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The Matthews estate gleamed with an elegance that reflected generations of wealth and power. It was vast, pristine, and imposing—just like his parents. When Ethan stepped into the grand drawing room, he braced himself. His parents, Vivian and Charles Matthews, sat waiting, their expressions cool and composed.
Vivian rose as he entered, her poised elegance a reminder of the standards she held for her family. Charles, seated in a stately leather armchair, offered only a nod, his intense gaze fixed on Ethan as if sizing him up. They had called him here to discuss Ava. That much was certain.
"Ethan," his mother began, her tone a blend of warmth and steel. "There are matters we need to address, important matters concerning your future—and the future of this family."
Ethan's jaw tightened, but he kept his voice steady. "I'm listening."
Vivian glanced at Charles, who gave her a slight nod. "We've heard things, Ethan. About this girl—Ava." She said the name carefully, as though it left an unpleasant taste in her mouth. "We understand that you… have an attachment to her, but it's time you thought about the bigger picture."
"Mother, my relationship with Ava is important to me," Ethan replied, trying to remain respectful. "She's everything I've been looking for. She's real, grounded, and she loves me for who I am."
Vivian's lips thinned, and she exchanged a look with Charles. "That's precisely the problem, Ethan. She's not one of us. She comes from a different world, one that doesn't align with ours. Do you understand how damaging that can be? For her, and for us?"
Ethan's heart sank. He had expected resistance, but their tone—cold, calculating—cut deeper than he anticipated. "You're judging her without even knowing her. Ava is a kind, resilient person. She's not interested in our wealth or status."
Charles' eyes narrowed. "That may be, but she's not equipped to handle the responsibilities that come with our name. We've seen too many people like her struggle under the weight of what it means to be part of a family like ours."
Vivian leaned forward, her voice gentler but no less firm. "Ethan, love can be a powerful thing, but so can hardship. You may see her as strong, but this life will demand more than just inner strength. It will require poise, patience, and the ability to navigate a world she's not familiar with. We only want to protect you—and her—from the inevitable struggles that will come."
Ethan looked from his mother to his father, frustration boiling beneath his calm exterior. "So you're saying you won't accept her, simply because she doesn't come from wealth?"
Vivian's gaze softened slightly, but she shook her head. "We're saying that this family has responsibilities, expectations, and an image to uphold. And that image doesn't align with someone who doesn't understand our world."
Charles spoke up, his tone blunt. "You may feel attached to her now, but that will fade. What you need is someone who's already suited to this life. Someone who's compatible with our world and everything that comes with it."
Ethan frowned. "Compatible? You mean someone wealthy."
Vivian's gaze remained steady. "We mean someone who knows this world, who understands its nuances, and who won't be overwhelmed by its pressures. Someone like Rose."
The name hung in the air, and Ethan felt a chill settle over him. Rose was an old family friend, a woman he had known since childhood. She was intelligent, sophisticated, and deeply connected to his parents' world. But Ethan's feelings for her had never gone beyond friendship.
"Rose?" he asked, a hint of incredulity in his voice. "Are you suggesting that I should be with Rose instead?"
Vivian's face softened, as though she were offering him a gentle but undeniable truth. "She would be an ideal match for you, Ethan. You've known her since you were young. She understands this family's values, its expectations. And she cares for you deeply."
Ethan struggled to keep his frustration in check. "Just because Rose fits into your world doesn't mean she's right for me."
Charles folded his arms. "She may not be the woman you're currently infatuated with, but she's a woman who would stand by you and this family. She's the kind of woman who would bring honor to the Matthews name, not complications."
Ethan's heart pounded, a mixture of anger and despair welling up inside him. "So you're saying Ava would bring *dishonor*?"
Vivian sighed, her eyes reflecting a rare glimpse of emotion. "Ethan, this isn't about dishonor. It's about maintaining the values and traditions that have kept this family strong. Ava… she may be a lovely girl, but she's not equipped to be a Matthews. You must understand that this isn't personal."
"Isn't it?" Ethan challenged, his voice growing heated. "You're telling me that someone's worth is measured by their wealth, their social standing. Ava is more than enough. She's compassionate, intelligent, loyal—qualities that matter far more than her background."
Vivian's expression tightened, and she spoke with quiet intensity. "Ethan, listen to me carefully. We are not saying she isn't good enough as a person. But as a *wife* in this family? No. It will not work, and you will only hurt her by bringing her into a world she cannot belong to."
Charles nodded in agreement. "You may think you're protecting her by standing up to us, but you're only prolonging the inevitable. Eventually, she'll struggle, Ethan, and she'll resent you for it. This family has its own world, one with rules and demands that you cannot ignore."
Ethan's fists clenched at his sides. He could feel his parents closing in, their arguments seeping into his thoughts, but he forced himself to stay strong. "Then you're wrong," he replied firmly. "Ava is stronger than you realize. She's resilient, and she doesn't need wealth to define her."
Vivian looked at him, her expression a mixture of regret and frustration. "It's not just about resilience. It's about knowing who you are and where you belong. And Ava, for all her good qualities, does not belong in this family. We will never approve of this, Ethan. You need to make peace with that."
Ethan felt his heart twist painfully. His parents' rejection wasn't a challenge, a test of his will—they were issuing a final statement. They had drawn a line, a boundary he wasn't meant to cross. And they weren't going to bend.
"Then you've made your stance clear," he said quietly, his voice edged with defiance. "But I've made my choice too. I love Ava, and that's not going to change because she doesn't fit into your world."
Vivian shook her head, her disappointment unmistakable. "We thought you'd understand, Ethan. We thought you'd realize that sometimes, the right choice isn't the easiest one. But if you insist on continuing this relationship, understand that you'll be facing a future without our support."
Ethan didn't waver. "I appreciate everything you've done for me. But I don't need your approval to know what's right for me. I love Ava, and I'm willing to face whatever comes because of it."
Charles' gaze hardened. "Very well. But know that from this point forward, you're making a choice. And it won't be easy."
Ethan turned without another word, a feeling of bittersweet relief washing over him as he left the room. His parents would never accept Ava, but he would hold his ground. Whatever challenges came, he knew he would face them with Ava by his side.