<b>Chapter </b><b>57</b>
<b>As </b><b>Matthew </b>listened to <b>Charles’s </b>ramblings on the other end of the line, he sensed Charles <b>was </b>getting sidetracked once again. <b>Eager </b>to shift the focus away from Valerie, <b>Matthew </b><b>cut </b>in sharply, “How’s Grandma doing?”
“Mr. Grant, the butler reported that <b>she </b>sent the maids out early this morning to buy yarn. She’s knitting <b>sweaters </b>at the old mansion.”
Matthew <b>felt </b>reassured by the update. He knew his grandmother had whimsical ideas about making Valerie a part of the family, but thankfully, it seemed she <b>was </b><b>just </b>indulging in her knitting hobby for now. <b>As </b>long <b>as </b>she was preupied and not fixated on pushing for a marriage, Matthew <b>was </b>content to support her<b>.</b>
“Just <b>keep </b>an <b>eye </b>on her<b>, </b>will you? Make sure she doesn’t wander off on her own again,” he instructed Charles.
“Understood, Mr. Grant,” Charles replied.
<b>As </b>Charles’s <b>voice </b>faded, Matthew detected the sound of footsteps nearby. He ended the call, just as Valerie opened the car door and slid into the <b>passenger </b><b>seat</b>.
“Mr. Grant, I <b>was </b>thinking of ordering a small cake for us to <b>share </b>after dinner. This bakery is quite renowned and offers vors like caramel, toffee, and <b>strawberry</b>. Which one would you prefer<b>?</b><b>” </b>she asked.
Matthew thought for a moment. “Strawberry. <b>It’s </b>usually a hit with the kids.<b>”</b>Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.
“Perfect<b>!</b>” Valeri
responded, <b>her </b>voice bright with
shes at the mention of Aiden. She quickly bent her head to ce the order on her phone.
Matthew watched <b>as </b>she settledfortably into the <b>seat</b>. Even with her head bowed, he could make out the outline of her face, highlighted by a yful dimple and bathed in soft sunlight, giving her an almost angelic glow.
Reflecting on what Charles had mentioned earlier, Matthew felt a pang of uncertainty. Every time Valerie had upset him, his anger seemed to dissipate before he even realized it. Her soothing tone and constant smile had a mysterious way of smoothing over his frustrations, making him forget his initial reasons for annoyance.
She seemed to possess the ability to transform irritation into contentment. Even now, Matthew found it hard to believe that he was spending a casual evening shopping and dining with a woman, <b>just </b>like any regr couple might do.
Matthew <b>was </b>in surprisingly high spirits. Despite the unexpected turns his life had taken because of Valerie, he found himself not minding the current situation.
As they arrived at the apartment, they noticed the kitchenware store <b>was </b>delivering goods. They entered the home, and workers bustled about, bringing in the new kitchen supplies. Shortly after, the seafood Matthew had ordered was delivered.
<b>It </b><b>was </b>Valerie who suggested they host dinner for Julian and Ashley that evening, to which Matthew agreed. She felt touched, appreciating his willingness to <b>go </b>shopping with her. Once they <b>were </b>inside, Valerie insisted that Matthew take a <b>rest </b>while she took care of everything.
She dove into the kitchen work<b>–</b>washing dishes<b>, </b>cleaning seafood, and chopping meat–with skill and efficiency.
Suddenly, Matthew thought of something. “Should <b>we </b>pick up some fruits <b>as </b>well?<b>”</b>
Valerie chuckled. “No need. My brother owns <b>a </b>fruit shop<b>. </b>He’ll bring plenty with him. He’d be offended if he <b>knew </b>we bought fruit <b>elsewhere</b><b>.</b><b>” </b>After <b>a </b>brief <b>pause</b><b>, </b><b>she </b><b>reassured </b>him, “Mr. Grant, <b>please</b><b>, </b>don’t <b>worry </b>about sitting this out. I’ve got this <b>covered</b>. Feel free to <b>rx </b>in <b>your </b>room or do <b>whatever </b>you’d like.”
<b>Matthew </b>nodded. “Alright then.” He knew his strengths, and kitchen work was certainly not one of them.
<b>However</b><b>, </b>no <b>sooner </b><b>had </b><b>Matthew </b><b>stepped </b>away than <b>a </b>soft sob caught his attention.
“What’s wrong?<b>” </b>Concerned<b>, </b><b>Matthew </b>hurried <b>back </b>to the kitchen to find Valerie in front of the cutting board, her fingers bleeding.
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