Chapter 263: Special Gift

Our noses brushed gently as I leaned closer. “So, do you want to do that?” I teased, my warm breath caressing his lips. A soft flush bloomed on his face, spreading from his ears down to the back of his neck. Carter’s contrasting sides always amazed me: cold and composed in public, yet with me, he was like a bashful schoolboy.

“If you want to…” he murmured, his voice low and soft, “then I’m okay with it.”

I chuckled lightly, locking eyes with him. “I’m just teasing.” Of course, I wasn’t going to be that outrageous. Carter caught the playful smile on my lips, and his arms tightened around my waist as he deepened our kiss. By the time we arrived at the Bolton Residence, my lips felt nearly swollen from his relentless affection.

Tonight, Jeffrey had specifically invited Alisa over. Her gaze lingered on my lips before realization dawned in her eyes.

“Zoey—no, I should call you Aunt Zoey now. You and Uncle Carter seem so close,” she said with a knowing smile.

I returned her smile warmly. “Call me whatever you like. Where’s Luke?”

“He’s resting in his room,” she replied, a hint of sadness flickering across her face. It was obvious—Luke was deliberately avoiding her. Taking her hand, I said gently, “Alisa, since you haven’t announced this engagement publicly yet, there’s still time to reconsider if you want to.” After everything Luke had been through, it was unlikely he’d fall for someone else so soon. Alisa’s feelings would go unreciprocated. After Anna, the last thing Luke could tolerate was a calculating woman. Given these circumstances, their marriage was bound to end in heartbreak.

“This is the path I chose, Zoey. I have no regrets,” Alisa said firmly, her expression resolute. “I’m willing to wait for him.”

Well, so be it. After all, advice only goes so far.

That evening was Holiday Eve, and the Bolton family’s dinner party was lively and festive. Extended relatives filled the brightly lit Bolton Residence. Children ran around noisily while Jeffrey gleefully handed out gifts. Someone suddenly called out, “The fireworks show is starting!” and everyone rushed to the yard. I looked up at the sky as brilliant fireworks lit up the night.

A burst of blue fireworks exploded, drawing gasps from the crowd. “Blue fireworks! How beautiful!” someone exclaimed. They truly were unique. As I admired the display, a formation of drones appeared in the sky. They moved in unison, first forming the image of a time-traveling spaceship, then arranging themselves into a series of words: “Z, love you forever.”

“Z? Aunt Zoey, is this for you?” Alisa said excitedly, clinging to my arm. “Who would’ve thought Uncle Carter, who always seems so aloof, could be this sweet and romantic? But why didn’t he use your full name?”

He didn’t omit my name—he couldn’t dare to. Because that confession wasn’t for Zoey. It was for Chloe.

Luke, watching the blue fireworks in silence, turned and headed back into the house.

“Luke, aren’t you going to stay? They’re so beautiful,” Alisa called after him.

“There’s nothing special about them,” he replied tersely. In his mind, he’d gone back to the day of our wedding. The fireworks then were for Anna. That was also the day I died in the snow. Now, Carter was using fireworks to confess his love to me. Luke’s guilt and regret kept him from enjoying the display. But I had long since moved on from the misery Luke brought me. I had found happiness with Carter and our marriage. That’s why Luke couldn’t bring himself to stay and watch.

That night, Carter gave me a truly one-of-a-kind romantic evening. The festivities carried on late into the night. Some people played cards, others watched shows, while the kids had snowball fights and twirled sparklers in the cold winter air.

I sent Carter back to the bedroom early that night. My phone had blown up with messages, full of New Year’s greetings from friends and acquaintances. One message, in particular, caught my eye—it was from Luke. Just three simple words: “Happy New Year.” I didn’t respond. Instead, I set the phone aside. Maybe he genuinely wished me happiness, but my happiness no longer had anything to do with him.

When Carter walked out of the bathroom, his hair was still damp. I grabbed a towel and carefully dried it for him.

This, I thought, is what love is supposed to be—mutual support, understanding, and care, not a one-sided effort.

“The fireworks tonight were beautiful. I loved them,” I said softly.

“I’m glad you did,” he replied, his deep eyes warming with a gentle smile. Then he reached to the side of his wheelchair and pulled out a large gift box. “Happy New Year.”

I blinked in surprise. “You’re still giving me gifts at my age?”

He stood, pulling me into his arms. “What do you mean, your age? You’re just a kid to me.” To Luke, I was always the dependable problem-solver. To Carter, I was someone who needed his love and protection.

“Thank you,” I whispered. It had been years since anyone had given me a gift, and this one was heavy, clearly expensive.

I led him to the bed and smiled, “I prepared something for you too.”

“Oh!” His voice softened as he looked at me with curiosity.

“It’s nothing fancy, just something small I picked up,” I mumbled, pulling out a leather belt. “I wasn’t sure if you’d like it.”

He instantly caught my meaning. “Trying to tie me down, are you?”

My cheeks burned, but I didn’t deny it. “Yeah.”

“You don’t need to. I already belong to you.” He leaned down, pinning me to the bed. “Chloe, it’s dark now.”

My breath quickened as I placed a hand on his chest, gently pushing him back. “Wait, Carter, I still have something I need to finish.”

“What is it?”

Though half of my clothes had already been undone, he waited patiently, his good-natured expression unchanging. I reached for a new phone I had prepared earlier. “Since it’s New Year’s Day, it’s only fitting I give Anna a special gift.” Sadie and I pulled up the video and photos I had taken in the car—images of Anna kissing Silas, along with her ultrasound report. With a smirk, I sent everything to Sadie anonymously. She’s going to love this New Year’s surprise. Anna’s wedding was just around the corner, and this little package would surely steal the show when it played during the ceremony.

The moment the message showed “Sent Successfully,” I felt Carter’s body press against my back. His warmth was all-encompassing, his breath tickling my ear.

“Darling, where’s my gift?”

“Didn’t I just give you the belt?”

He nibbled on my earlobe, his voice low and deliberate. “Not enough. I want you.”

The real show was just beginning.