Chapter 64 What Do You Want for Your Birthday

Charles glanced down at her for a moment, then pulled her into his arms, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Alright, we should at least have a birthday cake. Do you want to order one, Anya, or should I whip one up myself?"

Anna looked up, a bit surprised. "You can bake cakes?"

Charles raised an eyebrow, a playful smile in his eyes. "Your husband can do a lot of things."

The next afternoon, just as she was about to clock out, Anna got a call from Aurora Mansion. Seeing the name on the screen, her fingers hesitated for a moment. After a brief pause, she answered. Her voice was cool, "Uncle Samuel."

The caller was Thalia's dad, Anna's biological uncle.

Samuel's voice sounded hesitant, but only for a moment. "Anna, do you have time after work?"

Anna's expression stayed indifferent. "What's up, Uncle Samuel?"

Samuel said, "I have some things your dad left behind. If you have time, come to Aurora Mansion after work, and I'll give them to you."

Anna initially wanted to refuse, but Samuel's mention of Wesley made her pause. After a couple of seconds, she agreed. "I'll come over after work."

Anna's feelings towards Samuel were complicated. Since she was born, Samuel had always been good to her. When Wesley and Odette were busy, they often didn't come home for days. Naturally, she got bored staying home with the sitter, so Samuel often brought toys and treats to keep her company.

The recent fallout with Michael had made Anna see Thalia and her mother Sierra's true colors. But when it came to Samuel, Anna felt conflicted and hesitant. She knew she should let go of those warm childhood memories, but she couldn't bear to.

However, Anna's remaining warmth towards Samuel completely vanished when she arrived at Aurora Mansion. When she went inside, she found that the vast Aurora Mansion only had Michael sitting on the sofa in the hall smoking, with no sign of Samuel.

On the single sofa facing the door, Michael exhaled smoke expressionlessly. The coldness in his eyes seemed to soften a bit in the haze of the smoke rings. However, when the smoke cleared, Michael's eyes were still as cold and gloomy as ever.

Anna wasn't stupid. In this situation, how could she not guess what was going on? She merely glanced expressionlessly at Michael, who was staring at her, and without stopping, turned to leave. But in the next second, Michael suddenly spoke.

"Anna." He looked at her back, the bitterness of the smoke at his lips seeming to spread to his heart. "The day after tomorrow is your birthday."

Hearing this, Anna's steps halted. Today, Michael seemed particularly silent. He just stared persistently at her back. A pin could have dropped in the silent hall.

"What does my Anna want for her birthday this year?" His tone was the same as it had been for the past eight years. With a faint smile, as if gently coaxing her. In the past, whenever he spoke to her like this, she always felt warmth and the love and care of being valued.

She used to love celebrating her birthday. A big part of the reason was that during those few days, Michael would always be by her side. Like coaxing a child, he would take her to tourist spots, give her all kinds of birthday gifts, and prepare unique little surprises.

Most importantly, no matter what major events happened domestically during those days, no matter how much trouble the Tudor Group was in, he would never leave her alone.

Eight years ago, when Anna was in despair, Michael helped her out of that unbearable, most desperate, and helpless time. With his day-by-day companionship, she gradually accepted his presence and gradually adapted to having such a person in her life. Later, she began to rely on him, trust him, miss him, and even fall in love with him.

"Anna?" Michael asked again, and Anna suddenly snapped out of her memories. However, the warmth of the past faded from her mind, replaced by the sudden upheaval since returning to the country.

Her fingers at her side curled silently. She didn't turn around. Her voice was very cold and distant, and if you listened carefully, you could hear a fleeting hint of mockery. "Mr. Tudor, busy with your wedding, and you still have time to remember my birthday."

Michael lowered his eyes, where darkness was brewing like a storm.

"Anna, I have never forgotten." He extinguished the cigarette between his fingers.

Standing tall and defiant, Michael stubbornly looked at the figure in front of him. "Anna, in the past, by this time, I would have already taken care of everything at work and flown over to see you with your birthday gifts."

Anna's face grew more sarcastic. In the past, by this time, she would also be frantically handling her studies for the next few days so she could spend more time with him.

Michael took a few steps forward. She didn't turn around, and the emotions he had suppressed for a long time no longer needed to be restrained. "Anna, whatever gift you want, I will..."

"No need." A cold voice cut off his words

"To this day, Mr. Tudor, still acting with me, aren't you tired?" As she finished speaking, her fingers clenched and unclenched, and then she said again, "Mr. Tudor, your wedding is approaching; you should spend more time with your fiancée. As for my birthday..."

Her voice paused, the mockery in her eyes clear, "I have a husband. My husband will celebrate with me."

These words triggered all of Michael's pent-up anger to surface. He wanted to imprison her in his arms, lock her away where no one could find her!

However, at the peak of this emotion, Michael used all his strength to restrain himself, his voice hoarse from the effort.