C126 Unspoken Promises

After I was released from police custody, none of us wanted to talk about everything that had happened over the past few days. We simply wanted to enjoy being together.

As we were about to leave the police station, Alicia suddenly smiled. "Since everyone's together... why don't I cook dinner for all of you?" My mother immediately protested. "Alicia, you've already done enough for our family." Alicia shook her head. "I want to." She smiled warmly. "Besides, Aunt Mary, I still have a few dishes I promised to teach you." Seeing the determination in her eyes, my mother finally gave in. "Alright."

Soon, we all returned to the Smith residence. The small house, which had been filled with tears only hours earlier, slowly became lively again. As soon as Alicia entered the kitchen, she tied an apron around her waist. "Aunt Mary," she said with a smile, "today you're only my assistant."

Mary laughed. "So now you're giving me orders?" "Of course." "You said you needed more practice." "So be my assistant." Mary chuckled before taking out a small notebook. "Fine." "I'll just take notes today." Alicia's cooking skills were very rare. She moved confidently around the kitchen, preparing one dish after another.

Mary watched carefully while writing down Alicia's explanation. "You season the meat before heating the pan?" Alicia nodded. "It keeps the flavor inside." Mary quickly wrote it down. "I never thought of that."

Meanwhile... In the living room... Chris, my father, and I had started a game of chess. Quinton looked at the board before smiling. "Mike." "You've improved." I grinned. "I've had a good teacher." Chris immediately complained. "Uncle Quinton always teaches you and never teaches me." Quinton laughed. "I do teach you." "You just never listen."

Chris moved one of his pieces confidently. "I've got you this time." Five moves later... "Checkmate." Chris stared at the board. "...Again?" I couldn't stop laughing. "Brother..." "You should probably stick to football." Chris shook his head dramatically. "This family bullies me." Laughter filled the small house.

For a few precious hours... Everyone forgot about arrests. Forgot about poison. Forgot about betrayal. They simply became a family again. Dinner was finally served. The aroma filled every corner of the house. Quinton took the first bite before his eyes widened. "Alicia..." "This is incredible." Mary nodded proudly. "I told you she is the best."

Chris stuffed another mouthful into his mouth. "If anyone marries Alicia one day..." "They'll gain five kilograms in the first month." Everyone burst into laughter. Even I couldn't stop smiling. Alicia felt embarrassed.

Later that evening, Chris finally returned home. He looked at his phone. "It's late." "They're probably asleep by now." Confidently, he quietly unlocked the front door. The lights suddenly switched on. Chris froze. His parents were sitting on the sofa. Valeria folded her arms. David Chambers quietly sipped his tea. Neither of them looked happy.

Chris forced a nervous smile. "Mom..." "Dad..." "What are you both doing awake?" David calmly answered, "Waiting for you." Chris swallowed. Valeria stood up. "I've already told your father everything." Chris blinked. "Everything?" "About your girlfriend." "And..." "...the pregnancy." Chris wished the ground would swallow him whole.

David pointed toward the empty chair opposite them. "Sit." Chris obeyed. The silence became unbearable. Finally, David asked, "Who is she?" Chris scratched the back of his head. "I don't think you'll be angry..." Valeria narrowed her eyes. "That usually means we should be." Chris laughed awkwardly. "My girlfriend is..." He took a deep breath. "Sarah Wood."

Both parents froze. "The Sarah Wood?" David asked. Chris nodded. "The daughter of the Wood family?" "Yes." Valeria looked completely stunned. "So..." "The graduation trip you told us about..." Chris lowered his head. "...was actually Sarah's graduation ceremony in England." "You lied to us?" "I..." "I didn't know how to explain. But at that time she was still a friend" He quickly continued, "That's also when she became pregnant." Silence filled the room once more.

Finally, David sighed. "Does the Wood family know?" Chris shook his head. "No." "They're already dealing with Uncle Kelvin's poisoning, the company crisis, and Mike's case." "It didn't feel like the right time." Valeria slowly sat back down. "So..." "You planned to tell them later?" Chris nodded. "As soon as everything settles down."

David exchanged glances with his wife. After several moments, he smiled faintly. "You've made quite a mess." Chris lowered his head. "I'm sorry." David chuckled. "But..." "You did the right thing by telling us." Valeria smiled helplessly. "I still can't believe..." "I'm actually going to become a grandmother." Chris finally let out the breath he had been holding.

That same evening... The Gomez residence was brightly decorated. Luxury cars lined the entrance. Guests filled the hall. Tonight was Laura Tryon's engagement ceremony with Bright Gomez.

Since agreeing to the marriage, Laura had decided to bury all her resentment. There was no point fighting anymore. Some wounds could never be healed. She forced herself to smile throughout the ceremony. Photographs were taken. Champagne glasses were raised. Congratulations echoed throughout the hall.

Within minutes, the engagement pictures spread across social media. Among those browsing the posts was Peter Mooney. When Alex entered the hall, he attended the ceremony because bright invited him. His eyes widened. He looked from the couple on the stage, Bright. Then back again at the women standing beside Bright.

Unable to contain his curiosity, he quickly called Bright. "Bright.". Bright slowly went to him. "What is it?" "Isn't that the same woman you saw holding hands with Mike a few weeks ago?" Bright remained silent. Alex frowned. "What exactly is going on?" Instead of answering... Bright slowly pointed toward Josh Tryon, who was talking to several guests. "My future father-in-law." Alex immediately understood. "The marriage..." "...was arranged by him." Bright simply nodded. There was nothing more to say.

Back at the Mooney residence... Alicia had barely stepped through the front door when she noticed something unusual. Once again... Everyone was waiting for her. Peter. Georgia. Mark. All three were sitting in the living room. She looked at each of them suspiciously. "Since yesterday..." "You've all been acting strangely." "What exactly are you hiding from me?"

Peter suddenly clapped his hands together. "My granddaughter." "Do you remember the promise you made?" Alicia smiled shyly. "Of course." "I promised that once Mike was released, I'd begin working at Lucia Goods." She paused before adding, "Although..." "I still want to make sure Mike returns to work first."

Peter interrupted her. "You don't have to worry about him." "He'll be working alongside you." Alicia blinked. "...What?" "He agreed." She took a surprised step backward. "What do you mean he agreed?" Her breathing became heavier. "Was that..." "...the message Chris was talking about yesterday?" Everyone slowly nodded. Alicia stared at them in disbelief. Mark quietly stood up and walked into his office.

Moments later, he returned carrying a document folder. He handed it to Alicia. "Read it." Confused, Alicia opened it. Her eyebrows immediately knitted together. "...Marriage agreement?" She looked up in shock. "Dad!" "Who said I wanted to get marri..." Before she could finish... Her eyes landed on the groom's name. Michael Smith.

She choked violently. "Cough... cough..." Her face instantly turned red. She looked back at Peter. "Mike..." "...agreed to this?" Peter nodded calmly. "Yes." Alicia stood there speechless. After a long moment, she finally asked, "But..." "Why didn't anyone ask me?" Georgia looked guilty.

Peter answered honestly. "We did this for Lucia Goods." "Our family spent 1.2 billion dollars acquiring the company." "That investment cannot fail." "The sooner you become Managing Director..." "The sooner you'll gain experience." "And with Mike beside you..." "I believe you'll succeed."

Alicia looked down at the agreement once more. Her emotions became impossible to read. Without saying another word... She grabbed the folder and ran upstairs to her room. Her bedroom door slammed shut. The living room fell silent. Georgia sighed softly. "I hope we didn't push her too hard." Peter leaned back in his chair. "No." "She simply needs time."

At almost the same moment... Back at the Smith residence... Dinner had finished. My mother had finished washing the dishes before finally joining us in the living room. She smiled warmly. "Alicia is such a wonderful girl." My father nodded. "She's respectful." "And she's hardworking." Mary laughed as she looked at me. "If only she were your girlfriend."

I smiled quietly. Then I looked at both of them. "What if..." "...she became more than just my girlfriend?" The smiles on my parents' faces slowly disappeared. Quinton and Mary exchanged confused glances before turning back toward me. "What do you mean, son?" I looked down at my hands. I wondered how I was going to explain the secret that had already changed all of our lives.