"Then I’ll have to wait half a month, anxiously anticipating it. It's heart-wrenching, but whatever you decide, I’ll support it." Ivan sighed.
"What’s that in your hand?" His gaze fell on the notebook, a hint of curiosity flickering in his eyes as he reached to open it. However, Alyssa stopped him.
"You can’t see it yet. It’s a surprise for our wedding day," she casually made up an excuse.
Hearing this, Ivan froze for a moment before letting out a wistful sigh. "I’m getting more excited about our wedding every day. I can’t believe I’m about to marry such a beautiful treasure."
Alyssa’s eyes stung with unshed tears, but she held them back, remaining silent.
Once Ivan went to shower, Alyssa reopened the notebook and wrote.
[Ivan broke his promise for another woman. I’m upset. This is the second time I’ve forgiven him.]
'He didn’t know I didn’t even try on the wedding dress. Ivan, will we really make it to that wedding?' she thought.
The next morning, as Alyssa came downstairs, she saw Ivan busy in the kitchen, wearing an apron.
It was a promise he had made long ago after discovering she often skipped breakfast and worried about her stomach. He vowed to make her breakfast every day for the rest of their lives.
Back then, Alyssa believed everything he said. Now, she wasn’t so sure they had a "lifetime" together.
"Alyssa, you’re awake! Breakfast will be ready soon. I made your favorite soup today."
"After we eat, we might need to visit the ancestral family house. Since we’re getting married, my mom has finally compromised. She wants to meet you."
Ivan wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her forehead, watching her expression closely. "If you really don’t want to go, we don’t have to."
Alyssa hesitated, her thoughts drifting to the year Ivan had fallen out with his family.
At that time, his mother had come to see her. She hadn’t spoken a word, but the resentment in her gaze had been unmistakable.
"It’s fine. Let’s go. I don’t mind." Alyssa felt a twinge of guilt toward Giselle, Ivan's mother. After all, she had occupied her son’s life for so many years. Meeting her one more time didn’t seem like a big deal.
Ivan’s joy was evident. He kissed her cheek, promising, "Don’t worry, I’ve got everything planned. I won’t let my mom make things difficult for you."
Alyssa responded with a simple hummed, and ate the breakfast Ivan had prepared under his watchful care.
When they arrived at the McCartney family home, his mother was already waiting. Ivan placed the gift bag he was holding in front of her and spoke warmly:
"Mom, I brought Alyssa to see you. She personally picked out this gift for you—you’ll love it."
Alyssa sat stiffly to the side, feeling the weight of Giselle’s gaze. She pressed her lips together, saying nothing.
Her hand suddenly felt warm. Ivan had clasped it tightly, as if reassuring her not to be afraid. She tried pulling away a few times but gave up when he didn’t let go.
During the meal, Ivan was attentive to her every need—serving her dishes, peeling shrimp, and handing her napkins.
When she couldn’t answer one of his mother’s questions, he skillfully deflected it with a joke, smoothing over any awkwardness with a smile.
Perhaps seeing his determination, his mother’s attitude softened slightly by the time they were leaving.
She removed a bracelet from her wrist and handed it to Alyssa.
"This is our family heirloom. Since Ivan has chosen you, I won’t object. From now on, we’re family."
Once, Alyssa had longed to hear those words and to belong to a family. But now, they sounded grating to her ears.
She pushed the bracelet back and replied calmly, "Thank you for your kindness, Madam, but it’s too early for me to accept this."
