Chapter 7
“Madam, this is too valuable.”
“Call me Grandma! Besides, you’re now the lady of the Anderson family, and the entire Anderson estate is yours. What’s a bracelet in comparison?”
Those familiar words left me momentarily dazed. Back then, the Miller brothers had said
he same thing to me. In their youth, they’d teamed up to sneak one of Mrs. Miller’s jewels,
offering it to me as a token of their affection. When Mrs. Miller found out, she wasn’t angry;
instead, just like Old Mrs. Anderson now, she had gently slipped the bracelet onto my wrist.
“Now that you’ve accepted this, you’ll be my daughter–in–law someday.”
But in the end, Maya shattered that bracelet, and the three of us, once inseparable, drifted
apart step by step.
Thinking of this, my eyes grew misty, and I almost let the tears fall. Old Mrs. Anderson immediately grew concerned.
“Dear child, don’t cry, please.”
“The moment I saw you, I knew you were destined for happiness. I promise, in the Anderson family, you’ll never suffer any injustice.”
Philip’s parents each presented me with gifts as well, priceless treasures, showing me utmost respect and affection. Despite our marriage registration, they didn’t pressure me to stay at the Anderson estate to learn their customs. Instead, they let me continue living at home, planning to give us time to bond after the wedding.
“The marital home is ready, but as elders, we’ll stay out of you two’s business,” Old Mrs. Anderson said with a gentle smile. “Just remember, if that rascal ever mistreats you, you
must come back and tell me.”
“Thank you, Grandma.”
After leaving the Anderson estate, the wedding preparations kicked into high gear. The Anderson family handled everything meticulously, and my mother was busy day and night organizing my dowry. I thought leaving the Miller family so abruptly might make me feel uneasy, perhaps nostalgic for a while. But each day I was swamped with dress fittings and
choosing diamond rings, so exhausted that I’d fall asleep immediately, with no time to dwell on the past. Gradually, the people and things I once held dear began to fade from my mind.
Then, one day, while trying on wedding dresses at the bridal shop, I received a call from Mrs. Miller.
“Anna, Jensen and Benjamin heard you were getting married. They insisted on coming to see you.”
couldn’t hold those two rascals back, so they’re probably almost there. Don’t worry about them; just focus on what you’re doing.”
Hearing those familiar names, I froze for a moment. Before I could even hang up the call, I caught a glimpse of their reflection in the mirror. The Miller brothers stood there, staring at me intently, their eyes filled with emotions I couldn’t quite understand.
Shock, admiration–and a hint of regret and remorse.
