Chapter 8

Thomas came to pick me up for dinner at his place.

He had just bought a spacious apartment last year, and I helped oversee the renovations.

Thomas’s mother is a simple and kind woman, strict with Thomas but very nice to me.

After we confirmed that we would get our marriage certificate by the end of the year, I started calling her “Mom.”

The typical mother-in-law and daughter-in-law issues that others worry about are unnecessary for me.

Because I was coming over, Thomas’s mother made my favorite sweet and sour pork and even packed a jar of her pickled cucumbers for me-she remembered I said they were delicious last time.

Thomas said she was biased.

I was quite smug: “That’s because I’m likable.”

He just smiled, saying nothing.

This time, I also wanted to retrieve the watch I left behind last time.

If I remember correctly, it should be on the bedside table.

They never hire a housekeeper; all the cleaning is done by Thomas’s mother, and the furniture and floors are spotless.

At first, I thought Thomas was being inconsiderate and even mentioned it to him.

He explained, “That’s just how my mom is; she can’t sit still. You’ll get used to it.”

Later, I understood.

Thomas didn’t have an easy life growing up. After his father passed away, his mother raised him alone with great effort.

Now, while they may not be extremely wealthy, they have achieved financial freedom and are certainly well-off.

Thomas has always been very capable, and I deeply believe this.

When I entered the room, the bedside table was empty except for a humidifier.

Leaning against the door, I called out, “Mom, did you put away the watch I left on the table?”

“Oh, I was afraid it might get lost, so I locked it in the wardrobe.”

“Got it.”

I found the key in the bedside table, opened the locked drawer in the wardrobe, and there was my watch.

As I took it out and put it on, a black square leather box caught my attention.

Since this place usually stored Thomas’s old watch certificates and such, I rarely opened it.

The leather box was small, not like something meant for watches.

I thought for a moment and opened it.

It was a pair of rings.

The design was very unique. The woman’s ring was more delicate, with two intertwined bands, one of which was set with small diamonds.

I looked at them for a while and tried one on.

It fit perfectly.

I smiled slowly.

After admiring it for a bit longer, I reluctantly put it back.

Just as I closed the wardrobe, Thomas entered the room.

He tapped my nose, “What are you smiling about?”

“Just laughing at someone being silly.”

Can’t even hide a surprise.

He seemed a bit puzzled but didn’t press further.

Because of my unexpected discovery, my mood was great for the next few days.

Even Amelia noticed.

In the restroom, she asked if something good had happened to me.

I said, “Haven’t I been looking for a wedding ring lately? But I couldn’t find one I liked. However, it seems Thomas has already prepared one for me, probably planning to surprise me on Valentine’s Day.”

Then I felt a bit regretful, “If I had known, I wouldn’t have peeked. Now the surprise isn’t a surprise anymore.”

Amelia was quiet for a moment and then asked, “When are you planning to get your marriage certificate?”

“By the end of the year.”

“That’s only a few months away…”

“Yeah.”

Amelia smiled faintly, “Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

As I applied lipstick in the mirror, I casually asked her, “Do you have any plans for Valentine’s Day?”

“My family arranged a blind date for me.”

“…”