Chapter 3: The Groom's Choice
Chapter 3: The Groom's Choice
Ethan hurried after Olivia before she could leave the ballroom.
"Please," he pleaded. "Can we talk?"
She stopped walking but never turned around.
"What is there to say?"
"I didn't know my mother would do something like this."
"You watched her."
"I was shocked."
Olivia finally faced him.
"You weren't shocked enough to stop her."
Her words hit harder than any slap.
"I asked you for one thing."
"Stand beside your wife."
"You chose your mother instead."
Ethan lowered his head.
"I thought asking you to apologize would calm everyone down."
Olivia gave a sad smile.
"So your solution to injustice..."
"...was asking the victim to apologize."
He couldn't answer.
Because she was right.
Across the ballroom, Margaret stormed toward them.
"This is unbelievable!"
"You're embarrassing our family!"
Olivia laughed quietly.
"No, Margaret."
"You embarrassed yourself."
"You believed wealth could be measured by clothing."
"You assumed kindness was weakness."
"And you mistook silence for dependence."
Margaret pointed an angry finger.
"You tricked us!"
"I never lied."
"I simply never introduced myself by my bank account."
The guests exchanged uncomfortable glances.
Many remembered how warmly Olivia had treated every waiter, cleaner, and musician throughout the day.
Not one employee looked surprised that she owned the hotel.
Because she had always treated them with respect.
That was the difference.
Respect didn't come from money.
Character did.
Ethan finally understood the woman he had married.
But he also realized something painful.
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He had failed her when she needed him most.
Some mistakes couldn't be undone.
