After we started dating, Jonathan asked to meet with me.
Interestingly enough, the chairman of the company I work for now is Jonathan's fiancée's father.
Really quite the coincidence.
When I arrived at the restaurant, Jonathan was already there.
His fingers propped up his chin as he lazily watched the pigeons outside the floor-to-ceiling windows.
"Getting married? That's rare."
When we sat down, I heard his voice, full of indifference:
"Adele, I always thought someone like you would never get married. I never imagined you'd go back to Fitzroy, of all people."
"You told me back then that the gap between us was too big for marriage. I respected your decision because I knew you were always so decisive."
"But now, even though the gap between you and Fitzroy is still huge, you're choosing to be with him. You're making me look bad."
His tone was lazy, as if he wasn't taking things seriously, and I didn't mind much. I simply asked, "You called me here. Is there something you need?"
He raised an eyebrow, pulled out a stack of documents from his briefcase, and pushed them toward me.
"The company has an opportunity to train abroad, to stay at the headquarters in Germany for three years, and then return to take on a managerial position."
"There are people in the company who are friends with your father. With your experience at the headquarters, you'll gain respect and be in a better position for a promotion."
"You've been doing tech for long enough, and this is a good opportunity. I applied for it through some connections."
"But it's up to you if you want to go."
"If you'd rather just marry Fitzroy and live the life of a pampered wife, then forget I said anything."
He leaned forward slightly, with a hint of sincerity as he persuaded me.
"Adele, you've spent so much time caring for your mother, and now you should work on building your own career."
"You understand, even though Fitzroy spoils you, you won't escape his control."
"He's been sending people to watch you. Haven't you noticed?"
His finger lifted slightly, indicating a pair of men sitting nearby. They quickly lowered their heads, hiding the miniature cameras in their hands.
Jonathan continued, "Adele, no matter whether you marry Fitzroy or not, you will never be able to spend your life looking up to your husband."
"So, for both your future with Fitzroy and your own, you should..."
"I don't need to think about it."
I interrupted him, saying, "I'll go."
---
Jonathan was right.
It was one thing to not have the same capabilities as Fitzroy.
It was another thing entirely to not even try. I couldn't spend my life looking up to him.
As I was about to leave, Jonathan suddenly reached out and patted my head.
"I remember when you were little, so small you could barely reach my sleeve, pulling on it and calling me asking for candy."
He continued, "Adele, I really wanted to marry you back then. Unfortunately..." He sighed.
I didn't quite understand his complicated feelings, nor did I want to sort them out.
I stepped forward, gave him a hug, and said, "Jonathan, thank you for this."
"I'm leaving now."
People have very complex emotional systems. Jonathan might have feelings for me.
But that didn't stop him from taking everything my family had, absorbing it for himself. He said I never treated him like a brother.
But had he ever treated me like a sister?
Walking out of the restaurant, it was just noon.
I raised my hand to shield my eyes from the sun and, through the gap between my fingers, saw Fitzroy leaning against a luxury car, smoking.
---
He stubbed out the cigarette and twirled it in his fingers, looking upset. "I just saw you hug him."
"Adele, are you planning to cheat on me? I'll tell you right now, don't even think about it..."
I suddenly walked over and wrapped my arms around his chest, burying my face in his shirt, softly calling his name, "Fitzroy."
At that moment, I was grateful for so many things.
I was glad Fitzroy hadn't received the elitist, aristocratic sense of responsibility education. I was glad he was different from those men.
I was glad that, even after I had nothing more to offer, there was still someone who loved me passionately and sincerely.
It's laughable, really.
I never expected to feel the truest form of love—something so pure and genuine—after everything I'd been through, when it seemed least deserved.
Before leaving for my training abroad, Fitzroy and I went to get our marriage license.
In the domestic, conventional system, a marriage certificate still holds some importance. Fitzroy insisted that I post about it on social media.
To avoid causing a stir, I specifically blurred his profile picture, but still made sure "certain people" knew that I was already married.
"Who?"
"Jonathan."
He didn't hide it. "He came to see me once and tried to persuade me to break up with you."
"He said you were too clear-headed and too heartless, that once difficulties came, you'd go your separate ways."
"I told him he was wrong. You've always been the most sentimental. You might hesitate before getting involved, but once you do, you'll give it your all and expect peace of mind."
"He's pitiful, thinking he's known you since childhood, yet still doesn't understand you like I do."
Fitzroy seemed quite pleased with this.
"Why did he say all that to you?"
I didn't understand. "What's in it for him, trying to get me to break up with you?"
"I don't know, just think of him as foolish."
Fitzroy rubbed my waist. "Forget about him, he's bad luck."
He really did hate Jonathan.
There was no hiding the disgust in his voice. I fell silent and didn't ask anymore.
It wasn't really that important.
---
When I boarded the plane to Germany, I looked out the window at the deep blue sky, wanting to take a picture for Fitzroy.
I reached for my phone but suddenly remembered that there would be no signal up there. I looked down again.
The plane flew above the vast clouds, everything white, like the cloud bread my mother used to make for me when I was a child.
[Mom, do you support my decision now?] I thought to myself.
[I'll do my best to make you proud of me.] I'll always be the proud and strong Aldrins family princess.
No matter the circumstances, no matter the environment, I will always get back up and carve out my own path.
