Chapter 178

Olive’s birthday was already off to a chaotic start. I had spent the morning gathering the last-minute supplies and decorating the

apartment, ensuring it was a magical setting for her sleepover celebration. As I walked up the stairs to our apartment, the scent

of the freshly baked birthday cake wafting in the air, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation.

The apartment was already abuzz with the sound of children’s laughter, echoing through the hallway. Aria was inside, overseeing

the activities.

I struggled to juggle the cake box and my bag of plastic utensils as I approached the door. With my free hand, I tried to turn the

doorknob, but it refused to budge. Frustrated, I began to grumble and knock on the door..

Just as I was about to attempt a more vigorous push, the door suddenly swung open, taking me by surprise. I stumbled

backward, almost dropping the cake, and was saved by a strong hand that reached out to steady me. Startled, I turned to find

Timothy standing behind me.

He grinned, his eyes darting from me to the party supplies tightly clenched in my hands, “What’s the occasion?” he asked

enthusiastically.

I blinked, momentarily lost for words, still processing the shock of seeing him. “Olive’s birthday,’ I replied, finally finding my voice.

“We're having a sleepover party for her.”

“Oh, nice!” Timothy leaned closer, a hand flying under the cake container before it could tip out of my hand. “Need some help?”

I hesitated for a moment, not wanting to trouble him. “Oh, that’s sweet of you, Timothy, but I think we’re all set. Thank you,

though.”

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He cracked a grin and began reaching over. “You look like you're about to topple over. Here.”

Before I could respond, the door to the apartment creaked open wider, and Olive emerged, her bright eyes alight with

excitement. “Uncle Timothy,

hil

“Hi, Olive!” he said with a smile. He swiftly took the cake out of my hands as she took his hand and dragged him inside. “Happy

Birthday!”

I stood hopelessly by the door before shutting it behind me and following them inside. In the living room, Olive’s friends were

playing a chaotic game of Twister. There was lots of shouting and movement, and Aria seemed just as overwhelmed as she

helped turn the spinner.

Timothy set down the cake and gave me an apologetic smile. Olive was right beside him before he could rush away, clenching

his arm with her tiny grip.

“My mom said you had a dog!” she exclaimed.

Timothy's. eyes softened as he regarded her kindly, “I do have a dog,” he confirmed. “His name’s Duke!”

Olive’s delight was infectious. She tugged him over to the living room and her friends paused their game, gathering around him

in curiosity. “This is Timothy! He’s a hockey star!” she told them.

The girl ogled him, as if a deity had descended upon them unexpectedly. I tried not to laugh as they began circling around him

and firing questions.

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“He has a dog too!” she added, then paused to look at Timothy. “You guys have to meet him!”

The mention of a dog sent a ripple of excitement through the group of girls, and their chatter intensified. Timothy glanced at Aria

and me, silently seeking our approval.

I looked at the girls. “Well, it's up to Timothy, girls,” I said, trying to strike a balance. “If he’s okay with it...”

“Duke would love the excitement,” Timothy said encouragingly, and the girls squealed in response. “I'll go grab him real quick.”

Relief washed over me, silently thankful for his willingness to accommodate the girls’ request. When Timothy came back with

Duke hooked to a leash. the girls couldn’t contain their joy as they rushed over to greet him. They knelt beside him, stroking his

fur, and Duke responded with affectionate licks and playful jumps.

“He’s the best dog ever!” Olive exclaimed.

As the girls played with Duke, I shared a knowing look with Timothy. There was something enchanting about seeing the girls

connect with the dog. and it warmed my heart.

“That Duke of yours is quite the charmer,” I said, watching the girls play with him in the yard.

Timothy chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Yeah, he has a way of stealing the spotlight. Speaking of which,” he

hesitated, scratching his head, “I didn’t get Olive a gift. Of course, it didn’t know she had her birthday today, but it feels weird

being empty handed.”

I frowned, glancing over at him and mimicking his look of concern as a wave of panic surged through me. How had I overlooked

such an essential.

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detail? I had gotten everything but her gift!

I leaned over and whispered. ‘I have to confess something.”

He tumed to me, snorted. “What?”

“I didn’t get Olive a birthday gift. I completely forgot somehow.”

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Timothy sighed dramatically. “Well, that won’t do. We can’t let her birthday go by without getting a present from everyone,

including us.”

“You're absolutely right,” I responded, playing along. “It would be a major faux pas.”

Timothy held his chin and glanced around. “I have an idea,” he said suddenly, a spark of determination in his eyes. “I'll drive us

both to the toy store. and we can pick out something perfect for Olive. Problem solved.”

I sighed, relief washing over me. “That sounds like a great plan,” I said, smiling at him. “Let's do it. Olive deserves the best

birthday gift!”

We quickly informed Aria of our plan, making sure she wouldn't worry about our sudden disappearance. With her approval,

Timothy and I slipped. away from the party, the distant sound of music and laughter fading as we hurried towards Timothy's car.

As Timothy’s car glided through the night, I couldn’t help but feel slightly tense. The atmosphere inside the car was filled with a

comfortable silence compared to the wild energy of the apartment. However, sitting this close to Timothy was far from the plan

this evening.

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Timothy's hands gripped the steering wheel, and the soft hum of the engine was the only sound that permeated the air. I took a

deep breath, feeling the weight of the evening slowly settling in.

“You know, Evie,” Timothy said, breaking the silence, “what you did back there for Olive and her mom, Scarlett, was a really good

thing.”

I turned my head to look at him, a slight smile on my lips. “It’s no big deal, Timothy. I mean, Olive is a sweet kid, and Scarlett’s

become a good friend. 1 just wanted to help out.”

Timothy glanced at me, his expression earnest. “Evie, don’t sell yourself short. You're always helping people, whether it’s Olive

and Scarlett or anyone else in your life. You shouldn’t be so modest about it,”

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, feeling a rush of warmth rise to my cheeks. “I just do what feels right,” I replied.

Timothy, however, wasn’t having it. He cast a pointed glance my way, his voice tinged with frustration. “Evie, it’s more than just

‘doing what feels right. You make a real difference in people’s lives. You're selfless, kind, and always there for people.”

I couldn't help but feel a mixture of emotions swirling within me. Timothy's words struck a chord within me, and I wondered how

he could be so open and honest. “Look, Timothy,” I began. “I appreciate what you're saying, but I’m not some saint. I have my

flaws and my own fair share of mistakes.

Timothy sighed, the frustration in his eyes giving way to understanding. “I get that. I’m not saying you're perfect. No one is. But

what I am saying is that you have a beautiful heart.”

I turned to face him, completely stunned now. His gaze didn’t wave when he glanced over at me, his lips forming a smile..

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“Not everyone would do what you do, Evie,” he continued. “You have a special gift for making people feel cared for, and that’s

not something I'll ever take lightly.”

The weight of the conversation hung heavily in the car, and for a moment, I was lost in my own thoughts. I knew Timothy meant

well, but his words had touched on something deeper, a discomfort I had carried with me for a long time.

Finally, I spoke, my voice softer, “I guess it’s just hard for me to accept praise. I’ve always been more comfortable giving than

receiving, and sometimes it feels like people expect more of me than I can give.”

Timothy nodded, a compassionate expression on his face. “I definitely understand that, and you're allowed to set boundaries and

take care of yourself 100, no matter what people expect from you.”

I nodded in return, feeling a sense of vulnerability that I rarely allowed myself to experience. Timothy’s words had touched on

something I had been avoiding for a long time the need to find a balance between giving and self-care. It was a lesson I knew I

needed to learn.

“You know,” I began, glancing at him. My fingers playing with the loose string at the end of my coat. “You would make a good

self-help coach.”

He let out a burst of laughter. “Well, I owe my skills from all the team pep talks I have to give.”

I laughed along, feeling slightly more at ease now. It was something he always managed to do, case his way in. It was a vicious

cycle. And I feared it would only keep repeating.