Blushing slightly, she took a shower and then sat at her dresser to brush her long hair.

Edwin looked up and inquired, “You and Mom were talking for quite some time downstairs. What did you discuss?"

Laura caught his reflection in the mirror. After a moment, she replied, "She's arranging a blind date for Olivia. There are a few decent candidates. They look decent and have good jobs, but it seems like Mom isn't really impressed by any of them."

Edwin momentarily hid behind his book.

After a pause, he said, "I'll talk to Mom tomorrow. Let's hold off for now. If Olivia really moves back to Czanch from Duefron, we can start arranging the blind date then."

Laura responded, "Okay." She appeared calm and agreeable.

Seeing her in such a compliant state, Edwin felt a playful urge, but they were at his parents’ place.

He treated Laura with tenderness instead that evening.

Outside, fireworks illuminated the sky.

Their expansive and elegantly appointed bedroom felt as cozy as spring.

In another bedroom facing east, Olivia stood silently, watching the fireworks outside, holding an amulet in her hand.

In her youth, she had once been pregnant. She didn't realize it until long after her breakup with Raphael, and by the time she knew, the baby was already lost.

The loss wasn't physically painful. Just a small surgery and she didn't even need to stay in the hospital for the night.

The child had been hers and Raphael's.

The doctor had informed her that her physical condition was delicate, and following the miscarriage, it might be difficult for her to conceive again. So, when Olivia encountered Raphael again, she felt nothing.

Raphael was in his prime. Olivia could picture how much the Jones family valued lineage, especially after a tragic incident had befallen them. Sometimes, love involved more than just affection.

Marriage was no different.

Olivia tenderly held the amulet before carefully putting it away.

She spent a whole week in Czanch with her parents. Upon returning to Duefron, she avoided the office for a while, choosing instead to working from home and occasionally helping Rena with wedding preparations at the Fowlers’ house.

One day, Alexis and Leonel were there.