After ending a long call with his parents, Ethan set down the phone and closed his eyes.
’Ethan Hale...’
The identity still felt odd to him, and he hadn’t fully adapted. Still, knowing he would never return to being Victor, he was forcing himself to adjust.
Evelyn was his wife, and he was the only son of his parents.
’Nora is my daughter too...’
His hand brushed Evelyn’s hair, and he slowly drifted off to sleep. About an hour later, his phone rang, and he jolted awake at the sound.
The jolt also disturbed Evelyn, and she sat up, rubbing her eyes with a sleepy expression.
Ethan squinted at his phone and said, "Oh, the delivery is here."
"What delivery?" Evelyn asked, her voice slow.
Ethan smiled mysteriously and pulled her with him to the door. Although confused, she still followed.
Ethan opened the door and found a dispatch rider standing outside with a box in his hands.
"Mr Ethan?"
The young man looked between him, the delivery, and the house, confused. How could someone living in this rundown apartment buy something this expensive?
He didn’t ask questions, though.
Ethan nodded and collected the package after a quick verification, then closed the door.
"What’s that?" Evelyn asked, her voice clear.
Seeing the expensive packaging, all signs of sleep vanished from her eyes.
"Come." He led her to the dining room where he placed the box on the table and unwrapped it.
"This... what did you buy again?"
She couldn’t hold back her curiosity and asked.
Ethan rolled his eyes but didn’t answer. He merely unsealed the package and brought out the contents.
Evelyn’s eyes widened. "You... you bought dresses? Are you crossdressing?"
Ethan looked at her in disbelief. "What nonsense is that? It’s obviously for you and Nora."
"Eh?" She gasped slightly, shocked.
She couldn’t be blamed, actually. It had been years since Ethan bought her a gift. She had even forgotten the concept of gifts.
Ethan separated her own dresses from the one he bought for Nora and handed it to her.
"Go try it on. Quickly."
Evelyn didn’t move, merely holding the clothes with a lost look in her eyes.
He deadpanned. "What? You want me to take them back?"
She looked at him and shook her head. Slowly, a smile formed on her face. "No, I’m just surprised."
She blinked, forcefully suppressing the tears threatening to spill from her eyes. "I’m glad I didn’t give up on you."
With that, she turned around and went into the room.
Ethan watched her go, then sighed. "Yeah, you didn’t give up. That’s why I’ll make it up to you."
A few minutes later, Evelyn returned, wearing a neat brown gown with a unique design and a cream-colored waist jacket over it.
Ethan’s smile widened at the sight, and he immediately took a quick picture.
"Now I want to buy you more."
Evelyn blushed and lightly hit his arm.
"Idiot," She mumbled. "Don’t go around spending lavishly."
Ethan laughed and nodded. "Alright, dear. I’ll remember that."
"Go wear the second one. Let’s have a look."
She took the other dress, gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, and rushed inside the room again.
Ethan slowly shook his head. ’What a nice feeling...’
......
Later that night, the family of three sat around the table with Cole joining them. He had joined them for dinner, insisting that he wanted to celebrate his promotion with them.
Raising a cup of wine, he said, "Cheers to Ethan for this opportunity!"
The young man rolled his eyes. "Enough ass-kissing, brother-in-law. It’s you we’re celebrating here. Not me."
"Still the same! Still the same." Cole laughed, downing the cup in one go.
Evelyn chewed her food and looked at her brother in exasperation. "Big brother, won’t you get married? You’re growing older every day."
Instantly, Cole’s expression soured. "What’s that about? I already told you that I’m getting married soon. I just need to find the right woman."
Evelyn nodded, unimpressed. "You told me that three years ago. Aren’t you ashamed? Even I, your younger sister, is already married with a child."
Cole pouted, an unusual sight for someone of his age. In a grumpy tone, he said, "That’s because you found your partner very quickly. I’m being patient here."
Evelyn still didn’t buy it. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say. Just know that you must give our parents grandchildren before you work yourself to death."
Cole burped into his fist. "Talking about mom and dad, they’ve been asking to see you lately. Maybe you should visit them soon. I guess they want to see Nora too."
He glanced at Ethan but said nothing. Ethan’s reputation with their parents wasn’t exactly the best. In fact, it wouldn’t hurt to call it the worst.
"Visit, huh..." Evelyn muttered and turned to Ethan. "What do you think? Do you want to come with me?"
Ethan nodded. "Sure. It’d be rude if I didn’t show up."
Beside him, Nora chimed in. "We’re going to grandpa’s place?"
Everyone nodded to her question, causing her to smile.
"Okay! I can wear my favourite dress, then!"
She smiled at Ethan—pure and genuine.
He had already given her the dresses he bought from the Feminine Mystique mall, and just as he expected, she loved them a lot.
Even her unusual maturity had faded into a child’s enthusiasm. The change made Ethan sigh in relief.
At least she was already opening up.
"By the way, don’t use that to distract us!" Evelyn suddenly said, turning to Cole. "When are you getting a wife?"
The man groaned. "Aren’t we past this topic already?"
Unsurprisingly, Evelyn wasn’t convinced. "Yeah. But I’m bringing it up again."
Ready to support his wife, Ethan chipped in. "Or could it be that you’re secretly married to a billionaire lady who’s carrying your kids in her womb?"
Cole almost choked, shocked. "Why would you think that way? You’re betraying me as a man."
Ethan shrugged. "I’m merely asking questions. Come on, don’t give me that look."
The dining room remained lively as they continued to chat until everyone was done eating and they all went to sleep.
......
Just like that, an entire week passed!