Part 71

"How would I know, why don't you ask Richard directly?" Gladwin replied still in his casual manner.

"You all must be losing your minds. Especially you, Claire!" her mother said in a high tone. "How could you want to have a relationship with a man fifteen years older than you? No matter how handsome he is, how rich he is, you should be able to think clearly. Especially since he's a widower. His child is even the same age as your niece."

"Then where is the problem?" Gladwin interjected.

"The thing is, where do you want to put my face?" asked Julie unhappily.

"Still in your head, where else?" Gladwin joked again. But Julie's glare silenced him.

"You are my only daughter. The youngest in our family. You are young, you are beautiful and more than that you are intelligent. You should get a single man who is not far from your age. Someone who has an established life, from a respected family.

"What will our extended family say if they find out you chose a widower? Everyone will think that you want him to treat your mother's illness because he's rich. You'll be considered a greedy woman. Do you really want to be called that?

"Are there no attractive single men out there for you to date until you choose a widower?"

"Even if there is, will you give me your blessing?" asked Claire in a low voice. Julie looked at Claire with a frown on her forehead. "If there was a single guy out there who wanted to date me, would you agree?" she repeated. "Who's the single guy out there that you think is worthy of me? The son of an official? The President's son? The son of a conglomerate?" Julie was still staring at Claire, her mouth open for a moment and then shut tight the next second. "As of this moment, none of the people I've invited to the house have been deemed suitable by you. Even before they had a chance to introduce themselves. Even before they said who they were in front of you, before you knew who their family was, you kicked them out in that 'elegant' way you always rely on.

"Even when I'm just good friends with them, you don't allow it. Do you think there are still men who dare to approach me?

"Then all the men you were introduced to. Those who you think are from the 'proper' circles. None of them were appropriate in my opinion.

"You know their mother, their father, but not their son. You set me up with a businessman's son who is in fact nothing more than an unemployed man who can only rely on his parents' property.

"You set me up with a councillor's son when you didn't know he was someone who enjoyed the prostitution business.

"And there are still many you've introduced me to, but none of them I consider suitable. Because of what, because they wouldn't be good husbands for me." Claire replied with her eyes heating up and her throat constricted from holding back tears.

"Then you consider him worthy of being your husband? When he himself couldn't be a decent husband to his ex-wife. When he abandoned his biological daughter and left her in the protection of her parents? Do you think such a selfish and heartless man deserves to be your husband?" her mother asked in a raised tone.

"Yes. He deserves it." Claire replied softly. "Because far from everything, in his heart he has such a great sense of remorse for having made that mistake. because in his heart he has such great love for his daughter. Because in his heart, he has a great desire to change. And again, he can make me calm. He is the only man who can make me feel comfortable and safe."

His mother snorted instead. "Quiet? Comfortable? What does that mean? What treasure does he have that makes you feel all that?" Her mother challenged again.

"Treasure?" Claire snorted back. "I have savings that you can't even imagine." Claire replied arrogantly. "Even if I marry a very poor person, my wealth will be able to support both of us until we are old." She continued with a sad smile on her face.

"So what? What is it about him that makes you comfortable?"

"He can give me what I've never had." Claire replied softly. "Myself."

Again his mother snorted. "What do you mean, who have you been?"

"I've been living to be your puppet." Claire replied sadly. "I even forgot what it was like to have desires, because my every desire was always controlled by you.

"Since I was a child, until I grew up, it was always you who decided what I should do. What choices I should make. I couldn't even do what I liked.

"When I wanted to go to school A, you were the one who decided for me to go to school B. When I was getting comfortable and making friends, you were the one who broke all those friendships so that I had no one left.

"Even when I wanted to pursue a hobby, you ordered me to do something else."

"I never insisted!" Defended her mother.

"Yes. But you never gave me a chance to choose. Because you've arranged everything according to your own will. Can't I choose this one thing for myself? Can't I live with the person I love?"

His mother snorted again. "Love?" She repeated aloud. "You think life is only about love? Marriage is all about love? Your brother married his wife not out of love, but out of choice. And look, they're doing just fine so far."

"But Harry chose a different path, and he's fine too." Gladwin argued. His mother looked at him with a glare.

"You think everything will be okay with bringing love?" Her mother looked back at Claire. "He has a teenage son. Do you know how hard it is to raise a child? Even the child you gave birth to yourself may not be dutiful and obedient. What about the children of other women?" her mother challenged. "And again, until now we don't know who Flavia's mother is and where she is. What if one day she comes back and claims her place. Who do you think will get hurt here? You!" said her mother again.

"Even if that does happen. Even if Flavia's mother does come back. Then let her come back. Even if I should be hurt or hurt, let it be at my own risk. Because I will feel it and I will heal it later.

"Meanwhile, if I were to marry the man of your choice, I'm not sure that I would be as tough as Abigail's parents. In the end, whether it's marrying Antony or marrying the man of your choice, if it has to end then it ends.

"But at least, being married to Antony at least gives me a chance to be happy and feel loved." Claire replied firmly.

"You really have lost your mind, Claire." Her mother said again. "Think back on what I said, you won't regret it later." She continued as she turned around. "Harry, let's go home!" Julie ordered harshly.

Harry just nodded, but before he followed his mother, he approached Claire. Stroking his youngest sister's head and kissing the top of her head deeply.

"Whatever you choose, I will support you. Put your happiness first, Claire." He said softly.

Claire looked at her second brother with teary eyes. Then she nodded in agreement. Meanwhile, her sister-in-law took Claire's hand and squeezed it lightly.

"Just trust your heart, Claire. Don't forget to ask God for guidance so that He gives you a way. Because if he is indeed your soul mate, then everything will be made easier." e said softly. Claire again nodded while wiping her tears.

"One, two, three." Gladwin said. Claire turned her head and saw Gladwin pointing to himself. "Four." He continued. "Four votes, Claire. How many more do you need? Do you need a cheers team?" He teased which made Claire laugh.