?Chapter 684:

    A quiet smile appeared on Elliana’s lips as she waited for Cole to reveal her birthday present.

    He wrapped his arms around her from behind and pointed toward the horizon. “Babe, you’d better get ready for something special. Your birthday surprise is about to start.”

    All at once, a sudden bang echoed from the beach below as a firework shot into the sky, exploding into a burst of dazzling color.

    Elliana gasped, unable to hide her amazement. “Wow, that’s stunning!”

    This was a gift she hadn’t anticipated. When she was a child, her mother was the only one who’d ever celebrated her birthday with fireworks. After her mother disappeared, no one had ever done it for her again, and certainly never anything this spectacr.

    As the firework burst high above, the brilliant light turned night to day along the shore, lighting up their faces with its glow. Elliana’s voice rang out, “Darling, I love it!”

    A soft chuckle rumbled in Cole’s chest as he leaned close to her ear. “Keep watching. The show’s only getting started.”

    He had barely finished before another firework rocketed skyward. A third, a fourth, and then a fifth followed in quick session, lighting up the entire ind with colorful bursts. One after another, the fireworks painted the sky without pause, creating a cascade of bright flowers overhead that made the world feel like it was caught in a celebration.

    Elliana’s gaze stayed glued to the spectacle, her voice bubbling over with delight. “Ah! It’s so beautiful! I love it so much!”

    All the while, Cole never let go of her, soaking in her joy and grinning just as widely as she did.

    Everyone, from the bodyguards to the household staff, stepped outside to watch the fireworks disy, turning the night into a celebration that felt like it belonged to the whole ind.

    For two hours straight, the fireworks dazzled above, only slowly fading away as the show came to a gentle end. Elliana’s neck grew a little stiff after so much time spent gazing upward. When the veryst spark faded from the sky, her cheeks were rosy from all theughter and happiness.

    “Do you like it?” Cole asked softly.

    With enthusiastic nods, Elliana answered, “I absolutely love it!” She slipped her arms around his neck, rose up on her toes, and kissed him. “Darling, thank you. This is the most breathtaking, wonderful birthday present I’ve ever received! Watching these fireworks makes me feel like every hardship I’ve gone through brought me to this perfect moment.”

    His gaze softened as he took in the sight of Elliana’s bright, joyful face in his embrace. “Nothing could make me happier than knowing you love it.” After taking a breath, he continued, “Tonight, we’re not only celebrating your birthday. I wanted to make up for our missed anniversary. That’s why I have another gift for you.”

    Elliana’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. “What kind of gift?”

    Letting her go for a moment, Cole reached into his pocket and brought out a small, elegant box, opening it right in front of her. Nestled inside was a pair of diamond rings.

    “Elliana, I know our wedding did not give you the celebration you deserved, and I promised to n a special wedding just for the two of us, with rings that belong only to us. I have not been able to put the wedding together yet, but I have already made the rings,” Cole said as he looked at her. “I chose and cut these diamonds myself, and these rings are ours alone, with no ties to anyone else.”

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