As the newlyweds grew accustomed to the new city, Adaline focused on taking care of their home.
Naveen searched high and low for work, eventually settling in as a gravedigger. It was not glamorous, but it was honest.
Still, the couple struggled. With Naveen’s consent, Adaline had been sending a large portion of his pay back to her parents, in an effort to care for her father and earn their forgiveness.
Adaline knew that despite her happiness, she had broken their hearts.
No matter how many letters she wrote, they had yet to write back.
One evening, during dinner, Naveen became unusually serious: with how much they had been sending to the Parlows, the couple lacked the funds to be truly secure.
Gently, Naveen pressed: would Adaline be willing to find work?
As a woman without an education, Adaline’s options were fairly limited, but she knew of two potential opportunities.
The first was taking a position as a housemaid in the home of Mrs. Anne Carnall, an aged widow, who, if rumours were true, had a wicked temper.
Still, she allegedly paid very well, enough so that her staff rarely resigned. But was Adaline willing to deal with such a negative person?
The second opportunity was to work for the local baker, Mr. Kadir Mousavi. Adaline knew very little about him, but what little she did know was that he was a good, if lonely, older gentleman.
It was more than likely that working for Mr. Mousavi would be enjoyable–however, the pay was substantially lower than that of Mrs. Carnall’s.
It was a difficult choice for Adaline, but one thing she knew was certain: Naveen would support her regardless.
Adaline Parlow and Naveen Ghoshal wedded in a quiet ceremony.
The couple was lucky, in a sense: Pastor Arnold Bennett was close to the two, having married Adaline’s friend Lera two years ago. He, Lera, and Adaline’s other close friend Lottie could be trusted to keep the two’s wedding a secret, at least until they were ready.
And with that, the two left Henford, headed to the city of Windenburg to begin their lives together.
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Adaline tried to maintain her composure as she waited to make her final decision that night. She loved her family dearly, and the idea of hurting them broke her heart.
But she knew she needed to follow her heart, no matter what.
On the eve of her twenty-first birthday, Adaline Parlow struggled to make a decision she long thought would be simple: which marriage proposal should she accept?
The first belonged to Mr. Ernest Mackenzie, Henford’s sole pharmacist.
Although somewhat acquainted, the two did not become familiar with one another until Adaline began purchasing medicine for her father. Until his proposal, Adaline didn’t even realise he more than tolerated her: he had previously seemed uninterested in anyone else since the death of his wife three years prior.
But it was well-known his daughter was in urgent need of a mother figure, despite his seeming reservations. Adaline felt confident in her ability to be a nurturing, maternal support for the young girl, but could she break down the walls around her potential husband?
The second belonged, to, of all people, Lord Simon Longbourne, the newly inherited earl (and rumoured rake) of Henford.
Adaline never even expected that he knew her name, much less wished to marry her. Her family has worked for his since before either were born, granting her more knowledge of their dealings than most. She knew he thrived on scandal, taking joy in the anger and stress it caused his family.
It was almost a guarantee that this proposal was his newest ploy to shame his family. But it was a ploy Adaline could take advantage of. Should the proposal come to fruition, the earl’s resources would provide comfort and ease to her and her loved ones, but would she be able to win his heart as well?
The third proposal was one made in secret: that of Naveen Ghoshal.
For eleven years, Adaline has loved Naveen.
But Naveen’s financial woes made him an impossible match. Her family would never approve of a marriage between her and a street rat, which meant they would have to elope without the knowledge of her family. Adaline wasn’t sure if she could say goodbye to her ailing father and aging mother, but she wasn’t sure she was capable of saying goodbye to Naveen either. Would she have to sacrifice love for the sake of her family, or could she risk it all on the boy who’s loved her since they met?
This was not a decision to be made lightly, Adaline knew. But which man should she marry?
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Whose proposal should Adaline accept? The quiet and stoic pharmacist Ernest Mackenzie? The clever and sardonic Lord Simon Longbourne? Or the loving and devoted Naveen Ghoshal? The choice is yours!
Click here to vote! Please note that you are only allowed to vote once, and I can see if you have spammed! Vote ends January 4, 2022 at 9PM EST!
Introducing Naveen Ghoshal, Bachelor #3 for the CYOA Legacy
An orphan, Naveen grew up trying to fend for himself on the streets. The one constant bright spot of his childhood was Adaline Parlow, his first (and he hopes only) love. Naveen wants to prove himself capable of giving her a safe and comfortable life, but will Adaline’s own practicality spell the end of their innocent romance?
Why CYOA Legacy? Because you, the reader, will get to vote on which direction the story takes! Each major narrative decision is up to a 24-hour vote, meaning that you get to shape this legacy!
The challenge is scheduled to begin Monday, January 3 at 9pm EST.
Introducing Simon Longbourne, Bachelor #2 for the CYOA Legacy
Lord Longbourne is infamous for his charming, debonair personality, but underneath the surface lies a pensive and scheming soul. He seeks to shock the community with a proposal to Miss Parlow, the daughter of his groundskeeper. Will he get his way, or will Miss Parlow see through his tricks?
Why CYOA Legacy? Because you, the reader, will get to vote on which direction the story takes! Each major narrative decision is up to a 24-hour vote, meaning that you get to shape this legacy!
The challenge is scheduled to begin Monday, January 3 at 9pm EST.
Introducing Ernest Mackenzie, Bachelor #1 for the CYOA Legacy
Withdrawn and emotionally distant, no one expected Mr. Mackenzie was ready to move past the death of his wife until he was spotted in the company of Miss Adaline Parlow. But is this match meant to be, or should Mr. Mackenzie begin looking elsewhere?
Why CYOA Legacy? Because you, the reader, will get to vote on which direction the story takes! Each major narrative decision is up to a 24-hour vote, meaning that you get to shape this legacy!
The challenge is scheduled to begin Monday, January 3 at 9pm EST.
Introducing Adaline Parlow, the CYOA Legacy Founder
As an only child, Adaline knows her future needs to be secured in order to best provide for her mother after her ailing father passes on. However, her headstrong nature and daydreaming tendencies threaten to override her need to be practical and realistic. Can she find the stability she needs along with the romantic life she wants, or will she have to choose between one or the other?
Why CYOA Legacy? Because you, the reader, will get to vote on which direction the story takes! Each major narrative decision is up to a 24-hour vote, meaning that you get to shape Adaline’s life!
The challenge is scheduled to begin Monday, January 3 at 9pm EST.
