Prologue
The scent of roasted duck and sautéed vegetables hung heavy in the air, mingling with the hushed conversations and clinking silverware. The Dostoevsky family, gathered around their massive mahogany table, presented a picture of elegance and tradition. But beneath the veneer of normalcy, a storm was brewing.
“Lavender, darling,” their mother, a woman whose presence exuded both warmth and authority, said, her voice a gentle melody that masked the undercurrent of concern. “You know Daniel SJ is coming for dinner.”
Lavender, seated at the head of the table, her gaze fixed on the swirling liquid in her wine glass, offered a curt nod. “Yes, Mother.”
“And you know why he’s here,” her mother continued, her gaze unwavering, “He’s a good man, a successful man, a man who would be a good match for you.”
Thanata, the youngest Dostoevsky sister, giggled, her laughter a jarring note in the hushed silence. “Come on, Mom, we’ve been through this before. It’s not like Lavender is desperate for a husband.”
Lavender, her expression unreadable, raised an eyebrow. “Thanata, please.”
Their mother, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face, ignored Thanata’s interjection. “Lavender, darling, you’re the eldest daughter now, the one who’s meant to carry the torch for the family. It’s time for you to settle down, to find a partner, to secure your legacy.”
“Mother, I’m perfectly happy with my life as it is,” Lavender said, her voice cool, measured, her gaze fixed on her mother. “I have a thriving business, a fulfilling career. Marriage isn’t on my agenda.”
“But it should be,” their mother said, her voice rising in agitation, "You can’t expect to build an empire on your own, Lavender. You need a partner, a strong, reliable man by your side. Daniel SJ is the perfect candidate. He’s successful, he’s ambitious, he’s everything you need.”
Thanata, ever the rebel, interjected again, “Come on, Mom. Is this really about finding a husband for Lavender or about securing a business alliance?”
Lavender glared at Thanata, a silent reprimand. “Thanata,” she said, her voice a warning.
Their mother, her patience wearing thin, turned to Thanata. “Thanata, this is not the time for your childish antics. This is a serious matter. Lavender needs to marry Daniel SJ. It’s in the best interests of the family. And you, darling, need to stop your rebellion and understand your place in this family.”
Thanata, defiant, slammed her fork down on the table, her eyes flashing with anger. “This isn’t the Middle Ages, Mom. Lavender can make her own choices.”
Lavender, her gaze fixed on her mother, said, “Mother, I understand your concerns, but I’m not ready to marry anyone, especially not someone I barely know.”
“And Natalie?” their mother asked, her voice softer, “She’s too busy with her new life in the Philippines to even think about marriage.”
“And Elizabeth?” their mother continued, “She’s swallowed up by her career in Korea, a world of legal battles and courtrooms.”
“And Cloud?” their mother sighed, “She’s busy flying planes, chasing sunsets, and exploring new horizons.”
Their mother’s voice softened, “Lavender, you’re the only one left. The only one who can carry on the family tradition, who can secure our future.”
Lavender, her heart heavy with a mix of love and resentment, looked at her mother, her eyes mirroring a lifetime of unspoken words. She knew what was expected of her, the weight of tradition, the burden of family expectations. But her heart, free-spirited and independent, was not ready to be bound by convention.
“Mother, I understand your concerns,” she said, her voice a fragile echo in the silence. “But my path is my own. And I’m not ready to compromise it. Besides,” she added, her tone hardening, "I can't marry a man I can't see myself having a romantic relationship with. Daniel SJ is a good man, but he's gay. I don't think this marriage would work."
The room fell silent. Their mother stared at Lavender, her eyes widening in disbelief. Thanata, her anger replaced by a stunned silence, simply stared at her sister.
