turning my back against my mother

MARGARET POV

I stood there, caught in the crossfire of introductions. Lewis had mentioned Aaron Liam before, but now he stood before me, extending his hand. I hesitated as he extended his hand. Before I could react, Jessie swooped in, holding Aaron's hand possessively.

"And he is my prom date too," Jessie exclaimed, fixing her gaze on mine.

I blinked, surprised by the sudden turn of events. I tried to regain my composure, but Aaron's intense gaze made me uncomfortable. Lewis stepped closer, wrapping an arm around me protectively.

"Isn't she beautiful?" Lewis asked, looking at me.

Aaron finally tore his eyes away from me and focused on the house. His tone was somber, bordering on piety. "The word 'beautiful' is not enough for her. It's finally nice to meet you, Margaret Adrian."

My mind raced. Why had Aaron used the word "finally"? Was he also a fan of JessieM? The situation felt surreal. As Lewis opened the car door for me, I climbed in, my thoughts swirling. 

Aaron also opened the car for Jessie, and she claimed in. Then he went to the driver's seat.

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With Lewis's hand snug around my waist, the dance floor held us in its arms. I balanced on tiptoe, my fingers finding their place around his neck. Our hearts beat in sync, a rhythm only we could hear.

Despite my high heels, I still felt too short. But it didn't matter. We swayed to the slow music, our eyes locked. Lewis spun me gently, and in that moment, everything changed.

"Be my girlfriend, Margaret Adrian," his words hung in the air, and I wondered if I'd heard right. Anticipation etched his features as he waited for my response.

The moment I'd been waiting for—dreaming of—was here. My voice came out tight, a smile threatening to burst forth. "Yes," I nodded, suppressing the overwhelming excitement. I wanted to scream with joy.

Lewis lifted me, spun me around, and then gently set me down. I giggled, thinking I might stumble. But he held me close, his eyes searching mine.

"Thank you, Margaret. Can I kiss you?" His question hung there, and I felt my heart race.

Is that even a question? I thought, my nerves and excitement colliding. "Yes," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

And then his lips met mine—a sweet collision of emotions. Gasps and murmurs surrounded us, and I knew cameras were capturing this moment. But I didn't care. In that kiss, I found love, and it was all that mattered.

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Beautiful days unfolded, and our love was an ocean I could willingly drown in forever. Like any couple, we had our quarrels, but they were mere ripples in the vast sea of our affection.

Lewis—my rock, my confidant—made me feel like the luckiest girl alive. His love was unwavering, and unlike fleeting celebrity romances, ours endured. Lewis wasn't a cheater; his loyalty was a pillar of our relationship.

I pondered what more he could possibly desire that I couldn't provide. Beauty wasn't my shortcoming; we fit together like pieces of a puzzle. I was the fire, and he was the gasoline—two elements that needed each other to burn bright.

Yet we kept our love hidden, veiled from prying eyes. Rumors swirled, but we denied them all. Lewis believed secrecy was our strength, shielding our fragile bond from the world's scrutiny.

As for Jessie and Aaron, they remained mere prom dates. Jessie never divulged how they'd met, but I sensed their paths had diverged. 

Aaron's lingering gaze during our first encounter still haunted me, but it was a fleeting memory.

Jessie and I remained friends, though our closeness waned. My relationship with Lewis consumed my time, and Jessie understood. Sophia, Tim, Blake, and Sera had already embarked on their college journeys. Except for Sera Smith, who studied here, the rest pursued their education in Country B.

Lewis and I broached the topic of marriage. It was then that I shared my family's status—the complexities and the secrets.

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1991—a year etched in memory, a crossroads of fate. In that pivotal moment, Lewis and I embarked on a journey to Country B, my heart fluttering with anticipation. The reunion with my sisters, long overdue, promised warmth and familiarity.

Seated in my mother's opulent mansion, we broached the delicate topic: marriage. Lewis and I, resolute and hopeful, sought her blessing. But her response was unexpected—a resounding "no."

Confusion swirled within me. I rose from the couch, crossing the room to face her. "What do you mean, no?" My voice trembled with indignation. "I'm eighteen, financially stable. Love is reason enough."

Her gaze bore into Lewis. "Why do you want to get married, Mr. Connor?" Her tone held suspicion.

My embarrassment flared into anger. "Because of love!" I retorted, my voice rising.

She stood, her own anger ignited. "You dare raise your voice at your mother? Because of this boy?" Her words cut deep. "You're not ready for marriage. What do you know about it? And even if you insist, let it be someone else—not him. I sense nothing good from him!"

My resolve wavered. "Mother," I choked out, "am I to live a life of quiet desperation like you? 

Just because your marriage failed doesn't mean ours will follow suit. I should never have come here." Tears welled. "I don't need you anymore. I'm no longer the child who cries out for your comfort."

Her anger radiated, etching lines on her face. With a deep sigh, she settled back onto the couch, her gaze piercing. "You want to get married? Fine! Go ahead, Margaret! As you said, you're not a child anymore."

Her words hung heavy in the room, like a storm brewing. "Many argue that observation is the best teacher, while others claim it's experience. Choose your teacher wisely."

The air thickened. "Just know this: neither I, your sisters, nor anyone from my family will attend that wedding." Her voice held a finality that chilled me.

"And Margaret," she continued, her tone sharp, "never call me or my family for help when problems arise. We won't be there for you.

You said you're a grown woman," she said, her voice steady. "You'll solve your own issues. Now, you'll leave your house before your sisters return and learn this attitude of yours."

I grabbed my box, my heart heavy yet resolve. "I will leave. After all," I added, "you have other daughters."

Lewis followed me, and we stepped out into the uncertain future. Doubts tugged at my mind, but I brushed them aside. Love had its price, and I was willing to pay it—even if it meant defying my own mother.