Chapter 4 The next day, I drove to my mother's house bright and early and had a locksmith install a fingerprint scanner that only recognized mine. Then I sat in my car and waited for their little "housewarming" charade to begin. Soon enough, the private courtyard was decked out with fancy flowers and gourmet treats. A towering champagne pyramid gleamed by the fountain. Tons of guests showed up-mostly people I'd never seen before. Until Jessica arrived. She was clutching a glass of wine, sidling up to Aria with pure envy in her eyes. "God, you're so lucky being young and all. Look at me-I'm already getting crow's feet." "Caleb, you better treat our girl Aria right, you hear me? Or you'll have me to deal with!" Aria blushed and looked down shyly while Caleb pulled her into his arms. He looked Jessica dead in the eye and solemnly promised he'd love Aria forever. The whole courtyard erupted in cheers. Some middle-aged woman grabbed Aria's hands, her wrinkled face beaming with pride as she announced to everyone: "Our Aria's always been such a go-getter! Never gave me a single worry about school, and now look-she's got her love life all figured out too!" Aria's cheeks turned pink as she smiled sweetly: "Mom raised me on her own-wasn't easy. Now that I'm grown up, it's time I took some of the burden off her shoulders." Everyone immediately chimed in: The Johnson family hit the jackpot with this one!" Another middle-aged guy raised his glass: "Caleb's a real man! Getting the house sorted before they're even married-now that's commitment!" Some relative sighed wistfully. "God, I wish I could land a guy like Caleb. When I think about my husband... ugh!" The other relatives immediately teased: "Dream on! Aria earned this with her own charm!" The scene was absolutely buzzing-toasts flying, jokes cracking, with Caleb and Aria basking in all the attention at the center of it all. And there I was, stone-faced, watching this whole shitshow unfold. That's when Caleb suddenly pulled out a ring. He dropped to one knee right there in front of everyone, gazing up at her with those puppy-dog eyes. Aria, with all these people here to witness... will you marry me?" The rock was massive-sparkling like crazy in the sunlight. 'Say yes! Say yes!" Everyone started chanting, and Aria teared up, choking out "I will" through her fake tears. Cue the group hug while everyone shouted "You guys are going to be so happy!" Until the bakery owner piped up: "Wait... Caleb, aren't you already MARRIED?"