The Hidden Heirs

lex groaned in anticipation of another exhausting day ahead. He got up from the bed, his feet touching the old carpet, and raised his arms. "It's time to get up," he whispered, rubbing his ey

ew by with a flurry of commands and chats. As the sun started to go down, Alex felt more excited. He briefly looked at his watch and realized it was nearly time for Victoria to her from work. He walked eagerly to their humble apartment, his heart racing with anticipation. He was eager to see Victoria and present her with the necklace. Upon entering the apartment, the silence was tangible. He glanced at his phone, anticipating a text from Victoria, but there was no message. "She must be delayed at work," he pondered, attempting to push away the growing anxiety in his thoughts. He occupied himself by cleaning the apartment, preparing the dinner table, and placing the velvet box in the middle for a delightful surprise. Time went by, and the excitement transformed into concern. Right before he could contact her, his phone started to ring. "Victoria!" he answered eagerly. "Alex," Victoria's voice was cold and detached. "I'll be home late tonight." "What's going on? Is everything okay?" Alex asked, his heart sinking. "Just work. Don't wait up," she said curtly and hung up before he could respond. Alex stared at the phone, feeling a knot tighten in his stomach. He glanced at the beautifully set table and the necklace, now seeming out of place in the empty room. The unease he tried to ignore now settled deeply, leaving a lingering sense of dread about what was to come. Alex woke up with a sense of determination. Despite the chill from Victoria's abrupt phone call last night, he was resolved to make her birthday special. Alex dedicated the rest of the day to getting ready. He tidied up the apartment, arranged the table with their finest dishes, and positioned the velvet box containing the jade necklace in the middle. As time passed, his excitement mixed with a feeling of anxiety. Night arrived, and Alex illuminated the candles on the table, spreading a cozy light throughout the room. He nervously took a quick look at the clock. At that moment, he was startled by the noise of keys jingling at the door. "Victoria!" Alex smiled, moving towards the door. Victoria stepped in, her expression indifferent. "Hey." "Happy birthday!" Alex said, trying to mask his nervousness. "Thanks," Victoria replied, barely glancing at the decorations. "I made your favorite, lasagna," Alex said, leading her to the table. "Great," she said, her eyes glued to her phone. Alex's smile faltered, but he kept his tone upbeat. "Let's eat