Chapter 12 #4
"He's a really good son."
There was a brief pause before she continued, almost as though she were speaking more to herself than to Astrid.
"He's actually a very loving person. He just doesn't show it the way most people do." Her voice softened. "But when someone truly matters to him... he loves them deeply. I've seen that side of him."
Astrid studied her in silence before a small smile appeared on her lips.
"I know what you mean," she admitted. Then the smile slowly faded, replaced by something more contemplative. "But men change."
Elise tilted her head.
"Maybe not now," Astrid continued quietly, "but after marriage... men become different. Life changes them. The person someone is today isn't always the same person they'll be a year from now."
Elise's smile slowly disappeared as Astrid's words echoed in her mind. She lowered her gaze to her folded hands resting in her lap, gently rubbing her thumb across her fingers.
"Maybe," she murmured after a long moment.
Then she lifted her eyes again.
A small, almost wistful smile curved her lips.
"But... I think this is the real Xavier."
Astrid looked at her, curiosity flickering across her face.
Elise held her gaze.
"Because he doesn't want to marry me."
There was no resentment in her voice. No bitterness. Only quiet acceptance, as though she had long since made peace with that truth.
"He has never tried to impress me." Her fingers absentmindedly brushed over the cuff of her sleeve as memories surfaced one after another. "From the very beginning, he made it clear that he had no interest in marrying me.”
A faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips.
"That's why I don't believe the things he does are meant to make me like him.
" She looked back at Astrid, her eyes calm.
"He doesn't need to impress me. He already showed me exactly how he felt.
So when he does something kind... when he quietly looks after the people around him... I know it's genuine."
Her gaze drifted downward for a moment, warmth softening her expression.
Astrid remained silent, studying Elise's face for a long moment. Admiration slowly crept into her eyes, but it was accompanied by something else—something heavier.
Sadness.
"You must have suffered a lot after getting together with him."
Elise didn't answer immediately.
"It sounds like you truly loved him..." Astrid continued gently. "...but he didn't feel the same."
For a few seconds, silence settled between them.
Elise simply smiled and gave a small shrug. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear before picking up another bite of food, chewing thoughtfully before speaking.
"Maybe."
The single word came with a quiet laugh.
"But it was my choice."
She lowered her eyes to her plate, gently turning it with her fingertips.
"My parents introduced me to him, and after that..." A fond smile touched her lips as thoughts of her family crossed her mind. "I felt like it became my responsibility not to disappoint them."
She paused briefly.
"The last thing I ever wanted was to let my parents down."
Looking back at Astrid, she continued in the same calm voice.
"So I tried my best. I wanted Xavier to see the kind of wife he would have if we ever married. Even though the marriage had been arranged, I wanted him to know I'd give it my all."
A bittersweet smile settled across her face.
"I stayed beside him. I learned his routines, his likes and dislikes. I tried to understand the kind of person he was."
Her smile softened, almost unconsciously.
"And somewhere along the way..."
She let out a quiet breath.
"I fell in love with him."
Astrid's heart tightened.
"But now..." Elise looked back up, her expression peaceful despite the sadness lingering beneath it. "He's brought you into this house as the woman he wants to be with." She smiled gently. "I won't stay between the two of you."
There wasn't a trace of anger in her words.
"I won't accept being with someone whose heart belongs to someone else."
Astrid stared at her for several seconds before an unexpectedly bright smile spread across her face.
"I think that's a very smart decision."
Astrid leaned forward across the table, mischief sparkling in her eyes.
"When you leave here, marry for love." She paused dramatically before adding, "But make sure the man is filthy rich."
Elise started giggling.
"What?" Astrid asked, looking utterly innocent despite the grin threatening to escape. "Love is important."
She lifted one finger for emphasis.
"But money is more important."
Smiling, Elise reached across the table and gently patted Astrid's hand.
"Before I leave this house..."
Astrid looked at her curiously.
"I'll teach you everything about Xavier."
Her eyes widened.
"Everything?"
Elise nodded with an encouraging smile.
"Everything. What he likes and dislikes, his habits, the little routines he never notices he has, the foods he prefers, the things that annoy him… I'll tell you all of it. I'll make sure you know him well enough to make him fall in love with you. So you can marry him as soon as possible."