Evelyn studied the selection. She pointed to the light blue tie. "This one matches today's weather better."
She watched Alexander's movements with confusion. "Do you know how to tie a tie?" she asked.
Evelyn shook her head awkwardly.
"I'll teach you. From now on, you'll pick my clothes and tie my ties."
"What?" Evelyn stared at him in shock.
"Is there a problem, Mrs. Sterling?"
"I'm afraid I won't do it well."
"You will. You'll do it perfectly." He bent down and kissed her forehead.
Evelyn felt her cheeks warm. Still, she reached up and buttoned the top button of his shirt. Then she began to learn.
Alexander patiently showed her how to make a Windsor knot.
At first, Evelyn was nervous. Gradually, she relaxed and focused.
When she finished, she stepped back to admire her work. "It looks so sharp!"
Alexander's lips curved upward.
"Wait, wait. I'll get my phone and take a picture." She hurried out of the dressing room before he could respond.
When she returned with her phone, Alexander had already moved to the bedroom.
Evelyn raised her phone and started filming him.
He reached out, took the phone from her hand, and switched it to selfie mode. He pressed the shutter. Then he handed it back.
Evelyn muttered, "I'm still in my house clothes."
"It doesn't matter. You're the most beautiful woman in my eyes." He looked back at her as he spoke.
Evelyn couldn't help laughing. "You're just trying to sweet-talk me."
Alexander lowered his head and kissed her lips. After a moment, he pulled back. "I'm off to work."
"Okay. Be safe on the road."
"You should tell that to the driver."
"Good luck at work!" Evelyn corrected herself with a smile.
"I'll leave early tonight. We'll go out to eat."
"Sounds good." Evelyn nodded.
Alexander left for work.
Evelyn didn't go back into the dressing room. Instead, she walked to the second-floor windowsill. She watched Alexander walk out of Sterling Manor and head toward the main house.
The scenery around her was dim and pale. But his tall, straight back filled her vision.
Evelyn thought back to the day they registered at the Civil Affairs Bureau.
Back then, she hadn't worn her glasses. Her vision was blurry. She had no clear impression of Alexander's face. But she knew he was very tall. And he had a pair of warm hands.
Maybe that was when she first believed he was someone she could rely on.
Yesterday, when her sisters said Grace O'Sullivan was Alexander's first love, she felt more surprised than angry. Surprised that she had been deceived.
Maybe it was because she subconsciously believed Alexander would never do anything wrong to her.
Some things he didn't say. Maybe he didn't think it was necessary. Or maybe it wasn't a pleasant memory, so he didn't want to mention it. But it was over anyway.
Like Alexander said, everyone has a past. But he wouldn't dwell on it. He only cherished the present and the future.
She stood by the window for a long time. Staring at Alexander's retreating back. The knot of unease in her chest finally loosened. She felt relieved.
Evelyn went back to the dressing room and changed into a new outfit.
She hadn't gone back to her mother's house yesterday afternoon. She would go this morning instead.
She wanted to stop by the morning market first. Buy some vegetables and fruit. Then head to her mother's place.
After changing, Evelyn told Lily Thompson where she was going. Then she grabbed her bag and walked out of Sterling Manor.
The driver was already waiting for her.
Once she was in the car, Evelyn asked him to drive to the vegetable market near her mother's house first. Then they would go to her mother's.
The driver nodded. He started the car and drove out of the estate.
On the way to the market, Evelyn called home. "Mom, it's me. I'm coming over later."
"Just come. Why do you need to call first?" Amelia Vance's voice came through the phone.
"I have to make sure you're home. Otherwise, you might run off to play mahjong, and I won't find anyone when I get there." Evelyn laughed.
"I haven't played mahjong in a long time."
"Oh, really? What have you been doing all day?"
"Cooking, watering the plants, keeping busy. Your father and sister aren't going out today. It's perfect that you're coming back."
"I'm on my way to buy groceries. Let's meet at the market entrance."
"Alright, alright." Evelyn smiled.
She told her mother she would arrive in about fifteen minutes. That gave her mother just enough time to walk over from home.
After making the plan, Evelyn hung up.
Her mother was good at picking fresh vegetables. Evelyn wanted to learn from her.
When they arrived at the market entrance, Evelyn saw her mother waiting there.
She got out of the car first. The driver went to find a parking spot.
"Mom—" Evelyn walked over. Then she saw her sister, Victoria, standing there too. Surprised, she asked, "Sister, why are you here?"
"What, surprised to see me? Mom forced me to come." Victoria replied with a gloomy face.
"Don't blame me!" Amelia slapped Victoria's arm. "It's good for you to get out and see the world."
"What's so good about a food market? It smells terrible."
"If you don't learn more, what will you do when you get married?"
"If my future husband expects me to cook, I'll kill him."
"At this rate, I don't think you'll ever get married."
Evelyn stood to the side, watching her sister and mother argue. A bright smile spread across her face.
"You're just standing there gloating!" Victoria turned her attention to Evelyn. She hooked her arm through Evelyn's.
"No, I just think it's cute when you two argue." Evelyn laughed.
"Cute my foot!" Victoria shot back.
"Sister, you're so rude." Evelyn teased.
"That's right. So rude. Doesn't know how to cook. No wonder you don't even have a boyfriend." Amelia chimed in.
"I'd rather be single than settle for less." Victoria declared.
"I'm not asking you to find a man. I'd be happy if you just found a male creature." Amelia retorted.
Victoria was stunned for a moment. Then she turned to her mother. "Mom, what do you mean by 'male creature'?"
"A toad."
Victoria burst out laughing.
Evelyn couldn't help laughing either.
The three women entered the market and started picking out what they needed.
Victoria kept frowning. For her, cooking, buying vegetables, and washing clothes were worse than death.
Her mother kept teaching Evelyn how to choose the best ingredients.
"Evelyn, when you get married, you don't have to cook, right?" Victoria asked.
"Once in a while. Lily Thompson does most of the cooking." Evelyn replied.
"Then why are you learning?"
"I have to cook occasionally. Besides, isn't it good to have a skill? At least you won't starve to death." Evelyn smiled.
"You really think long-term, don't you?" Victoria rolled her eyes.