Crowned by the Man They Feared (Amelia and Jeremy) novel Chapter 635

Even when her birthday came up later, it was always as an afterthought—something Amelia only remembered long after her birthday had already passed.

She'd gotten used to not celebrating with family—spending the day alone instead, or with her best friends and her mentor.

But now—

As Amelia unwrapped the gifts, her heart lurched.

Every single one was something she loved.

One glance told her they'd been chosen with care—each item something she once adored, or still did.

She remembered her father always saying he was busy, his concern for her always seeming to come through a layer of distance—yet she never expected him to hide his love this way, quietly, for so many years.

Her fingertips brushed a pink diamond necklace—exactly the style she'd wanted most when she was 12.

Amelia's eyes flooded instantly.

Just then, Jeremy came back.

Seeing her sitting there in a daze with reddened eyes, he panicked and rushed over to pull her into his arms.

"What happened? What's wrong—did something happen?"

"It's nothing, just..."

Amelia hugged him back, voice thick as she told him about the gifts.

Her birthday was coming up, which was probably why Emery had sent them over now.

She couldn't have only started cleaning out that villa in the last day or two—there was no way she'd only just discovered what her father had left behind.

She'd probably been agonizing over whether to tell her and how.

Now that the birthday was near, and knowing she might not know what to give or fear Amelia might reject a gift, she chose this moment to reveal the truth.

Amelia understood her mother's intentions perfectly.

After hearing her, Jeremy patted her back, his heart aching, gently wiping the tears from her cheeks with his thumb. "It's all in the past. Your dad always held you in his heart."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the exquisitely wrapped boxes on the table, and after a moment, decided to just say it.

"Your birthday's almost here. I want to throw you a party, so you have to be happy. You can't be standing here crying like this."

"A birthday party?" Amelia froze for a beat.

"Mm-hm. You do realize you're everyone's favorite now, right? They're all fighting for a chance to celebrate you."

Jeremy chuckled and flicked her nose. "I wanted it to be a surprise, but seeing you like this ... I couldn't keep it in."

He wanted to give her everything good in the world—wanted her to know every thought he had and every effort he'd made.

He'd held the secret in for so long, and in this moment, he finally couldn't resist.

"You're unbelievable. Just being with you every day is enough. I don't need some huge surprise."

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