Page 126 of A Perfect Fit

We eat our meals, neither of us saying a word for the next several minutes.

Eventually, Mom’s the first to break the silence. “You know, your grandmother was strict on me growing up. She was also very vocal about certain decisions I made. For example, she didn’t like that I wanted to pursue my studies in the States. She wanted me to stay in Hong Kong.”

I open my mouth to speak, but no words come out, and I’m left staring at her in surprise. She’s never opened up to me like this before.

“She also didn’t approve of me marrying your dad,” Mom adds. “She wanted me to marry someone from our culture.”

I’m again surprised by the revelation. When Ivy and I were kids, our family visited Hong Kong several times, and I never got the impression that our grandmother was ever against Mom’s marriage.

“But you still married him,” I say.

“Yes, and your grandmother would say that I was very stubborn.” Mom rests her elbows on the table. “She almost didn’t come to my wedding, but I think she realized how serious I was about your dad and changed her mind at the last minute.”

I bite my lip, putting down my chopsticks. “Why are you telling me this now?”

Mom glances at me, her voice quiet when she speaks. “Moving to a new country, entering the legal industry … it was hard, being seen as a foreigner and not being taken seriously, no matter how hard I worked.”

She takes a deep breath. “But I was determined to make a name for myself and do so by not relying on anyone else, not even your dad. That’s the reason I never changed my surname after marriage. I was hard on myself and strived for nothing short of perfection, and that carried over to how I parented you and Ivy. I told myself I wouldn’t repeat my mother’s approach, but I broke that promise and let my pride get in the way.”

There’s a tingling in my chest as silence settles around us.

“All these years, I’ve felt like I wasn’t good enough,” I finally say, my voice thick with emotion. “That I’d never be good enough for you, no matter what I did or how hard I tried, because I hadn’t chosen the career path you’d wanted for me.”

Mom’s eyes turn watery, and I’m pretty sure it’s the first time I’ve seen her cry.

“I’m sorry,” she says, voice hoarse.

“Mom,” I begin, but she gets up from her seat, pulling me into a hug.

“I am happy now that you’re bravely chasing your dream, Isabelle. And I’m happy for you and your boyfriend. I can tell he really cares for you.” There’s a crack in her voice. “That night when he came over, I said some hurtful things about you. I’m sorry.”

“Thank you,” I croak out. “Thank you for saying that and for apologizing.”

Mom lets go of her arms around me. “We should finish the rest of the dumplings before they go cold.”

For the first time in a long time, I give my mother a genuine smile. “Good idea.”

Chapter Thirty-Three

JACKSON

It’s been a little over three weeks since Isabelle and I officially started dating, and it’s been the best three-plus weeks of my life—planned dates around the city, quiet nights in, wholesome moments, and more.

Most days, I still can’t believe I get to call her my girlfriend.

Like right now, as we’re grocery shopping. My mom’s visiting New York tomorrow, and Isabelle and I are hosting dinner for Mom and Lucy’s family. We’re going to handmake pizza, even though neither of us has attempted before.

We reach the wooden produce table, and I pick up a fresh-looking eggplant, holding it up for Isabelle. “What do you say we make some eggplant pizza? I saw a recipe the other day that looked promising.”

Isabelle taps her chin, like she’s considering it. “My vote goes to pepperoni pizza.”

“Come on. We can make both,” I say. “Justice for the eggplant.”

She sighs. “All right.”

With a grin, I grab two more eggplants and toss them inside the shopping cart. Isabelle pushes the cart and walks ahead, giving me the perfect opportunity to admire her figure from behind.

The fluorescent lights cast a glow on her, and even in a simple yellow top and jeans, she’s mesmerizing. Honestly, she could be wearing a potato sack, and she’d still be the most stunning woman in my eyes.