Just because they have a choice, doesn't mean they can follow it. Remember there's always a path you wanted to take to break the monotony, but something or someone always stopped you? Well, yeah, you can love someone, but not settle down with them because life and the people in it have already decided what's right and wrong for you. And to add to the tragedy, you cannot go against them, too. You can start again. If you want a cat, all you have to do is choose a life in which you can have a cat. It’s simple.