Chapter 98: Baby Jeda's birthday.
The drive to Scott's felt lighter than the air itself. Aria could barely keep her hands still on the wheel, her mind replaying her brother's voice announcing Flora's pregnancy. It wasn't just good news-it was a spark of joy in the middle of all their tangled dramas, proof that life still bloomed.
When she pulled up to Scott's mansion, the gates opened with their usual slow grace. Inside, the soft hum of the night and the warm glow of the chandelier spilled over the marble floor, wrapping the space in a golden calm.
Scott was in the living room, leaning against the bar. Flora was asleep upstairs.
Aria paused at the doorway, drinking in the sight.
"Big brother," she called softly, her smile already breaking through.
Scott looked up, his usual steel-edged gaze melting into warmth. "Aria."
She ran to him, hugging him briefly before whispering, "She's sleeping?"
"Yes," he replied quietly.
"She's... she's carrying my child, Aria." His voice was still heavy with wonder, as though saying it aloud might shatter the dream. He was too overjoyed to hide it-soon, he would have an heir with Flora.
Aria's grin widened, her eyes bright.
"I'm so happy for you, big bro. And I promise to keep it a secret." She pressed a finger to her lips as though sealing the vow.
Scott nodded, smiling.
"Also, bro, I'll be staying with sister–in–law for a while. That way I can help her too," she added, her cheeks warming with a blush.
"Alright, Aria. But aren't you supposed to join the preparations for Jeda's birthday?"
"Oh, that? Mum said I shouldn't bother. Besides, the maids are already on it."
---
At the Silver Mansion
Later that night, the dining room filled with family, not for a formal gathering but for a quiet evening of chatter and laughter as they spoke about Baby Jeda's upcoming birthday. They discussed tiny clothes, party colors, and the joy of marking her first milestone.
Scott, for once, barely touched his wine. He sat listening instead, his mind busy painting pictures of the small hands that would one day grip his fingers.
And in that warm, unhurried night-with talk of babies, Jeda's, and birthdays swirling in the air-the Silver home felt less like a guarded fortress and more like the heart of a family finally learning how to breathe.
~~~~
The next morning, the air in Arthur's private lounge was thick with cigar smoke, the quiet hum of the city far below seeping through the tall glass windows. BlackEye and Diana sat opposite him, the golden glow of the chandelier catching in the dark red swirl of wine in Diana's glass.
Arthur leaned back in his leather chair, a satisfied smirk tugging at his lips.
"With your last mission," he said, voice low and measured, "you've made me proud. You did well. You shot Scott... deceived him... lured him right into our trap."
The corners of his mouth twitched in triumph.
Yes, he thought. This is only the beginning. Scott won't see me coming. I am the reign of the jungle in this mafia world-and I never back down.
He lifted his glass toward BlackEye. "Kudos. You've worked hard."
Then his gaze shifted to Diana. "And you... your plan worked seamlessly."
Diana swirled her wine, her eyes glittering with that calculating glint.
"So," she purred, leaning forward, "what's my gain in all this?"
Arthur's lips curved into a slow smile. "Don't worry, Miss Diana. I'm going to give you something... worth your while."
He turned to BlackEye. "Anything else to report?"
BlackEye hesitated, lowering his head in respect.
"Yes, boss. While on the mission, I saw Royce-Ryain Royce. He was there too. From what I gathered, Scott's men have captured him."
Arthur's eyes flickered with surprise, though his face remained unreadable.
"Oh... interesting." He tapped a finger against the armrest. "Keep an eye on him. He might be useful for our next move. You may go."
BlackEye nodded once and left without another word.
Now it was just Arthur and Diana. He studied her, his gaze running over her with the cool patience of a predator.
"So... about your gain," he murmured, his voice dipping lower. "With the eyes you've given me on Scott... shall we play a little game?"
Diana arched a brow. "Oh? And what game would that be?"
"A game that requires you to work very... very hard," he replied, teasing but edged with danger.
She smiled wickedly.
"If it is what it is, I play my games with genius men with thick Calibal... I'm sure you understand."
She rose slowly, her heels clicking against the marble floor. Closing the space between them, her fingers traced the lines of his bare chest. Her perfume was intoxicating-sweet, sharp, unforgettable. She brushed a kiss against his cheek, lingering just long enough to make his jaw tighten.
Then she turned and walked away without a backward glance.
Arthur watched her go, a grin spreading across his face. He wanted her-completely. And for a dangerous second, it felt like something more than desire was creeping in.
But he shut the thought down cold.
No. No woman would ever be the key to his downfall.
~~~~~
The Silver Margin estate shimmered under the mid-morning sun, its garden transformed into a world of balloons, ribbons, and soft music that floated on the warm breeze. Tables were lined with bright tablecloths, each one holding plates of tiny pastries, fruit skewers, and the kind of chocolate cake that made children's eyes widen.
Inside the main hall, the sound of laughter was everywhere. Baby Jeda, dressed in a little white dress with a sky-blue ribbon sash, clapped her tiny hands every time someone leaned down to greet her. She didn't understand the fuss, but her giggles alone made it worth it.
Scott stood near the long table, his hand brushing Flora's every now and then. There was something different about his smile today-it wasn't just for the party. It was the kind of smile that said he was keeping a secret, the kind that made Flora's cheeks warm whenever she caught it.
Aria moved between the guests with a glass of fruit punch, exchanging glances with Flora from time to time. She already knew what was coming later, and she could barely contain her excitement.
"Enjoying yourself?" Scott murmured to Flora as a group of children ran past them with cupcakes.
"More than you know," she replied, her eyes sparkling. "I just want to get through the cake-cutting so we can tell them."
Scott chuckled. "Patience, Mrs. Silver. Let them have their moment first."
Three hours later, the sun had shifted into its golden afternoon glow. The music softened, the chatter faded, and the last of the invited guests-friends from outside CTB-took their leave with polite waves and promises to visit again.
Now, only family remained. The mood changed-more relaxed, intimate. Scott led Flora to the center of the room, where his mother, his uncles, and cousins lounged on the plush sofas. Mia, Arthur's mother, sat elegantly in a corner chair, sipping tea and watching everything with a quiet, assessing gaze.
Scott cleared his throat. "We've had a great day celebrating Jeda," he began, his arm firm around Flora's waist. "But before we wrap up, there's something we want to share with all of you."
Flora's hands trembled slightly as she looked at each face in the room. Then, with a smile that could have lit the chandeliers, she said, "We're expecting a baby."
The room erupted-gasps, cheers, and clapping all at once. Scott's mother was the first to cross the room, enveloping Flora in a hug.
"Oh, darling, this is wonderful news!" she exclaimed.
Even Mia, who rarely showed emotion in public, tilted her head with a small approving smile before sipping her tea again.
Aria was grinning from ear to ear. "Looks like Jeda's going to have a little playmate soon."
Scott tightened his hold on Flora, his voice low but filled with warmth as he whispered, "Told you it would be worth the wait."
Flora smiled up at him. "It already is."
Before the evening light faded, they gathered in the garden again to take family pictures-Scott holding Flora close, Aria standing proudly with Jeda in her arms, and Maxson and Joan posing beside their daughter, the birthday girl, capturing more moments for the album. Laughter spilled through the air as the camera clicked, sealing the day into memory.
~~~~~
After the guests had left and the music had faded into the soft hum of evening, the Silver family's living room still carried the warm afterglow of celebration. Colorful balloons clung stubbornly to the ceiling, and the faint scent of frosting and fruit punch lingered in the air.
Beauty slipped in through the open doorway, her heels clicking lightly on the marble floor. She had missed most of the party because of work, but she still carried that bright, mischievous smile that made her presence instantly felt.
"Happy birthday to the little princess," she said warmly, crouching down to ruffle Jeddah's hair before pulling Flora into a hug. "And congratulations, my dear. You didn't tell me you had such a surprise tucked away!"
Flora laughed softly, the corners of her eyes crinkling. "I wanted to wait until the right moment," she admitted, her hand instinctively brushing against her belly.
Not long after Beauty's arrival, the familiar voices of Flora's colleagues at work filled the air. Fiona came first, carrying a small wrapped box and grinning like she'd been waiting for this moment all day. Tesly followed close behind, balancing a bouquet of pastel roses. Prime, in his usual calm, observant manner, offered a polite but genuine smile, while Evie practically bounced with excitement, nearly knocking over a side table as she rushed to hug Flora.
"We are so proud of you!" Evie exclaimed, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. "You're glowing already. Look at you!"
Fiona shook her head with a teasing smirk. "We were just saying at work-Flora would have been smiling to herself for now. Guess we finally got it right."
Flora's laughter mingled with theirs, the room alive with the warmth of friendships that felt like family. Scott stood nearby, his arm casually draped around her waist, watching the scene with a quiet pride. The day had been full, but this-these quiet, heartfelt moments after the fanfare-felt even more precious.
~~~~~
The afternoon light mellowed into soft golden tones, spilling through the wide glass doors of Silver Margin's living room. The bustle of the party had finally died down; the air now carried only the fading perfume of fresh flowers and the distant laughter of a few children still chasing each other across the garden. The dining table-once alive with plates of food, champagne flutes, and the music of clinking cutlery-stood in comfortable disarray, the remnants of the joyful day scattered like tiny, edible souvenirs.
Flora lingered near the corner of the room, her fingers absentmindedly smoothing the front of her dress. Her cheeks were still warm, not just from the attention but from the sheer fullness of the day. Beauty had been among the last to leave, her farewell as warm as the sunlight spilling in.
"Congratulations, my dear friend," Beauty had said, her voice a mixture of joy and sincerity. "You deserve all this happiness, Flora. Every bit of it."
Flora's smile had been soft but steady. "Thank you, Beauty. It means a lot that you came."
The sweetness of that moment had barely settled before other memories from earlier in the afternoon returned-when Fiona, Tesly, Prime, and Evie, her colleagues from work, had appeared in the doorway, catching her entirely off guard.
"You didn't think we'd miss this, did you?" Fiona had teased, sweeping her into a hug. "The news reached us faster than you'd think."
Tesly had adjusted the strap of her purse with a grin. "We heard there was cake and a surprise. You know we can't resist either."
Prime's smile had been quieter, steadier, his voice carrying weight. "You've worked for every joy you have now, Flora. I'm glad to see it all coming to you."
And Evie-ever the mischief-maker-had leaned in close to whisper, "Don't think this means we'll go easy on you at work. But for now, you're the queen of the day."
They'd all ended up in the garden, laughing as they posed for photos, the afternoon sun laying a golden sheen over the grass. Glasses of juice in hand, they lingered just long enough to leave her with another memory worth keeping.
Now, with the house settling into quiet, Flora stood in a rare pocket of stillness. From across the room, she caught Scott's gaze-he was leaning against the wall, his suit jacket unbuttoned, the top buttons of his shirt undone in a rare, relaxed state. He'd been watching her for a while; she'd felt it even before she looked up.
When their eyes met, he pushed away from the wall and crossed the room in a few easy strides.
"You've been smiling so much today, I'm starting to worry your cheeks will hurt," he murmured, his tone low, meant for her alone.
A small laugh escaped her. "It's been... overwhelming. In the best way. I didn't think I'd feel this-" She hesitated, her lips searching for the word. "-full."
His expression softened, the edges of his usual composure blurring. "You've given them something to celebrate, Flora. And you've given me something I can't ever repay."
Her brows lifted slightly. "You don't have to repay me for anything."
He didn't answer-not right away. Instead, he took her hand, his thumb brushing slowly over her knuckles as if he was memorizing the shape of her. "Come with me," he said.
They stepped out onto the back terrace. The last light of day painted the horizon in shades of rose and amber, the evening air carrying the sweet scent of the roses he'd insisted be replanted for the party. When she shivered faintly, he didn't speak-he simply shrugged off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders, his hands lingering just long enough for her to feel their warmth.
"Better?" he asked.
She smiled, a little shy, a little tired. "Better."
Scott didn't release her hand. "Today was busy. Everyone wanted a moment with you. But I wanted this-just us. No noise, no interruptions." His eyes locked onto hers. "You matter to me, Flora. More than you realize."
Something in her chest tightened, the kind of ache that comes from being truly seen. She opened her mouth, but his hand reached up first, tucking a loose strand of hair gently behind her ear.
"You've carried yourself with so much grace today," he said. "And I want you to know-I'll be here for all of it. Not just the good news, not just the celebrations... but the quiet in-between moments too."
Her fingers tightened around his. "Scott..."
He smiled then-unguarded, stripped of all the sharpness the world knew him for. "You've made this house feel alive again. And I want to keep seeing you smile like you did today."
The warmth of his words settled deep, more lasting than the fading light. In that stillness, with the hum of the garden just beyond and the evening folding in around them, Scott bent his head-not to kiss her, but to rest his forehead lightly against hers, sharing the simple intimacy of breath.
And in that quiet, she knew: this was his truth, not a performance. A side of him he let no one else see. A side she would carry with her, exactly as it was in this moment.