Arrogant Man VS Unyielding Woman novel Chapter 89

That thought made Jean so uncomfortable that she couldn't breathe. It felt like a stone had been placed on her chest.

"Jean, are you asleep?" Jade said as she softly knocked on the door. Her voice zapped Jean out of her thoughts.

Jean quickly wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and went to open the door. "Not yet, aunt..." She paused and smiled awkwardly as she corrected herself, "I'm sorry, Mom. What can I do for you?"

"It is all right if you're uncomfortable calling me mom now. It doesn't matter. I am sure that you'll get used to it soon after we are more familiar with each other." As Zed's mother entered the room, Jean spotted the box in her hand. It looked antique and was beautifully adorned with delicate carvings.

Zed's mother looked around and then asked, "Where is Zed?"

"He is working in his study."

"Zed is such a workaholic. He always works late. But I think it's not his fault. You know that my husband gave the company to Zed when he was very young. Such a huge responsibility to shoulder and at such an age. It has not been easy for him." She sighed and continued, "Zed didn't have a happy childhood. As you can see, his father has always been very strict. Also, he is so hard on Zed. When he was younger, Zed never went out to play. His father insisted that Zed should either study or watch financial programs. As a result, he has become as serious as his father. Since you're Zed's wife, I hope you will understand him. If he does something that offends you, please do forgive him."

Jean gaped as she heard about Zed's childhood. She suddenly felt sorry for Zed.

She thought, 'It seems that although Zed comes from a very prominent and rich family, yet he didn't get much happiness. No wonder he always treats others with coldness and indifference.'

"Okay, mom, don't worry. I will!"

"Thank you. You're such a nice girl." With tears in her eyes, Zed's mother opened the box in her hand. There was an emerald-green bracelet. It sparkled in the soft glow of the lamp.

"What's this?" Jean asked.

Zed's mother put the bracelet on Jean's wrist and said to her sincerely and earnestly, "It is the Qi family bracelet. When we got married years ago, Zed's grandmother gave it to me. It has been passed on from daughter-in-law to daughter-in-law for generations. Since you're Zed's wife, I give it to you now. In the future, I hope that you will give it to your daughter-in-law."

Jean was dazed for a moment. She was too stunned to say anything.

'The bracelet is a family heirloom? And she wants to give it to me?' thought Jean.

What Zed's mother had said made Jean want to cry. Then she shook her head and refused, "I'm sorry, but I am afraid that I can't accept it. It is too valuable."

"You're the daughter-in-law of the Qi family. Of course, it belongs to you. Please don't refuse my gift." Zed's mother patted Jean on the hand and said, "Since you have married Zed, you're part of this family now. Let the bracelet be a reminder."

"Part of this family..." Jean muttered. She suddenly couldn't stop the tears from flowing down the corners of her eyes.

It had been a long time since anyone had been this kind and genuine with Jean. She had considered herself an orphan after the hotel incident with the Wen family. Jean never thought she'd be part of a family again. She looked forward to the feeling of belonging to a loving family.

"What's wrong, Jean? Why are you crying?" Seeing her cry, Zed's mother quickly got some paper towels from the nightstand to wipe away Jean's tears. Then she said, "We know that you lost your biological mother when you were a little girl. Then, you had to live with your stepmother, who treated you badly. Don't worry. I will be your mother."

"Mom..." Jean said as she sobbed. She felt terrible.

It wasn't the love and affection from Jade that had made Jean feel terrible. On the contrary, Jean despised herself. She was in a fake marriage with Zed. She had to pretend to be a good daughter-in-law. Jean was lying to such a wonderful person and there was nothing she could do about it. She hated the situation she was in.

'Zed's mother is such a nice and kind lady. She's welcomed me into the family unhesitatingly. She even gave me the family bracelet. How can I cheat her by pretending that Zed and I are a happy couple?' thought Jean, feeling really guilty.

After Zed's mother left, the room felt terribly empty. She sat on the bedside. What Zed's mother had said and done weighed on Jean's heart.

For one moment, she really wished that she was Zed's wife, and not in name only.