#kicnai

[qisms]

@kicnai / comfort time.

“…Did something happen at work?” The first thing to come out of his mouth, after a brief moment of thoughtful silence. It wasn’t hard to connect the dots; the other seemed exhausted as she arrived at the apartment, in more ways than one. “You look more tired than usual. What’s wrong?”

[homewreckers-inc]

𖹭 , ᡣ𐭩

𖹭 — What does your muse think about marriage ? Would they get married ? Are they married ?

Marriage is transactional — entered into on the basis of promises , the veracity of which remains shrouded just the same as the cat in Schrödinger's box . True and FALSE all at the same time . Promises to financially support — love — build a family . Whatever the couple agreed when they signed away their individuality in exchange for a partnership .

The choices seem clear :

MARRY OUT OF FAMILIAL OBLIGATION . Because if the family name dies with you , what happens ? What's the point of generational wealth if there's no next generation to pass it on to ? Her brothers face this pressure . She's sure Theo will succumb .

At least she'll never need to worry about it . Her parent's didn't care who or what she marries . They don't even care if she does so at all . They'd probably not even care if she died . So familial obligation will never again be something she needs to worry about .

MARRY TO START A FAMILY . Studies have long since proven the model of the two - parent household is the ideal for raising children , and society certainly agrees . So for those whose biological clocks are ticking , or those whose parents are begging for grandchildren and heirs , getting married is the sensible first step .

But Adeline already has a child — an illegitimate one , but still a child of her own . And to make matters even more absolute , she has absolutely no desire to EVER go through the ordeal of having another one .

Gaining a father for Charlotte ? Oh , a pretty thought , perhaps , but isn't it just the same as serving her up on a silver platter to be torn apart and abused ? Adeline has seen the statistics regarding step fathers — and after knowing how terrible even her own real father was , she would NEVER take that chance .

So marriage for the purpose of children is out as well .

MARRY FOR MONEY . Because gold digging and social climbing have been in vogue since the very BIRTH of a scalable class system . Her mother did it — but look at how it turned out for her .

The very idea of relying on one man for money && housing && other expenses makes Adeline feel ill — has done it before , and remains forever grateful she left as soon as she was old enough to sign a lease . She would never do it again . She would sooner kill herself .

So marrying for money is out , too . And in her mind , this leaves the most absurd option of all :

MARRY FOR LOVE . The fairytale dream of every young girl , or so she's heard — but she's not sure she even believes in the kind of true , eternal love that might carry through the entirety of a person's life . Really , she's not even sure she believes in the simple kind of love — the selfless , dreamy , adoring kind where everything is just perfect .

Those Disney movies are classed as fairytales for a reason , after all .

But even if love did exist — even if she managed to fall for someone — why would they choose her ? Simply by virtue of her past — her daughter — her job — any person who might even consider romantic interest in her would be inherently suspicious . And she can't risk that .

Not when protecting her daughter matters more than any fleeting attempt at her own happiness EVER COULD .

So she's not married — and she's certain she never will be .

ᡣ𐭩 — What does your muse think about divorce ? Have they had to deal with that in their lifetime ?

Growing up , Adeline heard her mother discuss the divorces of others often — always in chiding , gossipy tones . Always lamenting the impact on the children and the family's money and difficulty of the division of assets . Projecting on other women about what she might have done differently to keep the relationship alive .

Throwing stones in glass houses , as usual .

But many of Adeline's classmates had parents that remained married even despite things that really ought to warrant a divorce . Domestic violence . Extramarital affairs . Abuse . Gambling addictions . Alcohol addictions . All of the above .

Things nobody was supposed to speak of , but she overheard in hushed lunchroom conversations between close friends .

Her own parents never divorced — though Adeline couldn't imagine what might happen if they did . The settlement would be a battle — likely with high powered lawyers on her father's side fighting to keep everything they could .

In a sense , though , Adeline hopes they don't .

Some small , vindictive part of her feels that they deserve each other .

Her thoughts on divorce as a general concept are much more simplistic , of course — seen from the perspective of someone who would never marry in the first place .

If marriage is implicitly transactional and people are inherently self - serving , doesn't it make sense to do what best serves you ?

Perhaps if she sat with the thought for a longer moment , it may begin to feel far more complex , but as it is , she hardly has many feelings one way or another on what legally binding contracts others enter into .

[serpantsfall]

Replying to @kicnai Do you need a coat-? He could share!

...yeah..she forgot hers.