ELENA'S POINT OF VIEW
Dinner finally ended, and we moved back to the living room for cake. The staff brought it out with ceremony, a beautiful creation of white fondant and sugar flowers, candles glowing in the soft light.
We sang Happy Birthday, our voices blending together, and Victoria blew out her candles with tears in her eyes. "Make a wish, my love," Richard said softly.
Victoria smiled at all of us, her gaze sweeping the room. "I have everything I could wish for right here in this room."
The sentiment was sweet, genuine. But all I could think was how vulnerable we all were, gathered together like this. How easy it would be for someone to...
I shut down the thought before it could fully form.
Gift giving began. Isabelle presented a beautiful bracelet that made Victoria gasp with delight. Nathan and my father had gone in together on something practical but expensive. Ella gave a framed photo she'd taken herself, artistic and touching.
