Upon arriving at Zaffron, located on the third floor where an array of delectable desserts are on offer, Ethan is observed seated at a two-person table, anticipating Mae's arrival. He beckons a waiter and places an order. As the waiter departs, Mae approaches.
"Hello, Ethan. I apologize for the delay," she remarked.
"I only just arrived," he responded as she took her seat.
"It has been quite some time," she acknowledged.
"I was away tending to business affairs with Shaun," he stated.
"All you seem to do is work," she remarked.
"Why have you been absent from the hotel for over a month now?" he inquired.
"It's heartening to know someone is concerned," she said with a smile.
"What has happened to you, Mae?" he questioned.
"I had a disagreement with my father, so he advised me to take a break from work," she responded.
"He suggested you take a break from work?" he inquired.
"No, he recommended two weeks, but I am not prepared to face him yet because he's asking me to do the impossible," she replied.
"Your father would not request something you are unwilling to do," he said.
"It's quite complicated," she expressed.
"I presume you didn't summon me here solely to delve into your familial matters," he remarked, attempting to steer the conversation.
"It has been a month since that particular day, therefore, I underwent a pregnancy examination last week," she disclosed.
"What was the outcome?" he inquired.
"We are expecting a child," she announced with a broad grin.
"How far along are you?" he questioned.
"Four weeks," she responded.
"Have there been any changes in your physical condition?" he inquired.
"Well, I have been experiencing fatigue and nausea recently," she responded.
"When are you scheduled to begin your prenatal care?" he asked.
"The doctor mentioned when the baby reaches seven weeks," she replied.
"I assure you that I will support you every step of the way until our baby is born," he stated.
"Ethan, there is something important I must share with you," she expressed.
"What is it?" he inquired.
"If my father discovers that I am pregnant out of wedlock, he will be furious," she confessed.
"Why would he react that way?" he questioned.
"My mother departed from my father when I was five, and since then, my father has been determined to shield our family members from enduring the same hardships I faced as a child," she responded.
"Kelly briefly mentioned what occurred. I am truly sorry that you had to endure that," he remarked.
"Ethan, would you consider marrying me?" she inquired.
"Marry you?" he questioned.
"We simply need to remain married until the baby is born," she explained.
"That's quite a commitment," he noted.
"No emotional attachment will be involved. You can maintain your current lifestyle, but you must be present for our child," she stated.
"If it will benefit you and the baby, then yes, we will marry," he agreed.
"You're amazing, Ethan," she expressed with a smile.
"Do you have a specific date in mind for the wedding?" he inquired.
"I was contemplating a fortnight from now," she responded.
"Two weeks?" he inquired.
"I simply desire a simple court wedding with our families and friends," she replied.
"I find it hard to believe you're not interested in a lavish wedding," he remarked.
"I do want a grand wedding, but our union is primarily for the sake of our child, so there's no necessity to publicize it," she explained.
"Of course," he acquiesced.
"I am grateful that you will be the father of my child," she expressed.
"I share the same sentiment," he replied with a smile.
The waiter returned and served their dessert. Following the meal, Mae and Ethan exited the restaurant and went their separate ways.
On Monday at the RX Hotels in the board meeting room, Mae, Ethan, Shaun, Ella, Michael, Mr. Wilson, Chairman Owen, and the other board members were seated in their respective chairs, while Mr. Wilson addressed them.
"Is there any other matter that requires our attention?" Mr. Wilson inquired.
"I have a matter to address, if you permit me," Mae responded.
"Please proceed," Mr. Wilson granted.
"Ethan and I will be getting married next week, and we would be honored if you would grace us with your presence," Mae announced.
"You're getting married?" Michael inquired.
"And following the wedding, I will be tendering my resignation from my position. I have no intentions of continuing my employment here post-marriage. I wish to express my gratitude for the opportunity to work alongside all of you. I hold each and every one of you in high regard and will miss you dearly," Mae disclosed.
"You're parting ways with us?" Chairman Owen sought clarification.
"Mae, I implore you to reconsider your decision," the Executive Director interjected.
"Mae, what on earth are you thinking?" Mr. Wilson questioned.
"How could you act in such a manner, Ethan?" Shaun snarled.
"Why does it concern you? Did you not express your desire to be uninvolved with her?" Ethan inquired.
"That concludes my statement. You may proceed with the meeting," Mae stated.
"Everyone, with the exception of my family and Ethan, please vacate this room immediately," Mr. Wilson said angrily.
Shaun and the others promptly rose from their seats and exited the room, leaving Mr. Wilson, Michael, Mae, and Ethan behind.
"Is this a form of retribution against me?" Mr. Wilson inquired.
"You overstepped when you forced me to choose between you and mom," Mae retorted.
"Are you marrying him out of love or as a means to punish me?" Mr. Wilson questioned.
"You did not marry someone who loves you," Mae responded.
"Marriage, Mae, is a serious commitment. One misstep and you may live to regret it," Mr. Wilson cautioned.
"Mae, you must carefully consider your decisions. While Ethan is a fine individual, your feelings for him are not rooted in love. It has only been a week since you two met, so why the rush into matrimony?" Michael inquired.
"Yes, Ethan possesses admirable qualities and he does not pass judgment on me unlike the two of you," Mae responded.
"You are not going to marry Ethan," Mr. Wilson asserted.
"Do not place me in a position where I must choose between you and Ethan. My choice will be him. I am indifferent to being disowned. I have never aspired to be part of the Wilson family. I have never desired your family's social standing or the associated obligations. All I have ever wanted was a happy childhood, which you deprived me of. I swear you will not take Ethan away from me as well," Mae declared.
"Mae, cease this irrational behavior now, while there is still time," Mr. Wilson urged.
"If you attempt to thwart this marriage, I will publicly renounce you. This is not a threat, but a promise. Your presence or absence will have no impact on me," Mae stated as she stood up.
"What have you done to my daughter?" Mr. Wilson inquired.
"I am unaware of the circumstances within your family, but I sincerely hope it will not adversely impact my relationship with your daughter," Ethan responded.
"Do you harbor affection for my sister?" Michael queried.
"Having experienced the turmoil of a broken home, I am resolute in my decision not to wed someone I do not love, as I refuse to subject a child to such a fate," Ethan explained.
"That doesn't signify your affection for her," Michael asserted.
"I cherish Mae and I would never inflict harm upon her," Ethan declared.
"Mere words of love do not substantiate your feelings for her," Michael retorted.
"Mae, there is no necessity for him to substantiate anything to you," Mae interjected.
"I am simply looking after your well-being, Mae," Michael stated.
"I do not need your protection," Mae rebutted.
"If you continue down this path, Mae, you will regret it," Mr. Wilson cautioned.
"I will not regret it as much as I regret being your child," Mae retorted as she exited.
"I must bid you farewell now," Ethan stated as he rose and left.
"Father, what is our course of action?" Michael inquired.
"I cannot fathom that Mae wishes to disown me," Mr. Wilson lamented.
"You have backed her into a corner, father," Michael observed.
"I acted out of love for her. It is already challenging enough to bear the weight of knowing I have ruined her childhood. The idea of her despising me is unbearable. She doesn't even want me present at her wedding. Am I a terrible father?" Mr. Wilson questioned.
"You are not a terrible father. Mae requires time to recover. She has endured a great deal, and she experienced it at a tender age," Michael reassured.
"I gave my utmost effort, Michael," Mr. Wilson stated.
"At this moment, what she truly requires is our unwavering support, not our interrogation of her decisions," Michael articulated.
"The mere thought of her repeating the same error I made fills me with dread," Mr. Wilson confessed.
"Dad, it is imperative that you begin to place your trust in Mae. She has matured and is capable of making sound judgments independently," Michael advised.
"Entering into matrimony with Ethan is not a rational choice," Mr. Wilson pointed out.
"If you persist in your obstinacy, you will only succeed in alienating her," Michael cautioned.
"Very well, I shall provide her with my backing on this occasion. However, if matters spiral out of control, I will not hesitate to intervene, even if it displeases her," Mr. Wilson declared.
"Thank you, dad," Michael expressed.
"I sincerely hope you are correct this time," Mr. Wilson concluded.
In the lobby of RX hotels, Mae emerged from the elevator with Ethan in tow.
"Please wait up, Mae," he urged.
"What is it that you desire, Ethan?" she inquired.
"I am not the source of your distress, so might I request that you maintain composure for just a moment?" he suggested.
"I am truly upset," she confessed.
"What is troubling you?" he inquired.
"My father is attempting to sever my communication with my mother," she disclosed.
"Why would he seek to disrupt your relationship with her, given that they are married?" he questioned.
"Emily is not my biological mother," she clarified.
"You are not Emily's biological child?" he sought confirmation.
"No, but Michael is her biological son," she clarified.
"You and Michael do not exhibit the typical behavior of half-siblings," he observed.
"Despite having different birth mothers, there is no reason why we cannot share a loving bond," she pointed out.
"What became of your biological mother?" he inquired.
"She and my father divorced many years ago. She is now married to a man named Liam, and they have a daughter," she explained.
"So, you have a brother and sister from different parents?" he sought confirmation.
"I have faced challenging times due to familial complexities, and I am determined to shield my child from such experiences," she responded.
"Our child will not be subject to family complications," he asserted.
"How certain are you of that? We seem to be following the same path as my parents. Once the baby arrives, we will lead separate lives, and the child will likely resemble me," she remarked.
"Rest assured, Mae, nothing untoward will occur," he reassured.
"May I indulge in some ice cream?" she inquired.
"What happened to the furious and anxious Mae?" he queried.
"Well, she would like to remind you that she is also expecting," she retorted.
"Where would you prefer to go?" he inquired.
"Anywhere that offers sweet ice cream," she replied.
"Let's depart," he said as they exited the hotel together.