(Ethan's POV)
The fragile peace we'd built was shattered by an unwelcome intrusion, a reminder of the past I'd tried so hard to escape. My mother's disapproval, her cold, calculating words, it was a familiar echo, a ghost that threatened to haunt our present.
She called, her voice sharp and demanding, an invitation to a family dinner. I knew it was a trap, a carefully orchestrated attempt to undermine my relationship with Claire. But I couldn't refuse. I had to face her, to prove that I was no longer the malleable son she once controlled.
I brought Claire, her presence a silent defiance, a declaration of my unwavering commitment. The atmosphere was thick with tension, a palpable energy that crackled between us.
My mother's eyes, cold and assessing, lingered on Claire, her expression a mask of disapproval.
"So, this is the woman who's been distracting you," she said, her voice laced with a thinly veiled disdain.
Claire's chin lifted, her eyes filled with a quiet strength. "I'm not a distraction, Mrs. Sterling," she said, her voice calm but firm. "I'm a partner."
"A partner?" my mother scoffed, her voice laced with a cruel amusement. "A partner in what? Distracting my son from his business?"
"A partner in life," Claire countered, her voice unwavering, her eyes fixed on my mother. "A partner in love."
The words were a gauntlet thrown down, a challenge to my mother's authority, a declaration of Claire's unwavering strength.
My mother's face flushed with anger, her eyes flashing with a cold fury. "You have no idea what you're talking about," she spat, her voice laced with venom. "You're a gold digger, a social climber, a parasite feeding off my son's success."
The accusations were vile, a desperate attempt to tear Claire down, to diminish her worth. I felt a surge of anger, a protective instinct that threatened to consume me.
"That's enough," I said, my voice rough, my eyes filled with a raw fury. "Claire is not a parasite. She's the most incredible woman I've ever met. And I won't let you speak to her like that."
The dinner descended into chaos, a battleground of harsh words and bitter accusations. My mother's disapproval, her attempts to undermine our relationship, it was a stark reminder of the control she'd once held over me.
But this time, I wouldn't back down. I wouldn't let her dictate my life, my choices, my love. I stood by Claire, my voice firm, my resolve unwavering. I chose her.
(Claire's POV)
The dinner was a test, a trial by fire. Ethan's mother's disapproval, her attempts to diminish my worth, it was a familiar pattern, a reminder of the judgment I'd faced before.
But this time, I wouldn't back down. I wouldn't let her define me, to tear me down with her cruel words. I stood my ground, my voice firm, my resolve unwavering.
"So, this is the woman who's been distracting you," she said, her voice laced with a thinly veiled disdain.
"I'm not a distraction, Mrs. Sterling," I said, my voice calm but firm, my eyes fixed on hers. "I'm a partner."
"A partner?" she scoffed, her voice laced with a cruel amusement. "A partner in what? Distracting my son from his business?"
"A partner in life," I countered, my voice unwavering, my eyes fixed on her. "A partner in love."
The words were a declaration of my worth, a reminder that I was more than just a passing fancy. I was a force, a partner, a love.
Her face flushed with anger, her eyes flashing with a cold fury. "You have no idea what you're talking about," she spat, her voice laced with venom. "You're a gold digger, a social climber, a parasite feeding off my son's success."
The accusations were vile, a desperate attempt to tear me down, to diminish my worth. I felt a surge of anger, a protective instinct that threatened to consume me.
But I wouldn't give her the satisfaction. I wouldn't let her see me break.
"I don't need Ethan's money," I said, my voice calm but firm, my eyes fixed on hers. "I have my own success. And I don't need his approval. I have my own worth."
The dinner descended into chaos, a battleground of harsh words and bitter accusations. But I didn't back down. I stood my ground, my voice firm, my resolve unwavering.
Ethan stood by me, his support a silent strength, a declaration of his love. He chose me. And in that moment, I knew that our love, our bond, was stronger than any disapproval, any judgment, any attempt to tear us apart. We were a team, a force, a love that was worth fighting for.