His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 15

A few moments later, exactly as Virginia had requested, the Rolls-Royce pulled over at the nearest intersection.

Virginia pushed the door open. The cool night air rushed in, soothing the slight tremble in her arms and making her tight chest finally expand with an easy breath.

The moment her heels hit the pavement, Archer's voice sounded from behind her. "Virginia."

She paused. "Thank you for the ride, Mr. Vanderbilt."

The car door clicked shut with a soft thud.

The black Rolls-Royce idled behind her for a long time before finally driving off. She never looked back.

...

Three days later.

Virginia was in her clinic, organizing the latest rehabilitation assessment report for Franklin Hunter, when her phone buzzed twice.

It was a text from her mother, Madeline Caldwell.

[Ginny, bring Cindy home for dinner this Saturday. We're celebrating your birthday.]

It was followed by a little cake emoji.

Virginia stared at the screen for several long seconds.

Celebrating her birthday.

When was the last time the Caldwells had actively brought up her birthday? Oh, right. The year she was first brought back into the family.

But the moment Chloe shed a few tears, the family's attention had shifted entirely, snapping toward their "poor, fragile" adopted daughter like iron to a magnet.

Now, six years later, her mother was actually reaching out to celebrate her birthday.

The emotional wall Virginia had kept solidly reinforced for years slightly cracked.

She typed back a single word: [Okay.]

Saturday evening, Virginia wore a simple, light-colored dress, her hair loosely pinned back, revealing her slender, luminous neck. With minimal makeup, she looked elegant and perfectly put-together.

Cindy was dressed in a pink princess dress, a sparkling little tiara resting on her head, quietly holding Virginia's hand.

The moment they pushed the door open and stepped into the living room, the sounds of laughter and playful banter hit them.

"Virginia!" Chloe stood up and walked over, affectionately linking her arm through Virginia's, her tone practically dripping with sweetness. "Mom and Dad said since we're both their daughters, we should celebrate together this year. Isn't that just perfect?"

Virginia smoothly pulled her arm free, forcing a tight smile. "Where's Dad?"

"He's in the study talking business with Archer. They'll be out in a minute," Madeline said, untying the ribbon on the cake box without even looking up. "Ginny, grab some plates for me."

Virginia got Cindy settled on the sofa, then turned and walked toward the dining cabinet to get the plates.

Halfway there, she heard Chloe whining to Madeline behind her. "Mom, I think this cake is too small. I should've ordered a three-tier one."

Madeline laughed. "It's plenty. Your sister doesn't even like sweets."

Virginia's hand paused on the cabinet handle.

She didn't like sweets?

She was highly allergic to cream.

It was a detail Madeline had never bothered to remember.