Stella paused in the doorway, her eyes widening in surprise at the sight that greeted her.

The living room, usually a haven of elegant simplicity, had been transformed into a riot of color and playful chaos. Balloons in shades of pink, purple, and gold bobbed merrily from the ceiling, their reflections dancing in the polished surfaces of the coffee table.

Streamers, shimmering like ribbons of liquid light, snaked across the walls, creating a whimsical, almost dizzying effect. A large banner ...