Valene turned to Ashley, asking, “Are you sure you don’t want some?”

“No, thanks. I’m really not hungry,” Ashley replied, her tone tinged with embarrassment. She felt the need to maintain her composure, but as she watched everyone else savoring their meal, she found herself feeling increasingly irritable.

“Mommy, I want the crab!” Aiden tugged at a crab leg, looking up at Ashley expectantly.

In her sour mood, Ashley ignored him, nearly bringing Aiden to tears. Valerie, witnessing this, sighed softly and intervened. “Aiden, let me help you with that, okay?”

“Yes, please!” Aiden beamed at Valerie, who carefully cracked the crab leg and placed the tender meat on his plate. His delighted grin spoke volumes: Auntie was his hero. Children always have a way of showing pure gratitude, smiling brightly at those who care for them.

Ashley, watching this, felt frustrated that her son was so quickly charmed. Her attention shifted to Valerie’s hand, her eyes narrowing at the sight of the diamond ring. “Ashley, did Matthew give you that ring?” she asked.

Valerie glanced down at the simple ring she had purchased. “Yes, he did. It’s our engagement ring.”

Ashley’s voice carried a tinge of envy. “That’s really lovely. Diamonds just have a special sparkle, don’t they? When your brother and I got married, we only had plain gold bands. They’ve lost their shape over the years and look quite worn now.”

Julian, overhearing the conversation, offered a polite smile, choosing to remain silent. Valerie, however, felt a pang of sympathy for Julian. She remembered all too well the lavish demands Ashley’s family, from a humble background, had made for their wedding—a dowry of forty thousand dollars, none of which Ashley had brought with her.

Julian had always been a hard worker, saving diligently for years until he could afford a house and a car. He often said that since Ashley had come from far away to be with him, it was his duty to make her life comfortable.

When they got married, Ashley chose a gold ring over a diamond, arguing that gold held its value better and could be sold in tough times if necessary. Initially, her brother admired her practicality, but he soon realized that after the wedding, she took possession of all the gold and rarely wore her wedding ring, as if she distrusted his intentions. Despite financial hardships, he never once asked her to contribute financially.

As time passed and they had their son, Aiden, Ashley stopped working to focus on raising their child. Julian, feeling that homemakers were undervalued by society, doubled his efforts to support and pamper her, often taking on household duties after long days at work.

Years went by, and the toll of his efforts began to show. While he aged visibly, Ashley maintained her appearance with regular visits to beauty salons and expensive skincare products, all while managing their finances.

Valerie held no ill will toward Ashley. She simply hoped that Ashley would reciprocate his devotion and remember the importance of their family, especially for Aiden. After all, a happy family is the foundation of a prosperous life.

During the family gathering, Valerie tried to steer the conversation away from contentious topics. “Diamond rings might look flashy, but they lose value the moment you buy them. They’re just for show, unlike the practical gold you chose before,” she said, hoping to ease any tension.

Ashley responded with a rare smile. “True, but there’s something about the sparkle of diamonds that’s just irresistible.”

Seizing the moment, Julian chimed in, “I’ll work extra hard and try to get you one before Christmas.”

“You better remember that promise!” Ashley teased, her satisfaction evident in her smile. Then, turning to Valerie, she asked, “Can I see your ring? I might pick a similar style.”

Valerie handed over her ring, saying, “It’s nothing special, just a basic design. You’ll find a wide range at the store.”

Ashley examined the ring closely, her expression suddenly shifting to a sneer. “Valerie, you don’t need to worry about what style I choose. But let’s talk about you for a moment. I’m surprised you’re so vain that you’d wear a fake diamond ring!”