Chapter 70 Morality and Bottom Line
Seeing Leopold's serious expression, Caroline turned down the TV volume. "Go ahead, what is it?"
Leopold held his cup with both hands, looking hesitant. On the way back, he'd rehearsed countless times how to start this conversation, but facing her now, he became uncertain and cautious.
Maybe this was the timid heart afraid of losing at work.
"Leopold," Caroline called to him.
Leopold looked up, meeting her eyes directly. "Caroline, there are things about me you might not know yet."
"Leopold, just say what you need to say. This hesitation isn't like you. Plus, you're the one who said we should be honest with each other - nothing's off limits." Caroline moved closer. "Is this about you, or about another woman?"
Leopold laughed and shook his head. "You've got it wrong. It's not about another woman. It's about me, my family background."
Caroline frowned, not understanding what could be wrong with his family background.
Leopold took a deep breath, looked into Caroline's eyes, and said, "I'm not my father's legitimate son."
Caroline blinked, slowly understanding what he meant.
"So now you and your mom, wait—" Caroline said. "I heard Mr. Preston Wipere only has one son."
Leopold said, "His legitimate child is a daughter. His illegitimate child is me, a son."
To say she wasn't surprised would be a lie. Though she'd heard of people having another family with kids who were already grown, Leopold was the first case this close to her.
"Do you and your mom live with your father?" Caroline asked.
Leopold said, "No, we don't. His wife won't allow us to appear in front of her. Aside from work-related contact, we rarely see each other privately, and I can only go see him when he calls and allows it."
Caroline finally realized what emotion had been hidden in Leopold's eyes before when he watched her interact with her family - it was envy and longing.
"You're telling me all this now because you're worried my parents will mind?" Caroline asked bluntly.
Leopold nodded. "With my complicated family situation, it's better to tell you in advance. Telling you early is more responsible than telling you late. If your parents don't approve of us being together because of my family background, I don't want you caught in the middle."
Caroline got a bit angry. "So you mean if my parents don't agree, you'll break up with me?"
Leopold gripped his cup tightly. "That's not what I mean."
Caroline: "Then what do you mean? I think my comprehension is fine. Based on what you just said, going through the whole cause and effect, the final conclusion is that if my parents mind your family background, you think we can't be together.
So before meeting my parents, you're making things clear - if we really can't be together, then don't plan on meeting my parents. We'll just keep things ambiguous like this, maybe get drunk one day and something happens again. Is that what you mean?"
That would make him a total jerk.
Realizing this was a huge misunderstanding, Leopold put down his cup, sat next to Caroline, and patiently explained, "Listen to me, that's absolutely not what I meant."
Caroline looked down, not caring what Leopold said. She only believed what she heard with her own ears and saw with her own eyes.
Leopold took Caroline's hand. She pulled it away and turned her back to him.
Leopold: "Caroline, I've never felt insecure about my background, never felt inferior. But since being with you, you're so perfect, your family is so wonderful, I started thinking about the future, wondering if our family backgrounds match, even though the concept of 'matching backgrounds' never crossed my mind before. For you, I have to think about it.
Can your family accept a child born from an affair? I have no right to blame my mom. I know morally she made a mistake, but as her son, I have no right to criticize her, no right to judge her like others do.
But you have the right to know about all this.
I've thought about what it would be like if your parents didn't agree. I've prepared for the worst-case scenario, which would be convincing you to leave me. No matter what they say, as long as you say, 'Leopold, I must have you,' I absolutely won't let go.
I'll find every way possible to get your parents' approval. Even if it means begging, I want to try.
But if you mind, if you think we're not right for each other, then I have no choice.
The obligation to tell you is mine, but the choice isn't mine - it's yours."
Caroline's eyes flickered. Regarding family background, Elysia had indeed made requirements. She required Caroline's partner to come from a complete family with healthy parents. Elysia believed that if parents' marriage wasn't intact, it would affect their children's attitude toward marriage.
"Caroline, this is the last secret I have."
Caroline turned around. From Leopold's eyes, she could see he was being sincere. But if she told Elysia now that Leopold's mother was the other woman, Elysia probably really wouldn't accept Leopold.
"Caroline, there are still three days until Friday. You can think it over before giving me an answer."
Caroline felt very irritated. If Atticus had betrayed her, then Leopold was an unsolvable knot.
"Have some water." He handed the cup to her.
Being with him, she could feel their souls were highly compatible, their bodies and minds harmonious and relaxed. But could she challenge her parents' bottom line for this comfort?
Actually, Caroline already knew the answer without asking.
Elysia would absolutely not allow her to get involved with such a family, much less allow such an embarrassing in-law, risking damage to Elijah's reputation. She cared more than anyone about Elijah's social status and reputation.
Caroline said, "I do need to think about it."
Hearing this, Leopold's heart instantly sank to the bottom.
He seemed to already sense the outcome of being abandoned.
"Okay, I respect whatever choice you make." Leopold stood up. "It's late, I should go."
Caroline walked him to the door, looking serious. "This late, are you going home or back to Solstice Mountain?"
Leopold didn't have the energy to drive at night now. Caroline's choice did affect him.
"Home."
Leopold straightened up, looking at the worried expression on her face. He smiled, tucked the loose hair by Caroline's ear, and comforted her gently:
"Don't put too much pressure on yourself. You're doing great. Whatever you think in your heart, choose that way. I'll absolutely stand by your side and support you. It's not that big a deal. Don't look so worried - it makes you less pretty."
Caroline laughed at his teasing. "Got it, go on back."
She stood by the window watching the figure downstairs walk farther and farther away until it disappeared into the night, then turned her gaze to the distance.
For her to choose - this was a difficult choice.
People should never make permanent decisions based on temporary emotions.
Leopold's family situation was a real factor right there. The first requirement Caroline's parents had for her choice of partner was also very hard to shake.
Morality clashing with bottom lines - hard to choose.