Chapter 8: The Boy With Old Eyes

**Chapter Seven**

Mom pulled me up forcefully.

"This Shaw family has really spoiled that boy rotten. The father’s marriage needs the son’s approval."

She muttered as she dug through my closet, yanking hangers out with the kind of determination only mothers possess. I watched her hold up a frilly dress with a frown, trying to guess what a nine-year-old boy would find impressive.

"They say only after Ethan agrees can they send the engagement gifts. Rachel, get up and get dressed."

"I don’t know what a nine-year-old likes. Should I get you a pink dress?"

I smiled.

"No need, Mom. No matter what I wear, Ethan will like me."

In my previous life, my mother-in-law told me it wasn’t Judge Shaw who chose me, but Ethan.

Back then, she’d put on a big show just like now, picking and choosing among various young ladies. Ethan was dissatisfied with everyone.

He hid behind a curtain, and only after seeing me did he curl his lip and reluctantly nod.

"Her then."

"She looks silly—must be easy to handle!"

This time, I didn’t know what had changed. The Shaw family wasn’t selecting at home, and Ethan didn’t have to hide behind a curtain. He came openly with his father.

I picked a lake-blue cotton dress, lifted my skirt, and hurried outside.

With my dress hem flying, my heart burned with excitement.

I had almost forgotten what nine-year-old Ethan looked like.

I vaguely remembered he was extremely handsome, with lively features, obviously intelligent—no wonder he became the top of his class later.

My mom panted, catching up behind me.

"I thought you weren’t eager to marry. Why are you in such a hurry now?"

The maple trees in the yard had dropped golden leaves everywhere. Stepping on the rustling leaves, I slowed my pace, the corners of my mouth curving up.

"The Shaw family is so good, of course I want to marry in."

In my previous life, marrying Judge Shaw, I only suffered briefly during the family scandal.

Later, after Ethan became successful, he treated me extremely well, letting me enjoy wealth and honor.

I was older now and had long since understood matters of love.

Looking around at relatives and friends, those who were loving couples in their youth could turn against each other. No matter how beautiful you were, after aging, you’d look at each other with indifference, like strangers.

Not to mention couples who struggled with everything—raising kids, mother-in-law problems, a pile of trivial matters.

Having lived over forty years, I really couldn’t name a single marriage I envied.

On the contrary, everyone who saw me sighed about my good fortune.

A lifetime of being respected and protected by Ethan, never suffering any real hardship.

With such a good life, I was naturally willing to live it again.