Chapter 6
The next day, the news of the Kaufman family’s heir’s sudden marriage became a trending topic.
My stepbrothers texted me.
Samson sent me, “You’re running away from home again? Enough with the act. I forgive you. Now get back here.”
Brooke texted me, “Grace, why didn’t you come home last night? Where are you? I’ll come pick you up.”
Maurice sent me, “Where are you, Grace? How come Mr. Kaufman’s wife’s name is the same as yours?”
Looking at the marriage license in my hand, I blocked their numbers.
Then, lying in bed, I posted a photo of my marriage license with Antonio Kaufman on Instagram.
My bestie, who had just come back from abroad, looked at me and applied an ice pack to my calf, feeling sorry for me.
“Grace, how did you end up like this while I was away?
“The bruise looks horrible. Even the wedding has to be postponed because of this. Luckily, Madam Kaulinan likes you, or…
I couldn’t tell my bestie what had happened with the Miller family
Living under their roof wasn’t that bad.
It was the huge contrast in the way the three treated me that hurt me the
most.
Leaning against her arms, I smiled, feigning indifference.
“I’m fine. It doesn’t hurt that much.
Every wound would heal.
Everything that happened would be forgotten one day.
I might be bothered by those entangled relationships.
Instead of letting them haunt me, I decided to put them behind me and focus on embracing my new life.
The housekeeper of the Kaufman family had the family doctor take a look at my call.
Making sure there wasn’t anything serious about it, the housekeeper then led me to Valerie Kaufman, Antonio’s grandma.
The Kaufman family had existed for more than a century and had a profound foundation.
On the way, the housekeeper kept offering me all kinds of tips so that I’d behave myself after I saw Valerie.
I was so nervous that my heart was pounding, but the second I saw her, I calmed down at once.
She was a nice old lady with gray hair.
When she saw me, she beamed.
“Finally, I got to meet my granddaughter–in–law.
“I’ve said to Maria countless times over the years to bring you here so that we could spend more time together, but she just wouldn’t. She’s so protective of you and wants to keep you to herself.”
I smiled, saying politely, “I’m so attached to home that I can’t bear to leave. for just a second. Maria indulges me.”
Valerie smiled, “That’s fine. From now on, this will be your home. By the way, Antonio has been abroad for some project, and he won’t be back for a few days. I’ll make sure he makes it up to you after you get married.”
Speaking of which, I hadn’t seen my future husband.
He didn’t even show up the day we registered our marriage.
He just asked his assistant to take my ID card.
Then, within an hour, I had our marriage license.
Noticing my silence, Valerie thought I was sad.
She immediately had someone bring out a necklace, which was the family heirloom and put it on me.
“Madam Kaufman, this is too much,” I said. \
“Call me Valerie. Besides, you’ll be the hostess of the Kaufman family from now on. Everything in this family will be yours. A necklace is nothing.” Valerie said.
Those words were so familiar that I was temporarily in a trance.
My stepbrothers said the same thing to me back then.
When we were in our younger days, together, they stole Maria’s bracelet and gave it to me as a token of love.
Maria didn’t get mad at me after she learned.
Instead, she put the bracelet on my wrist as gently as Valerie.
She said, “Now that you’ve accepted my bracelet, you’ll be my daughter- in–law.”
What a pity, Amanda lost the bracelet later.
My stepbrothers and I used to be so close, but gradually, my path drifted. from theirs.
With that thought, I almost cried, my eyes turning red.
Valerie was nervous at once.
She took my hand, saying, “Grace, come on; don’t cry.
“I knew you’re a lucky woman the second I saw you. I promise that from now on, no one gets to upset you again.”
Antonio’s parents gave me their gifts.
They were either an antique or a piece of jewelry, each priceless.
Every one of them showed me enough respect and affection.
Though Antonio and I had already registered our marriage, they didn’t force me to stay there to learn the family rules.
Instead, they said I could live at my new place, and after the wedding, Antonio and I could deepen our bond.
Valerie said, “We’ve already got your new home with Antonio prepared. and we won’t interfere in what happens between you two, that’s your own aflairs.
w
“One thing, though–if he ever makes you unhappy, come back and let me know. I’ll make things right for you.”
“Thanks, Valerie,” I smiled.
After I left the Kaufman’s manor, the preparations for the wedding officially started.
The Kaufman family took care of everything, getting busy about it 24/7.
Maria went to Boston to prepare her wedding gifts for me.
I thought I’d have a hard time getting used to it and spend some time being nostalgic; after all, I left the Miller’s place so suddenly.
But I had to try on wedding dresses and select my wedding ring every day.
I was so swamped that I fell asleep right after I lay in bed every night, not being able to think about anything else at all.
As time went by, I put what had happened behind me gradually.
One day, I received a call from Maria when I was trying on wedding dresses at the bridal shop.
“Grace, hi. Samson, Maurice, and Brooke heard about the wedding, and they insisted on coming to see you.
“I couldn’t stop them; they might probably be there at any second now Ignore them; just focus on whatever you’re doing.”
I couldn’t help but be stunned for a bit when I heard their names:
Before I hung up, I saw their reflections in the mirror.
They stared at me intently with obscure emotions in their eyes.
I saw astonishment and amazement, mixed with regret and remorse.
