After a tense conversation with my parents, Mary and I finally told them the truth about our marriage.

I admitted that it had started as a way to rebel against their demands, and Mary revealed she had agreed to escape her family’s pressure. But as time went on, we both realized our connection went far beyond our initial plan.

My parents, initially shocked, struggled to accept the truth. My mother, in particular, was disappointed, but my father, after a long silence, surprisingly admitted, “I always thought I knew what was best for you, Alex. Maybe I was wrong.” The weight of their expectations was heavy, but at that moment, I understood that the life I wanted wasn’t dictated by their vision of success.

Mary and I walked outside later that evening, the cool night air offering a sense of peace. I told her, “I never thought this would happen, but I’m glad it did. I finally understand you.”

Mary smiled softly. “I just wanted to be free, Alex. Free to be myself.”

We stood there, hand in hand, ready to move forward together. The journey hadn’t been easy, but it had been worth it. We weren’t just fighting for freedom from our families’ expectations; we were building something real—a future where we could both be who we truly were. And that, for the first time, felt like enough.