Sophia held the sticky note that Zachary had left for her, her eyes gradually growing misty. She carefully put the note away, picked up the toothbrush already loaded with toothpaste, and brushed her teeth.


    After that, she squeezed out some cleanser and washed her face.


    Zachary had said he would take her to meet his parents, so she needed to dress up properly.


    After freshening up in the washroom, Sophia did a light and clean makeup look. She chose a lipstick shade that suited herplexion, making her look soft and gentle.


    After doing her makeup, she casually pinned up her hair, leaving a few strands to naturally fall over her chest, which made her appear even more delicate and graceful.


    Taking a deep breath in front of the mirror, Sophia turned and walked out.


    In the dining room, Zachary had already set breakfast on the table, though it was already noon by then.


    "Sophia,e eat breakfast."


    "Okay."


    Sophia walked over and sat at the table.


    Waiting for her was a te of her favorite buttered pasta, a couple of light side sds, and a warm ss of milk.


    "Eat a little to fill up. We''re going to have a feast at my house a littleter."


    Zachary, mindful of his strength, gently rubbed Sophia''s head, expressing his affection without messing up her hair.


    "Alright."


    Sophia lowered her head and started eating.


    Zachary pulled out a chair and sat across from her, picking up his cutlery to eat as well.


    They finished their meal quickly. Zachary told Sophia to rest on the couch while he tidied up before they left.


    Sophia sat on the couch, watching Zachary, dressed in a suit and tie, do the housework. The feeling that bubbled up from within her was quite surreal.


    Before long, Zachary was done. He walked over, bent down, and kissed Sophia on the forehead.


    "Sophia, sit here for a bit. I''m going to see Ms. ir."


    Sophia froze. "You''re going next door?"


    "Yes. Since I''m taking you home to meet my parents, I need to inform Ms. ir." Zachary smiled warmly. "I need her permission to bring you home.


    "My parents are already prepared. Once you''ve met them, they''lle visit Ms. ir too. They''ve wanted to visit Ms. ir for a long time but were afraid you''d overthink it, so they''ve been waiting.


    "Sophia, my parents are really nice. You don''t need to worry."


    Sophia took a deep breath and nodded. "Okay, I''m not worried. Let''s go meet my mom together."


    "Alright."


    Zachary affectionately held Sophia''s hand and led her out the door. Since their apartment units were just across from each other, Sophia pressed her fingerprint on the automatic lock, and the door opened.


    Inside, Sierra, her parents, and Samantha were eating together. When they saw Sophia and Zacharye inside, Samantha immediately stood up.


    "Sophia and Zac are here! Come sit down. I''ll get the utensils for both of you."


    Just as Samantha was about to fetch the utensils, Zachary quickly spoke up. "Ms. ir, we''ve already eaten. I just came to tell you that I''m taking Sophia home today."


    Zachary nced at Sophia, then continued, "Ms. ir, I''m taking Sophia to meet my parents. Afterward, my parents wille to meet you."


    Samantha nodded quickly. "Alright. Sophia, remember to buy a gift when you go to Zac''s house."


    "I know." Sophia nodded.


    Sierra looked over and smiled meaningfully at Sophia. "Sophia, good luck. You have to be happy."


    Sophia blushed even harder but nodded back nheless. "Thank you, Sierra. You too."


    "Go on, then!" Samantha smiled at the two of them. "If anythinges up, call me anytime."


    "Okay."


    "Ms. ir, Mr. Remington, Mrs. Remington, Sierra, I''ll take Sophia home with me now," Zachary said politely, then held Sophia''s hand and led her out.


    Once inside the elevator, Zachary pressed the button to the basement. "Zachary, since I''m going to meet your parents, what should I prepare as gifts?" Sophia hadn''t been nervous when she visited Zachary''s house before or when she returned home, but now she suddenly felt nervous.<fnecec> The source of th?s content is FindN()vel</fnecec>


    "What do Mr. Holt and Mrs. Holt like?"


    Zachary gently squeezed Sophia''s hand and said with a smile, "My dad''s into coffee and chess. My mom''s all about shopping sprees and card games."


    "Sophia, I''ve already prepared the gifts. They''re in the trunk. You don''t need to be nervous. When we get there, just carry the gifts in and say that you prepared them."


    "That doesn''t seem like the right thing to do, though."


    "It''s fine," Zachary said with a smile. "What matters to them is you, not the gifts you bring. Bringing a gift is simply basic courtesy when visiting your partner''s parents. Even though they don''t care about the gifts, you showing a sense of ceremony will make them feel respected and tike you even more.  s


    "And most importantly, my parents also prepared gifts for you. They''re both very nervous, worried you might not like what they picked out. They asked me several times before, and this morning they reached a new peak."


    As Zachary spoke, he pulled out his phone and showed Sophia their texts.


    On the phone screen, Edmund Holt and Luna Yoder had sent Zachary a flood of messages, asking countless questions and sending numerous photos of the gifts they were preparing They y wanted to know.


    the gifts were a good choice and if Sophia would like them.


    belongs to s


    Seeing the chat history, Sophia''s eyes turned a little misty. She had once been


    terrified that Zachary''s family would look down on her.


    But now, these messages immediately soothed her heart and made her feel


    secure.


    Zachary was so good to her. Back then, Zane had been Ruby''s boyfriend, but he never listened to Ruby, who constantly bullied Sophia.


    From that alone, Sophia could tell that the Holt couple had to be good people.


    "Zachary, can I ask you a question?" Sophia wiped her eyes. "Why did your mom agree to let Zane and Ruby date in the first ce?"


    "Because my mom lost a bet when ying poker. As part of the bet, anotherdy matched them up."


    Zachary''s tone was tinged with helplessness.


    "My mom lost and couldn''t afford to go back on her word, so she agreed. That''s how Zane became Ruby''s boyfriend. Of course, it was only in


    name Behind the scenes, my mom ofter yanked his ear, telling him not to sleep with Ruby.  s


    "She told him that if he dared to get Ruby pregnant, she would break his legs." Sophia was a little stunned to hear this. "So that''s how it happened!"


    "Yeah, it''s a bit ridiculous, but that''s the truth." Zachary shed a helpless smile.


    "My mom even said that Zane would be freed once the bet with thatdy was


    over.


    "But before the bet even ended, the Sinir family got into trouble. Zane ended up getting freed early."