His Untamed Rose novel Chapter 113

All she could hear on the other end was the sound of heavy breathing.

After a long pause, Yadiel finally offered, “Safe travels.”

“I’ve wired some money to your account,” Lumina said, flicking the ashes from her cigarette onto the floor. The ember was still hot, but her heart felt oddly cold. “Take care of Minka for me. If you need anything, call me. And… please look after my mom, and my sister too. I’m counting on you.”

Yadiel’s lips curled in a faint smile. “Of course.”

“One more thing.” Lumina hesitated, then added, “If Yael Jardin gets out of prison, let me know.”

“Alright.” Yadiel let out a quiet sigh, his voice weighted with something unspoken. “Are you really not coming back?”

Lumina drew a deep breath. “Not anytime soon.”

He gave a low hum of acknowledgment. After a long moment, as if he’d gathered his courage, he spoke again: “I’m sorry.”

“Goodbye.”

Before he could say anything else, Lumina cut him off with those words and hung up.

No sooner had she set her phone down than a message from Cedric popped up: Where are you?

Lumina stubbed out her cigarette, swept up the mess, tossed it into the trash, and stood to leave.

When she entered the hall, she saw guests gathered around, singing and blowing out birthday candles.

At the center of it all was Cedric, the star everyone gravitated toward—bright, magnetic, impossible to ignore.

He looked up, meeting her gaze across the crowd.

Lumina smiled and mouthed the words—Happy Birthday.

Cedric caught it, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips. He closed his eyes, made a wish, and when he opened them again, his gaze found her face.

Then, slowly, he blew out the candles.

Applause erupted, and Lumina clapped along from the doorway, her smile radiant.

With the candles out, the formalities were over. The rest of the evening was filled with entertainment—magic tricks, songs, dancing—every act more dazzling than the last, the atmosphere growing livelier by the minute.

But Lumina lingered off to the side, leaning against a pillar, eyes fixed on the clock as the minutes ticked by.

At half-past seven, Hilton appeared at her side and tapped her gently. “Ms. Jardin, it’s about time. Mr. Royce is waiting for you in the car.”

The scene was every bit as breathtaking as the lantern festivals she’d visited with him in the past.

The moment the car stopped, Lumina slipped out, not caring that she was wearing a long dress, and dove into the sea of golden lights.

Cedric followed at a leisurely pace, calling her name. “Lumina.”

She turned back, her smile catching the glow of the lanterns, reflecting in his eyes.

Cedric reached out his broad hand to her, smiling gently. “Did you forget? What are you supposed to do?”

Lumina paused, memory flooding back to the day he’d first brought her to a festival like this. She’d promised then to always hold his hand and never let go.

She hurried back and slipped her hand into his.

“I’m in my twenties, you know. There’s no way I’d get lost,” she grumbled quietly, casting him a sidelong glance. “Worrywart.”

He just chuckled, taking her hand as they walked toward a brightly lit vendor. He picked out a delicate hairpin and tucked it into her hair.

As he fussed with her hair, Cedric murmured, almost teasing, “Are you sure you won’t get lost?”