Chapter 17: Sacrifice

After parting ways, Julian returned to the family estate. Richard was still working late at the office, leaving only Eleanor alone in the conservatory, tending to her flowers. Seeing her son return, Eleanor wiped her hands and asked,

"Julian, why the sudden visit today? There’s some lotus root and pork rib soup the maid made at noon; I’ll go heat a bowl for you."

Julian nodded, his gaze sweeping over Eleanor’s face. His mother had once been a beauty of the highest order, but after marrying into the Hayes family, she had been confined within these narrow walls, wasting half her life away. Eleanor and Richard were the quintessential "gentle mother and strict father." In Julian’s memory, whenever Richard faced him, he was either arguing some life philosophy or burdening him with expectations regarding the future of the Hayes family. Before marriage, Eleanor had been a news reporter for the provincial station. Before Julian, she and Richard had another child who tragically died young from illness. Eleanor always believed it was because she and Richard were too busy with work and had neglected the child's care. Consequently, as soon as Julian was born, Eleanor resigned and returned to the home.

Eleanor had once been a woman with significant career ambitions, but under the shackles of family, she had no choice but to abandon her ideals and put her husband and son first. She learned how to be a mother, how to be a wealthy socialite, and how to use social circles to assist Richard, yet she somehow forgot to learn how to be herself. Time does not defeat a true beauty; Eleanor remained radiant, but the tedious affairs of a household can wear down one's spirit.

"Julian, wash your hands and come have some soup." Eleanor sat at the dining table and began peeling shrimp for him. "You haven't come home much since you returned to the country. Are you used to living alone in the south of the city? Do you want me to send Auntie Liu over?"

"It’s fine, really. I’m only home after work anyway."

"Then I’ll have Auntie Liu go over periodically to tidy up and make some things for the fridge. That way, if you’re hungry after a social event, you can have a quick bite."

"Mom, thank you."

"You child, why so polite all of a sudden..."

"Mom," Julian put down his spoon and sat up straight. "I plan to marry Clara Evans."

At those words, Eleanor’s movements paused. She placed the shrimp in Julian’s bowl before speaking slowly. "I actually quite like that girl, Clara. She has a good personality and is quite pretty. She’s working at some research institute now, isn't she? I saw news of her winning an award the other day."

Julian gave a faint hum of acknowledgment, signaling for Eleanor to continue.

"Julian, there are many things I don't need to say for you to understand. Clara is a good girl. You can date her, but you cannot marry her."

"When I first graduated from university, you said the same thing. I thought it was because you felt Clara wasn't good enough for me." Julian paused. "Now you’re still saying it. In truth, you’ve already found a marriage alliance for me, haven't you?"

"Julian," Eleanor crossed her hands over her knees, sounding somewhat helpless. "The daughter of Mr. Huang from Hentong World Trade—you’ve met her. Our family and Hentong have always had a long-standing partnership. If you two could marry... that girl is quiet and her looks aren't bad. I originally intended for you to meet her and spend some time together after you returned. I didn't expect you to be so busy that you’d hardly come home."

"How could you not know why I don't come home?" Julian said suddenly. "Mom, in all these years in the Hayes family, have you been happy?"

Eleanor was stunned. "Why ask that so suddenly?"

"Since I was in kindergarten, you haven't paid attention to the news industry for a long time. The surfing and skiing you loved—you only go once in a blue moon. Aside from taking care of me and Dad, the thing you do most is have afternoon tea with those wealthy socialites to network for the family business." Julian gazed at Eleanor. "Mom, these aren't the things you love. You aren't happy."

"Julian," Eleanor rarely addressed her son by his full name. "Once everyone marries, they have duties and obligations to fulfill. You are an adult now; you should understand that some things cannot be avoided or bypassed."

"I just want you to be happy," Julian rose to leave. "Mom, I want you to be yourself. I won't meet the Huangs' daughter. And Clara Evans won't become a 'Hayes' wife; she will only be

my

wife."

After her son left, Eleanor sat on the sofa for a long time. She seemingly couldn't remember the last time she went skiing. Because the first child had passed, she had been devastated. Richard didn't say anything on the surface, but Eleanor could feel that he held some degree of resentment toward her. Later, when Julian was born, she became even more cautious. After her postpartum month, Richard had a talk with her, saying he was busy and had many things to handle, but one of the two of them had to focus on the family. Eleanor knew then that she had to make concessions and sacrifices.

Her marriage to Richard was a family alliance. Aside from being a strict father, Richard had no major flaws, and they had spent these years in mutual respect. How could Eleanor not want Julian to be with the girl he loved? But she knew that for the Hayes family, this was not a "good" choice.

Meanwhile, Clara had intended to talk to Seraphina about Jude’s recent reactions before heading home, but after several calls went unanswered, she gave up. She wandered aimlessly through the streets, repeatedly savoring Julian’s earlier confession. He still loved her, and she still had him in her heart; everything seemed to be moving in a good direction.

Just as Clara was about to head home, Seraphina called back.

"Sorry, Clara. I was just at the movies."

"Wow, who is Sera dating? It was my lack of tact to disturb you."

"Stop being so cheeky. Tell me, what’s wrong with your robot boyfriend?"

"I don't really know how to describe it," Clara stood by the roadside. A giant billboard was scrolling through current news:

AI replacing low-end labor, AI robots entering various industries, AI robots serving thousands of households...

"It’s very strange. Jude seems to have his own thoughts, and I feel like he’s doing things behind my back."

Seraphina went silent for half a second. "Like what?"

"Today I went to see Julian and missed going out with him. He wished for Julian and me to rekindle our romance soon. But Sera, I don't recall ever telling him that Julian and I used to date; I only told him Julian was an old friend."

"Have you been neglecting to hide your interactions with Julian lately? AI has the ability to collect information and perform logical deductions. He’s already started developing self-awareness, so it's expected that he’d guess your relationship with Julian."

"Yes, I know. That's not the point. The point is," Clara took a step back as the giant screen went dark, "Jude seems to harbor a sort of... an indescribable hostility toward Julian."