Ethan stepped forward, his voice a mixture of sadness and certainty. “Vanessa, I loved the person I thought you were. But today, I’ve seen a side of you I cannot ignore.”
Tears welled in her eyes, but Ethan remained resolute. “I’m sorry, Vanessa. I cannot move forward with someone who lacks compassion and respect for others.”
Richard placed a reassuring hand on his son’s shoulder, pride and heartache mingling. The room stayed hushed as Vanessa turned, disbelief and regret etched across her face, before leaving the mansion. Every step away carried the weight of her choices.
As the doors closed, father and son shared a quiet understanding. The test had been painful, but necessary — truths that might have remained hidden were now revealed.
In that moment, both realized that love rooted in genuine respect and kindness outweighed any fortune. Wealth without integrity, they understood, was truly impoverished.
