“Who would have thought?” Aunt Ding’s cheerful voice broke the silence at the dinner table. “These two kids might have a bright future together.”

Jane Lang felt a wave of discomfort wash over her. She glanced at Alexander Westwood, who maintained his composed demeanor, showing no visible reaction to Aunt Ding’s words. His dark eyes remained inscrutable behind the glasses.

“Thank you, Aunt Ding.” Jane forced a smile, trying to mask her inner turmoil. Her thoughts were a tangled mess, oscillating between the intimacy she had experienced the night before and the stiff formality of the current situation.

He Siyuan spoke up, his tone a touch nervous. “I mean, it’s just a meal. We hardly know each other yet.” He flashed a friendly but awkward smile, trying to ease the atmosphere.

“You’ll get to know each other better tonight,” Aunt Ding encouraged, completely oblivious to Jane’s inner conflict. “Family dinners are the best way to bond!”

The table was laden with an array of dishes, and Jane found herself mechanically serving food to everyone, her mind racing. How would she keep her emotions in check around Alexander after what had happened?

As the conversation flowed around her, she felt herself caught in a whirlwind. Liam Summers casually shared stories about his latest adventures, his warm laughter ringing through the air, making it easy to forget the weight of her predicament.

“I recently went hiking in the mountains,” Liam shared, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “The views were incredible, and the sunset was worth every bit of the effort walking up there!”

Jane gave a half-hearted smile, her attention drifting back to Alexander. She noted how he engaged in the conversation, nodding and offering thoughtful comments, yet his gaze occasionally flickered in her direction, making her pulse quicken.

“Jane, do you like hiking?” Liam asked, breaking through her reverie.

“Oh, uh…” Jane stumbled over her words, not wanting to appear disinterested. “I enjoy the outdoors, but I haven’t had the chance to hike much lately.”

“Well, you should join me next time!” Liam said with a wide smile. “It would be fun!”

Jane felt a sense of guilt wash over her at the thought of straying from the path her family had laid out for her. She glanced at Alexander, his expression unreadable. Was he judging her?

“Perhaps we can arrange a group hike,” Alexander remarked, his voice steady and calm. “It could be a way for all of us to get to know each other better.”

Liam beamed at the idea, but Jane’s heart sank. A group hike? Did he really want to include her, or was he simply fulfilling an obligation?

As the meal continued, the conversation danced from humorous anecdotes to serious topics, and Jane found it hard to concentrate. She was painfully aware of the tension coiling in her stomach—an explosion of emotions colliding within her.

When the dinner finally concluded, Jane rose to help Aunt Ding clear the table, seeking a brief moment of solace amidst the chaos. As she stacked dishes, she felt Alexander’s presence behind her.

“Jane,” he said softly, “can we talk for a moment?”

She turned to face him, her chest tightening. “Sure.”

They stepped away from the din of conversation, finding themselves in a quiet corner of the living room. The atmosphere shifted, the air thick with unspoken words.

“I know this is all very sudden,” Alexander began, his tone serious. “But I want you to know that I’m not against this arrangement.”

Jane held his gaze, trying to discern his true feelings. “What do you really think about it?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

He hesitated for a moment before continuing. “We both have our own lives, and I don’t want you to feel trapped. But I also understand the weight of family expectations.”

His honesty took Jane by surprise. It was refreshing to hear someone acknowledge the complexities of their situation rather than simply accept it.

“I appreciate that,” she replied, feeling a flicker of relief. “I want to be honest too. This is... overwhelming.”

“I get it,” he nodded, his expression softening. “Just know, whatever happens, I’m open to discussing it. We can figure things out together.”

Jane felt her heart race at his words. The connection they had from the previous night echoed in her mind. Could they really navigate this unexpected crossroads together?

“Thank you, Alexander,” she said, her voice steadier now. “That means a lot to me.”

With a small smile, he stepped back into the living room, leaving Jane contemplating the uncertainty of her future and the possibilities that lay ahead