I was hunched over my desk, drowning in paperwork, when my mother stormed into my office, her expression a mix of anger and frustration. I barely looked up, already anticipating the tirade that was about to come.
"Lydia," she snapped, her voice sharp enough to cut through steel. "What on earth were you thinking, canceling all those dates? Do you know how difficult it was to arrange them?"
I sighed, putting down my pen. "Mother, I've told you before, I'm not interested in being paraded around like some prize to be won. I have more important things to deal with."
She crossed her arms, glaring at me. "More important than securing a future for yourself and our family? You're being incredibly selfish."
"I'm being practical," I replied, standing up and walking around the desk to face her. "I don't need a man to validate my worth or to secure my future. I need to focus on my responsibilities, especially with Riley leaving soon."
