After dropping Selena to her apartment, Ezra drove back to his father's mansion, and decided to have a serious talk with him about what happened during dinner.
Both of them are now at the mansion's huge library, for them to have privacy...
"I know you don't have feelings for that woman, Ezra. I don't know why you're doing this, but I don't approve of your connection with that woman." his father bluntly told him.
Ezra, his mind racing, knew he needed to act quickly, to regain control of the situation. He had to convince his father, the stoic and entrusting Mr Birmingham, that his "romantic relationship" for "Olivia" was genuine, that their story wasn't a calculated ploy.
"Olivia and I are sincerely and honestly in love with each other, Father. I love Olivia for who she is, and there's no hidden agenda." Ezra tries to convince his father.
"Are you really sure of that woman?" the old Mr. Birmingham asked his son again.
Ezra, his heart pounding with a mixture of fear and determination, stepped forward, his gaze fixed on his father. “Dad, it’s true. I love Olivia. It’s not about money or power. It’s about love. It’s about choosing my own path, about finding my own happiness. Olivia is my soulmate. And I’m not going to give her up. Not for anyone.”
The room fell silent, a heavy silence punctuated only by the ticking of the grandfather clock in the corner. Ezra’s father, his gaze fixed on Ezra, his eyes filled with a mixture of anger and disappointment, remained silent for what felt like an eternity.
“Well, Ezra,” he finally said, his voice low, a rumble that echoed through the room. “You’ve chosen your path. It’s your choice. But you’ve made an enemy of your father.”
Ezra, his heart filled with a mix of hope and fear, met his father’s gaze, his own gaze filled with a newfound resolve. He had made his choice, a choice that would irrevocably change his life. He was ready to face the consequences, ready to defend his love, ready to fight for his happiness.
“It’s my choice, Dad,” Ezra said, his voice strong, his eyes filled with determination. “And I’m not going to regret it.”
“Then you can live with the consequences,” Ezra’s father said, his voice cold, his eyes filled with disdain. “You’re no longer a part of this family.”
“I’m sorry, Dad,” Ezra said, his voice filled with a mixture of regret and resolve. “But you can’t control my life.”
“And you can’t control us,” Olivia added, her voice soft, yet firm. “You can’t control what we feel.”
The tension in the room remained palpable, a silent battleground where love, ambition, and family clashed. The air crackled with unspoken accusations and simmering resentment.
The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Ezra, his heart pounding in his chest, watched as his father rose from the table, his face a mask of disappointment and anger. Without a word, without a glance back, he turned and walked away, his heavy footsteps echoing through the silence of the grand dining room.
Victoria, his stepmother, her face pale with fury, stood up as well, her eyes narrowed, her gaze fixed on Ezra. She shot him a look that could have curdled milk, a look that spoke volumes of betrayal, of anger, of disappointment. And then, with a swift, determined stride, she hurriedly went inside the library, looking for her husband, her silk dress rustling as she moved, a silent, but powerful statement of her disapproval.
A few days have passed.
Ezra and Selena are at a certain coffeeshop, as they both agreed to meet to discuss their next plan.
"So," Selena said, after taking a sip of her coffee, her voice surprisingly calm. "What's the plan now?"
Ezra hesitated, running a hand through his hair. "I need to secure my own financial independence. My father controls most of my access to funds. I have a small trust fund, but it's not enough to live on, let alone fight a legal battle if it comes to that."
"And Victoria and Valerie?" Selena asked, referring to Ezra's stepmother and aunt, who were clearly plotting against them.
"They're ruthless," Ezra admitted. "They'll stop at nothing to maintain their control. I’ve been secretly documenting their shady dealings for months – financial irregularities, questionable business practices. Enough to bring them down, if I can get the right people involved."
Selena nodded. "I can help with that. I have contacts. People who know how to handle situations like this discreetly and effectively."
"You're amazing, Selena," Ezra said, a genuine smile finally gracing his lips. "I don't know what I would do without you."
"We're in this together," Selena replied, squeezing his hand. "But we need a strategy. We need to be smart, cautious, and anticipate their next move."
They walked in silence for a few moments, the city lights reflecting in their eyes. Then Ezra spoke again, his voice serious.
"My father's anger is a weapon they'll use against me. They'll try to isolate me, cut me off completely. We need to stay one step ahead."
"We'll establish a secure communication channel," Selena said. "And we'll need a safe house, somewhere they won't expect us to be."
"I have a small apartment downtown," Ezra said. "It's discreet, and I rarely use it."
"Perfect," Selena replied. "We'll use that as our base. We'll start by leaking the information I have on Victoria and Valerie to the right people. We'll make sure it gets to the authorities anonymously, and we'll make sure they can't trace it back to us."
"And what about my father?" Ezra asked, a hint of worry in his voice.
Selena looked at him, her eyes filled with compassion. "We can't control his reaction. But we can control our actions. We'll show him that we're strong, that we're not going to be intimidated. We'll prove to him that our love is real, and that we're building a life together, regardless of his disapproval."
Ezra nodded, a newfound determination strengthening his resolve. "Let's do this," he said. "Together."