The relationship has ended

"I apologize, Pa, but this is a decision I have carefully made," I said firmly, trying to convince Redrick's father.

Redrick's father looked at me with a mix of confusion and disappointment. "But why, Naina? What happened? You both seemed so happy together," he said with a hoarse voice.

I took a deep breath before answering. "Pa, our relationship has changed. We no longer feel happy and supportive of each other like we used to. We have become different people, and we cannot ignore those changes. I believe this is the best step for both of us to find our own happiness."

Redrick's father still struggled to accept the decision. "But what went wrong? Did something happen between you two?" he asked with concern in his voice.

Before I could speak, Ray interrupted, "You ask what went wrong? Of course, something went wrong! Your son married another woman! Can't you see the obvious problem?"

Redrick's father's gaze turned sharply towards Ray, filled with anger and confusion. "Who are you? What right do you have to meddle in our family affairs?" he asked with a loud voice.

Ray shook his head in disbelief. "I can't understand you, Mr. Vans. Why don't you see this obvious truth, or are you pretending not to remember? What kind of woman do you think Naina is? She even calls you Pa! Pa! And yet, you ask Naina what happened? Isn't this like a joke?"

Upon hearing that, Redrick's father stared at Ray with sharp eyes. But Ray paid no attention and stared back at him, equally fierce.

"Ray..." I called Ray softly, trying to stop the tense atmosphere between them.

With a heavy heart, I gathered my determination. The weight of the situation felt overwhelming, but I had to resolve it. "Pa, Redrick and I cannot go back to how things were before. This is the best decision," I said softly, taking a deep breath to overcome the anxiety that engulfed me.

"It's impossible!" Redrick's father said firmly, turning his body away as if refusing to accept the reality. "Naina, don't forget, there is a business agreement between Redrick and your parents. In that agreement, you are supposed to marry Redrick! No matter what happens, or you will have to pay a substantial compensation for it," Father said with a tense expression on his face.

Thud!

My body stiffened, and my heart raced. It hurt. Why did Father insist on me marrying Redrick even in a situation like this? I looked at Father with hope, but he turned his face away, reluctant to face the truth.

Meanwhile, Redrick appeared restless. "Did Redrick ask you to do this, Naina?" Redrick's father asked sharply, glancing at Redrick with a judgmental gaze.

At that moment, Redrick quickly responded, "No, Pa! I never agreed to part ways with Naina!" His voice was resolute, but there was fear visible in his eyes.

I looked at Redrick with mixed feelings. Why was he such a coward? Why couldn't he stand by my side and fight for his love with Vienna? Disappointment and confusion filled my mind.

"Pa..." I looked at Father, trying to seek understanding. My relationship with Redrick could no longer be salvaged, but he turned his face away, adamantly rejecting my decision.

Before I could say anything, Redrick's mother approached us in a hurried manner. "Naina, it's not a problem for a man to have two or three wives. If you feel uncomfortable with that woman, I will ask Redrick to divorce her after she gives birth to their child," Mother said confidently.

Upon hearing his mother's suggestion, Redrick immediately reacted, "Mom! That's impossible!" he replied with a tone of disagreement.

"You foolish child! Shut your mouth! Why did you choose a pebble over a diamond like Naina, huh!" Redrick's mother exclaimed angrily, her face turning red with frustration.

Upon hearing Redrick's mother's insult, Ray burst into laughter. "Exactly! This kid seems blind and unaware. I should have hit him harder earlier," Ray retorted with rough humor, which was met with a bitter laugh.

"Ray..." I interjected, looking at Ray with a firm gaze, urging him to stop.

"Naina, your company is even collaborating with Redrick! How are you going to end this relationship?" Redrick's father spoke again, reminding us of the binding reality.

My heart grew heavier, but I knew I had to remain strong. "Father, I have made my decision. To compensate for it, I will do my best to repay Redrick," I said, my voice trembling slightly, bowing my head and slightly bending as a sign of respect towards my father.

Tears started to stream down my cheeks, but I tried to hold back my emotions, not wanting to appear weak before them. "Thank you for your kindness all this time, Father. Naina will never forget it, Father," I said with a sorrowful feeling, yet with a resolute decision. I stood up straight and faced Redrick's mother, then bowed sincerely. "Thank you, Mom. Thank you for always being kind to me, even though Redrick and I have decided to end our relationship, you and Father will still be my parents," I said with a sense of honor. My heart trembled with deep loss. My relationship with this family was not just for a year or two, but it had been since I was a child.

"Naina, don't leave," Redrick's mother pleaded, trying to hold back her tears, but her voice was choked. Her eyes begged me to stay, to not sever the bond that had been so tightly woven.

I was shaken, but I knew my decision had to remain firm. With profound sadness, I looked at my mother with an unspoken love that couldn't be expressed in words.

"Mom, forgive Naina. Ending this relationship is the best thing for both of us, me and Redrick," I said with a determined voice, as I took slow steps to leave.

However, as I walked away, Redrick's father suddenly shouted Redrick's name, causing me to turn back. "Redrick! If you let Naina go, I will never hand over this company to you! I'd rather donate everything to an orphanage!" he exclaimed with a voice full of anger.

The scene surprised me, and I could see Vienna's disheveled and panicked face clearly. Even Redrick quickly rose from his seat and approached me.