Chapter 253
“M–My last name?” Amelia stammered, her eyes wide. “Grandpa, do I have to change my name?”
That would be a real hassle–she’d have to update all her documents.
Her business licenses, share certificates… those were manageable.
But the real problem was, she’d have to change the name on her marriage license too!
She really didn’t want to change her marriage license.
Her marriage license was the thing she treasured most–she didn’t want even the slightest change to it.
“Changing your name now would be a hassle. You don’t have to,” Scott said kindly. “Here in Norava, you’re Amelia Edwards. Back in the capital, you’ll be Amelia Zuckerberg.”
“Okay,” she replied.
Amelia smiled as she watched Scott add Landon’s name to the family tree.
A sense of belonging washed over her.
From now on, she finally had a place to call home.
“By the way, what’s the baby’s name?” Scott asked.
Amelia and Landon exchanged a smile. Landon said, “His nickname is Kimsey. We haven’t picked a formal name yet–we were waiting for you, Grandfather!”
“Kimsey, that’s a lovely name–means everything is complete and blessed. But for a boy, the formal name should sound a bit more heroic. Let’s call him Alexander–brave and strong,” Scott suggested.
“Thank you, Grandfather,” Landon said, clearly pleased.
Scott was already ninety years old–having him name their son felt like passing on a lifetime of blessings.
“Alright, the ceremony’s done! Now we can relax and chat,” Scott said.
Emery couldn’t wait to present the engagement gifts he had prepared for Amelia.
“Amelia, I’m adding to your engagement gifts. This penthouse has already been decorated to Aunt Catherine’s taste–I think you’ll love it,” he said.
“Of course, of course…” Amelia’s eyes brimmed with tears.
From the oldest to the youngest, no one in this family had ever forgotten Catherine.
‘Mom, can you see this from up there?’ Amelia thought, ‘Are you happy?’
“Amelia, this is from your big cousin. Just sign here,” Rafael said, handing her a share certificate.
As the eldest son in the Hughes family, he seemed even more calm and mature.
Amelia hesitated, not daring to take it. “Rafael, you really don’t have to. I have money, and my own company. The Edwards family business is mine now, and it’s doing well–I’m making good money.”
“I know,” Rafael replied with a charming smile. “What you have is yours. What I’m giving is just my way of showing I care.” “Amelia, just accept it!” Scott said, his face creased with joy at how thoughtful his grandsons were.
Amelia glanced at Landon, feeling a bit awkward. ‘If I keep accepting all these gifts from my side of the family, will my husband feel any pressure?’ she wondered.
So far, only two of her cousins had stepped up with gifts. If the whole family joined in, she’d be absolutely loaded!
“Since it’s your big cousin’s way of showing he cares, just take it,” Landon said with a smile, though in his heart he was a little exasperated.
“Honey, why would you think I’d feel insecure about this? It’s just a house and some cash–like I’d actually care!” he grumbled inwardly.
Amelia was speechless.
“If they keep giving you gifts, just accept whatever they give you. No need to check with me,” Landon continued. “If you so much as glance at me for approval, your grandpa will start glaring at me!” he added with a mental sigh.
Amelia blinked and looked over at Scott.
Sure enough, the old man was watching Landon, his eyes cloudy but shrewd, his gaze full of unspoken meaning. “Thanks, cousin,” Amelia said, fighting a smile that was hard to hide.
‘Haha, so even Landon can get put in his place!’ she thought.
Not to be outdone, Emery presented a set of jade jewelry worth 15 million dollars.
Her uncle, Aarav, was even more generous, gifting antique ornaments whose value was impossible to estimate.
Finally, Scott and his wife also gave her antiques.
Daniel couldn’t help but laugh. “Grandpa, Uncle, cousins, you’ve never been this generous with me.”
“You’re not getting married. What we’re giving Amelia is her engagement gifts,” Aarav replied.
“So, if I get married, will I get the same treatment?” Daniel asked.
Aarav rolled his eyes at him. “Let’s talk about it when you actually have someone to marry.”
“Exactly! Someone’s only just started the long, uphill battle of winning his wife’s heart—he’s got a long way to go!” Emery said, grinning with a hint of schadenfreude.
Daniel cleared his throat and pulled out a wedding invitation. “Thank you, Grandpa.”
“What? You’re getting married?”
“Wait, you’re not just trying to score some extra gifts with this invitation, are you?”
Amelia was also skeptical, whispering to Landon, “Honey, what’s going on?”
“I have no idea,” Landon replied.
Landon was just as clueless.
He’d been recovering from surgery these days, and as for Daniel, it was like he’d vanished into thin air–he barely made his presence felt at all.
“Edith?” Emery exclaimed in disbelief. “She actually agreed to marry you?”
Daniel’s handsome face darkened, clearly annoyed. “Cousin, what’s that supposed to mean? Am I not good enough for her?”
“You’re good–looking, and you come from a decent family, but your character leaves something to be desired,” Emery replied.
“We’ve all heard about how you messed around with Edith and then dumped her,” Emery chimed in, dragging it out for effect.
Daniel’s face turned even darker. “That was just a stopgap, okay? I’ve already apologized and made it up to her…”
“Still, she shouldn’t forgive you that fast! I need to have a word with Edith–girls need to keep their standards high. She should at least make you chase her for another two or three years…” Emery said, shaking his head.
“Emery, I’m your cousin!” Daniel was about to explode.
It had taken him forever to finally convince Edith to marry him, and now his cousins were all out to sabotage him on purpose.
‘Are they trying to make me a bachelor for life or what?’ Daniel thought, exasperated.
“So, you wanna light the fire or fan the flames? Take your pick,” Rafael said, summing it up in one line.
Osiris and Emery both nodded enthusiastically.
They totally had him wrapped around their fingers!
Daniel was speechless.
Money could be earned again, but a wife was irreplaceable.
“Honestly, I just wanted to surprise everyone today. I got the invitations ready ahead of time–I’m not here to score extra gifts or anything,” Daniel said.
“Well, looks like we’ve got two reasons to celebrate!”
Everyone burst out laughing, and even Landon couldn’t help but join in.
Daniel shook his head with a wry smile. “In this family, it’s obvious daughters are the real treasures–sons just can’t compete.”
“Of course,” Ophelia said, grinning from ear to ear. “When are you going to bring Edith over so we can meet her?”
“Maybe next time,” Daniel replied.
Amelia suddenly realized that none of her three cousins had brought a partner with them.
‘Are they all single? Or is there some other reason?’ she wondered. She assumed that his oldest cousin must be about thirty–five.
“Even though I’m the youngest, I still managed to tie the knot before any of you. Better hurry up and find someone, guys!” Daniel said, looking smug about being the first to get married.
‘Are my cousins really all still single?’ she wondered. ‘Have they even tried?’
“Did you hear that, you three rascals?” Aarav chided.
Rafael just shrugged, totally unfazed, and asked Amelia, “So, when are you two going to have your official wedding ceremony?”
“Our baby just turned one month old, so we want to wait until he’s a bit older. We haven’t set a date yet,” Landon replied. He and Amelia had already talked this over in private. Kayla’s recovery after her surgery wasn’t going as well as Landon’s, so she still needed more time to rest.
They planned to wait until Kayla was fully recovered and married off before thinking about their own wedding.
“Don’t keep me waiting too long. Once you’ve made up your minds, let us know ahead of time–we’ll come to Norava for the ceremony,” Ophelia said.
“Of course. We’ll do it as soon as we can,” Landon said, squeezing Amelia’s hand under the table.
As they chatted, the kitchen brought out a lavish feast. The whole family gathered around the table, eating, laughing, and basking in the warmth of being together again.
No one asked Amelia what she’d been through all these years. They all understood without saying a word, and no one wanted to reopen old wounds or make her relive those painful memories.