Page 32 of Dilectio
I force a polite smile, swallowing the jealousy that threatens to rise within me. "Of course not," I say, stepping aside to allow Marianne to take my place.
As they begin to dance, I watch their movements, feeling a pang of envy as Marianne rests her hand on his shoulder. Ezra maintains his gentlemanly demeanor, and I notice the way his gaze lingers on me, even as he dances with another woman.
Katrina, who has been observing the scene from a distance, approaches me with a curious expression. "Is everything all right, Quinn?" she asks, her eyes flicking between Ezra and me.
I force a laugh, trying to maintain my composure. "Yes, of course," I reply, hoping my voice doesn't convey the turmoil within me. "I'm just enjoying the party."
As the night goes on, I can't shake the feeling of unease that has settled in my chest. Despite the connection I've forged with Katrina and Cassidy, the sight of Ezra dancing with Marianne serves as a painful reminder of the secret we must keep. But at whose expense?
The party begins to wind down, and I find myself standing near the edge of the dance floor, lost in thought. The room is dimly lit, with candles flickering on the tables and casting a warm, romantic glow over the guests as they continue to chat and dance.
Suddenly, I sense a presence beside me, and I turn to see Ezra's mother, her gaze fixed on me with an intensity that sends an icy, unwelcome shiver down my spine. She's impeccably dressed, her posture stiff and regal, exuding an air of authority that's impossible to ignore.
"Quinn," she says, her voice cold and measured, "I've been observing you this evening. I see the way my son looks at you, and I want to make something abundantly clear."
I hold my breath, bracing myself for what's to come.
"You may be able to catch his eye for now, but don't delude yourself into thinking it will be anything more than a fleeting dalliance. Ezra needs a woman of his caliber, someone who can match his intellect and social standing. You may provide a bit of amusement for him, but he will never choose you in the long run."
Her words sting like a slap to the face, but I refuse to let her see how much they affect me. I square my shoulders and meet her gaze, my voice steady and fierce.
"With all due respect, ma'am, you don't know me or my capabilities. It's not for you to decide who Ezra chooses to spend his time with, or what kind of person he needs in his life. That's his decision to make."
Her eyes narrow, and I can tell she's taken aback by my boldness. But I refuse to back down, my determination fueling my resolve.
"Ezra is a grown man, capable of making his own choices about love and relationships. It's true that I come from a different world, but that doesn't make me any less worthy of his affection. Love isn't about social standing or intellect. It's about finding someone who understands and values you for who you are."
The tension between us is palpable, our eyes locked in a silent battle of wills. After a moment, Ezra's mother breaks the silence, her voice dripping with disdain.
"I hope, for your sake, that you're not underestimating the consequences of your actions," she warns before turning on her heel and leaving me standing there, my heart pounding in my chest.
As I watch her walk away, anger bubbles within me. I know the road ahead won't be easy, but I refuse to let anyone dictate my worth or my future, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. No matter what obstacles we may face, I'm determined to fight for my love and my place by Ezra's side. And if that means standing up to his mother and anyone else who doubts me, then so be it.
As we climb into the car, I replay the confrontation with Ezra's mother in my mind. My emotions are a whirlwind of anger, hurt, and fear, leaving me feeling unsteady and vulnerable.
Ezra starts the engine, pulling away from the mansion as Paige chatters excitedly about the party. I stare out the window, watching the city lights blur past, lost in my thoughts.
Ezra glances over at me, his brow furrowed with concern. "You're awfully quiet, Quinn. Is everything alright?"
I force a smile, not wanting to bring up the conversation I had with his mother, especially with Paige in the car. "I'm fine. Just tired, I guess."
Ezra reaches over and gives my hand a gentle squeeze, but I can tell he doesn't quite believe me.
As if on cue, my phone buzzes in my purse, startling me. I fish it out and glance at the screen, my heart skipping a beat when I see a message from my ex-boyfriend. The one I thought I was over, the one who made me wary of getting involved with wealthy men in the first place.
Hey Quinn, long time no see. I'm in town for a few days and was hoping we could catch up over drinks. Let me know if you're free.
My fingers hover over the screen, unsure of how to respond. A part of me wants to dismiss the message, to ignore the pull of the past and focus on the present. But another part of me, the part that's still reeling from the harsh words of Ezra's mother, wonders if maybe she's right. Maybe I don't belong in this world, and maybe I'm setting myself up for heartbreak by trying.
My ex-boyfriend was the epitome of arrogance, always making me feel like I wasn't good enough because of my background. His family's wealth and status only seemed to amplify his sense of entitlement, leaving me feeling small and insignificant.
Ezra is different, I remind myself. He's kind, genuine, and compassionate, despite his privileged upbringing. But the doubts planted by his mother's words have taken root, threatening to strangle the love that's blossoming between us.
I glance over at Ezra, who is focused on the road ahead, unaware of the turmoil raging inside me. As much as I want to believe in our love, I can't help but wonder if it's worth the risk, if I'm strong enough to face the judgments and expectations that come with dating a man like him.
For now, I remain silent, my heart heavy with uncertainty as we drive through the night. The future stretches out before us like an open road, full of twists and turns that neither of us can predict. All I can do is hold on tight and hope that, somehow, we'll find our way through the darkness together.
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