Broken Dreams Stories

Chapter 107

The room fell into a heavy silence as Evelyn’s words hung in the air between them. Eric stared at her, his expression hard to read somewhere between shock, hurt, and anger.

Claire looked between her husband and stepdaughter, her face pale, eyes wide with concern. “Eric now’s the time to listen. Evelyn is right. We owe her that much”

er shoulder, silently supporting her as she confronted her father.

Derek stood still beside Evelyn, his arm still gently resting on her

For a moment, no one spoke. The tension in the room was tangible. It was so thick that a knife could cut through it. Evelyn’s heart pounded in her chest, her breath coming in short, sharp bursts as she waited for her father’s response

She had never spoken to him like that before, and part of her was terrified of what he might say or do. But another part of her felt a sense of liberation—a relief that she’d finally voiced her feelings after years of pent–up frustration

Eric finally took a deep breath, the sound harsh in the quiet room. His face had lost some of its earlier fury, replaced with something more complicated, almost unreadable. He opened his mouth to speak, then closed it again as if struggling to find the right words.

He loved his daughter, and he couldn’t help it that he felt disappointed by her choices so far. “Evelyn” he began, his voice low and strained as his

wal authoritative exterior crumbled.

disappointed in nie and think I did a poor job raising you. I promised her

you think you know about my life to judge me

on Evelyn’s arm, her eyes filled with understanding and sadness. “Evie, we’ve all made mistakes,” she said softly. “Your father wants to listen to you, so please

a deep sadness and fatigue. She took a deep breath, her shoulders slumping slightly as the adrenaline drained from her body. “I know you didn’t mean to hurt me, Dad. But your expectations, your disappointment. it’s been suffocating All I ever wanted was to get married to Michael. You both knew how much I loved him. Do you think I would call the wedding off without having a good reason I expected better, Dad. I expected your understanding without question I was in pain, Dad! I didn’t expect that other people’s opinions and expectations of a wedding would make you throw

leave, Evelyn. I tried to find you after I calmed down. I just.. I

“And you think I don’t want the best for myself? I need you to understand that and respect my decisions. I’m not a child anymore. I have my own

toward Derek, then back to Evelyn. “And he he’s part of that family?” There was a hint of disbelief in his tone as

is.” Evelyn

you have a child for her boyfriend?”

willing to listen, we can all sit down and talk. I’ll explain everything to you, and we can start to figure this

his wife. “Alright,” he agreed, his voice softer and more resigned. “Let’s talk,” he said

part was over, and though there was still a

gave her a reassuring nod, and then back at

“What happened! Why

you call off the wedding? Why are you with Michael’s cousin! When did you have Samantha? Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you come back home all this while?” Eric asked,

fast. She had rehearsed this conversation a hundred times in