I froze, and the heat in my cheeks deepened. I shifted back slightly, quickly hopped off the bed, and went to the bathroom to freshen up.


    By the time I came out, Alvin had already left the room. I pulled out a white shirt dress from the closet, paired it with a soft yellow coat, and felt like a burst of sunshine as I looked at myself in the


    mirror.


    I tried to make myself smile, reminding myself that today was the day I’d smile, be happy, and look forward to a future of happiness.


    When I reached downstairs, Peter and Michelle were already setting the breakfast table. They’d swapped the usual dishes for festive ones.


    “Zoe, once you two get your marriage license,e back here. We’ll have a big celebration and talk about the wedding details.” Michelle seemed even more excited than I was.


    “Okay!” I said, smiling.


    Michelle nced at me and nodded approvingly. “You look great today, but you’d look even better


    in red.”


    “Red’s too bold,” I exined.


    “Don’t listen to her,” Peter quickly interjected, clearly trying to avoid the topic. “Things are different now. No one wears those bright, over-the-top colors anymore. Zoe, wear whatever you like, don’t worry about Michelle’s opinion.”


    I smiled warmly at his support.


    Michelle pulled me over to the table, where there was the usual hearty breakfast, but this time there were two eggs and a grilled sausage, arranged so suggestively I felt a little embarrassed.


    Before I could say anything, Michelle leaned in close and whispered in my ear, “This is a recipe passed down from your grandmother.


    “It’s meant to bring good luck for having children. It’s just a little charm to wish for a baby soon.”


    My face burned with embarrassment. I looked at the eggs and sausage but couldn’t bring myself to


    eat them.


    “Just take a small bite, it’s symbolic,” Michelle insisted as she peeled the egg for me and handed it


    over.


    This was her hope for me, and I couldn’t refuse. Blushing, I took a small bite and quickly buried my face in my oatmeal.


    It wasn’t until I was almost finished that I noticed Alvin was still missing. “Michelle, where’s Alvin?”


    17:24 Mon, 18 Aug


    “He hasn’te down yet,” Michelle said just as footsteps echoed from the stairs. Alvin appeared at the bottom of the stairs.


    Something felt off. His expression was unusually serious.


    My heart dropped, and I watched as he walked toward me. “Zoe, I consulted Hubert about the timing, and he said it’s best if we get our marriage license at 10:58 a.m. tomorrow, so we don’t have to go so early.”


    “Oh,” I replied, with a quiet sigh. That brief excitement inside me seemed to fade away.


    I knew Hubert nd-he was a priest at the church.


    Michelle and Peter quickly nodded. “We’ll follow Hubert’s advice.”


    Alvin sat down and ate his breakfast quickly, though he didn’t exactly devour it. He just seemed to cat faster than usual.


    Michelle took the leftover eggs and sausage I hadn’t eaten and gave them to him. He didn’t ask any questions and just ate them without a second thought.


    “Zoe, stay here and wait for me. I need to prepare something,” he said, sounding mysterious.


    Michelle shot me a wink and whispered, “It’s a gift for you.”


    I immediately thought of what he saidst night about being first. His behavior now made it clear that whatever he was preparing was rted to that. I watched him leave, and then went upstairs.


    Just as I was about to take off my coat, my phone rang. It was Davy. “Good morning, Mrs. Dolton.”


    It seemed Davy knew about our ns to get the marriage license. I smiled lightly. “Good morning, Mr. Lipsy. Is something wrong?”


    “Ms. Kemp, I’m sending you an address. Pleasee here now. I’m waiting for you. Mr. Dolton has a gift for you,” Davy said, sounding mysterious.


    “Okay!” I agreed and hung up.


    He sent me the address-it was for a ce called Saltwater Spring.


    When I arrived, Davy was already waiting for me. Without saying anything, he handed me a set of keys.


    That was when I understood-Alvin’s gift was a house. He knew me well. No matter how good life at the Dolton family was, I still wanted my own space.


    A strange, sweet feeling wrapped itself around my heart. I felt a mixture of warmth and excitement, like I’d been lightly touched by a delicate sting.


    Smiling, I held the keys and opened the door. The bright, open room inside instantly lifted my spirits.


    As I stepped inside, a familiar figure emerged from the bedroom. I froze when I saw Thea, wearing pajamas.