Valerie was baffled. She was certain she had given Matthew a fake ring—a cheap, two-for-one deal that had cost her only $20, gift box included.
Before she could process the unfolding events, Matthew gently took her hand, showing her the ring on his own right hand—the very one she had given him. Valerie was completely taken aback. She murmured inwardly, "If the fake ring is here, could the one in the box be real? When did he buy it? And why didn't he tell me anything about it?" She looked at Matthew, puzzled. Holding his hand felt like a burning sensation, accelerating her heartbeat.
As Matthew brought the two fake rings together, he clarified to Julian, "Each of us has a fake ring; the real one has been securely stored all along."
Julian, previously doubtful, felt a wave of relief upon seeing the genuine ring. Seeing Matthew holding hands with Valerie, Julian sighed. He felt that Matthew, with his cold demeanor, was unlikely to be affectionate. However, it pained him to think that his sweet sister was paired with such a reticent man.
Fortunately, despite his cool exterior, Matthew seemed to treat Valerie quite well. He then turned to Ashley and remarked, "You were right. A proposal ring carries deep significance. It would indeed be tragic to lose it. Seems like getting a fake was a smart move, don't you think, Ashley?"
Ashley, visibly frustrated that her attempt to make Valerie look foolish had backfired, offered a sheepish grin. She placed the diamond ring back in its box and nodded, "Yes, you're right." A flicker of annoyance crossed Ashley's face as she glanced at the clock, noticing it was 12 o'clock. Her eyes sparkled with mischief.
Valerie, meanwhile, paid little attention to Ashley's antics, too engrossed in her own thoughts. Matthew's unexpected revelation about the ring had surprised her. While Julian and Ashley were eating, she leaned closer to Matthew and whispered, "When did you get the real ring? Did you expect this to come out?"
Matthew's hushed, resonant response amused her. "I've always made it clear—I don't use fakes," he said, his voice deep and compelling.
Valerie was both amused and bewildered by his admission. She remembered the day she handed him the ring, now realizing why he had seemed so perturbed. He must have been upset and quietly bought a replacement. She found his calm composure fascinating. Without his steady presence, she doubted she could have managed today's events.
"Mr. Grant, how much did the ring cost? They must be expensive. I should help with the cost," she said, her voice faltering slightly with guilt. Although she had never purchased a diamond ring, she knew the price was steep and felt compelled to contribute, especially since he was only helping her deal with her family.
She wondered about the cost, thinking she might need to work extra hard for the next few months to afford her share.
Matthew raised an eyebrow, amused by her offer. "I can certainly afford a diamond ring for my wife," he said with a chuckle.
Valerie paused, then smiled softly.
"What's so funny?" Matthew inquired.
"It's just that sometimes, Mr. Grant, you're incredibly stubborn about the oddest things," Valerie laughed softly. He had a strong will and a decisive manner. Once he made a decision, it was final. He hadn't even consulted her before buying the ring.
Despite his assertiveness, he was not overbearing or controlling. He treated her with respect.
At that moment, Valerie felt profoundly grateful to be married to someone so understanding.