From a Wrong Turn to Mr. Right novel Chapter 317

After dinner, everyone lingered around the table, chatting and laughing as the evening shadows crept in.

Suddenly, the lights in the living room went out.

Olivia Bennett froze for a second, caught off guard. Before she could react, Damian Franklin appeared, wheeling in a cake decorated with candles. Carlson Baker led the way, and soon a chorus of voices broke into “Happy Birthday.”

Ethan Carter slipped an arm around her, grinning, and—out of nowhere—produced a sparkly tiara.

Olivia felt the gentle weight settle onto her head. She blinked in surprise, but the tiara sat perfectly in place.

“Happy birthday, Princess,” Ethan whispered in her ear. Even above the off-key singing, Olivia heard him clear as day.

She touched the tiara, a smile teasing at her lips.

When the song ended, Damian smiled warmly at her. “Make a wish, Olivia, and blow out your candles.”

The flickering candlelight cast everyone’s faces in a golden, loving glow.

Olivia’s heart felt like it was filled with cotton candy—warm, sweet, and impossibly light.

“Okay,” she said, grinning. She pressed her hands together, closed her eyes, and made a wish.

When she opened them again, there was a sparkle there she couldn’t quite hide, glimmering in the candlelight.

She took a deep breath, leaned forward, and blew out the candles.

As soon as the flames vanished, someone flicked the lights back on.

Adelina Lane handed her a cake knife. “Go ahead, Olivia. Cut the cake.”

“Thanks,” Olivia replied, taking the knife.

Olivia’s eyes widened. She shook her head emphatically. “No way. That’s not for me.”

She wasn’t interested in running companies, and everyone knew it.

“That’s why I’m giving you these shares,” Damian said, smiling. “Consider it a little security for your future. And who knows—maybe one day, if your kid gets interested, I’ll hand over The Carter Group to them.”

Olivia laughed, shaking her head. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”

If her future child turned out to be just like her—completely uninterested in the corporate world—that would be fine too. All she wanted was for them to grow up happy and healthy.

Adelina Lane smiled and added, “The gifts from me, your dad, and grandma are at home—we’ll give them to you when we get back.”

Olivia nodded, her heart full. “Thanks, Mom, Dad, and Grandma.”