Loving DAD 1153

Sharon also had kindred spirits like Ginny, Melanie, and Carol. 

And now, she’d even come to know Xavier, Matty, Julliard, and Uriah. 

There were plenty who disliked her, but just as many who didn’t. 

Sharon thought for a moment. She was about to tell him that both she and Wendy could be his friends when Thomas’s voice cut through her thoughts. 

“Actually,” he said, “there’s another reason I asked you to come here with me today.” 

Sharon turned to him, her voice soft. “What reason?” 

He took a sip of beer before answering. “It’s my birthday.” 

She froze. “Today… is your birthday?” 

The realization hit her–she hadn’t prepared a gift. 

e it up to you.” 

“I’m so sorry,” she said quickly. “I didn’t know. When we get back, I’ll make it up 

Thomas smiled faintly. “It’s fine. No one’s ever remembered my birthday anyway. Just having you here with me …that’s already enough.” 

A pang of regret tugged at her. If she’d only asked where he wanted to take her earlier, maybe he would’ve told her, and she wouldn’t have come empty–handed. 

“I’ll remember from now on,” she promised quietly. “You’ll never have to spend another birthday alone.” 

Thomas’s eyes shimmered like starlight scattered over a lake, luminous and deep. 

“Really?” he asked. 

“Yeah.” 

He looked at her for a long moment before saying, almost under his breath, “Someone once said that too–that they’d spend every birthday with me. But in the end, they broke their promise.‘ 

Sharon guessed he was talking about the girl who lived quietly in his heart. 

After a short silence, she said gently, “You’re right–no one can truly promise the future. So how about this… let’s just make a deal for next year. Next year, I’ll celebrate your birthday with you. How does that sound?” 

Thomas’s fine, handsome features seemed to soften under the moonlight. 

“Alright,” he said simply. 

Then he extended his little finger. “Let’s pinky swear.” 1 

Sharon couldn’t help but laugh. Theo had always thought pinky promises were childish; he hadn’t done one. with her in years. 

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Chapter 1153 

Still, she lifted her hand and hooked her finger with his. “Okay. Pinky swear.” 

+25 BONUS 

A year felt short. She thought it would be easy–as long as he stayed by her side, keeping th nothing at all. 

promise would be 

But she hadn’t expected that she would fall to keep it. 

The night air had turned cool, and it was getting late. 

Thomas glanced at the time. “It’s getting late. Let’s head back.” 

Sharon rose from the grass. On the way down the hill, she thought she might book a restaurant once they got back to the city–she could treat him to dinner, at least make up for forgetting his birthday. 

The drive to the city would take about an hour and a half. She sent Enzo a text, asking him to make the 

arrangements. 

Half an hour later, Enzo replied: [Everything’s set.] 

Sharon turned, ready to tell Thomas to set the GPS for the restaurant, but froze when she saw the sudden change in his expression. 

His eyes had gone sharp, his tone grave. 

“Sharon,” he said, “check your seat belt. Make sure it’s fastened.” 

Startled, Sharon glanced down and tugged at it. “It’s secure… Thomas, what’s wrong?” 

Before she could finish, something caught her eye in the rearview mirror–several cars trailing behind them. 

Their headlights were off, which was why she hadn’t noticed them before. But now that they were close, the sight made her blood run cold. 

Thomas’s foot slammed down on the accelerator. “We’re being followed. Those cars aren’t here by accident- they mean trouble.” 

The words had barely left his mouth when a deafening bang shattered the air. The rearview mirror exploded into shards under a bullet’s impact. 

Then came the rapid, metallic staccato of gunfire–bullets striking the car one after another, echoing through the night. 

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Chapter 1154 

TZU DVITUJ