Chapter 59
Chapter 59:
The thought of being paraded before the Moores, their sharp gazes dissecting her every move, made her stomach tighten.
Austin’s answer left no room for debate. “Absolutely not. Being my wife ties you to the Moore family. Like it or not, we’ll have to return. The sooner you adapt, the easier it’ll be p>
She knew he was right, yet resistance still tugged at her chest.
At last, she gave a reluctant nod. “Fine… I’ll go p>
Jо𝗶ո 𝗼u𝘳 𝗰𝗈𝗆𝗆𝘶ni𝘁у 𝘰𝘯
Once the decision was made, she threw herself into preparations with quiet determination.
She had never set foot in the Moore household before and had no idea about their tastes or temperaments. Showing up empty-handed would be unthinkable.
Over the next few days, Brinley launched her own small campaign.
She asked Miguel to discreetly gather information on each family member’s preferences, then set out on a carefully planned shopping spree, determined to arrive at the Moore Estate with thoughtful gifts in hand.
On her first day out, Brinley headed straight to the city’s most exclusive luxury mall. Knowing Austin’s sister had a weakness for handbags, she carefully selected a limited-edition piece that wasn’t easy to come by.
The following afternoon, she attended a high-profile auction. Since Austin’s father was an avid art collector, she bid aggressively until she secured a notable oil painting by a celebrated master—an indulgence that cost her dearly.
On the third day, she wandered through a tucked-away antique shop, searching for something with history. Austin’s eldest brother had a fondness for timepieces, so she chose a weathered but impeccably preserved pocket watch.
She didn’t forget the others either, arranging thoughtful gifts for each member of the Moore family.
Every day, she left early and returned long after dusk, her body worn down by endless errands. The moment she stepped through the door, she would collapse onto the sofa, too tired to take another step.
Austin, watching her rush in and out day after day, grew increasingly puzzled by what she was secretly planning.
He called Miguel with laid-back ease. “Miguel, what’s Brinley been up to lately p>
Miguel hesitated for a moment before answering candidly. “She’s been running all over—luxury malls, auctions, antique shops. From the looks of it, she’s hunting for gifts for your family p>
Austin blinked in surprise, not expecting her to go to such lengths. “She went by herself p>
“That’s right,” Miguel confirmed immediately. “She wouldn’t let me tag along. Said she wanted to choose everything personally p>
Austin ended the call. A subtle, tender smile tugged at his lips.
By evening, Brinley trudged home, worn out from the day.
The moment she stepped inside, she spotted Austin on the sofa. He held a document in hand, but his eyes weren’t on the page—they were fixed on her, watching quietly as she came in.
Austin rose and took the shopping bags from her hands. “You’re home. Looks like you went a little overboard shopping p>
“Pretty much,” Brinley muttered with a weary nod. She kicked off her shoes, sank onto the sofa, and rubbed her sore legs. “I’m completely wiped out p>
The sight of her slumped shoulders tugged at him, a pang of guilt cutting through his chest.
Settling beside her, he lifted one of the gift boxes and flipped it open. “This one’s for my dad, right p>
“Yeah.” Her head lolled against the cushion. “Miguel said he’s into paintings, so I found one that might suit his taste. I can only hope he appreciates it p>
“He’ll love it,” Austin said without hesitation, warmth in his tone. “You handpicked it—he’d be a fool not to p>