Aiden Thompson got home and headed straight up to the third floor. As he passed the second floor, he heard the sound of a violin. The only person in the house who played was Vera Thompson, and it had been a while since he'd heard her play. Today, she was playing The Butterfly Lovers, and hearing the piece suddenly brought the story back to him. For some reason, he felt like Vera was doing it on purpose.
When he reached the third floor, he walked past the music room and stopped. The door was wide open, and Vera was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, playing her violin. She caught his reflection in the window, put down her bow, and the music stopped abruptly. She turned around and asked, "Isn't this song just perfect for the moment?"
Aiden raised an eyebrow. "You talking about yourself?"
"No, I'm talking about you," Vera replied, walking over with her violin in hand. "I went to see Grace Li today."
Aiden froze for a second, then frowned. "Why'd you go see her?"
"Relax, I didn't say anything out of line. I just told her why you left home, how Mom and Dad reacted when they found out about her, and I vented a little about my disgusting ex-husband."
Aiden frowned even harder. Vera talking to Grace Li about this stuff would just pile on more pressure. "I've told you before—don't get involved."
Vera shrugged. "I didn't want to, but did you ever ask her if she's still okay with being with you, knowing Mom and Dad don't approve? Aiden, you're keeping way too many secrets from your girlfriend."
"I thought I could handle it."
"Well, if that's the case, why are you so scared of her knowing the truth?"
Aiden didn't see the point in arguing with Vera anymore—she'd already talked to Grace Li. What he really cared about now was how Grace would react after hearing everything. "So, what did she say?"
"She thanked me for telling her," Vera said. "Honestly, she's a really great person. I actually like her."
Aiden didn't feel like getting mad at Vera. He hadn't even made it to his room yet, so he turned around and headed back downstairs. As he was walking down, he ran into Rex Thompson, who was heading up. Rex gave him a cold stare and asked, "It's late. Where do you think you're going?"
"Just got some things to take care of. I'll be out for a while," Aiden said, brushing past him, leaving a gust of wind in his wake.
Aiden Thompson rushed to New York. He had a key to Grace Li's place, so he could come and go anytime, but he still knocked on the door. Grace Li opened it, surprised to see him. "What are you doing here so late?"
Aiden stepped inside and locked the door behind him. "My sister came by to see you today."
Grace Li didn't deny it. "Yeah."
"You don't have to take what she said too seriously."
Grace Li leaned against the wall, crossing her arms. "What am I supposed to do? I do care."
Aiden said, "In the end, you're with me, not my parents. Whether they approve or not, it doesn't really matter that much."
Grace Li thought Aiden could be really rebellious sometimes. "It's hard for a relationship to last without your parents' blessing, and it's even harder to be happy. If they're completely against us, are you really willing to give up your family for love?"
Aiden said, "I've never thought about giving up my family, Grace Li. The reason I didn't tell you all this is because I didn't want to put any pressure on you. This is a family issue, and I'm going to do everything I can to get them to accept you."
"But did you ever ask me if I'm willing to fight for it with you?"
That was a question he hadn't asked her.
Aiden stepped closer, looking down at her. "Well, now I'm asking you. Are you?"
Grace Li didn't give him a straight answer. "I've always felt like we didn't have a future. It's strange, and I don't really know why. Maybe it's because, in my heart, it feels like we're from different worlds. When I found out who you really were, I became even more sure that we don't have a future. Aiden, I know my place, and I get why your parents don't approve. Even if you convince them, they might never really accept me. Honestly, I've even felt like we're not the right match. I don't see us lasting. We already have an age gap. You're 26, in your prime. In four years, you'll still be handsome at 30. Even when you're 35 or 40, you'll still be in great shape. But me? By the time I'm 35, I'll probably start showing wrinkles, and by 40, I'll have some signs of aging. When we stand together, it's like there's a generational gap. Aiden, love has an expiration date. When your passion fades, you might look at me and start finding flaws. That's just how things go."
Aiden didn't agree with that. "Grace Li, I've told you a million times—you're amazing. You deserve my love. Why do you keep putting yourself down like this?"
Grace Li just looked at him, her eyes filling with tears. One slipped down her cheek.
Inside, she thought: Yeah, I'm insecure, and it's even worse when I'm around you.
A single tear felt like a sharp sword piercing Aiden Thompson's chest. He reached up to wipe away the tear on Grace Li's face and pulled her into his arms. "I'm sorry."
Grace Li rested her head against him. "Aiden, you're right. I'm just so insecure, especially around you."
Aiden softened his tone. "Grace, I'm telling you again—you're amazing, you're beautiful, don't doubt yourself. I like you, not just for your looks, but everything about you. Please, give me more time. I promise I'll take care of this."
Grace Li sighed. "Aiden, there's no need."
Aiden loosened his grip slightly, looking into her tear-filled eyes. "Why?"
"Come with me." Grace Li took his hand and led him out to the balcony, a place where they often had deep conversations. They sat down, and after a long pause, Grace Li spoke up. "Aiden, after talking with your sister today, I've been doing a lot of thinking. I need to say something. Time really flies. We've been together almost a year now. No doubt, this time has been the best of my life, and no matter how things turn out, it will always be something beautiful. I'll cherish it forever. Love is sweet, but marriage is different. It's about a lot more than love—it's family, the daily grind, values. I've been wondering, are we really ready for marriage? A happy marriage should have the blessing of family. If your parents are against us, then honestly, even if we end up together, it won't be the same. It won't be true happiness. So there's no need for you to fight your father while he's sick, and I can't just be with you while your parents disapprove. I'm over thirty now. When I was younger, maybe I'd think like you, but not anymore. Aiden Thompson, I'm more realistic now. When I like something, I eat until I'm satisfied, but not stuffed. When I like someone, I don't necessarily expect forever. Honestly, this past year has already been enough for me."
"Aiden, this is my first relationship. Thank you for liking me, for accepting my imperfections, and for always encouraging me when I'm feeling insecure. I'm actually content. I sometimes think that maybe we should just freeze this moment, stay right here, at the point where we love each other the most. That way, when we look back, we'll only have good memories of each other."
Grace Li spoke for a long time, and Aiden Thompson just sat there, his heart numb. She was so rational, so decisive. "Freeze the moment when we love each other the most. Grace, don't you think that's a bit cruel?"
"Maybe I'm just too scared," Grace Li said. "I've never had much confidence in this relationship, so when there's an obstacle, I just instinctively want to pull away, to protect myself."
"You don't trust me," Aiden Thompson said, looking straight at her. "You don't believe I can be with you for the long haul, and you don't believe I can make my parents accept you." He paused, his voice firm. "Grace, before I turned 25, I never once thought about spending my life with someone. You're the first. I know it's hard, with my parents not accepting you, but I'm still fighting for this. Can't you give me a chance? Please, don't give up on me so easily."
Grace Li curled up in her chair, burying her head. She didn't know if what she was doing was right. She couldn't even tell for sure. She understood the complexities of marrying into a wealthy family, how hard it would be to fit in, and how the ending might not be good.
But Aiden Thompson was the best boyfriend she could ever have. He was her light in this world. How could she bear to let him go?
Rationality and emotion—choosing between them had never been easy.