Finally, unable to bear the weight of her thoughts any longer, Nicole spoke up. "Harris," she began, her voice wavering slightly as she struggled to maintain her composure. "I understand that this is all new and unexpected for you. But I can't help but feel... hurt by your hesitation to marry me after 55 years of engagement."
Her carefully chosen words hung in the air, adding another layer of tension to the room. Harris closed his eyes briefly, steeling himself against the impact of Nicole's admission. He knew his reluctance to get married wasn't solely about Mallory and Harriet; deep down, he harbored doubts about his compatibility with Nicole.
"Nicole, please understand that my hesitance isn't meant to hurt you," he said, his voice strained with emotion. "There's just so much happening right now, and I need time to process it all. We've been together long, and our relationship deserves more than a rushed decision." Harris never wanted to hurt Nicole since they used to be childhood friends since they grew up together. Despite that, he couldn't go on marrying her to avoid hurting her feelings; he had to stand up for himself.
As he spoke, he could see the hurt in Nicole's eyes morph into something colder, more calculating. She straightened her posture and crossed her arms defensively, a subtle shift that signaled her mounting frustration.
"Then what are we waiting for, Harris?" she demanded, her voice sharp and insistent. "Do you really think that waiting will make everything magically fall into place? Life is full of surprises, and sometimes we must make difficult decisions on the fly."
For a moment, Harris was taken aback by her intensity. But as he searched his heart for an answer, he grew more resolute in his convictions.
"Nicole, I'm not the same person I used to be," he stated firmly, looking her directly in the eye. "I won't be controlled by anyone – not even my mom. This is my life, and I need to make my own decisions. If that means taking things slow with our relationship or reevaluating our future together, then that's what I'll do."
The room fell silent as Harris's words settled like a heavy fog. He could see the hurt and anger in Nicole's eyes, but there was also an undeniable glimmer of respect – as if she recognized how much he had grown and changed since their relationship began.
"You promised to marry me in front of my parents, and most importantly, you promised your father that you'll preserve the empire he built for many years. For the last 5 years, my family has saved Thompson's Group, and we get nothing in return. At least save our reputation, my reputation," Nicole said, tears forming in her eyes.
"Nicole, I apologize," Harris said sincerely. "Please understand that I don't want to take a decision that would imprison me for the rest of my life. I've been in this cycle, not having the freedom to decide all my life, and it's exhausting. I can't do this anymore. I don't want people deciding the course of my life all the time. I am human and have my own feelings. Why can't I be like everyone else, free to do whatever they want?"
"Harris, we are not like everyone else. You are the son of Harrison Thompson, and I am the daughter of George Hudson, and that bears so many responsibilities. We ought to continue what they've started."
"So, you're gonna give up and let them control you? Is that what you're saying, Nicole?" Harris gazed at Nicole with disappointment in his eyes.
"No, Harris. I also have responsibilities for my employees. They have families to feed and dreams to achieve. My employees are like families to me as well; I value and appreciate their contribution to the success of our company. Without them, we can never achieve what we have now, the status, the empire my parents built, and the legacy that will live on and be passed to the next generation after us."
Nicole's words struck Harris. She had a point, but he remained silent. He cannot give up Mallory and Harriet.
"Harris, we cannot choose our parents and what they can offer us. Looking around you, you'll see we are lucky enough to have everything. To you, we are like prisoners in a cage who don't have the freedom to decide. Despite that, we can choose how to make the most of it."
As the silence stretched on, it became clear that the path forward would be fraught with challenges and uncertainty for everyone involved. But for now, at least, Harris had taken a stand for his independence–a victory worth savoring.
As Marian and Nicole turned to leave, their expression unreadable, Harris felt a sudden wave of exhaustion wash over him. This battle was far from over, but he knew he needed to stay strong—for Mallory, Harriet's sake, and his own.
A week ago
"Nicole, we should find a way to take advantage of this situation," Marian said as they discussed Harris's daughter. She was threatened that Harriet's existence would create a scandal that would destroy their reputation. A daughter of a poor and a whore is unacceptable for Thompson's family.
"Marian, how?" Nicole asked in confusion.
"Since you can not give Harris a child, adopting Harriet and being her mother is best. If you talk to Harris about this, he would agree. After all, you are more suitable for marrying Harris than the opportunist Mallory."
"Marian, you are so confident about your plan that you forgot how fond Harris is of Mallory. He delayed our wedding for 5 years because he is still waiting for her. How would he agree to get Harriet and be with me and create a family? Marian, your plan is far from possibility."
"Yet, it is worth trying. Don't worry so much; we can try another one if this doesn't work. You got me here, Nicole. Remember that," Marian said, gently squeezing Nicole's shoulder to assure her.
Nicole nodded in agreement; even in her mind, she was in doubt. Marian has given Nicole a lot of advice to get Harris into getting her married as soon as possible, but they have yet to work. Nicole is a very demeanor woman, so Marian told her to be stricter in dealing with Harris, which Nicole obliged, yet it didn't work. Nicole used the strategy when having dinner in a restaurant; she threatened Harris about its stake in their engagement, but Harris didn't flinch.
Nicole is an independent woman, good at running her company, yet she is powerless when it comes to Harris. She hates herself for being head over heels for Harris. Ever since they were kids, Harris has been someone special to her. She could only wish her feelings for him would die one day.
Marian's suggestion of being Harriet's mother has triggered Nicole's anxiety. They've done so much for her to get pregnant but with no success. Until one day, she decided to consult an expert. She went to her OB-GYN, but the result sent her into depression.