The Lies Behind Her Marriage novel Chapter 53

**Chapter 53: Every Birthday**

Every Birthday.

As the soft glow of the living room lights dimmed, Celine’s voice trembled with emotion. “Serena… this is something we created just for you. Every year, on your birthday.”

Sterling, with a steady hand, pressed play on the TV monitor, the anticipation thick in the air.

The screen flickered to life, revealing a younger Celine, her eyes puffy and red from tears, yet she fought to wear a smile.

“Serena… It’s your first birthday without us,” she said, her voice breaking, a painful tremor evident in each word. “Wherever you are, baby… please be safe. Mommy loves you.”

The video transitioned, and once again, Celine appeared, this time cradling a pink cake adorned with three flickering candles. “Happy third birthday, Serena,” she said, her voice a mixture of joy and sorrow as she blew out the candles, tears trailing down her cheeks.

Then the screen shifted to a younger Sterling, standing stiffly beside Celine, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Princess… today you would have turned four. I bought you a bicycle, and your brother picked the color. If you come home… it will be waiting for you.”

It was evident that her parents had recorded these messages on the very day of her birthdays, a ritual that unfolded year after year. Celine or Sterling would always be in tears, holding a cake or a gift that Serena had never had the chance to receive.

As the videos progressed, Silas began to make his appearance.

Next, Silas appeared on the screen, a small boy clutching a stuffed bunny. “Serena… I saved this stuffed bunny for you. I’m your big brother. I promise I’ll find you soon.”

At that moment, Serena instinctively covered her mouth, her heart shattering under the weight of his words.

Time seemed to fast forward with each birthday, the years passing in mere seconds. Sterling grew older, Celine aged yet remained steadfast in her hope. Silas transformed from a small boy into a tall teenager, eventually becoming a young man. Each clip was a heartfelt message directed solely at her.

When Serena was supposed to turn eighteen, Celine and Sterling presented her with gifts that had been carefully chosen: a sparkling crown and a stunning pink dress.

“Serena, wherever you are, I hope you are celebrating your eighteenth birthday with joy,” Celine said, her voice thick with emotion.

The scene concluded with Celine collapsing into tears, enveloped in Sterling’s comforting embrace.

The final video, recorded just five months prior, marked Serena’s actual twenty-fifth birthday—not the fabricated date Victor had given her.

Celine and Sterling sat side by side, their hands intertwined.

“Serena,” Celine whispered, her voice barely above a breath, “we miss you so much. We still believe you’re out there. We will never stop looking for you. Our love for you is eternal… even if you never come home.”

Sterling nodded solemnly, sadness flickering in his eyes. “And even if we don’t find you… all we wish for is that you are safe and happy.”

Then, in an unexpected burst of energy, Silas rushed into the frame, holding a cake topped with a lit candle. Facing the camera, he exclaimed, “Happy birthday to us, Serena!”

Each evening, they gathered to watch videos filled with cherished memories: Silas’s school recitals, his graduations, and various family events that had shaped their lives.

Serena beamed with pride as she watched her father’s accolades for medical innovations and Celine’s recognition as a philanthropist, the founder of the Ellison Hope Foundation, a charitable organization she had established, bringing hope from Novara Isles to Rexam City.

Amidst the joyful days of reconnecting, they eagerly planned a three-week-long vacation, all while preparing for the arrival of the twins.

Finally, Friday arrived.

It was the day Serena would be introduced to the living relatives of the Vanders, her family’s friends, trusted employees, and esteemed business associates.

By late afternoon, the Vander estate had transformed into a grand, yet welcoming celebration.

The gates stood wide open, the curved driveway illuminated with soft golden lights. Elegant canopies draped with delicate orchids adorned the lawn, while tables dressed in ivory and gold shimmered under the warm glow of lanterns. Servers glided through the crowd, offering champagne and delectable small bites, as the soft melodies of a string quartet filled the air.

From the second-floor balcony of the mansion, Serena gazed down at the steadily arriving guests, her heart racing with nerves. She felt a wave of anxiety wash over her; what would they think of her? A divorcee, a single mother of twins on the way—could she truly live up to the Vander name?

But as she caught sight of her parents’ bright smiles and the pride shining in Silas’s eyes, something within her solidified. She lifted her chin, her hand resting protectively over her belly, a newfound determination coursing through her veins.

‘I am Serena Vander… and my children will be Vanders. No one will ever steal another moment of our lives again.’