Episode 4

Vivian lifted her head. "So what, Mom?"

"Your answer."

Vivian knew at once where the conversation was going. She let out a long breath. "Mom, I'm still thinking."

"You've thought enough." The answer came so quickly Vivian fell silent. Her mother picked up her teacup and shook her head. "Since yesterday, all you've done is think."

"Because this is marriage."

"Exactly. Because this is marriage."

Vivian rubbed her temples. "Mom, I've only met him once."

"And?"

"I don't know what he's really like."

Her mother sighed. "Do people who date for five years always know exactly what their future spouse is like? We're human, Vivian. No one ever truly knows another person's heart."

"But at least they have time."

Her mother smiled faintly. "And how long do you think our parents and grandparents knew each other before they married?"

Then she told the story again of her own marriage to Vivian's father. They had not known each other. They had only met a few times before the wedding. Yet they married, and their marriage had lasted until now.

Her mother leaned forward slightly. "If I may be honest, I believe Sebastian is meant for you."

The sentence came out with complete confidence. Not a trace of doubt.

Vivian frowned. "How can you be so sure?"

Her mother smiled, because mothers sometimes had their own logic. "Look at it. Sebastian is a widower with five children. He doesn't need a woman to give him more." Her voice softened. "And you... all this time you've been afraid no man would accept your condition. But now there is a man who doesn't make that a problem."

The room fell quiet.

"You don't have to be afraid of disappointing him because you can't have children. You don't have to fear that someday he'll leave you to look for an heir. You don't have to hide what you are."

Every sentence struck the defenses Vivian had built over the years.

Because that had been her greatest fear for so long.

Being rejected.

Being abandoned.

Being considered lacking.

Her mother took her hand. "Sometimes God doesn't give us what we ask for. He gives us what we need." Tears began to fill the older woman's eyes. "I've prayed for years that you would find someone who could accept you as you are. I'm scared, Vivian." Her voice trembled. "Scared that one day your father and I won't be here anymore."

Vivian immediately tightened her grip on her mother's hand. "Mom, please don't talk like that."

"But it's the truth." Her mother smiled sadly. "We won't live forever."

For the first time that morning, Vivian saw the fear her mother had been carrying.

Not fear for herself.

Fear for her daughter. For the future of a woman still living at home while all her siblings had families of their own.

"I only want to know that when we're gone..." Her mother's voice broke. "someone will be beside you."

Vivian lowered her head.

She was not the only one afraid of the future. Her parents were afraid too. Maybe that was why her mother sounded so certain. Not because she knew Sebastian well. Not because she knew the marriage would be happy.

But because, in a mother's eyes, this chance looked like an answer to prayers she had whispered for years.

"I believe he's meant for you, Vivian."

Vivian did not answer right away. She only stared at the tea cooling in front of her.

For the countless time, the question rose again in her heart.

Was this truly a match sent by God?

Or was it only the path that seemed most reasonable to everyone except her?

The next day, Vivian gathered the courage to meet Margaret again. If she had to give an answer so quickly, there was at least one thing she wanted to know first.

Sebastian's children.

The five children who would call her Mom.

Or perhaps refuse to call her anything at all.

Margaret was in her office when Vivian arrived.

"Come in, Vivian."

Vivian sat in the same chair as a few days earlier. This time, she did not circle around the point.

"Margaret, I would like to meet Sebastian's children."

Margaret's smile faded at once. "You're still thinking about that?"

"I only want to know them a little."

"For what?"

Vivian was silent for a second. "Because if I accept this proposal, they will become part of my life."

Margaret leaned back in her chair. "Do you know how many women have asked for the same thing?"

Vivian immediately understood where this was going. "Thirty-two?"

Margaret nodded. "Thirty-two."

Then she opened a desk drawer and took out a thick photo album. She pushed it toward Vivian.

"This will do."

Vivian frowned. "Pictures of them?"

"Yes."

Disappointment crossed Vivian's face. "I was hoping to meet them in person."

Margaret shook her head firmly. "No."

The answer came too fast.

"Not before you officially become part of this family."

Vivian stared at her, confused. "Why?"

Margaret released a long breath. For the first time, she had to say something she had always kept hidden.

"Because I do not want to lose prospective bride number thirty-three."

She continued, "Most of the matches failed after the prospective wives met the children."

Vivian swallowed. "That bad?"

"Children who have lost their mother can do many things." Margaret's tone was flat, as if she were discussing a fact she had faced too many times. "They are not bad children. They are not evil. But they know how to make someone feel unwelcome."

Vivian slowly opened the photo album.

On the first page was a family picture. Sebastian stood with his five children. For the first time, Vivian saw them clearly.

Sean, whose face resembled Sebastian's the most. Even in the photograph, his gaze looked serious.

Beside him was Owen, calmer and sharper-eyed.

Sam smiled broadly at the camera.

Ella stood with her arms around one of her brothers.

And little Lily, still very small, was in Sebastian's arms.

Vivian looked at the photo for a long time.

Five children. Five lives. Five hearts that had all lost their mother.

Suddenly, everything felt much more real.

"They're beautiful," she said softly. "And handsome."

Margaret smiled faintly. "They are also smart. But they do not want a new mother." She folded her hands on the desk. "Listen to me, Vivian. Your intention to meet them is good. But right now, you are not ready."

Vivian lifted her head. "Not ready?"

"You are still looking for a reason to be certain." Margaret met her eyes. "And they are very skilled at giving people reasons to back out."

Then Margaret pointed to Sean's photo. "That boy made two prospective wives cry." She pointed to Owen. "This one made one woman call off the engagement." Her finger moved again. "Sam once put insects in a prospective stepmother's purse."

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