Chapter 41 Family Heirloom
"When I was little, there was no air conditioning. I always slept on the roof in summer," Wentworth said.
"So you grew up here as a child?" Matilda asked.
It was rare to have such an atmosphere, perfect for casual conversation.
Wentworth lay on his lounge chair, looking at the moon above, and said, "Not really. I'd come back once or twice a month occasionally, more during summer and winter breaks."
"So your parents had another house in the city?"
Wentworth nodded. "Yes, but after Father passed away, Mother moved overseas. That house is rarely occupied now. My brother bought his own place, and so did I—when brothers grow up, they need to live separately."
Matilda sighed. "Your family's pretty well-off. Not like me... I always feel like I don't deserve you."
Wentworth paused. She hadn't even heard the main point yet and already felt unworthy?
"Our family's circumstances... are just average," he said.
Matilda shook her head. "At least you're middle class."
In Phoenix City, the middle class wasn't easy to break into—it took several generations of effort for many families to achieve that status.
She said nothing more, enjoying the evening breeze, gazing at the moon, breathing in the fresh plant fragrance. Her eyelids grew heavier and heavier, and soon she fell asleep.
Seeing her asleep, Wentworth quietly went downstairs to get mosquito repellent and sprayed it on her, then covered her with a thin blanket before lying down himself.
---
The next day.
Matilda was awakened by bird calls.
Opening her eyes, the first thing she saw was Wentworth's face.
Somehow, his lounge chair had moved next to hers. Though they weren't sharing a bed, they were only inches apart.
They hadn't embraced yesterday—he probably couldn't sleep, which was why he'd moved so close.
As if sensing each other, Wentworth also opened his eyes at that moment.
They lay there face to face, looking at each other.
The rooftop plants were lush, the air fragrant with flowers. Birds hopped around the grape arbor, the eastern sky glowed orange-red with dawn, and neighbors' voices drifted from nearby courtyards...
But in their eyes, there was only each other.
Just as Wentworth's face slowly moved closer to her lips, a sudden crash came from the stairway.
They both sat up immediately.
It was Holden's cat—kept for catching mice—who'd gotten too excited seeing the birds and tried to pounce, knocking over a metal water basin.
Soon after, Tammy came up too.
Seeing them, she couldn't help laughing. "You two slept up here last night? Wenty's loved sleeping on the roof since he was little."
---
After lunch, Wentworth and Matilda were leaving Holden's house.
Just as Matilda was about to go, Holden brought out a cloth-wrapped wooden box and handed it to her. "Matty, keep this bracelet."
The box was dark walnut wood, looking quite aged.
Unsure if she should accept it, she looked at Wentworth. Wentworth nodded. "Take it. It's Grandpa's gesture of goodwill."
Matilda had no choice but to accept it.
Only after the car left the town did she curiously open the box.
Inside was an antique gold bracelet with delicate vine patterns carved on its surface. The edges showed slight wear but still gleamed with warm luster.
Even without understanding jewelry, she could tell this bracelet was valuable—that rich golden color and fine carving were clearly handcrafted antique work. It felt cold at first touch but warmed up quickly when held.
Matilda felt overwhelmed by the honor. Holden had been busy since they'd met yesterday, hadn't said much, but gave her such an expensive gift before they left—clearly he truly accepted her as his granddaughter-in-law.
She asked Wentworth, "This isn't your family heirloom, is it?"
Wentworth smiled. "Actually, it is."
"But if it's a family heirloom, shouldn't your mother be keeping it? How did it end up with me?"
Wentworth thought for a moment. "There's some misunderstanding between Mom and Grandpa. She doesn't want anything from him."
Matilda was surprised. "That can happen?"
Wentworth added, "Our family has many heirlooms. This gold bracelet was left by my great-grandmother. Since Grandpa gave it to you, just keep it. Don't feel burdened."
Matilda felt awkward about returning it but didn't plan to wear it daily—afraid of losing it.
After returning home, she stored the gold bracelet on the top shelf of her closet—if Wentworth ever regretted this marriage, she could return it to him.
---
"Hey, isn't that Matty?"
Matilda had just entered the hospital lobby when someone called out to her.
A woman in her fifties hurried over, beaming with excitement.
Her skin was deeply tanned, her hair graying, wearing a floral shirt and jeans—clearly from the countryside.
Matilda found her somewhat familiar. After thinking for a while, she recognized her—this was Reuben's mother, Jenny Morris. She'd come to the hospital for an eye exam last year, and they'd even eaten lunch together in the cafeteria.
"Mrs. Morris." Matilda greeted her politely.
But the woman smiled and said, "Still calling me Mrs. Morris? You should call me Mom now!"
Matilda froze.
It was work hours, with many doctors and nurses coming and going through the lobby.
"Mrs. Morris, didn't Reuben tell you..."
"Huh? He called yesterday and mentioned you, said you two had some conflict and might not get married. That's why I rushed here from the farm. Matty, I brought you a box of oranges—just picked from my orchard. Though I sold the orchard, I can still pick the oranges whenever I want."
She turned and lifted a box of oranges from the ground, insisting on giving it to Matilda.
Matilda quickly stepped back. "Mrs. Morris, Reuben and I have already broken up."
"You can't just say 'broken up' casually. What if my son takes it seriously? He's sometimes stubborn and doesn't know how to sweet-talk girls. If he did something wrong, don't take it to heart. Everyone should compromise a little."
Matilda remained silent.
Jenny insisted on giving her the oranges while Matilda kept backing away.
People nearby couldn't help laughing at their tug-of-war. Then Reuben suddenly appeared, calling out, "Mom, what are you doing here?"
Seeing her son, Jenny immediately said proudly, "Didn't you say yesterday you had a conflict with Matty? So I came to help you two make up."
Reuben glanced awkwardly at Matilda, then said to his mother, "Mom, we've already broken up."
"How can you also say 'broken up' so easily? If Matty really leaves, who else can you find? Do you know how hard it is to find a wife in the countryside now? Especially someone as pretty as Matty—her figure is rare among farm women, she'd definitely be able to have children."
Reuben felt even more embarrassed.
Just then the elevator arrived, and Matilda quickly stepped inside.
The other doctors looked at her sympathetically. Who didn't know she and Reuben had broken up? Yet Reuben's mother still came—either he hadn't told his mother the truth, or his mother was shameless enough to help her son fight for this daughter-in-law.