Chapter 756

Evelyn's fingers trembled slightly as she opened the velvet jewelry box.

Inside lay a pair of pearl earrings, nearly identical to the ones she'd lingered over at the boutique.

"You actually bought these..." Her voice was barely audible. "I hesitated so long at the counter that day. The luster felt familiar, but I couldn't remember where I'd seen it before."

Alexander stood beside her, his gaze tenderly tracing the pink flush on her earlobes. He didn't mention how these pearls perfectly mirrored the ones Teresa used to wear in her youth.

The Lunar New Year arrived faster than expected.

In previous years, the Anderson home would be filled with the aroma of Grace's handmade dumplings. Andrew would hang spring couplets in the living room while Emily pastied upside-down "福" characters on every door.

This New Year's Eve, Alexander whisked her away to a coastal city in the south.

"We're back." Evelyn froze in the hotel doorway.

The formerly minimalist suite had transformed. Intricate paper cuttings adorned the floor-to-ceiling windows. Two crimson lanterns glowed on the coffee table. Even the throw pillows now bore golden embroidered blessings.

"Like it?" Alexander cradled their sleeping baby behind her.

"When did you arrange this?" She traced a lifelike koi fish papercut on the window frame.

"The night before last while you were putting her to sleep." He settled the infant into her crib. "The manager said it was their first custom Lunar New Year decoration request."

Under the food warmer, their reunion dinner still steamed. Crystal shrimp dumplings neighbored sweet-and-sour fish. Blanched greens shared the tray with braised meatballs. At the center, a clay pot kept seafood congee warm.

Evelyn lifted the lid, breathing in the rising aroma. "This is—"

"I had the kitchen prepare it Hudson-style." Alexander poured warmed rice wine. "We may not be home, but the flavors should be."

As the New Year's Gala hosts counted down on TV, fireworks exploded across the night sky. Evelyn stood before the window, colored lights dancing in her eyes.

"Happy New Year." Alexander appeared beside her unnoticed.

Their reflections shimmered in the glass, illuminated by pyrotechnics. Evelyn gently clinked her glass against his. "Happy New Year."

On their return flight the fourth day, their daughter pressed against the window, marveling at cloud oceans. Watching Hudson's skyline emerge, Evelyn murmured, "This wasn't a bad way to celebrate."

Alexander paused mid-diaper change to meet her gaze.

"At least we avoided all those aunts asking when we'll have another." She accepted a wet wipe, lips curving slightly.

Hamilton Manor's red lanterns swayed in dusk's breeze when they returned. Peanut leapt from the cat tree, tail erect, winding twice around Evelyn's ankles before sniffing the sleeping infant.

"She remembers us." Evelyn scratched under the Ragdoll's chin.

Hauling luggage inside, Alexander noticed new koi in the curio cabinet's aquarium. "Auntie Wu bought them before leaving. For 'abundance every year.'"

That night, Evelyn stood on the bedroom balcony. Breezes brushed her new pearls, their luster soft in moonlight. Her phone lit up with Teresa's message:

"The earrings suit you."

Fingering the smooth surfaces, she suddenly remembered—years ago, that always-smiling woman's earlobes had shimmered with this same glow.