The day of Ara's birthday was just around the corner, and she couldn't help but harbor a strong suspicion that John had been meticulously planning something grandiose for her special day. She was well aware that her mother, Catherine, had high expectations of her presence at home for a dinner celebration. This information had come in the form of an invitation that had arrived in yesterday's mail, accompanied by an additional batch of healthy smoothies. However, she hadn't had a direct conversation with Catherine and was completely oblivious to the fact that her mother was arranging a celebration for her twenty-third birthday.
Ara found herself standing in front of the bathroom mirror, critically inspecting her reflection from various angles. Her long, vibrant red hair tumbled over one sho
