She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 513

"Milk," Loyce said. "You've had more than enough alcohol tonight. Warm milk with honey is exactly what your stomach needs."

"Alright," he agreed. The lingering loneliness of spending his birthday drinking alone had long been replaced by a deep, comforting warmth.

At the produce section, Lucian picked out a few perfect apples and oranges, then grabbed a carton of bright red strawberries.

"For dessert," he explained.

At the checkout, the cashier looked at their eclectic mix of fresh produce, junk food, and milk. Looking at the stunning couple—neither of whom looked like they belonged anywhere near a kitchen—she couldn't help but smile. "You two really know how to treat yourselves. That's a great haul."

Lucian gave a highly satisfied "Mhm." He took both heavy grocery bags in one hand with effortless ease, leaving his other hand free to intertwine his fingers with Loyce's once more.

Stepping out of the supermarket, the crisp night breeze washed over them, but it couldn't chill the cozy atmosphere between them.

The streetlamps stretched their shadows long across the pavement, their silhouettes closely merged.

"Look..." Loyce suddenly stopped, tilting her head back to look at the dark sky. "It's snowing."

Fine, crystalline flakes drifted down lazily, shimmering like gold dust in the glow of the lights.

Loyce reached out, letting a freezing snowflake melt against her fingertip.

It truly was the first snow of the season.

Lucian looked up, feeling the icy bite against his skin, then looked down, his gaze plunging deeply into Loyce's clear eyes.

He tightened his grip on her hand and tucked it securely into his warm coat pocket.

"Yeah, it's snowing," he said softly, his voice thick with an indescribable tenderness. "Let's go home."

Snowflakes danced in the wind as a few cars drove past.

In that moment, Lucian wished he could freeze time. He had never imagined that the day he hated most—the day he dreaded anyone mentioning—would become his favorite moment of his life.

Robert was the first to spot the update. The anxiety he’d carried all evening vanished, and grinning ear to ear, he quickly commented: "Happy Birthday!"

Below him, the entire executive board of the Shapiro Group shamelessly copied and pasted Robert's exact comment.

Shortly after, the official corporate account of the Shapiro Group posted a public birthday tribute to him as well.

As Loyce brought out the bowls of rice, she noticed Lucian smiling at his screen. "What are you looking at?"

"The dinner you made." Lucian held up his phone, showing the photo. "I love it. Next time, I'll learn how to cook for you."

Loyce thought back to the time they had fondue together and offered a soft smile. "Sure."

Meanwhile, at the Shapiro estate, Joanna had nearly finished her meal without receiving a single reply from Lucian. A knot of unease tightened in her chest.

"Lucian is being so rude," Joanna muttered under her breath. "He ignores my calls and my messages. He has no consideration for how much he worries his own mother."