Sweet Hatred-Chapter 454: Birthday

KAEL

I woke before Aria did.

The suite was quiet except for the faint howl of wind outside—softer now, the storm finally beginning to lose its grip on the city.

She was curled against me, one hand tucked under her cheek, the other resting on my chest. Her breathing was deep and even, peaceful in a way that made something in my chest tighten.

Twenty-nine today.

My Aria. My fiancée. The mother of my child.

And I was going to make damn sure she knew how much she meant to me.

I slipped out of bed carefully, making sure not to wake her, and padded quietly to the kitchen.

I briefly thought about something simple I could make...

Pancakes. I could make pancakes.

I’d ordered the new ingredients from the room service last night while she slept, along with fresh fruit, whipped cream, and a small, elegant birthday cake from the hotel bakery.

The flowers had arrived this morning... white roses and lilies, arranged in a crystal vase.

And the jewelry box sat waiting on the breakfast tray, wrapped in silver paper.

I worked methodically, heating the pan, mixing and pouring the batter, flipping the pancakes when they bubbled. They came out golden and perfect, stacked high on a plate.

I arranged everything carefully on the tray: the pancakes, the fruit, the whipped cream in a small bowl, coffee for me, fresh orange juice for her.

The cake sat off to the side, decorated simply with white frosting and a single candle.

The jewelry box went on last, placed where she’d see it immediately.

I carried the tray back to the bedroom, moving quietly.

She was still asleep, her hair spread across the pillow, one leg kicked free of the blankets.

Beautiful.

I set the tray on the nightstand and sat on the edge of the bed, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from her face.

Her eyes fluttered open slowly, confused at first, then focusing on me.

"Kael?" Her voice was rough with sleep.

"Good morning, baby," I said softly. "Happy birthday."

Her eyes widened as she registered the tray, the flowers, the spread of food.

"You... you made this?"

"I did." I lifted the tray, settling it carefully across her lap as she sat up against the pillows.

She grinned, her eyes still sleepy and warm, and my chest swelled with satisfaction.

"You made me pancakes," she whispered, her eyes getting shiny.

"You made me pancakes once," I said, tucking another strand of hair behind her ear. "When I was sick. Figured I owed you."

She looked down at the food, at the flowers, at the effort I’d put into making this morning special for her.

Then her gaze landed on the silver-wrapped box.

"What’s that?"

"Open it and find out."

Her hands trembled slightly as she picked it up, carefully peeling away the paper.

The velvet jewelry box emerged, elegant and understated.

She opened it slowly.

Inside was a custom set I’d had made weeks ago, before everything with Sarah had blown up: a delicate necklace with a pendant that spelled out her name in flowing script, matching earrings, and a thin bracelet... all in white gold.

On the back of the pendant, engraved in tiny letters was her name

She stared at it for a long moment, her fingers tracing the engraving.

Then she looked up at me, tears spilling down her cheeks.

"Kael..."

"Let me put it on you."

I took the necklace from the box, fastening it around her neck with careful hands. The pendant settled perfectly against her collarbone.

The earrings came next... small, elegant studs.

Then the bracelet, clasped around her wrist.

She looked down at herself, touching each piece reverently.

"It’s perfect," she whispered. "You’re perfect."

"Not even close," I murmured, leaning in to kiss her softly. "But I’m trying. For you."

She kissed me back, her hands coming up to frame my face, and I tasted salt from her tears.

When we pulled apart, she was smiling despite the crying.

"Thank you," she said. "For this. For everything."

"Eat," I told her, gesturing to the pancakes. "Before it gets cold."

She picked up her fork, cutting into the stack, and took a bite.

Her eyes closed in pleasure.

"Oh my God, these are amazing."

"Don’t sound so surprised."

"After the last time? I’m allowed to be surprised."

I poured syrup over her pancakes, watching as she ate with genuine enjoyment, and felt something settle in my chest.

This. This was what I wanted. Every morning. For the rest of our lives.

Her phone buzzed on the nightstand.

She reached for it, smiling when she saw the name.

"It’s Olivia," she said, answering. "Hey—"

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNT ARIA!"

The scream was so loud I could hear it from across the bed.

Aria laughed, pulling the phone slightly away from her ear. "Thank you, Kaleb!"

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" he screamed again, followed by what sounded like Lily babbling excitedly in the background.

"Thank you, sweetheart," Aria said, her voice thick with emotion.

Olivia’s voice came through next, softer but warm. "Happy birthday, Aria. We love you."

"I love you too," Aria said. "All of you."

They talked for a few more minutes... Kaleb babbling about a drawing he’d made for her, Olivia asking how she was feeling.

By the time she hung up, Aria was wiping tears again.

"They made me a card," she said, showing me a photo Olivia had sent. Kaleb’s messy crayon drawing of what might have been Aria, surrounded by hearts. "I’m going to cry all day at this rate."

"Good tears though," I said.

"The best tears."

Her phone buzzed again almost immediately.

This time it was Ash.

Aria answered on speaker. "Hello—"

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ARIA!"

Ash’s voice was so loud and enthusiastic that Aria actually flinched.

"Jesus, Ash—"

"Twenty-nine! You’re practically ancient now!"

"Thanks," Aria said dryly, but she was smiling.

"Sylas wants to wish you happy birthday too but he’s too shy," Ash announced gleefully.

"I AM NOT FUCKING SHY—" Sylas’s voice exploded in the background.

"He’s embarrassed," Ash continued, clearly enjoying herself.

"FUCK YOU, ASH, STOP SPEWING CRAP!—"

Aria was laughing now, full and genuine, and I couldn’t help but smile at the sound.

"Anyway," Ash said brightly, ignoring her brother’s continued cursing. "Can’t wait for tonight!"

Aria’s laughter stopped. "Tonight? What’s tonight?"

"Oh, you know—"

I reached over and ended the call smoothly, tossing the phone aside.

"Kael!" Aria protested, but I was already leaning in, kissing her before she could ask more questions.

"Don’t worry about it," I murmured against her lips.

"But—"

"It’s a surprise."

"I don’t like surprises."

"You’ll like this one."

She narrowed her eyes at me suspiciously, but I just kissed her again, deeper this time, until she melted into it and forgot about interrogating me.

When I pulled back, she was flushed and breathless.

"We have appointments today," I said. "First, your prenatal checkup."

Her hand went automatically to her stomach. "Right."

"Then we’re touring those houses you liked."

Her eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Really. And then..." I traced my thumb along her jaw. "A surprise."

"Kael—"

"Trust me."

She sighed but didn’t push. "Fine. But only because it’s my birthday."

"Exactly."

She picked up a strawberry from the tray, dipping it in whipped cream.

But instead of eating it, she held it out to me.

"Taste?" she offered, her eyes sparking with mischief.

I leaned forward and took a bite, my teeth scraping against her fingers deliberately.

Her breath hitched.

"Good?" she asked, her voice dropping.

"Delicious."

She took a bite of the other half, but some of the cream smudged on her bottom lip.

"You have something..." I murmured, leaning in to lick it off slowly.

She made a small sound in her throat.

"Kael..."

"Hmm?"

Instead of answering, she dipped her finger in the whipped cream and dragged it down my chest.

"Oops," she said innocently.

My eyebrow rose. "Oops?"

"Guess you’ll have to clean that up."

"Guess I will."

I grabbed her wrist, bringing her cream-covered finger to my mouth and sucking it clean while maintaining eye contact.

Her pupils dilated.

"That’s not fair," she breathed.

"You started it."

She moved the breakfast tray aside carefully... we’d both learned our lesson about knocking things over, and climbed into my lap, straddling me.

"Maybe I want to finish it too," she murmured, leaning down to kiss me.

I groaned into her mouth, my hands finding her hips, gripping tight as she rocked against me.

We were both still in our robes... easy access.

Her hand slid between us, finding me already hard, and she smiled against my lips.

"Someone’s ready for me."

"Always," I growled, pulling her robe open completely.

She lifted herself, positioning, and then sank down onto me slowly.

We both groaned at the sensation.

"Fuck, Aria..."

She started moving, riding me with slow, deliberate rolls of her hips, and I watched her face... flushed and beautiful and completely mine.

I reached up, palming her breast, my thumb brushing over her nipple, and she gasped.

"Kael... please..."

"What do you need?"

"More."

I gripped her hips harder, helping her move faster, deeper, and she cried out.

"Yes... like that..."

We moved together, desperate and hungry, the bed creaking beneath us.

When she came, it was with my name on her lips, her body clenching around me, and I followed seconds later, burying myself deep as I spilled inside her.

We stayed connected for a long moment, both breathing hard, foreheads pressed together.

"Best birthday wake-up ever," she finally whispered.

I laughed, kissing her softly. "Good. But we’re not done celebrating yet." 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"We’re not?"

"Not even close."

I pulled her down for another kiss, already planning every detail of how I was going to make this day perfect for her.

Starting now.