“And I’m ruining it,” I say. “Is that what you believe?”
My mother looks at me like she’s finally decided I’m a lost cause. “You’re throwing away everything we built for you.”
“No,” I reply quietly. “I’m choosing what you never gave me—honesty and love without clauses.”
Rafe squeezes my hand. Just once. Solid and steady.
My father steps forward, gaze hard. “If you continue this marriage, you need to understand exactly what you are choosing.”
“I do,” I say.
“You’re choosing him over your family,” he says.
“Not Lindy, but you and Mom, yes,” I reply immediately. The last word lands with finality.
My mother’s breath catches. “You don’t mean that.”
“I do,” I say. “I’m choosing my husband.”
Rafe turns his head slightly, looking at me with something raw and unguarded in his eyes. I don’t look away.
“This isn’t what we raised you for,” my father says tightly.
“You raised me to succeed,” I say. “You just didn’t expect me to succeed at loving someone you don’t approve of.”
My mother folds her arms. “This is a mistake you’ll regret.”
“Maybe,” I say honestly. “But it will be mine.”
She turns abruptly toward Lindy. “And you,” she says sharply, “you’re going to stand there and support this?”
Lindy doesn’t hesitate. “Yes.”
My father’s brows draw together. “You don’t understand the consequences.”
“I understand them perfectly,” she says. “I just don’t agree with you.”
“You’re jeopardizing your future,” my mother snaps.
Lindy’s mouth curves into something sharp. “No, you’re threatening it.”
The air feels brittle now, like one wrong breath could shatter it completely.
My father straightens, drawing himself up to full height. “This is our ultimatum.”
There it is.
“If you remain married to him,” he says, nodding toward Rafe, “you will be cut off. Financially. Publicly. Entirely.”
My mother nods once. “And do not expect our support. In any capacity.”
Rafe inhales slowly, then steps forward half a pace. “If you think that will make him leave me,” he says quietly, “you don’t know your son.”
I look at him, chest aching.
“They’re trying to scare you,” Lindy says to me. “Don’t let them.”
I don’t.
