Behind the Curtain of Choices

Chapter 1

It was the weekend, and Eleanor Doughty and her husband, William Highwood, settled into their seats at the old cinema on Spring Road to catch the latest blockbuster.
Just half an hour into the movie, Eleanor's phone buzzed ominously. It was her mother, Lady Jocelyn, on the line, her voice cracking with tears. Eleanor instantly felt a pang of anxiety. “I need you to come over,” her mother sobbed.
The streets around Spring Road were choked with traffic. Cars were gridlocked at the New South Gate, with the light cycling through red three times without a hope of moving. What should’ve been a quick ten-minute drive was turning into a frustrating half-hour ordeal.
William sighed, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. “You know, if you had a sibling, you could send them to help out. Might save you the worry.”
Eleanor crossed her arms and sank deeper into her chair. “The values and morals of a child are tied directly to their biological parents. Even if she had ten more kids, it wouldn’t change anything.”
William frowned slightly, “Still, I have to thank her for you. Without her, there wouldn’t be an ‘us’.”
“Exactly. And look how great I turned out,” Eleanor retorted sarcastically.
Their mother-daughter relationship had always been complicated, practically a study in familiar strangers. Since the seventh grade, when Lady Jocelyn divorced, Eleanor had felt the shifts. Two years later, her mother remarried Old Xavier, blending families in a way that left Eleanor feeling more alone than ever, especially with Old Xavier’s standoffish 13-year-old son not keen on sharing their household. Meanwhile, her biological father had started a new family with Stepmother Graves, leaving Eleanor with nowhere to go.
So, she committed to boarding school, staying away until she graduated from college. Even her breaks were spent renting rooms, cloaked in the pretense of studying. Lady Jocelyn, perhaps relieved by the distance, would check in now and again, making sure Eleanor wore her winter clothes and ate meals. During family gatherings, she’d praise Eleanor’s maturity.
Eleanor had indeed been mature, making her own decisions even for her wedding—opting for a simple ceremony in an apartment with just a few close friends, a buffet style to avoid any extra hassle for her mother.
Deep inside, she thought, “I don’t give her trouble, so what gives her the right to bother me?”
Frustration clawed at her as she leaned forward, trying to assess the traffic. She rationalized that it was nothing more than a desire to go and return quickly. If she had known this would happen, she would have taken the subway. The driver, annoyed by her constant commentary, muttered that it would clear up soon and questioned whether she planned to hop out and run. “We’re in it now. Just go with the flow,” he grumbled.
Eleanor hadn’t visited Old Xavier's place, known as the Sewage Factory Barracks, in over a year—but somehow, she still navigated the way like it was second nature.
Standing outside the door, the sound of raised voices assaulted her ears. “If you’re so unhappy, why don’t you go find your own daughter? This isn’t your worry!”
Eleanor felt a fire ignite inside her as she knocked urgently on the door.
Moments later, she faced Young Xavier, the unfamiliar sneer on his face. Looking past him, she saw Old Xavier slumped on the couch, exhaling heavily.
“Good, you're here,” Young Xavier smirked, turning to his mother, Lady Jocelyn. “You can leave now.”
Without hesitation, Eleanor stepped in, her frustration spilling over. “Your dad hasn’t said a word, so keep your mouth shut. What’s your deal? A stray dog fed for twelve years would know how to wag its tail. She's been here for you, and what have you done? Nothing but scorn her?”
She turned to Old Xavier, “I don’t know if she’s found happiness being married to you, but she sure did a lot for your son. Why are you hiding like a coward instead of stepping up?”
And to Lady Jocelyn, Eleanor shot, “You’ve made your choices; now, you have to deal with the consequences. Crying doesn’t help!”
William instinctively moved to shield Eleanor, but she pushed forward, her fiery spirit shining through. Even he hadn’t seen this side of her, let alone the Xavier family.
The air was thick with shock. Lady Jocelyn and Old Xavier's faces went from red to white, while Young Xavier only muttered for Eleanor to get Lady Jocelyn out.
She’d heard that phrase twice since entering, and amidst the turmoil, she understood why her mother had reached out—fear of homelessness.
Eleanor couldn’t help but scoff at Lady Jocelyn's helplessness. “Twelve years and no deed to your name? Is that what this divorce represents? I’ve seen my share of losers, but your family takes the cake. At least when you hire a housekeeper, they get paid!” She gestured dismissively at Lady Jocelyn. “Being out in the cold might beat being cooped up in a rundown shack.”

Chapter 2

"Turning to the Highwood family, she said, 'After all these years of marriage, it’s time to sort out the finances.'
Transferring assets is a violation of the duty to disclose in a marriage, and when it comes to court, everything must come to light—there’s no hiding it,' Eleanor Doughty declared bluntly. Lady Jocelyn was no longer sobbing in fear and urged Eleanor to keep quiet.
Eleanor scoffed under her breath, wondering why they needed her for backup if that was the case; she wasn’t interested in playing along.
Old Xavier, true to his character, was uncommunicative. Besides stating that he had no intention of kicking Lady Jocelyn out, he barely offered more than a few words, wasting everyone’s breath. Young Xavier, on the other hand, was a bundle of complaints, insisting that since Lady Jocelyn stayed home and didn’t contribute to the family income, she was solely dependent on his father, and thus all decisions about the wedding should solely rest with Old Xavier. Lady Jocelyn had no say.
At this moment, Eleanor understood the root of the argument: Young Xavier was exhaustively trying to throw an extravagant wedding.
Lady Jocelyn believed Old Xavier, with his multiple health issues and reliance on medication, should hold onto some reserve funds for emergencies. Meanwhile, Old Xavier’s trust seemed to hinge strictly on his son, making it appear as though his retirement pension was a mere allowance from Young Xavier, tightening their financial grip around his neck.
The older couple was depleting their resources to cater to the whims of a spendthrift, not realizing that Young Xavier didn’t appreciate it. He accused Lady Jocelyn of being greedy for the family fortune, claiming that Old Xavier was allowing her to disregard his own son’s future happiness. Young Xavier threw tantrums of not marrying if the bride’s family didn’t give him a dime, while simultaneously bemoaning how his parents would have no one to take care of them in their old age. The unassuming couple, caught in his manipulation, found themselves bending to the demands of their irresponsible son.
Time and again, Lady Jocelyn, an outsider not sharing the Xavier name, wound up feeling humiliated over this clash, feeling hopeless but eventually returning to serve the father-son duo. It was only this time that she called Eleanor for support.
Looking at the situation, Eleanor realized that no matter what, Lady Jocelyn’s behavior wouldn’t change; there was no point in wasting her breath.
She didn’t want to say another word and dragged a chair to sit by the entrance, propping the door open like a silent sentinel.
William Highwood interjected, "When Eleanor and I got married, we didn’t need that much money. The wedding isn’t what matters most; it’s the relationship."
Young Xavier shot back, "You have no room to talk. You’re just a lucky fluke in the grand scheme of things…"
Eleanor, having just regained her composure, snapped, "You what? You’re related to royalty and want to marry a foreign princess with a lavish wedding! In India, they give gold as dowries when daughters marry. Are you expecting a million dollar gift package or yachts galore? If you can’t offer something legitimate, maybe you shouldn’t even think about getting married! Why push your parents into despair over chasing your dreams? If I had the audacity, I wouldn’t marry just because someone pressures my parents; that’s their decision."
Old Xavier sighed repeatedly, stealing glances of gratitude at Eleanor, each one fleeting, as though he feared being caught by his obstinate son. Young Xavier was left speechless, choking back his anger, unable to come up with a rebuttal.
Seeing the atmosphere shift in her favor, Lady Jocelyn regained her confidence and asked the two men to be more accommodating toward Eleanor’s temperamental disposition.
Eleanor kicked over her chair and stormed out, not intending to stay a moment longer.
She truly shouldn’t have come to this; attempting to reason only to be scolded for having a bad temper was pointless.
Just before exiting, Eleanor couldn’t hold back and yelled through the doorway, “You are no men.” With that, she stormed down the stairs, leaving both father and son stinging from her insult. William rushed after her, making sure to catch up.
Lady Jocelyn followed behind, urging William to be forgiving of Eleanor’s fierce temperament, to which William consistently defended Eleanor, stating she was wonderful.
But Lady Jocelyn couldn’t shake her concern, saying, "You really ought to have a baby soon. My only regret is that Young Xavier isn’t my flesh and blood; otherwise, we wouldn’t be in this predicament today."
Her words implied that if they were her children, she could push them around as she pleased, but because they weren’t, they were untouchable.
It felt like her elbows had twisted so hard, they were about to break.

Chapter 3

Eleanor Doughty had just stepped outside her apartment when she overheard the familiar retort. "Mind your own business or shut your mouth. You’ve ruined your life because you can’t keep it shut," she snapped coldly.
Tears streamed down Lady Jocelyn's face. She understood where Eleanor was coming from; after all, Eleanor had spent her childhood alone, and it left its scars. But this was just how things were at the Highwood household. Young Xavier couldn't stand Eleanor, and Lady Jocelyn, despite her best efforts to mediate, found herself caught in the middle. Old Xavier had suggested that Eleanor live on campus, and she had reluctantly agreed. Could anyone blame her for feeling resentful about being forced to do that?
Seething, Lady Jocelyn thought back to Eleanor’s simple wedding, just a buffet run with friends, while Young Xavier insisted on a lavish reception at a five-star hotel and a honeymoon in the Maldives. All of this made Lady Jocelyn feel guilty about pushing Eleanor to live on campus to escape the wrath of a wicked stepmother; now she even felt guilty for Eleanor not finding a caring husband. It's no wonder Eleanor resented her so much that she wouldn’t even call her "Mom."
Lady Jocelyn's tears flowed uncontrollably, her heart heavy with conflicting emotions.
This time, Eleanor remained silent, glaring at the floor.
After a few moments of sobbing, Lady Jocelyn gathered herself and urged, “Eleanor, you really should think about having a baby soon.”
Eleanor snapped back, “Have a baby? And with what money? How do you expect me to raise a child? Just because I've got my meals covered doesn’t mean I can afford a kid. Give me a break.”
Lady Jocelyn blinked in surprise. “If being well-off doesn't mean you can raise a child, then when will it ever be okay? When I was struggling to get by, your grandma still found a way to raise me.”
She then turned to William Highwood, questioning, "Is it you who doesn’t want her to have a baby? Don’t worry, if you and your parents are too busy, I’ll step in and help."
William shot a quick glance at Eleanor before saying, “We’ll think about it later.”
Eleanor felt a pang of frustration; it seemed like William didn’t care about her feelings at all. Without another word, she stormed out, ignoring the bus stop and refusing to give William a glance.
Her body was her own, and nobody had the right to decide for her.
On Science Road South, the streets were buzzing with couples, many looking blissful and affectionate. Under the scorching sun, some were sharing ice cream like it was the sweetest deal ever. Eleanor marched forward, her irritation palpable, while William followed, seemingly out of sync with the world around them.
William kept apologizing but never mentioned where he had gone wrong—an instinct for survival typical of a man in Chengdu.
Eleanor snapped, “I don’t have time to think about having kids with you.”
William rushed to explain, “If I don’t comply, your mom will keep bugging us.”
“Let her talk. What can she really do? If you agree but don't follow through, that’s still on you.”
In a bold move, William wrapped his arms around Eleanor, resting his head on her shoulder, and sighed, “Fine, I messed up. I’ll make sure to keep my promises and not upset my dear wife, okay?” Since he had promised, then they'd definitely have kids.
Eleanor didn’t notice the glint of ambition in William’s eyes.
In the midst of a crowded street, heads turned at the sight. Wrapped in William's warmth, Eleanor could feel the heat pressing in from all around. A bead of sweat trickled down her nose, and she noticed her cheeks turning crimson. William remained moldable, unwavering until she surrendered her anger, at which point his grip loosened.
As she relaxed, her breath became easier, and without thinking, she pinched William’s waist hard. He chuckled, seemingly oblivious to the pinch, bouncing her hand up and down like a playful child, even as they made their way to the subway, where he hopped excitedly.
A strange feeling washed over Eleanor; it was as if William was triumphant.
Thinking it over, she firmly reminded him, “Remember, we agreed not to have kids before we got married.”
But William countered, “What if you end up pregnant anyway?”
Eleanor let go of his hand, realizing they needed to clarify this point.
Choosing not to have kids had been their consensus when they started dating—it was the foundation of their relationship.
Without that foundation, she feared their marriage would crumble as well.
Both William and his parents were aligned on not having children, so no matter the whispers from others, they should live their lives free from interference. It was evident that Lady Jocelyn was the exception in William's mind, but he had no objections.
Eleanor emphasized with unwavering resolve, “Just so you know, I will not have kids, no matter what.”

Chapter 4

Eleanor Doughty was two years younger than William Highwood, sporting a cherubic face accentuated by bangs that brushed her forehead, giving her a boyish charm. Known for her innocent facade, Eleanor suspected William had inherited the classic traits of a laid-back Chengdu man; up until now, she thought he wouldn’t dare to challenge her too boldly, so she let it slide. Besides, nowadays women were more empowered to handle children their own way, which eased her concerns.
However, their peaceful weekend was disrupted by the bothersome issues of Lady Jocelyn, leaving Eleanor feeling a bit irked. Luckily, William was attuned to her moods and knew just how to cheer her up.
He proposed they have dinner at the back gate of Caelum University and then take a leisurely walk through campus, rekindling the sweet nostalgia of their first love. After stepping out of the Underground Station, they indulged in street snacks—crispy duck, sugar-coated fruits, jelly, spicy potato skewers, and savory egg pancakes. As a final treat before heading home, they bought a can of dog food for their pet, Quentin Gold, making it a joyful day indeed.
Eleanor often thought William was more thoughtful than she was in many respects. He was meticulous about laundry—sorting tops from bottoms and keeping delicates separate. His way of washing fruits—soaking them in salt and baking soda before cutting—made their home a tidy haven, all thanks to him.
Whenever William did chores, Eleanor felt a profound sense of security, revealing to her that she wasn’t alone in the world; someone truly understood and cared for her.
Feeling playful, she snuggled closer and draped her legs over his lap, a subtle invitation for affection.
Yet, today William was acting differently.
While engaged in a video game with friends, he suddenly set down his phone, swept Eleanor into his arms and placed her snugly on the bed, covering her with blankets before attempting to leave.
Eleanor tugged on his shirt, prompting him to kiss her, but the moment didn't linger sweetly as it usually did. Instead, he pinned her limbs, trying to keep her in check.
Even when Eleanor poked her toes from beneath the covers, reaching toward his shorts, he reacted like a startled deer and retreated to the living room, only to be pulled back by Eleanor, who encircled his neck. Trapped, he tumbled onto the bed but rolled off the other side.
Even Quentin Gold seemed impatient, barking twice, but William remained unyielding.
Shyly, he claimed his aunt was in town.
That roughly translated to “it’s not that I don’t want to,” but “I can’t.”
Eleanor raised an eyebrow, aware of her pent-up frustration. She had already ignited a spark within herself and thought that soon enough, William wouldn’t be able to resist and would come rushing back to her.
Wrapping herself in the covers, Eleanor settled in, awaiting William’s return, but as it turned out, she drifted off to sleep and woke up to the light of dawn, their intimate midnight moment slipping away unnoticed.
With his aunt’s arrival, William had to focus on finding a job. As he left, he cheekily reminded Eleanor, who was now on her monthly period, to take care of herself, slipping two cotton pads into her bag.
Eleanor shot him a teasing glance, “What are you implying? That we didn’t… last night?”
William pleaded innocently, “I wouldn’t dare! If my aunt needs them, I wouldn’t hesitate to grab some for her!”
Faced with such a playful William, Eleanor found it hard to be upset and couldn’t help but laugh. The anger drained away, leaving only amusement.
As per their usual routine, they parted ways at the station, diving into the busyness of another workweek.
Eleanor worked at The Broadcasting Guild, which managed two self-operated public accounts and a smartphone app, in addition to assisting various businesses with marketing content. As the team leader of the Market Department, she oversaw the copywriting, ensuring that visuals matched the text, that the content remained relevant to current social issues, and that the next day’s marketing posts wouldn’t hit a snag.
On days when the articles weren’t due yet, Eleanor found herself with little to do before meetings with the Sales Team, which often bored her.
After today’s meeting, Claire Meadows, the vice president, called her into The Office. Eleanor initially thought it was another routine brief on aligning with the sales department, but once inside, Claire locked the door, hinting at a more confidential discussion.

Chapter 5

Claire Meadows asked, “I mentioned last week that the position of department head was opened for competition, and I was hoping you had some thoughts on it.”
The head of the marketing department would oversee both the Planning Guild and the Sales Department. She had never been much involved in business outreach, had few resources to leverage, and had never considered competing for the position.
Claire Meadows reminded her, “There are others in your team who are quietly working hard. I thought you would consider it too. After all, we’re in Web Media, which is different from traditional industries. Salespeople don’t necessarily understand the written word; their inability to communicate effectively is a significant shortcoming.”
Eleanor Doughty felt as if a light switched on in her mind. She had heard that Vice President Claire Meadows had risen through the ranks from Planning Assistant. If Claire Meadows could do it, why couldn’t she? Moreover, Claire’s encouragement indicated her support.
As soon as Eleanor Doughty expressed her difficulties, Claire Meadows generously offered her resources at Heavenly Delights.
Heavenly Delights was a subsidiary of Upper Sovereign Group, a publicly traded company, this year planning to launch several trendy products, which required web media support. The marketing manager at Heavenly, Thompson, wasn’t swayed by meaningless marketing jargon; he focused solely on the campaign proposal. The contracts with Heavenly Delights, in terms of both social impact and economic benefit, were far more significant than those offered by ordinary companies.
Eleanor Doughty recognized that securing Heavenly Delights' contract would practically guarantee her the head position.
As Eleanor Doughty left Claire Meadows’ office, Claire reminded her, “Make sure to balance work and life—this is not the time for unnecessary complications.”
Every time Claire Meadows conducted a meeting, she emphasized the importance of balance, particularly for female employees, acknowledging that women often faced additional emotional challenges in the professional world compared to men.
Many young women ended up with their lives unplanned, facing pressures to marry, having to choose between resigning or continuing to work, only to return home after failed relationships. Others treated their jobs as a means to find a husband, leading to tensions regarding company performance and workplace conduct. Those youthful years could be fleeting, spent in the pursuit of others' approval, ultimately resulting in lost opportunities and dashed futures.
After recounting such stories, Claire Meadows always added, “Don’t let yourself regret.”
Eleanor Doughty had seen instances in the workplace that validated Claire's warnings, and she strongly resonated with them. Her own mother, Lady Jocelyn, was a classic cautionary tale—neglected her children and was looked down upon by her husband in her later years, without a place to find solace.
Resolutely, Eleanor Doughty decided to take on the challenge. She arranged some time off with Human Resources and snuck away during her bathroom break to set up a meeting with Heavenly’s Manager Thompson for the next day at 9:30 a.m. She needed to finish her work quickly.
Eleanor felt a surge of nerves. While sales representatives often had a full day to negotiate deals outside the office, if she didn’t meet her own work responsibilities, she'd be penalized with unpaid leave.
When Eleanor discussed the situation with William Highwood, he gently squeezed her shoulders to show his support.
Seizing a moment when Eleanor relaxed, William suggested, “How about we move back to Twin Pine? It’s closer to Heavenly, and we’d save on rent. Plus, we can have dinner readily made rather than relying on takeout. After this period, once you deliver results and I secure a position, we can find our own place again.”
The Highwood family home was on Science Road South, with a direct route to Eleanor’s company, and using the subway’s Line 2 only required one transfer…
Eleanor was surprised to find herself briefly considering the notion of returning to her stepdad’s place but quickly discarded the thought. She reflected that moving to Twin Pine would not only shorten her commute by almost half an hour but also offer significant savings in travel time.
Nevertheless, Eleanor recalled her friend Sophie Lee’s saying about “the long-distance fragrance being less appealing,” and it gave her pause.
William reassured her, “Trust me, I won’t let you go through any hardships. Besides, you’ll be working during the day, and at night we’re just resting at home; how much conflict could really arise? The money we save could let us enjoy more weekends together, and life would be much sweeter.”
Tired of takeout, Eleanor often felt lonely at home when William attended gatherings with friends. So, she agreed to the plan.

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