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Chapter 19
After the previous incident, Lucas wasn’t taking any chances with Gloria’s birthday celebration. He stationed security at every entrance, knowing Elijah might try to crash the party.
Surprisingly, Elijah was a no–show.
When his head of security reported this, Lucas raised an eyebrow but couldn’t shake a feeling of unease. He kept the security team on high alert throughout the night.
The birthday gala was over–the–top in every detail. Lucas had arranged for digital screens across London to display birthday wishes, while the estate grounds were prepped with professional–grade fireworks, ready to light up when Gloria blew out her candles.
The castle interior was transformed with her favorite flowers and crystal decorations. Gift boxes from guests formed a small mountain, rivaling the towering custom–made cake designed to resemble a fairy–tale castle.
At the celebration’s peak, Gloria wore the famous blue diamond pendant Lucas had won in a fierce bidding war. Together, they blew out the candles on her cake.
As the flames disappeared, the night sky erupted with synchronized fireworks that continued throughout the evening.
As the party wound down, guests began heading out while Lucas and Gloria stood at the entrance saying their goodbyes.
Just as Gloria was about to speak, the sky suddenly filled with hundreds of drones, lighting up and forming intricate patterns.
Gloria shot Lucas a questioning look, silently asking if this was his doing.
He shook his head. He had planned a private drone show for her later, but this wasn’t it.
The lingering guests started pointing skyward in delight.
“That’s absolutely stunning!” “Looks like someone’s declaring their love.” “Talk about raising the bar for romantic
gestures!”
Gloria and Lucas exchanged alarmed glances before looking more carefully at what was happening above them.
The more she watched, the more Gloria’s expression darkened as she recognized the imagery forming in the sky.
The drones initially created solo images of Gloria. Midway through, they reconfigured to show her alongside a man. While most guests couldn’t identify him, Gloria instantly knew it was Elijah.
Her stomach dropped.
“Is he seriously trying to blow up my life?” she whispered.
12.03
Addio To The Stand–In Past. This Time I Chose To Reclaim My Own Life
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Chapter 19
Though the digital billboards had gone dark, countless people were still watching from windows and balconies throughout the city. With Elijah staging this public declaration, Gloria could already imagine tomorrow’s social media meltdown.
Lucas had the same thought. His fiancée’s birthday was being hijacked by another man’s grand gesture–the fallout would be a nightmare.
His jaw tightened as he ordered security to jam the drone signals while trying to reassure Gloría.
“I’ve got this. This isn’t going to touch you.”
He had her escorted home before sliding behind the wheel of his car.
In the darkness, the sleek black vehicle cut through London’s streets, disappearing into the night.
Across the city, Elijah stood on a high–rise rooftop, watching the distant drone display, a shadow crossing his face.
Years ago, when Gloria first came to live with him, her birthday wish had been for a drone light show. He’d happily granted this small request for the young girl.
Every birthday after that, he’d never failed to make her wishes come true.
Until she developed feelings for him. Until her love became too much.
That was the first birthday he’d canceled the drone display. He hadn’t even acknowledged her birthday at all.
Following their tradition, this year’s display would have featured images of them together as a couple.
After all these years, he had finally arranged another drone show for her, but the woman who had once sworn to grow old with him now belonged to someone else.
Elijah gave a bitter smile, pushing away his loneliness as he turned to leave.
Suddenly, something came hurtling toward him out of the darkness!
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