Chapter 61

It was July now, and the first wave of scorching summer heat rolled over Seacisco. The days were longer and the sun set later.

Janet came home one day just as the sun was sinking in the horizon. The warm yellow light flooded the apartment, illuminating everything in a hazy glow. In the kitchen, the man was cooking something that smelled delicious.

“Why are you home so early?” Janet hid her surprise and walked to the kitchen slowly.

Piping hot dumplings bounded on the pot as Ethan flipped them over with the light flick of his wrist.

Afterwards, he turned off the gas and transferred the dumplings to a plate, then fetched a pair of bowls and chopsticks. “Have dinner with me. Why are you just standing there?”

“Okay,” Janet said without protest. As Ethan set the table, she sat down hesitantly. Staring at the steaming dumplings in her bowl, she commented in surprise, “You can even make dumplings?”

Ethan pulled out a chair and sat down opposite her. In the setting sun, his usually sharp features looked gentle and soft. Even his eyes were full of affection. “Why? Is it so strange that I can make dumplings? My mother forced me to learn how to cook. She didn’t like cooking alone, so she often asked me to help her.”

In the end, Ethan had taken Garrett’s advice.

But now that he had to make an apology, he needed to show his sincerity. He would not do that in a perfunctory way.

“Oh, I see. Anyway, I’m starving. Let’s eat.” Janet lowered her gaze, unable to meet his. She couldn’t bear to look at the thin scars on Ethan’s face. It made her remember what had happened last night.

She picked up her chopsticks and began to eat the dumplings in her bowl slowly. A little while later, she put her bowl down, exposing three lone dumplings.

Ethan raised his hand and took her bowl, pouring her leftover dumplings into his bowl. “We can’t let them go to waste.”

“Sorry, I really can’t eat another,” Janet said softly, looking down guiltily.

After a pause, Ethan smiled and asked gently, “What’s the matter? I was just making up some excuse to eat your leftover dumplings.”

“Oh?” Realizing that she misunderstood him yet again, Janet found herself unable to meet his eyes.

She was still very sensitive about what other people thought of her. After all, she used to be the outcast, excluded from many school activities.

“Look, I know I was wrong about the ring. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have doubted you. Don’t think too much.

I trust you now.” Ethan brought up what had happened the other day, scratching his head embarrassedly.

He really wasn’t used to this whole “apology” thing. He hadn’t needed to humble himself in years.

“It’s in the past. Never mind.” Janet wrung her fingers nervously.

So many days had passed. She had nearly put this matter to rest.

After thinking about it, she realized it wasn’t entirely Ethan’s fault for judging her. It was her carelessness that led to the ring getting lost. Besides, she was supposed to be Jocelyn, who had a reputation for being extravagant. It was only natural that Ethan suspected her.

“Are you sure?” Ethan raised his head to look at her, his dark eyes filled with skepticism.

He had a stress reaction to what she had said a few days ago, and now it was hard to tell whether she meant what she said now or not.

Finally, she gave him a small smile. “I’m sure. I was ignorant and made many mistakes before, but people change. You’ve lived with me for a while now, so you should know what I’m like now.”

In fact, she was talking about Jocelyn. But she wanted Ethan to understand her now.

“Okay.” After wolfing down the rest of the dumplings, Ethan fished the emerald ring out of his pocket and handed it to Janet. “Since you’re not angry anymore, put it on.”

Janet took the ring and held it tightly. She shook her head and said, “I’ll hold onto it, but I won’t wear it. I had no idea this ring was so precious, and it’ll make me anxious if I have to wear it every day. If you really want others to know that I’m married, we can buy another ordinary ring.”

Ethan eyed her pensively for a while before finally agreeing. “Okay. I’ll buy you another ring.”

The following morning, as Janet was brushing her teeth, she suddenly felt a pair of thick arms wrap around her waist from behind.

The man’s morning stubble rubbed against her bare shoulder. With groggy eyes, he said in a low voice, “What lotion do you use? It smells so good. Anyway, look at what I got you!”

“Hey! Stop it.” Janet shrank away from his touch, feeling itchy from his stubbles.

As she continued to brush her teeth, she eyed the wine red velvet box that the man had laid on the counter in front of her. After rinsing her mouth, she opened the box. Inside lay a diamond ring that glistened under the morning light. Nestled in the center was a huge blue diamond—a beautiful eye-

catcher.