She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 43

The servant checked the name on the second envelope, then said carefully, “and Miss Loyce.”

Sybil’s face went rigid. “You said… who?”

Leroy lunged forward and snatched the letters from the servant’s hands. “Stop talking nonsense. How could one be for Loyce? She just got here today. How would she even know Lucian?”

But when Leroy actually saw the name written on the envelope, the color drained from his face. “It really is for Loyce…?”

It didn’t make sense. Loyce had been raised in a small town. How could she possibly have any connection to Lucian?

Not just the Seabrooks, even the Lonsdales were baffled. Why would Lucian send Loyce a cake?

Sybil saw the name too. All her romantic excitement turned into a joke she’d told on herself. She pulled her mouth into something like a smile—worse than crying—and asked the question everyone wanted answered. “So you’ve known Lucian for a while, Loyce? I guess I misunderstood…”

Alicia’s expression faltered; she could only sit there with an awkward, brittle smile.

Loyce had guessed the truth the moment she saw the cake.

Leroy handed her the envelope like it burned his fingers.

Gordon opened his letter and read it carefully. The details inside described how, back at the Sampsons’, Loyce had been forced to share a birthday celebration with Quiana, how her existence had been pushed aside even on the one day that should’ve been hers.

Gordon’s brows drew tight. He swallowed his anger and the ache in his chest, then passed the letter to Forrest.

“We only found Loyce because Lucian helped,” Gordon said, voice heavy. “Now he’s congratulating me for getting my granddaughter back, and he made it clear that cake is for Loyce.”

Forrest finished reading, then passed it to the other brothers, his face darkening. “Today isn’t Loyce’s birthday. Her real birthday is on Christmas. We all remember it. We won’t forget again.”

Hank’s eyes narrowed, suspicious. “I’ve known Lucian for years. I’ve never once heard of him sending birthday gifts to any girl. And now my sister comes back and suddenly he’s thinking about her?”

Morris laughed and clapped Hank’s shoulder. “Don’t overthink it. Maybe he’s just being decent.”

“I’ve never seen him be decent like this,” Hank said flatly.

His words cut Sybil like a knife.

Lucian’s note to Loyce was only two words. [Happy birthday.]

When they’d eaten together at that rooftop restaurant, Loyce had mentioned it, and he’d remembered. Outside of subordinates and patients, no one remembered her words that precisely, then acted on them.

Loyce’s lips curved faintly. “The Sampsons made the day they took me in as my 'birthday.' I’ve celebrated that date for years. I didn’t even know when my real birthday was.”

He knew Loyce was good, but surgery was different. She was still a student.

Loyce caught the hesitation in his face and adjusted smoothly. “Another doctor will operate. I’ll just observe.”

Now that Forrest was her brother, she wanted to be in the room. Watching meant peace of mind.

Forrest nodded. “If you want hands-on practice, you can assist. I'm healthy. I can take it.”

Loyce laughed quietly. “Noted. Thanks, Forrest.”

She only escaped after promising Gordon she’d come back to stay when she had time. But then her phone buzzed—a message from Hugo. The course had been switched three days ago to a wilderness route. He asked when she’d arrive.

Loyce had barely ridden her motorcycle out of the estate before she stopped, checked the time, and called him. “Put me on the last leg. I might be late.”

A luxury car passed her, then slowed and reversed back. The rear window lowered. Lucian’s flawless face emerged from the shadows. “Where are you going this late?”

Loyce looked at him and immediately saw a way to make it in time. She pulled her bike to the side, rested an arm on his window, and leaned in. “I’m heading to the mountain loop race. I have to be there before eight. Can you help me? I can knock some money off your follow-up treatments.”

Lucian had an international meeting scheduled at eight. He glanced at his watch once, then made his decision. “Get in,” he said. “I’ll have a helicopter take you.”