Chapter 569
Chapter 569:
“So many stars… When did you manage to fold all these?” Maia asked, wide-eyed with wonder as she glanced at Chris, whose face beamed with pride. “It must’ve taken ages to finish them p>
Chris let out a soft laugh, moved in a little, and angled his head as he looked at her. “Weren’t you the one who told me to stay put and rest while I was getting better? You said I shouldn’t be running around, so I listened. Every day, after forcing down that bitter, murky brew you made for me, I’d slip back to my room and quietly fold more stars for you p>
It suddenly hit Maia — now she understood why Chris always hurried off to his room after taking the nourishing meal she made for him. All this time, he’d been secretly working on her birthday surprise. Her nose stung with the urge to cry, and…
Her heart gave a little jump. No one had ever gone to such lengths for her birthday — so much attention, so much heart, and such a lovely, unexpected twist. In that instant, every wall Maia had built around her heart crumbled, just like snow quietly disappearing under the warmth of early spring sunshine.
Chris suddenly spoke up. “Do you have any idea what those little paper stars actually mean p>
Maia’s ears grew hot, and she tried to act composed. “Uh… I guess they stand for hope, peace, maybe good health?” she answered hesitantly.
Chris smiled gently and reached for her hand, holding it in his own. His touch was steady and warm, and she could feel his heartbeat pulsing gently through his wrist.
Standing right in front of her, he gave her a calm, confident smile — soft as a breeze in spring — and said, “There’s more to those stars. They stand for a love that stays true, no matter what. These stars will always shine for us. Even if fate tears us apart, these stars can lead us back to each other p>
Maia felt her heart stumble in her chest. She raised her gaze and found herself locked into Chris’ intense, deep eyes.
There was a quiet seriousness in his eyes, full of honesty — like stars cutting through the blackness of night.
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Like a magician pulling off a trick, Chris revealed one more golden paper star from the center of his hand. “This one — the thousandth star — I want to hand to you myself,” he said.
He reached for her other hand, slowly unfolded her fingers, and carefully set the shining star in her palm.
“It stands for… the one that’s truly special,” he whispered.
Maia’s heart thudded like a drum. She gazed into Chris’ captivating eyes, where the shifting light danced and mirrored her face.
A sudden, unexplainable urge washed over her, and before she knew what she was doing, she moved in and slipped her arms around his narrow waist.
Chris didn’t even get a chance to realize what was going on when Maia buried her face against his chest.
“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. Just two words — but they were heavy with everything she felt inside.
Chris hugged her back, dipping his head to gently press his face into her hair. He let out a quiet laugh and said, “You really think just saying thank you is enough to shake me off? No chance p>
Maia pulled back slightly, lifting her head and staring at him, puzzled. “Then what is it you want…” she began.
But before she could say more, Chris bent down and kissed her.
Bathed in golden light, surrounded by countless paper stars, his kiss spoke volumes without a word — tender, full of quiet passion, and as unreal as something out of a dream.
For a split second, Maia’s eyes flew open in shock. Then, slowly, she let them drift shut. She didn’t pull away. Instead, she slid her arms around his back, embracing him fully, returning his kiss like she was finally letting him in.