Chapter 9: A New Legacy

The letters became my lifeline, each one a window into a world I wanted to be part of. I found myself waiting by the mailbox, counting the days until the next envelope arrived. Charlotte teased me mercilessly, but I didn’t mind. For the first time, I was happy.

On my wedding day, Maple Heights had its first snow. Quinn, helping me dress, said it was a sign of good luck. Charlotte praised her and rewarded her with a fat gold bracelet, making Quinn’s eyes disappear with joy. Soon, Bobby ran in, saying the Jennings’ second and third sons had come, sent by their mother to help me as brothers. After greeting me through the door, second son told the third, when big brother arrived, they must make things hard for him—a rare chance! Third son agreed happily, and the women behind the door laughed. The Whitaker family also sent someone—Savannah. She looked pale and thin, no longer ethereal, but lifeless. While others laughed, only she stared at me, not smiling or speaking. She stared from my wedding dress to my face, from the fine dowry to the endless red decorations, finally twisting her napkin to shreds. I didn’t care what she thought. After bowing to my birth parents’ memorial, Adam carried me to the bridal car, carefully chanting, "Slowly, steadily, don’t let sister-in-law fall."

The car was warm, the snow falling softly outside. I pressed my hand to the window, watching the world blur past. For the first time, I felt at home.

Hard not to smile. When the car stopped, a large hand reached under my veil, with a scar in the palm. On impulse, I touched the scar; the next moment, my hand was tightly held. Mr. Jennings led me out, wanting to keep holding my hand into the hall, but only let go reluctantly when the wedding attendant brought the red ribbon. We completed the ceremony and, after the guests left, finally had time alone. Without the veil, his gaze seemed to burn. He slowly undid my hair and held my hand. "Do you remember our promise?"

His voice was soft, his eyes full of longing. I nodded, my heart pounding. The world outside faded away, leaving only the two of us.

Of course I did. He wanted me to call his name next time we met, not 'Mr. Jennings.' He didn’t know I had called his name a thousand times in my heart. I looked at him, kissed his lips, and that "Yes" was lost in the red bed curtains.

The night was quiet, the world outside blanketed in snow. I closed my eyes, letting myself believe in happy endings.

Epilogue.

In my third year at the Jennings household, I gave birth to our eldest daughter, Autumn, doted on by the whole Jennings family. Mother-in-law began preparing her dowry at her first birthday; second brother built her a study filled with books he made old scholars select; third brother piled all his toys in her room. Father-in-law went so far as to lead a hunting trip to Montana for beautiful furs to make her a cloak. I told Ben—that’s Mr. Jennings—that Autumn would be spoiled at this rate. Ben disagreed, saying with such an outstanding mother, she couldn’t be spoiled. He also said Autumn was like a little Evie, and no one could bear not to love her. I didn’t know whether to be angry or happy. On Autumn’s first birthday, I received a box from Trevor—it was the jewelry box he had taken from me, untouched, plus a letter. I held the letter, dazed, but in the end didn’t open it. In these three years, much happened in the Whitaker family. First, the main and second branches split; then Uncle Mark lost his job. Later, Savannah was engaged to a minor official, but ran off with a rich businessman before the wedding. People said that when the Whitaker family abandoned virtue, even luck abandoned them. Now, there’s no Whitaker house in Maple Heights; Uncle Mark’s whereabouts are unknown, and Trevor returned to the family’s old home. Melody said he’s now diligently studying, planning to teach children in the clan.

The years rolled by, each one sweeter than the last. Autumn grew, surrounded by love and laughter. The past faded, replaced by new memories, new joys. Sometimes, I thought of the Whitaker family, of the girl I used to be. But I didn’t regret a thing.

"What are you thinking? It’s windy outside, go in and think."

Ben saw me lost in thought on the porch and wrapped me up in his coat. I grinned at him, teasing, "I was thinking, when are we going to have a son?"

He grinned back, eyes twinkling. "No time like the present, honey..."

He scooped me up, carrying me inside, our laughter ringing through the house. Outside, the snow fell softly, but inside, everything was warm.

[End]