Forty One

Forty One


Ethan's POV

MOTHER'S WRATH

Fleur came back in for the second time, and he tried to convince me again. And I dismissed his concerns again.

Just as Fleur was about to respond to my dismissal of his concerns, Ms. Jenkins, my secretary, knocked on the door.

"Sir, your mother has arrived," Ms. Jenkins announced, her voice firm and professional.

My eyes widened in surprise, and I exchanged a glance with Fleur before turning back to Ms. Jenkins.

"Send her in, please," I said, trying to compose himself.

But before Ms. Jenkins could even respond, my mother, burst into the room, her face a picture of indignation and anger. She ignored Fleur and Ms. Jenkins, her eyes were fixed intently on me.

"Ethan, what is going on?" She demanded, her voice loud and shrill. "I just got back from my trip, and I hear that you've divorced Marinette! The day we spoke I thought you guys must have sought the issue and are back together. What is wrong with you, young man?"

I took a deep breath, trying to explain the situation to mother. But she wouldn't let me finish. She cut me off, her voice rising in anger.

"Explain? Explain? Do you think you can just explain away the fact that you divorced the perfect woman for you? Marinette was a gem, Ethan. She was kind, intelligent, and beautiful. What more could you want in a wife?" She paused,

"Do you know that our family and her grandma are acquaintances?! Are you okay?!" She reprimanded.

Fleur, sensing the tension in the room, discreetly slipped out, leaving me to deal with Mother's wrath. Ms. Jenkins, however, remained, her eyes fixed on Mum with a mixture of curiosity and concern.

I felt a surge of frustration, but I tried to remain calm. I knew that my mother was upset, and I wanted to reassure her that everything was okay.

"Mother, please listen to me. Marinette and I, we...we grew apart. We wanted different things in life, and it was better for us to go our separate ways."

But she wouldn't accept that explanation. She shook her head, her eyes flashing with anger.

"I don't care about any of that, Ethan. What I care about is that you're not with Marinette anymore. And now, I hear that you're with...with...that woman!"

"The same woman who left you and traveled in pursuit of her career. That same woman Ethan. I am so dissatisfied." She said shaking her head.

Just then, Veronica walked into the room, a bright smile on her face. But Mum's expression turned icy as she laid eyes on Veronica.

"This is what you divorced Marinette for?!"Mum spat, her voice venomous.

I felt a surge of discomfort, knowing that Mother was not going to react well to Veronica. I tried to intervene, but she wouldn't let me.

"Mother, please," I said, trying to calm her down. "Veronica and I care about each other. We're happy together."

But she still wouldn't listen. She turned to me, her eyes blazing with anger.

"You're not happy, Ethan. You're confused. You're blinded by this...this...woman's charms. But I see right through her. She's not good enough for you, Ethan. She's not worthy of our family's name."

Veronica's face went pale, and I could see the tears welling up in her eyes. I knew that I had to do something to protect her, to shield her from Mother's wrath.

I took a deep breath and tried to explain my feelings to Mother despite the tension and anger that still lingered in the air.

"Mother, I know you're upset, and I understand why. But I need you to listen to me. Veronica and I...we have a connection. We care about each other deeply, and I feel happy when I'm with her. I know you may not approve of her, but I'm asking you to try to understand my perspective."

Her expression didn't change, but I could see a flicker of emotion in her eyes. For a moment, I thought he saw a glimmer of sadness, of disappointment, but it was quickly replaced by anger and indignation.

"How can you be so blind, Ethan?" She spat, her voice filled with annoyance and anger. "Veronica is not good enough for you. She's not from our social circle, she doesn't have the same background. She's...she's a model and we all know what they go through before they are famous, Ethan."

I felt a surge of anger and frustration at my other's words. I knew that she was prejudiced and that she had certain expectations for me and my life, but I had never realized just how deeply ingrained those prejudices were.

"Mother, that's not fair," I said, trying to keep my cool. "Veronica is a wonderful person, kind and caring and intelligent. She deserves to be judged on her own merits, not on some arbitrary standard of social class or something."

But she wouldn't listen. She shook her head, her eyes flashing with anger.

"I won't accept her, Ethan. I won't accept her as your partner, as a member of our family. And if you continue to pursue this relationship, I'll...I'll disown you."

I felt a chill run down my spine a Mother's words. Knew that she was capable of carrying out her threat, of cutting me off from the family and its resources.

But I also knew that I couldn't give up on Veronica, not now, not when I had finally found someone who truly understood and accepted him.

"I'm sorry, Mother," I said my voice firm. "But I won't give up on Veronica. I love her, and I'm willing to fight for our relationship, no matter what."

The sound of the slap echoed through the room, leaving me stunned and reeling. Mother's eyes blazed with anger and contempt as she stood before me, her chest heaving with emotion.

"You're no longer my son unless you agree to leave her alone." she spat, "If you continue to be with her, You're dead to me. And as for that...that...woman, I'll never accept her. She's not worthy of our family's name."

With that, she turned on her heel and stormed out of the room, leaving me feeling shocked, hurt, and betrayed. I stood there for a moment, my cheek stinging from the slap, as I tried to process what had just happened.

Veronica, who had been watching the scene unfold, rushed to my side, her eyes filled with concern and compassion.

"Ethan, I'm so sorry," she said, her voice soft and gentle. "I had no idea it would be like this."

I shook his head, still trying to process my emotions.

"It's not your fault, Veronica," l said, my voice barely above a whisper. "My mother has always been...difficult. But I never thought she would react like this."

Veronica wrapped her arms around me, holding me close as I struggled to come to terms with his mother's rejection.

"We'll get through this together," she said, her voice filled with determination. "We'll face whatever comes next, as long as we have each other."

I nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude and love for Veronica. I knew that l had made the right choice in choosing her, and I was determined to fight for our relationship, no matter what obstacles lay ahead.

As we stood there, holding each other, I knew that I had finally found the strength and courage to stand up to my mother and forge my path. And with Veronica by my side, I felt invincible, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

"Ethan, I am so sorry for everything that happened." She said again with pity and she looked like she was going to cry.

"Hey, it's okay. It's not your fault. She'll calm down," I said, trying to reassure Veronica. "She's just very angry right now. She doesn't understand why I chose to be with you, and it's hard for her to accept."

I smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Veronica. She was right, of course. I couldn't let my mother's anger and disapproval control my life. I had to follow my heart, and my heart told me that I was meant to be with Veronica.

"You're right," I said, taking Veronica's hand in his. "I'm sorry that my mother reacted like this. But I'm not going to let her come between us. We'll face whatever comes next, together."

Veronica smiled, her eyes shining with tears. "I love you, Ethan," she said.

"I love you too, Veronica," I replied, pulling her into a tight hug.

As we held each other, I knew that I had made the right choice. I had chosen Veronica, and l was willing to face whatever challenges came our way, as long as we were together.