Tell me honestly—would you have stayed?

I stopped but didn’t turn around. My mother looked down, torn between leaving and hoping I would listen.

Moments later, Ethan reached us, breathless, his tie crooked. He looked first at my mother.
“Mrs. Parker, I’m so sorry. I never wanted this. You deserved nothing but respect.”

My mother blinked, stunned. I remained cautious.
“This isn’t about one moment,” I said quietly. “Your parents never accepted me. They never tried.”

He swallowed hard.
“I know. And I should’ve confronted them long ago. Today made it clear—if I want a future with you, I can’t keep living under their shadow. I want us. Not their expectations. Not their money.”

His voice broke slightly. My anger wavered.
“But can you really walk away from all of this?” I asked.

He took both my hands.
“I’d rather walk away from them than lose you.”

Continue reading…