The peace was short-lived. Furious about her sudden marriage, her father stormed into their tiny apartment. “A janitor? Do you realize what you’ve done to our family’s reputation?” he fumed.
Ethan stood firm. “Sir, Anna deserves to be loved for who she is, not what she represents.”
Scoffing, her father dismissed Ethan as insignificant—until Ethan revealed his past. His father, Andrew, had once been a trusted partner in Anna’s father’s business but was betrayed and left ruined. Ethan’s family had struggled ever since.
For the first time, Anna’s father showed vulnerability. “I… had no choice. I was desperate. I’m sorry,” he murmured.
His remorse softened the tension. Days later, he returned with a sincere apology—for his actions and the rigid life he had imposed on Anna. In an act of humility, he reached out to Andrew, seeking forgiveness. The two men, burdened by years of regret, reconciled in a quiet park, embracing as they let go of past resentment.
Together, they decided to move forward—not as adversaries bound by old wounds but as families choosing to heal. For Anna, it marked the start of a life no longer controlled by her father’s ambitions but guided by love and understanding.