about it for weeks," Adrian said with a smile.
"So we figured it was worth hunting down."
Rosalie hugged the book tightly against her chest before throwing her arms around all three of them.
"Thank you."
No expensive jewelry...
No luxury handbag...
No priceless painting...
Had made her smile as brightly as this simple gift.
The brothers exchanged amused glances.
"See?" Noah whispered.
"Told you she'd love it."
As everyone laughed, Alexander's attention drifted toward the ballroom entrance.
For the briefest moment...
His smile disappeared.
A man in a dark suit stood near the doorway before quietly disappearing into the crowd.
Alexander frowned ever so slightly.
When Rosalie looked in the same direction, there was nothing unusual to see.
The music continued.
Guests laughed.
Glasses clinked together.
The celebration carried on as though nothing had happened.
...
Hours later, the final guests had left.
The once lively mansion gradually settled into silence.
Rosalie climbed the staircase with the comic tucked safely beneath her arm.
Halfway up, Evelyn called after her.
"Don't stay up too late reading."
Rosalie turned with a guilty smile.
"I'll try."
"You said that last time too," Noah teased from below.
"And the time before that," Lucas added.
Rosalie laughed.
"I promise I'll sleep early."
"Goodnight, Rosie," Alexander said warmly.
"Goodnight, everyone."
She disappeared down the hallway, still smiling.
Inside her bedroom, she changed into her favourite oversized pajamas before settling comfortably beneath the blankets.
Her gaze immediately found the comic resting on her bedside table.
"Just one chapter..."
She smiled to herself.
It was a promise she rarely managed to keep.
One chapter became another.
Then another.
Completely absorbed in the story, she didn't notice how late it had become.
A soft yawn escaped her lips.
Reluctantly, she closed the book.
"I'll finish the rest tomorrow."
She placed it neatly on the bedside table, switched off the lamp, and closed her eyes.
Outside...
The moon disappeared behind thick clouds.
A strange wind slipped through the slightly open window.
The room fell silent once more.
Rosalie slept soundly...
Completely unaware that when she opened her eyes again...
She would no longer be Rosalie Verenne.
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