I didn't tell my mother that Alexander had lived on Misty Isle for a long time. Old Lady Sterling had warned me not to share that part of his life. I didn't fully understand why, but I obeyed.
"Alexander really lets you do whatever you want!" Amelia patted my arm. "I'm not being reckless. You know I hate the noise of big cities. I just love nature! And Alexander treats your daughter well. Aren't you happy?" I whined. "I never knew you were this smooth-tongued. How did you marry him? Not long ago, you were so sharp!" Amelia looked down at me and smiled. "Really? I'm different now. Mom, you just notice it because we didn't spend much time together before. You rarely talked with me like this!" I said. Amelia fell silent, lost in thought. "When you come back home, I won't play mahjong. I'll talk with you instead!" "If I came back every day, would you give up mahjong forever?" I teased. "If you come back every day, people will think you can't stay in your husband's house!" she shot back. "Mom, why do you always think the worst? You're killing my vibe!" "I'm not thinking that. Others will say it!" "Who cares what others say? As long as we're happy, that's all that matters!" I replied with a grin. "You child, I don't know what to say. Sometimes you're still such a kid. You're married now. You're an adult. It's not just about you anymore. You're Alexander's wife and daughter-in-law. Especially in a family like the Sterlings, every move you make reflects on them. You can't just act without thinking, being willful and childish. Otherwise, they'll say I raised a daughter who can't be tamed." Amelia couldn't hide her worry about my childish nature. "Okay!" I answered quietly. "I'm not afraid you'll bully others. I'm afraid you'll get bullied. I'm afraid you won't be grand enough to stand beside Alexander." She sighed. "Mom, don't worry about me. Alexander said I just need him." I smiled, ridiculously optimistic. Amelia shook her head and smiled. "He's right to say that, but you can't be too willful. He must be exhausted running such a huge company. If he has to take care of you on top of that, he'll be even more tired. You should be able to help him. Even if you can't help him in his career, at least make sure he has no worries at home. That way, he can focus on his work. That's how you show your value!" She taught me how to be a good wife and daughter-in-law. On that point, she had failed herself. After the bankruptcy and the gambling losses, she started reflecting. She realized she had wasted decades of her life. Now, she was finally living properly with my father and me. I nodded. What she said made sense. If I kept relying on Alexander without growing, I would become his burden. He must have wanted a good wife, not a dead weight. "Mom, I'll work on it!" Amelia nodded happily.
That evening, the whole family had a great dinner together. Alexander habitually took care of me. I felt a little embarrassed and said I could manage myself. "It's rare that I get to show off in front of your parents. Are you going to take that chance away from me?" Alexander looked at me and smiled. William and Amelia burst out laughing. I laughed too. "Fine, you can show off. I still want some shrimp!" "Don't eat too much. You'll feel sick again." Alexander stopped me. I pouted. This guy was so fickle and contradictory! He said he wanted to perform, and now that I gave him the chance, he wouldn't let me eat. William and Amelia exchanged glances. They were more and more satisfied with their son-in-law!
After dinner, I went back with Alexander. I looked sleepy. "Go to sleep. I'll wake you when we get home." "I can't sleep!" I leaned on his shoulder, saying one thing but meaning another. "Then close your eyes for a bit." He smiled. "Talk to me!" I mumbled. "Okay." He answered. Then there was silence. Because I had already started nodding off on his shoulder. Alexander put his arm around me, making me more comfortable. I muttered something and fell asleep. When we got back to Sterling Manor, he didn't wake me. He carried me inside. I slept until after ten o'clock. My phone rang and woke me up. Still groggy, I got out of bed to grab it. "Hello—" "You were home this afternoon!" Victoria said on the other end. "Yeah. Mom said you went out with classmates, so I didn't call you." "Really? You should have let me know in advance if you were coming back." Victoria complained. "It was last minute!" I explained. "Mom said you and Alexander are getting along great now!" "Yeah." I blushed. "Do you think the stuff I bought you worked?" "What stuff?" I asked blankly. "Stupid, those funny things!" she said quietly. "Ah? Oh no, I forgot to take them back. Is it too late to return them tomorrow?" I suddenly remembered and gasped. I had gone on my honeymoon with Alexander and had so much fun that I completely forgot to return the goods. "No way. You didn't use them?" "No, I left them in my room." "I really overestimated you. Forget it. If you really don't need them, take them back and exchange them for some money to buy your husband a gift." "Sis, why don't you say buy me a gift instead!" I teased. "Forget it. I know you. You'll buy things for others, but you'll buy things for yourself!" Victoria snorted. "Then I'll go back tomorrow and buy some presents!" I said with a smile. "Okay, I'll pick you up tomorrow." "Thanks, sis!" "Don't just say thank you. Be more substantial." "I'll pay for the gifts, sis!" "That's not bad. Looks like Alexander has trained you well. Now you know how to be human!" "Sis, stop making fun of me!" I was annoyed. "Okay, okay, I'll stop. See you tomorrow. I'm sleepy. I'm going to take a bath and go to bed!" "Go ahead. I just woke up!" "Just woke up? Where did you sleep? Oh, it can't be that you were in the middle of a hot fight with your Alexander and I interrupted you!" Victoria teased me on purpose. "Sis, what are you saying!" I protested, my face red.