INSTALL Chapter 21 Two days later , it was Marissa's birthday . Declan had cleared his entire schedule for it . But as he stood in the kitchen , staring at the half - frosted cake , it hit him - he barely knew what flavor she liked . In the end , he ordered one of everything . It was the first time he'd ever celebrated her birthday properly . Before his accident , someone like him - untouchable , revered - never spared a thought for the birthday of a scholarship girl quietly living under his roof . And after he was paralyzed , all he cared about was hiding his broken self from the world . She'd become the closest target , someone to unleash all his bitterness and shame on . Later , with her patient care and quiet encouragement , he'd started to heal . He'd learned how to lower his defenses , how to treat others with something close to kindness . But by then , she was already gone . He'd convinced himself it was fine . He just needed more time - time to catch up , time to understand her . Now that she was back , they had a future . And in that future , he'd learn everything -her routines , her quirks , her favorite flavors - and make them part of his life . The moment he got home , he practically rushed to show off , lining up all the gifts in the living room like a kid seeking praise . " Riss , " he said with a grin , " take a look . See if there's anything you like . If not , I'll get you more . " Marissa had already braced herself for two outcomes - either he'd forgotten her birthday altogether , or he'd throw an over - the - top show . She hadn't expected this . The entire living room was filled with cakes and gifts , almost cluttering the space . "You didn't have to do this , " she said , blinking in disbelief . Declan hesitated , opened his mouth , then closed it again . He stumbled through a few vague excuses , clearly avoiding the truth . And that's when it hit her . Chapter 21 90.91 % ReelShort R 4.6 FREE Google Play INSTALL D In a divided village , a young man from the lower village falls for his childhood friend . During the short time they'd truly spent together , his focus had never been on her - not really . It had been on his legs , his own downfall , or on Celeste . The little attention he'd given Marissa … it had barely been anything at all . He didn't even know what kind of cake she liked . She let out a quiet chuckle , almost to herself . Thank God she'd chosen someone else . Seeing her smile , Declan thought she was pleased and smiled back in relief . She didn't correct him . Instead , she picked one gift at random . " This one's fine , " she said lightly . It was a bracelet - amethyst , simple but expensive . The pale purple stones sat cool against her palm , making her skin look even fairer . As she turned it in her hand , her gaze drifted to the small certificate tucked inside the box . Nearly a million dollars . And still considered one of the cheaper gifts among the lot . Her mind drifted . She remembered the early days when she'd just arrived in Crestfall . She had barely any money- just enough for a few meals . Certainly not enough for rent . She'd scraped by , taking odd jobs while figuring out how to survive in a foreign place . If she'd had something like this bracelet back then - even selling it at half price - she could've bought herself some safety , maybe avoided that night when she'd almost stumbled into a murder scene just looking for a place to sleep . But luck , or fate , had tossed her a lifeline instead . Adrian . She met him while working a café shift . Maybe it was just the rare joy of hearing a familiar accent , maybe the comfort of a stranger who felt like home - but he'd struck up a conversation . She'd just smiled politely , trying to be a good employee . She had no idea that a few sentences with him would end up changing the entire course of her life . Chapter 21