Episode 5

Even though it sounded almost funny, Vivian did not laugh at all.

The way Margaret told it made clear that this was not ordinary mischief.

"That is why I will not introduce you now."

"But I will have to live with them later."

"Yes."

"Then wouldn't it be better if I knew from the beginning?"

Margaret gave a faint smile, one Vivian could not interpret. "Sometimes knowing too much at the start keeps people from taking the first step."

The older woman closed the photo album. "Trust me. Once you become their mother, you will meet them every day."

Then she leaned forward slightly. "And if you are strong enough to become part of this family..." She looked at Vivian with total certainty. "Those five children will eventually learn to accept you."

Vivian lowered her gaze to the family photo still in her hands. Five pairs of eyes looked toward the camera. None of them knew a strange woman was staring at their picture and wondering:

Will I become your mother?

Or will I end up like the thirty-two women before me?

But there was one difference. The women before her had been allowed to meet them before marriage. If they failed, at least their status had not changed. Vivian, if she failed after this, would become a divorced woman.

Vivian was still studying the photos when Margaret spoke again, her tone far gentler than before.

"Vivian. You can do this."

For some reason, that simple sentence made Vivian even more nervous. "Margaret, I haven't even met them."

"And I have known you for eight years." The answer came without hesitation. Margaret closed the album and pushed it slowly to the side of the desk. "If there is anyone I trust to face those children, it is you."

Vivian gave a small, awkward laugh. "I think you're giving me too much credit."

"Not at all." Margaret's gaze turned serious. "Do you know how many teachers have worked at my academy?"

"No."

"Hundreds. And of all the teachers I have met in my life, you are among the best."

Vivian's eyes widened. "Margaret..."

"I mean it." Margaret leaned back. "You are patient. You do not anger easily. You are responsible. Most important, children like you."

Vivian shook her head slowly. "Those are students. That's different from your own children."

"Not that different." Margaret smiled. "Children, at their core, only want to feel safe. Even when I was your age, I was not as good as you."

The sentence made Vivian stare at her in disbelief. Margaret was known throughout the academy as firm, intelligent, and respected. It was hard to imagine that woman praising anyone so highly.

But Margaret seemed sincere.

"I am not looking for a perfect daughter-in-law. I am looking for someone who can endure."

Their eyes met.

For the first time, Vivian saw a little exhaustion in the eyes of the woman who had always seemed so strong.

"I have tried many times. Thirty-two times." Margaret's voice softened. "Thirty-two women came and went. All of them gave up before they truly tried."

Then her tone sharpened again. "The children submit to me." She said it without arrogance. Only certainty. "Because they know I am not afraid of them. And you must not be afraid either."

"But I'm not you."

"Correct." Margaret smiled. "You are not me." Then she pointed slowly at Vivian. "But you have something even I do not."

"What?"

"Heart." Margaret gave a quiet laugh. "I can make them obey. I cannot always make them feel understood."

The room fell suddenly silent.

"You can."

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then Margaret stood and walked toward the window.

"I have watched how you treat your students. How you listen to them. How you handle difficult children." The older woman turned back. This time, her smile looked truly genuine. "If those children ever accept someone, I believe it will be you."

Vivian's chest felt warm and heavy at the same time.

Praise that large also felt like a burden. As if the hopes of Sebastian's entire family were slowly being placed on her shoulders.

Margaret returned to the desk and patted the back of Vivian's hand, gently, almost like a mother with her own child.

"You can do this, Vivian."

Her voice was full of faith, far more faith than Vivian had in herself.

That was exactly what frightened Vivian most.

Because if Margaret was wrong, Vivian would not only disappoint herself.

She would become prospective bride number thirty-three who failed.

Margaret was still standing near her desk when the atmosphere abruptly changed. After all the praise, all the certainty, and all the hopes she had placed on Vivian, the older woman finally said something she had never said so openly before.

"And of course, your struggle will not be for nothing."

Vivian frowned. "What do you mean?"

Margaret sat again, her gaze calm. "I will not lead this academy forever. I am not young anymore. I am over seventy."

"You're still healthy."

"For now." Margaret smiled faintly. "But someday, all of this will need to be handed to someone."

Vivian did not like where the conversation was going.

Not at all.

Margaret continued. "Sebastian has no interest in managing the academy."

Vivian went still.

"That is why I have always hoped to find the right daughter-in-law."

Vivian's heart beat faster. A few seconds later, the sentence she feared finally came.

"If you succeed in becoming part of this family... one day, this academy will become your responsibility."

Margaret spoke as if it were ordinary. To Vivian, it sounded impossible.

"Margaret..."

"You will be my successor."

Vivian stared at her in disbelief.

"The owner and chair of this academy." Margaret likely thought of it as good news. A gift. A reward. A promising future.

Vivian felt the opposite.

Pressure.

So much pressure.

She slowly lowered her head and covered her face with both hands.

"Margaret..." Her voice sounded tired. More tired than Margaret had ever heard it.

Vivian lifted her face. Tears shone in her eyes. Not from happiness. From being overwhelmed.

Please. I don't need all of this.

The following days passed too quickly, as if Vivian's life were being pushed by invisible hands.

Margaret was certain. Her mother was certain. Her father did not openly urge her, but he did not object either. Renee, her closest friend, said the decision was worth trying. Her two older brothers, both living in other states, said the same.

Even after meeting Sebastian, there was nothing she could truly use as a strong reason to refuse.

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