This topic had been brought up not for the first time.
This time, in front of Nathaniel, the matter was raised again, causing Suzanne considerable embarrassment, “Grandma!”
“What’s there to be shy about? When a girl grows up, she should get married,” Grandma laughed. “Get married sooner and you can have children earlier. Don’t dismiss my words just because you’re young. Having kids when you’re older is a real hardship!”
The older generation believed in the philosophy of marrying and having children early. Suzanne didn’t think Grandma was wrong, she just felt uncertain about her future.
It was as if once you got married, you’d be stuck in a set pattern, and that would be your life.
Aria was a believer in not marrying, while Suzanne, influenced by her grandmother, was very traditional at heart and had considered the matter of marriage.
Nathaniel was tender and devoted, respectful and considerate towards her grandmother, undoubtedly the best choice for marriage.
But it was exactly because he was too suitable that it caused a sense of confusion in Suzanne. Was “suitability” all that was needed for marriage?
After chatting with Grandma for a while, and with her intent on playing matchmaker, she suggested that the two of them go for a walk outside.
The nursing home’s greenery was well-kept, with bluestone paths bordered by moist, green moss and lush irises, filling the air with a faint, soothing aroma of vegetation.
Suzanne walked with a heavy heart, her head lowered in silence.
After a while, she realized Nathaniel was nowhere to be seen by her side. She looked back in surprise to find him standing seven or eight meters away.
“Let’s get married,” Nathaniel said.
He clenched his fist, his expression was tense, yet he was incredibly serious, “We could live together, take care of Grandma, have a son and a daughter. I’ll play soccer with our son in the garden, you’ll dress our daughter in beautiful princess gowns. At night, Grandma will tell the children bedtime stories, not those repetitive tales from fairy tale books, but stories about you when you were little, catching raindrops under the eaves, rolling snowballs in the snow, playing in the mud with the boys…”
Suzanne gazed at him, spellbound, as though she could see the future Nathaniel was crafting for her—a beautiful, warm, and loving home.
A breeze swept by, and she raised her hand to hold down her tousled hair, unable to contain a smile, “I never played in the mud, that’s filthy.”
Nathaniel looked flustered, unsure of what Suzanne meant until she asked him, “Where’s the ring?” Only then did he fumble to pull out the ring from his pocket.
When putting on the ring, Nathaniel’s palms were covered in sweat, making the ring damp and slippery.
He was apologetic, and after placing the ring on her finger, he kept wiping her fingers with a tissue.
At that moment, Suzanne found Nathaniel’s panic-stricken demeanor endearing.
If Nathaniel hadn’t suffered physical setbacks before the wedding or mental torment thereafter, he would have remained the cheerful and confident dandy he used to be.
Their union would also have been happy and fulfilling. Perhaps they really would have had a son and a daughter, leading a tranquil and peaceful life…
However, that beautiful future was twisted, ravaged, and shattered completely due to Alexander Summers’s actions. He destroyed the dignity that Nathaniel, as a man, should have had, as well as the life she had meticulously planned.
All because… because Alexander believed that her life had to include him.
Purple Summers woke from the dream at dawn, the first light of morning seeping through the gaps in the curtains, casting a hazy illusory shadow.
Her face was wet, drenched with tears.
She remembered Grandma’s voice and laughter, Nathaniel’s gentleness and consideration. She didn’t know where the sadness came from; she just wanted to cry.
Her suppressed sobs woke Alexander.
“Had a nightmare?” Alexander immediately embraced her.
Purple shook her head, wanting to burst into tears.
“We should compensate him. You ruined him,” she said amidst sobs, “and so did I.”