Chapter 36 Who Is Better? My Son Or His Uncle?

• A heavy silence fell over the dinner table as everyone's attention turned to Cathleen and the old man. The question hung in the air like a thick fog, weighing down on the two of them. Cathleen fought the urge to steal a glance at Xavier, knowing that their eyes meeting would reveal her true feelings about the arranged marriage. Instead, she mustered up a smile and reached out to gently cup the old man's face in her hands. The wrinkles and crevices of his weathered skin told a story of a long life lived, but at this moment, all Cathleen could see was the burden she was about to bear for the sake of cutting ties with her family. She looked at the man and said,
• "Aren't you so sweet when you're worried? Xavier is a good husband, and I am happy with him." If the man had not been visibly struggling against his illness, she would have mustered up the courage to tell him how deeply unhappy she was. The weight of her words hung heavy in the air, like a storm cloud on the verge of bursting. But as she watched his pale yet strong face, she couldn't bear to add to his burden. She sighed and placed a hand on his clammy forehead, offering what comfort she could in silence.
• Despite the years that had passed, Cathleen still saw the old man as a father figure. She could tell by his hunched posture and pained expression that he wasn't feeling well at the moment. With a sense of duty and love, she set aside her tasks and made her way over to sit next to Xavier. As she had done countless times before, she carefully filled his plate with food, making sure to include all of his favorite dishes. To her surprise, this time Xavier mirrored her actions and filled her plate as well. The simple act of sharing a meal together brought comfort and companionship to an otherwise lonely world.