C109 A Night of Thoughts

The Mooney residence gradually became quiet as everyone retired to their rooms. After changing into her pajamas, Alicia sat on the edge of her bed without immediately lying down. Her fingers unconsciously rubbed the bracelet around her wrist while her eyes wandered toward the matching earrings resting on her dressing table. "Family heirlooms..." She softly repeated the words her grandmother had spoken during dinner.

The more she thought about them, the more confused she became. "Why would Aunt Mary give something like this to me?" She wasn't doubting Mary's kindness. If anything, she believed Mary had treated her like a daughter from the very beginning. Every time they met, Mary was always smiling warmly, making Alicia feel welcomed.

But now... Knowing the true meaning behind those gifts made everything different. She picked up one of the earrings and examined it carefully. "So... these are supposed to be given to a future daughter-in-law?" A blush slowly spread across her cheeks. "No..." "There must be some misunderstanding." She quickly shook her head. "Maybe Aunt Mary simply didn't know."

Although she said those words aloud, she didn't even believe them herself. How could Mary not know the meaning of her own family's heirlooms? Alicia sighed before placing the earrings back into their box. "I'll ask Aunt Mary another day." With that thought, she switched off the bedside lamp. Even after closing her eyes, however, the bracelet remained on her wrist, reminding her of the question that refused to leave her mind.

Back at home, I had just changed into my pajamas when my phone vibrated. I picked it up and smiled. It was Alicia's message. Below the message was a video attachment. Curious, I pressed play. The moment the video started, Alicia appeared wearing a neatly tied apron while patiently teaching the maids how to prepare Scottish macaroni pie.

She explained every ingredient with the confidence of a professional chef. I couldn't help laughing. "Alicia really takes teaching seriously." Without thinking twice, I got out of bed and hurried downstairs. Mary was folding some clothes in the living room when I handed her my phone. "Mom, Alicia said i must pass this video to you." Mary adjusted her glasses before watching the entire video. The smile on her face grew wider every second.

When the video ended, she looked at me excitedly. "Send it to my phone." I laughed. "You like it that much?" "Of course!" She gently tapped my forehead. "How else am I supposed to learn if I don't have the video?" "Hurry." "I want to watch it again tomorrow." I smiled before forwarding the video to her.Only then did I return upstairs.

As soon as I lay on my bed, another notification appeared. Laura asked, "Are you asleep?" I immediately replied. "Not yet." Almost instantly, she called. The moment I answered, her soft laughter reached my ears. "You replied quickly." "I was holding my phone." We both laughed. For the next several minutes, we simply talked about everything that had happened during the day.

"I really enjoyed today," Laura admitted. Her voice was unusually gentle. "Being with you..." "...playing games together..." "...walking home..." She paused before laughing shyly. "Everything made me happy." I smiled without realizing it. "I enjoyed it too." There was a comfortable silence between us. Then Laura whispered, "I hope we can have more days like today.""We will." I answered without hesitation. We spoke for a few more minutes before wishing each other goodnight. As I placed my phone beside the bed, I couldn't stop smiling. Today had truly been one of the happiest days of my life.

Meanwhile, at the Chambers residence... Chris lay flat on his bed with both hands behind his head. His mind wasn't on work. Nor was it on tomorrow's schedule. Instead... It was entirely occupied by Sarah. More specifically... The possibility that she was carrying his child. Chris covered his face. "I'm only in my twenties..." He laughed helplessly. "And I might already become a father." Then another thought entered his mind. "The boss's daughter..." He sighed. "If Mr. Wood finds out..." He didn't even dare imagine Kelvin's reaction.

For several minutes, Chris weighed every possible advantage and disadvantage. The pressure. The responsibility. The expectations. Slowly... A smile appeared on his face. His imagination drifted further. He pictured Sarah wearing a wedding dress. He imagined himself standing beside her. Then... A little girl ran toward them calling him "Daddy." Chris couldn't help laughing. "Sarah Wood..." "My wife." "It actually sounds nice."

Feeling unusually excited, he reached for his phone, intending to send Sarah a message. Before he could type anything, a notification appeared on a group chat. "Pass this video to Aunt Mary and Aunt Valeria." Chris opened the video. By the time it ended, he was already getting out of bed. He hurried downstairs. Valeria was reading a magazine when Chris handed her his phone. "Mom." "Alicia said I should send this to you." Valeria watched the entire cooking lesson without blinking.

The moment it finished, she looked at Chris. "Why haven't you sent it already?" Chris blinked. "I just came..." "Hurry!" "I want to watch it on my own phone." Chris laughed helplessly. "Yes, Mom." After forwarding the video, he returned upstairs, still smiling. His family really adored Alicia.

Elsewhere, the Tryon family had just finished dinner. Laura had finished washing the dishes and was drying her hands when her father called out. "Laura." "I'd like to talk to you." She nodded and followed him into the sitting room. Josh looked unusually serious. "I've been thinking." He folded his hands together. "I believe it's time we discussed your arranged marriage again."

Laura remained silent. "I've found someone suitable." "He works in my department." "His name is Bright." Laura immediately frowned. "Bright?" "The same Bright who took a picture of Mike and me at the shopping mall?" Josh froze. "Was it him? Are you sure about that?" Laura nodded. "Mike told me everything."

She calmly explained how Bright had admitted taking the picture only to ask Alex about their relationship. "Besides..." Laura continued. "Bright already has a girlfriend." Josh's brows knitted together. "He does?" Laura nodded once more. "He was with her that very day." Josh leaned back into his chair. Everything seemed to be going against the plans he had carefully prepared. After thinking for a while, he sighed. "I'll... think about it." Laura quietly nodded before returning to her room.

Once inside, she locked the door and leaned against it. Today's memories slowly replayed in her mind. Being close to Mike... Holding his hand... Sharing their first intimate experience... Everything felt like a beautiful dream. She smiled unconsciously. "I want more days like today."

Then her smile slowly disappeared. A thought suddenly crossed her mind. "We didn't use protection..." Her eyes widened. Without wasting another second, she walked to her drawer, took out a packet of contraceptive pills and quickly swallowed one with a glass of water. Only after doing so did she finally breathe a sigh of relief. Even then... Mike still occupied every corner of her thoughts.

At the Wood residence... Samantha had already prepared everything she needed for her first day at Woods IT Company. Her work clothes were neatly arranged. Her documents had been placed inside her handbag. Satisfied, she switched off the lights and climbed into bed beside Monica.

Just as she was about to close her eyes, Click. The bedroom door slowly opened. Samantha immediately sat upright. "How did i forget to locked it." Her eyes widened when she saw who had entered. Ben. He stood awkwardly at the doorway. "I..." "I came to see my daughter." Samantha looked at him cautiously.

She knew that now they were officially married, Ben would eventually begin carrying out the plans he had discussed with Kelvin and Tracy. He wanted to rebuild their relationship. He also wanted to earn back Samantha's trust. Still... She wasn't ready. Without saying much, she gently picked up Monica and handed her to him. "Take her." "You can bring her back after she falls asleep." Ben happily accepted his daughter.

After several moments of silence, he spoke again. "Aren't you going to let me stay for a while?" "We're married now." Samantha hesitated before nodding. "You can stay." "But I'm busy." She suddenly walked toward her wardrobe and pretended to rearrange her clothes. Ben didn't complain. Instead, he quietly sat on the sofa, gently rocking Monica in his arms.

For the first time... He truly experienced what it felt like to hold his daughter peacefully. Thirty minutes later, after Monica had fallen asleep, Ben carefully placed her back on the bed. "Goodnight." He quietly left the room. Only after hearing the door close did Samantha finally release the breath she had been holding. "This can't continue forever." She thought carefully. "If I want to avoid situations like this..." "I need written proof." "A signed agreement that Ben won't touch me until I willingly accept him." Satisfied with the idea, she finally went to sleep.

In another room, Sarah was still wide awake. Her mind refused to rest. "What if..." "I really am pregnant?" She hugged her pillow tightly. "What will Dad think?" "What will Mom say?" Her father had always doted on her. The thought of disappointing him filled her with guilt. Deep inside, she silently prayed. "Please..." "Let it only be a delayed cycle."

Yet, every time she remembered Chris's joyful expression when she told him... Her lips curved into a small smile. The way he had hugged her... The excitement in his eyes... She could already imagine him becoming a loving father, just as Kelvin had always been to her and Monica. Trying to distract herself, Sarah remembered her promise. She opened her phone and selected the graduation photos. Every picture that included Chris was carefully removed before she sent the remaining album to Kelvin.

A few moments later, Kelvin happily opened the photos. He scrolled through them one by one while Tracy leaned comfortably against his shoulder. "They're beautiful," Tracy smiled. Then Kelvin suddenly stopped. One particular photo had caught his attention. Only the back of a young man was visible, standing not far from Sarah. The figure somehow looked strangely familiar.

Kelvin showed the photo to Tracy and chuckled. "What do you think?" "Could this be our future son-in-law?" Tracy laughed. "Perhaps." "We really don't know." "Our daughter has never told us anything about her relationships." The two continued looking through the photos, completely unaware that the answer to Kelvin's joke was far closer than either of them could ever imagine.