She's Too Busy Winning to Watch Him Cry novel Chapter 154

A crisp night breeze swept past. Having delivered the cake, Lyra turned to leave.

"Wait." Caspian caught her sleeve with his free hand. "Do you have a candle?"

Lyra blinked. "Yeah, I do."

Caspian flipped open the box. It was a modest eight-inch cake with a sweet message piped across the center. A soft smile touched his lips. "Then I want to make a wish."

Lyra hummed softly, fishing out a single, tiny candle. Caspian had her hold the cake steady while he dug a lighter out of his pocket, flicking it alive with a sharp click.

A warm, fragile flame flickered to life in the darkness as he pressed the candle into the frosting. The breeze caught the fire, making it dance gracefully in the reflection of her eyes.

Lyra beamed over the glowing pastry. "Make a wish."

Caspian felt a strange, profound tug at his chest, as if his heart had just skipped a beat.

He swallowed hard and let his eyes fall shut.

Above them, Rowan stood frozen by the second-floor window, watching this impossibly intimate and tender scene unfold below.

Lyra was cradling a small cake, the candlelight illuminating her exhausted features. Yet, her smile was undeniably, intoxicatingly sweet.

It was so warm it blinded him.

A cynical smirk pulled at Rowan's lips. He sparked a lighter, taking a slow, deep drag of his cigarette, his gaze turning as cold and sharp as ice.

Down below, the candle was blown out.

"Happy birthday, Cas."

The streetlamp flickered overhead. In that split second of shadows, the glamorous woman standing before Caspian seemed to morph back into the simple girl in faded jeans and a messy ponytail he used to know.

A wave of suffocating affection crashed over him.

He stood in silence for a fraction too long. When the streetlight flickered again, Lyra tilted her head in confusion.

Caspian offered no explanation, merely whispering, "Thank you, Lyra."

Ten minutes later, Caspian jogged up the stairs, carrying the cake box with a victorious spring in his step.

Rowan was slouched on the upstairs sofa, half a cigarette burning between his fingers.

A painfully vivid memory struck him, an entirely unmemorable afternoon years ago. A nervous, timid girl stuttering as she held out a plate. 'Hello. I have some birthday cake here. Would you like a slice?'

'No thanks. I don't do sweets.'

I don't do sweets.

He remembered that moment perfectly because it was true. Rowan despised sugar.

"What? Afraid to share?" Rowan drawled when Caspian remained glued to the spot.

Caspian snapped back to reality, his expression hardening. Opening the box, he took the cheap plastic knife that came with it and sliced off a piece for his brother.

Rowan didn't reach for it. "You can have that piece. Happy birthday."

He stood up.

Snatching the entire remaining cake by the handle, he casually strolled into his bedroom.

Caspian's face darkened with absolute fury.