Yvonne looked at me, confused. “Mom, I still haven’t gotten any new clothes.”


    “We’ll do it next time. Tomorrow, let’s bring Grandpa William and Grandma along,” I said hurriedly.


    “Alright,” Yvonne agreed. On the way home, she fiddled with the delicate little doll in her hands. Out of nowhere, she asked, “Mom, that man from carlier looked a lot like Ryan. Are they family?”


    I tightened my grip on the steering wheel, a pang of guilt hitting me as I nced at her in the rearview mirror. “Yeah, he’s Ryan’s uncle.”


    “Oh, got it,” Yvonne replied, satisfied with the answer, and dropped the subject.


    That afternoon, I picked up my parents from the airport with Yvonne. On the drive back to the city, my mom told me that my dad had gotten a promotion. He’d been up against some toughpetition and never really believed he’d get it, but to our surprise, he did.


    I put on a happy face, but inside, I was getting nervous.


    I couldn’t believe it—my dad actually got promoted.


    “What about you, Mom?” I asked casually.


    “I’m retiring next year,” my mom said with a big smile. “Now I’m just hoping your brother gets married soon so I can babysit his kids.”


    “Mom, Aiden’s just getting started with his career. I doubt he’ll be getting married anytime soon,” I said, hoping that after working all her life, my mom could finally enjoy some freedom for herself.


    “I actually hope he settles down and has kids sooner, just like you did. Yvonne’s already grown up, and you’re still young. That’s really nice,” she replied.


    My dad looked a bit worried. “I wonder how Aiden did when he visited his future mother–inw’s ce this time.”


    “Don’t worry. He may not always be reliable, but when ites to serious matters, he knows what he’s doing,” my mom reassured him.


    “Victoria, now that you’re working in Braylin too, you should give Aiden some advice. Teach him to be responsible and not y around when ites to rtionships,” my mom said seriously.


    Hearing that, I felt even more uneasy inside.


    If my parents ever found out I was even wilder than Aiden, would they eat their words?


    “<i>By </i>the way, Victoria, it’s been a while since you and Jared split up. Are you thinking about finding someone new?” my mom asked. She had no clue about my private life–since to them, I’d always been the perfect daughter: sensible, independent, never giving them a reason to worry.


    <b>10:48 Fri</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>5 </b>


    Yvonne jumped in before I could answer. “Of course! First Mom was with Nathan, and now <b>she’s </b><b>with </b><b>Ryan</b>.


    “Yvonne…” I shot her a warning look, my tone serious.


    Yvonne stuck her tongue out yfully. “Sorry, Mom. I thought this was something I could share with Grandpa William and Grandma.”


    My parents werepletely stunned.


    “Already two boyfriends? That was fast!” my mom blurted out, clearly in disbelief.


    I justughed. “Mom, weren’t you the one who wanted me to find someone? Now that I did, you’re not happy about it?<b>” </b>


    That left my parents speechless. All they could do was remind me to be serious about rtionships and not fool around.


    My mom made dinner at home, and as night fell, the doorbell rang.


    “It’s got to be my dad!” Yvonne said confidently, running to open the door.


    When she opened it, Nathan stood at the door, holding gifts and a basket of fruit. “It’s Nathan!” Yvonne called


    out.


    I quickly got up and walked over. Nathan looked a little rushed as he said, “Victoria, I brought some New Year’s presents for you.”


    “Who’s here?” my parents came out of the kitchen and were a bit taken aback to see Nathan at the door. “Hello, Uncle, Aunt. I’m Nathan, Victoria’s friend and coborator,” Nathan said, introducing himself.


    I jumped in quickly, “Yeah, Mom, I invested in hispany, so we’re working together now.”


    “Oh, you work together! Well,e on in and join us for dinner,” my mom said warmly.


    “Come on in,” I said with a smile, taking the gifts from Nathan.


    Nathan seemed a bit uneasy, clearly not expecting my parents to be there.


    My dad came over to make coffee and started chatting with Nathan. When he realized Nathan was one of the owners of the hottest tech startup in town, his hands couldn’t help but tremble a little.