Chapter 20 On the way back , the atmosphere inside the car was somewhat silent . Braelynn gazed out the window at the scenery rushing past , her feelings complicated . The toughness she had shown when facing Zachary earlier gradually faded , replaced by a deep sense of exhaustion and melancholy . After all , he was someone she had once truly loved and lived with . Things ending up like this was never what she wanted . " Regretting it ? " Alexander suddenly spoke , his voice betraying no emotion . Braelynn snapped out of her thoughts and shook her head . " No. I just feel ... a bit tired . " Alexander was silent for a moment before saying , " Someone like that isn't worth it . " His way of comforting was still direct , even a bit clumsy , yet it strangely dispelled the inexplicable sadness in Braelynn's heart . J " Mm . " She responded softly , turning to look at his focused profile as he drove . " Thank you ... for earlier . " Alexander didn't reply , but his fingers gripping the steering wheel tightened slightly . After this incident , Zachary seemed to have finally quieted down . Perhaps it was because the overwhelming affairs in America forced him to leave for a while , or maybe he had finally come to terms with reality . 01.00 Chapter 20 Braelynn's life and work returned to normal , and without his harassment , everything flowed even more smoothly . Her teamwork with Alexander became increasingly seamless . The dock warehouse project successfully transformed into a comprehensive center integrating logistics , small - scale processing , and trade . Although still modest in size , the profits were considerable and the cash flow gradually stabilized . Their relationship also quietly changed in the course of daily interactions . Alexander still didn't talk much , but he would silently set down a cup of hot milk when she stayed up late reading documents . When she accidentally cut her finger , he would frown and fetch a band- aid , his movements a bit rough but careful . During social gatherings , he would discreetly shield her from all ill- intentioned drinks . Braelynn , too , would worry when he went out to handle tricky matters , and she always remembered his favorite beef pie from a small shop , bringing one back for him whenever she could . A subtle , unspoken affection flowed between them , understood by both , yet neither broke the delicate barrier . That day was Braelynn's birthday . She had almost forgotten . When she woke up in the morning , only Henry and Maria had sent her birthday wishes on her phone . She prepared to head to the project site as usual , but when she opened her apartment door , she saw Alexander leaning against the wall outside , as if he'd been waiting for a while . " Don't go to the site today . " He looked at her , his tone natural . Chapter 20 " What's wrong ? Is something up ? " Braelynn asked in confusion . 288 Vouchers " I'm taking you somewhere . " Alexander said simply , turning and heading downstairs first . Braelynn didn't understand , but she still followed him . Alexander drove her to a secluded cliff by the sea . The view here was spectacular , with the endless blue ocean and circling seagulls in sight . On the flat ground at the edge of the cliff , a simple barbecue grill had been set up . Beside it was a small ice bucket , chilling a few cans of beer and some fresh seafood . " What's this ? " Braelynn looked at Alexander in surprise . Alexander looked a bit uneasy , turning his gaze away . He took a small box from his jacket pocket and handed it to her , his voice still gruff : " Take it . Birthday . " Braelynn was stunned , accepting the black velvet box with no logo . She hadn't expected him to remember her birthday , let alone celebrate it in this way . She opened the box , and inside lay a necklace . The chain was a simple silver one , but the pendant was a smoothly polished obsidian , irregular in shape yet exuding a raw , wild beauty , reflecting deep light in the sun . The gift wasn't expensive , even a bit rugged , but it inexplicably matched Alexander's style and struck a chord in Braelynn's heart . " How ... did you know today was my birthday ? " Her voice was slightly hoarse . 01 00 Chapter 20 258 Vouchers " It's on the marriage certificate . " Alexander replied dryly , his ears tinged with red . He picked up a can of beer and handed it to her . " It's quiet here , no one will bother us . " The sea breeze played with Braelynn's hair as she held the obsidian pendant , still warm from his touch , and looked at the man who had prepared all this for her yet still wore a cold , hard expression . Her heart felt full , warm and swelling . The feeling of being quietly cherished , treasured in his own way , was unlike anything she had ever known . " Thank you , " she looked up , her eyes sparkling at him . " I really like it . " Alexander saw the smile on her face , and for a moment his gaze softened before returning to its usual state . He lowered his head to fiddle with the grill , mumbling a quiet " Mm . " The two of them sat at the edge of the cliff , eating fish and shrimp that were a bit charred but tasted good , drinking cold beer , and watching the sea and sky merge in the distance . There were no fancy words , no romantic confessions , and most of the time , they were silent . Yet a silent understanding and warmth quietly flowed between them . As the sun set , Alexander drove Braelynn back to her apartment . The car stopped downstairs . Braelynn unfastened her seatbelt but didn't get out right away . She turned to look at Alexander , whose features seemed especially deep in the twilight , and said softly , " Today was the most special birthday I've ever had . " Alexander's grip on the steering wheel tightened as he turned to look at 0101 Chapter 20 her . ve Wandta Their eyes met in the dim car , and a long - suppressed emotion seemed to crackle in the air . Braelynn's heartbeat involuntarily sped up . Alexander slowly leaned toward her , carrying a faint scent of tobacco and sea water . Braelynn didn't shy away , even closing her eyes slightly . However , the expected kiss never came . Alexander simply reached out and gently tucked a stray lock of her hair behind her ear , his fingertips brushing her earlobe and sending a subtle shiver through her . His movements were restrained , yet carried a sense of cherishing . " Go on up . " His voice was lower and huskier than usual . " Get some rest early . " Braelynn opened her eyes and met his deep , unfathomable gaze , emotions surging within , yet forcibly suppressed by him . Her face grew warm . She nodded , opened the car door , and got out . After a few steps , she turned back and saw Alexander's car still parked there , the window rolled down , and he was watching her . She waved at him and then ran into the apartment building . Only after her figure disappeared did Alexander suddenly punch the steering wheel , muttering a curse , as if frustrated by his own restraint , or struggling against the surging impulse inside . He knew that once some things began , there would be no turning back . 01.00 Chapter 20 112 Mouchers And he had to make sure he could give her a stable future before taking that step . 01.01 Chapter 21 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!