Ethan stood in the middle of the ballroom, every nerve in his body taut like a coiled spring. The weight of countless gazes bore down on him, but all he could see was the empty space where Sophie had stood just moments ago. She was gone. Again. And it was all his fault.
Isabella was speaking, her voice an elegant melody of politeness meant to mask her growing irritation. "Ethan, the officiant is waiting," she said, her tone clipped but measured. She leaned closer, her smile perfectly rehearsed. "We need to get on with this."
Ethan's jaw tightened. He could feel the walls closing in around him, the expectations of his family and business world pressing down like a vice. But this was wrong. Everything about this was wrong.
He turned to face her fully, his expression grim. "I can't do this."
The room fell silent. A collective gasp rippled through the crowd like a wave, followed by a murmur of confusion and disbelief. Martha D'Angelo, seated regally near the front of the room, shot to her feet, her composure finally cracking.
"Ethan!" she hissed, her voice low but sharp enough to cut through the growing chaos.
Isabella's perfectly composed demeanor faltered for the first time. Her eyes widened, and she took a step back as if she'd been physically struck. "What are you talking about?" she demanded, her voice rising slightly.
"I'm sorry, Isabella," Ethan said, his voice firm but tinged with regret. "You're an incredible woman—brilliant, successful, and everything anyone could want in a partner. But I can't marry you."
---
Chaos Unleashed
The ballroom erupted into chaos. Guests whispered furiously behind their hands, while others openly gawked at the unfolding drama. Martha marched toward Ethan, her face a storm cloud of fury.
"Ethan D'Angelo, what is the meaning of this?" she demanded, her voice low but laced with venom.
Ethan met his mother's gaze, his own unwavering. "It's not right, Mother. I can't go through with this just because you and the board think it's a good idea. I'm not in love with her."
"Love?" Martha scoffed, her expression a mixture of disbelief and anger. "This isn't about love! This is about securing alliances, ensuring stability for the company, for your future! Do you have any idea what you've just done?"
"I know exactly what I've done," Ethan replied, his voice rising. "I've stopped myself from making the biggest mistake of my life."
Isabella's father, a prominent business tycoon, stepped forward, his face a mask of controlled anger. "This is an insult to our family, Ethan," he said coldly. "Do you understand the repercussions of this decision?"
"Yes," Ethan said simply. "And I'll handle them."
---
Martha's Fury
Martha pulled Ethan aside, her grip on his arm surprisingly strong for someone so refined. "This isn't just about you, Ethan!" she hissed. "Your father built this company from the ground up. Do you think he'd want you throwing away everything he worked for over some...some woman?"
Ethan's eyes blazed. "My father valued integrity, and he taught me to follow my heart, not just my head. Do you think he'd want me to marry someone I don't love just to keep up appearances?"
Martha's face softened for a brief moment at the mention of Ethan's father, but her resolve quickly returned. "You're being selfish," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "You're jeopardizing everything for...what? For some fleeting notion of love?"
Ethan exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "This isn't fleeting, Mother. And if you can't see that, then I'm sorry. But I'm done living my life according to what everyone else wants."
---
The Aftermath
By the time Ethan left the ballroom, the crowd was still buzzing with speculation. Isabella had stormed out, her father following close behind, while Martha was left to handle the damage control.
Ethan walked out into the cool night air, his mind a whirlwind of emotions. He felt an odd sense of relief mixed with an aching emptiness. Sophie.
He thought of her face when she saw him with Isabella. The pain in her eyes. The way she had disappeared without saying a word.
---
Meanwhile, Sophie Remained Unaware
Unbeknownst to Ethan, Sophie was at home, still crying over what she believed was his engagement. She had no idea that he had just walked away from it all, that he had chosen not to settle for anyone but her—even if she wasn't ready to choose him back.
---
Martha's Reflection
Back at the mansion, Martha sat in her study, staring at an old photograph of Ethan and his father. For the first time, doubt crept into her heart. Had she been too hard on him? Had she been so focused on protecting the legacy that she'd lost sight of what truly mattered?
She sighed deeply, her mind racing with questions she wasn't ready to answer.
---
Ethan's Resolve
Ethan sat in his car, gripping the steering wheel tightly. He had no idea what the future held, but one thing was certain: he wasn't going to let anyone dictate his life anymore.
And as he drove through the quiet streets, one thought consumed him: Sophie.
He didn't know how, but he was going to find a way to make things right. Even if it meant waiting for her to see that they were meant to be.
Even if it took forever.