"It's not too late, and you haven't started your dinner yet. Besides that, I told you I was leaving," Claire objected. Claire felt herself being falsely blamed. However, she decided not to get into an argument with her mother, in case she tried to lecture her. She hated being told what should or shouldn't be done.

  "It's good that you are back home. Now, wash your hands, sit and eat dinner with us," said Leena, coming to Claire's rescue. She was in Claire's age and knew what Claire was doing and thinking. Most girls wouldn't spend their free time home, or share their private life with their families. They loved parties, nice clothes and all funny things, and boredom was their mortal enemy.

  "Thank you, Leena! Claire made a funny face at her mother before rushing to the washroom.

  "Look at her. Not the good girl I have expected her to become when she was born," said Shannon remorsefully. Gritting her teeth, Shannon regretted that her daughter didn't live up to her expectations.

  "Mother, Claire has changed a lot. Please don't be always so angry and give her more time to grow up and become mature," said Leena in a comforting tone.

  Leena really liked her mother-in-law. A mother-in-law rarely would care about her son's wife as sincerely and warmly as Shannon did, and Leena really appreciated that. She had feared that she and Kevin's mother couldn't get along after the marriage. But their relationship got even stronger with the time. She was like her own mother now. Shannon rushed to the hospital without a single halt when she heard Leena had an accident. From then on, she had tried her best to take care of her daughter-in-law.

  "I'm just worried about her future. Claire should be ashamed of herself. She has no idea where her life's heading and where to find a suitable husband." Speaking of which, Shannon sighed again.

  Claire's father wanted her to marry a suitable soldier. But this was nearly impossible, as Claire was demanding, picky, spoiled and unable to do anything well on her own

  and find dozens of boyfriends and take them home. You can interview them and find the most suitable one as my boyfriend. Are you ok with my plan?" Claire rolled her eyes, annoyed with this stupid discussion. Mother always liked forcing her opinions upon others. She had put pressure on Kevin to marry a woman. Any woman. Back then he wasn't ready and he wasn't in love. And therefore he wasn't happy. Now, Claire was under constant pressure to find a husband, too.

  "Girl, don't make a fool of yourself. You can't bring a dozen of boyfriends home, can you? Even if you try!" Shannon laughed bitterly with lots of sarcasm flushing out her eyes. A single good husband was enough for Claire. No need to find so many candidates to choose from, which would be too embarrassing for both Claire and Shannon.

  "What should I do? If I, as you ordered, fall in love, you'll also get worried about if he's really my Mr. Right. In this case, I better allow you to pick a satisfying son-in-law for yourself. Then, you'll stop bothering me, right?" Claire answered with mouth full. If her father saw this, he would lecture her about the proper table manners. Her father disallowed his family to talk while having a meal. Especially during dinner. Strict discipline was imposed on his family. However, living with Kevin, Claire felt relieved and much more relaxed.