The room fell into a heavy silence. His wife Bianca looked at him with disbelief, and for a moment, Eloise was speechless. Then, gathering her courage, she responded in a way that left her father even more shocked. “Dad, it’s my decision. I love Kevin, and I will marry him. I hope you’ll be at our wedding. But right now, we’re leaving.” She stood up, taking a surprised Kevin by the hand.
Her father’s anger peaked. “Where do you think you’re going with this man?” he shouted, slamming his fist on the table. Eloise turned to face him, and in that moment, Peter saw the gravity of his mistake. The man who had always been her protector now seemed like a stranger.