?Chapter 1041:


    She’d changed it?!


    “You,” Caldwell pointed, momentarily at a loss for words.


    “I’ve worn that bracelet you gave me for thirty years. I think it’s time for a little change,” Kendra said sweetly, clearly delighted by Freya’s gift. “And I’d had my eye on this bracelet for a while now. Just wanted to try it on.”


    “Excuse me?” Caldwell’s face darkened.


    Freya, meanwhile, lookedpletely bewildered. Had she unintentionally stirred up trouble between the two?


    “Why that look? You’re scaring Freya,” Kendra scolded gently, still holding Freya’s hand with affection. “What, am I supposed to wear that bracelet for the rest of my life?”


    “That’s not what I meant,” Caldwell said.


    “Then what did you mean?”


    “You what? You just don’t want me wearing nice jewelry anymore? Think I’m too old to pull it off, is that it?” Kendra crossed her arms, her expression sharp with sudden defiance.


    “Did you just say you’re old? I’d throw hands with anyone who dares say that!” Caldwell jumped in, quick to defend her.


    Kendra stayed quiet.


    He thought about going over tofort her but hesitated when he saw Freya standing nearby. That threw him off.


    All he could do was shoot Ellis a look. “Well? Aren’t you gonna help me out here? Talk to your mom.”


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    Ellis raised an eyebrow. “What’s that got to do with me?”


    Caldwell frowned. “It has nothing to do with you?”


    Ellis shrugged. “Because it doesn’t.”


    Caldwell looked like he was about to explode.


    The tension in the room was thick, and Freya, sensing it, quickly jumped in with a soft tone, trying to mediate. “Mrs. Lambert probably didn’t take off the bracelet you gave her just because she likes the new one; maybe she’s trying to keep yours safe.” Thirty years was a long time. Even an old phone could start to feel sentimental over time—let alone a gift exchanged between a husband and wife. If something happened to it, it’d be heartbreaking.


    “Really?” Caldwell looked at Kendra hopefully.


    “Not even close,” Kendra replied coolly. Her tone was stiff. “Honestly, I’ve been thinking… marriage might not be all that important after all. Freya, maybe you shouldn’t bother getting married either.”


    Freya blinked.


    Ellis froze.


    Caldwell looked like someone had pped him.


    Freya quietly ran through her memory, wondering if she’d done something wrong since walking in.


    Kendra went on, “Look at him. We’ve been married over thirty years, and he still doesn’t get me like you do.”


    Now both Caldwell and Ellis were stuck in an awkward spot.


    Kendra sighed and added, “Sometimes I think it’s better to find someone who truly understands your soul than to rush into marriage.”


    “Honey!” Caldwell gasped, clearly hurt.


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