Learning How to Bend

March 26

We returned to his parents' home the next morning, arriving at about midday. Evangeliya squealed with delight as soon as she saw the ring. She said she could think of no one more worthy to wear it than I. I wanted to ask her what she meant by that, but I did not get the chance because Charlotte Andino took my hand and squeezed it firmly between both of hers. The warm welcome made me leery, as we hardly had an...amiable relationship.

"He's very serious about you, isn't he?" I had braced myself for a harsh tone; the tenderness in her voice nearly knocked me off my feet.

"Yes?" I did not know what was safe to answer.

"This was my mother's ring." She touched the diamond-shaped stone in the center of the gold band. "I wanted Andrei to use it, but he wanted to get Leila a customized one."

"It's a beautiful ring." Simple yet elegant, I thought. Thaddeus was right when he proposed. Jewels meant so little to me. Not only because I could not see them sparkle, but also because there were more important things in life on which to spend money. Some saw an engagement ring as a status symbol, but I did not. I perceived it as a picture of the love shared between two people. A bigger rock was not synonymous with a bigger, stronger relationship; to me, it just seemed more like showing off. "I will wear it with pride."

"Thaddeus was a quiet boy who was particularly dedicated to his studies, over all our other children. I always worried he'd be too committed to his work to care about anything else."

"He's still dedicated. He still gets lost in his own little world, but I've tried to be a light to help him find his way. It hasn't been easy. We had a...rough start." I pulled my hand from hers to let it drop to my side." I think he needed that to serve as a kick in the pants. He tried to intimidate me and push me away, but he learned quickly that I pushed back. Sometimes we still pull in opposite directions, but we mostly push ourselves forward. It may be one step or ten, but we still move."

"You'll take care of him?" Charlotte asked.

"With all I have in me."

She stepped away from me after that. I still sensed some doubt in her tone, but I knew there was little I could do to convince her. She may have thought I was after his money. His position. The recognition that came from having the last name of "Andino" in New York society. I rather would have had nothing to do with any of that. Thaddeus could have been a beggar on the street corner, and I still would have loved him. Because Thaddeus was not his money. Thaddeus was Thaddeus, richest man in the northeast or the poorest. The conversation left me hopeful that maybe some sort of relationship was possible between myself and Charlotte Andino, no matter how slim a possibility it was.

Thaddeus's father, on the other hand, still addressed me with the same cold formality as before we left. He probably did not think I was worthy of his son, but truth be told, who was? No one. Thaddeus had struggled to impress his parents since he was nothing but a child. Had he married Miss Universe, she would have been too shallow for Mr. Andino. A Nobel Prize winner, not pretty enough perhaps. His parents' opinions mattered to both of us, but ultimately the only people who had a say in our relationship were us. Thaddeus and me.

We left their home to an emotionless goodbye from his father, a hesitantly warm one from his mother, and one bubbling with joy from Evangeliya. It seemed to bring life to her fragile bones, and her grip was strong on my back as she hugged me. When she asked for my cell number, I gave it. She wanted to be able to discuss wedding details with me at a moment's notice, without having to go through Thaddeus.

I was going to have to get ready for a wedding. That was a bizarre notion. The entire situation with Mitchell had soured the idea for me somewhat. Luckily the last time, we only picked the date before he ruined things by sleeping with another woman. Would our loved ones demand something big, or would something small be acceptable? A private affair meant we could maybe slide it past the tabloids—although the minute anyone photographed a ring on Thaddeus's finger, the publicity could not be helped. But at least that would be after it was all said and done, not before or during the ceremony and reception. Maybe if we did it soon, too. The media, then, could not catch wind of it and start making speculations...