56. CHAPTER 56
ARIA
I t had been thirteen days.
With each one that passed, the bruises faded a little more—but I could still feel the scars inside.
Sebastian had taken time out of the business to stay and look after me. I hadn’t left his house since that first day, but Serfina and Hayden had been over a lot.
I still couldn’t face going back to my flat. Sebastian and Hayden had gone there for me and got all my things, then had someone clear it out to give back to the landlord. Sebastian had paid all the rent up on it and refused to let me pay him back.
I needed to find somewhere to live, but at the moment, I felt safer here. I didn’t think he minded too much.
“Do we have to stay in this room much longer? I’m starving,” Sebastian whined.
Today was 18 th November—Sebastian’s birthday.
He was never one to celebrate. The two years we lived together, I always made sure we did something, even if he didn’t want to.
“Stop moaning.” I chuckled. “I guess I could give you a distraction.”
I leaned over to the bedside drawer, opening it and taking out a small gift box.
“What’s that?” he asked, sitting up and taking it from my hand.
He slowly lifted the lid off, and his eyes lit up.
It wasn’t much—a simple, silver crescent moon keyring.
He pulled it out by the ring, and it swayed slightly in the open air.
“Nyx,” he said, looking at me. “It’s the best gift I’ve ever been given.” He leaned forward and kissed my lips softly.
“Happy birthday,” I said, smiling at him. “It’s like having a piece of me wherever you go.”
“I’ve always got you with me. In my heart.”
I loved this man with every part of me. He truly was everything I wanted and needed.
He’d saved me and protected me and stayed with me after it all.
He didn’t look at me any differently because of what had happened; he looked at me the way he always did, with those piercing blue eyes filled with love.
My phone buzzed with a message. It was Serfina, telling me they were ready downstairs.
“Right,” I said, climbing off the bed.
I walked to his drawer where he kept his ties and pulled one out. I turned around and held it up to him.
“You need to use this,” I said, smiling.
He raised a brow. “Nyx, if you wanted to start using my ties, you only had to ask.”
I playfully hit him with it. “Not like that. I need to cover your eyes.”
“I don’t like to walk into things I can’t see.”
“Hush, and do as you’re told.”
“Anything for you,” he said, getting off the bed and kissing my forehead, then turning around.
I covered his eyes, guiding him out of the room and down the stairs, meeting Serfina and Hayden, who were trying to stay quiet.
“Can I take this off now?” he asked, squeezing my hand.
“Yes,” I replied, rolling my eyes.
He slowly pulled the tie off.
“Surprise!” Serfina squealed, doing jazz hands.
He chuckled, and Hayden pulled him into a bro hug.
“Happy birthday, mate. You’re officially old,” he said, pulling away.
“If I’m old, so are you,” Sebastian shot back.
Serfina kissed him on the cheek. “Happy birthday.”
He turned to face me, wrapping his arms around my waist. “You didn’t have to do all of this.”
I glanced over at the table filled with the food Hayden had been cooking all day, with the help of Jane, whilst I kept Sebastian upstairs. It smelt amazing, and I couldn’t wait to eat some of that mac and cheese. In fact, I couldn’t wait to eat all of it.
Luckily, Serfina had been in charge of the decorations and not the food.
She’d done an amazing job putting it all together.
Thin, glass bottles containing blue fairy lights were scattered over the table.
A silver, white and midnight-blue backdrop with “happy birthday” written on it sat neatly behind everything, and balloons elegantly decorated the room, which were also filled with blue fairy lights.
It reminded me of a night sky filled with stars.
“I know you don’t like to celebrate your birthday, but every year we’re together, we’re doing something, whether you like it or not,” I said, kissing his lips.
“Is that carrot cake?” he asked.
I smiled at him. “Yes, I made it when you were out yesterday.”
“Thank you,” he whispered.
Carrot cake was Sebastian’s favourite—but without the sultanas. He hated them. It was something I’d make when we lived together before.
“Ok, stop with soppy stuff.” Hayden laughed. “I’m starving.”
“Me too,” Sebastian said, joining him at the table.
Serfina walked over to me, wrapping her arm around my waist and pulling me in. “We’ve got some pretty special men there.”
I looked over to them. Hayden was pushing Sebastian out of the way to get food.
I shook my head, laughing. Yes, they were pretty special.
They were the complete opposite in every way, but it worked.
Hayden helped ground Sebastian. He was family to him and had been since they met all those years ago.
I let my gaze linger on Sebastian. He had been my rock through these last thirteen days, and I didn’t think I would have got through them without him.
I had a long way to go, but with him by my side, I knew I would make it.