The Right Thing To Do

Meliza's POV

I always told Ruby I wasn't ready for a boyfriend, thinking I was too young. I never imagined I'd be engaged at eighteen. Now, I lay in bed, staring at the beautiful ring on my finger. I didn't own any jewelry since everything would end up at the pawnshop, but this was the first time I wore a ring.

I'm not an expert on gold or diamonds, but I'm sure there are no diamonds since Ethan couldn't afford them. Still, I'm the happiest girl in town. People might think I'm crazy for accepting his proposal so quickly, but I don't care.

They may call us impulsive or crazy, but I don't care. I knew Ethan was the one for me, and I was excited to build our future together. He promised to support my sister, and while I wasn't sure where he'd find the money, I knew with his looks and intelligence, he'd land a good, high-paying job.

My sister is hardworking, and once she met Ethan, I knew she'd understand why I said yes to his proposal.

I got out of bed with a beautiful smile, still in disbelief that I was engaged. I kept that smile all day, and soon, it became a habit for Ethan and me to steal moments alone, kissing beneath the night sky.

Then, one sunny afternoon, Ruby showed up at my office, looking pale.

"Hey, what's wrong? Are you okay?" I asked, and she shook her head.

"We have a problem," she responded, her voice tense. I raised an eyebrow as worries crept inside me.

"Relax, Rubs. What's going on? There's nothing we can't handle," I said confidently.

"Your mom's here," she replied, and my world seemed to freeze as I gripped the arms of my chair.

"She doesn't look happy, and I think she knows about your engagement. She was talking to Nina and asking for you," Ruby added. I stood up, adjusting my blazer, trying to stay calm and confident that I could handle my mother.

Before we could make it out, my mother stormed into the office, fury on her face, with Nina close behind.

"Meliza, what the hell have you been doing? Are you out of your mind?" She asked, her voice trembling, face flushed with anger.

"Mom, what are you talking about?" I asked, and she shoved her phone in my face. My blood ran cold as I saw pictures of Ethan and me kissing and a shot of my finger with the engagement ring.

"Who told you to get engaged without telling me first? How many times have I told you to use your brain? If it were Vince, I wouldn't have to be here—I'd support you fully," she snapped, scrolling through the pictures. I wondered where she'd gotten them.

"But this young man, who you know nothing about? According to my source, he's the son of Vince's family driver. How could you reject Vince for someone with nothing to offer you?" she asked as Ruby and Nina quietly left the room.

"Mom, I love him," I answered softly.

"Sweetheart, you don't know what love is. This isn't love, Iza. You're too young for that—what you feel now is just infatuation," she said, half-laughing.

"You'll see, love means nothing when you have nothing to eat, and your problems pile up. I've told you so many times to choose wisely, Meliza," my mother added.

"Pack your things. We're leaving," she ordered, and my eyes widened.

"Mom, I can't leave. I signed a contract, and I can't afford to breach it," I said, though my mind was no longer on work—I just wanted to see Ethan.

"Fred's attorney is handling everything," she said confidently, and I raised an eyebrow, surprised.

"Who's Fred?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"Frederick," she replied with a smile that bordered on smug, "he'll be your new father. We're going to his estate. We won't have to worry about money anymore. I hit the jackpot this time."

I stared at her, disbelief creeping in. "Mom, you can't trust that man. I'm sure he's hiding something—he's one of them."

"No, he's wealthy, Meliza. I wouldn't have come here if not for your craziness, and your stupidity has me bothered," she hissed.

"Mom, I need this job," I replied.

"I told you you don't need to work anymore," she answered.

"Now, let's grab your things. We'll stay at a hotel in the capital tonight and fly out tomorrow afternoon," she added.

"You must break up with that boy, or you'll never see your sister again," she said.

"Mom, you can't do that," I replied.

"Yes, I can. If you don't, Fred's men will handle him; teach him a lesson," she threatened, leaving me stunned.

"What? You can't hurt Ethan!" I exclaimed.

"I told you, Fred is powerful, Iza. If you want to save him, find him and do the right thing—before it's too late," she ordered.

I stayed frozen, and my mom had to drag me out of the office as tears streamed down my face.

"Don't cry over that foolish boy. You're my obedient daughter, Iza. I'll protect you. You won't have to worry about college—Fred promised to fund your studies abroad," she said, leaving me numb.

"If you want that degree, you'll need to listen to me, Iza. Trust me on this," she insisted.

"If you choose him, you'll lose your family and your chance at college," she continued, and my vision blurred as we walked toward the farmhouse.

"Mom, please give me time to think," I pleaded.

"There's no time, Iza. We're going to Fred's estate, and we won't be returning to that noisy apartment," she said.

"Your sister's waiting for you at the hotel," she added, and I began to wonder if this man she spoke of was truly wealthy—able to afford plane tickets and hotel accommodations.

If you need time, we'll pick you up tomorrow morning. There's no need to pack—Fred already filled your wardrobe with new clothes," my mom declared.

She introduced me to her new boyfriend. He seemed decent, and for a moment, I wanted to believe he was different from the others she had dated.

They left, and I was left feeling torn. I didn't want to lose my family or my chance at a degree, that was my greatest dream—but I couldn't bring myself to break up with Ethan. Still, I knew I had to do what was right. We'd find each other again someday if we were meant to be.

I felt confident I could handle it, but my world shattered when he entered my room, and I saw his face.

"Ruby said you were leaving. I'm sorry if I caused trouble with your mom," Ethan said, and I offered him a weak smile.

"It's not your fault, Ethan. I need to fix things with my family and go home," I replied, watching his face fall.

"So, you're leaving me?" he asked.

"Iza, stay with me. I promise I can give you a bright future, a life of luxury if you marry me," he pleaded. I wished I could close my eyes and escape the pain in his expression.

How are you going to do that, Ethan? Do you have savings?" I asked, and he fell silent. I immediately regretted the question, knowing he had nothing to offer, but we'd promised to be there for each other.

"I'm sorry, but I don't know if I'll ever come back here. We need to break up, Ethan," I said, trying to stay strong.

"No, you can't break up with me, Iza," he replied firmly.

"Yes, I can. I told you I wasn't ready for a relationship. It's over, and you have to accept it. You hated me before you even knew me, and I think you can hate me again," I responded, avoiding his gaze.

How are you going to do that, Ethan? Do you have savings?" I asked, and he fell silent. I immediately regretted the question, knowing he had nothing to offer, but we'd promised to be there for each other.

"I'm sorry, but I don't know if I'll ever come back here. We need to break up, Ethan," I said, trying to stay strong.

"No, you can't break up with me, Iza," he replied firmly.

"Yes, I can. I told you I wasn't ready for a relationship. It's over, and you have to accept it. You hated me before you even knew me, and I think you can hate me again," I responded, avoiding his gaze.

Ethan, please don't make this harder for me," I said.

"Don't you love me anymore?" he asked, and I stood tall, maintaining my composure.

"I don't love you that much. My mom was right—I was only infatuated, not in love," I lied. His face fell, and he took a step back before turning and leaving, slamming the door behind him.

Even though I ended things with Ethan, my heart screamed for him to stay, but I couldn't let him hear it—I had to protect him.

Breaking up with Ethan for my mother is a painful sacrifice, torn between duty and desire. My heart and mind are pulled in two directions; no matter what I choose, I lose a part of myself.

Saying goodbye felt like ripping out a piece of my soul, not because I stopped loving him, but because I had no choice. The look on his face as he left haunted me, knowing I was betraying my heart to protect my family. It felt like a surrender to forces beyond my control, each moment with him now bittersweet—a reminder of what I had and could no longer keep.

Choosing my family felt like choosing a prison over freedom. I lay awake, tormented by thoughts of what could have been, wondering if I'd ever feel this way about anyone else.

I love Ethan so much, but I'm willing to sacrifice my feelings for him. Tears streamed down as I lay on the cold floor, heartbroken, my body trembling.

I didn't want to break up with Ethan, but it was the right thing to do, even though it felt like I was dying inside. I had no choice; I had to protect him from my mother and her new fiancé.