Sean's Family's Rejection
1433 Words
CALISTA.
"Are you seriously taking this woman as your wife, Sean?"
The cold voice of Amber, Sean's mother, broke the silence, full of disbelief and contempt that almost made me shrink in place. Her eyes were fierce as she looked at me.
I had expected this to happen.
Sean's family already knew me, which was why our relationship had been opposed. As the years passed, Sean's family still looked at me the same way.
To them, I was nothing more than a girl from a poor family, with no status, and not equal to them.
Sean stood tall beside me, grasping my hand.
"Yes, Mom. I'm serious. Calista will be my wife," he said firmly, without hesitation.
Amber raised an eyebrow, then glanced at me with a look that was so intense, it was as if I was not a person but something disgusting.
"A wife-to-be? From a family like that?" she said in a tone full of mockery.
"Sean, do you realize what you're doing? You, an heir to our family, choosing a woman from a poor family? What's really on your mind?" she continued.
Her words pierced like daggers. I could feel my face turning red, not from anger, but from shame. My heart was beating so fast that I wasn't sure I could stand any longer.
I gritted my teeth, holding back the full aggravation in my chest. I tried to look calm.
'Calista, it's just a marriage contract, you have to survive in order to pay for your father's treatment,' I said silently to myself.
I knew Sean's family wouldn't accept me easily, but hearing that insult coming straight out of his mother's mouth... it was more painful than I could have imagined.
"I chose Jennifer as your wife, but you rejected her. Now you're bringing in a woman from a poor family?" Amber was sarcastic again.
"I don't love Jennifer, Mom," Sean retorted.
"But her family is reputable! She won't drain your money!"
"How do you know Jennifer isn't a woman who will drain my money? I'm sure you know Jennifer's character, she has more potential to ruin our reputation," Sean replied again.
"Her father even lies sick, with almost nothing!" he continued in a high tone. "And you think she deserves to be part of our family? You don't think about our reputation at all, Sean?"
Sean took a deep breath. I saw the look in his eyes sharpen and his jawline harden.
"Mom, stop talking like that. I've always loved Calista—and I always will," he replied affirmatively.
Amber laughs sarcastically, a laugh that makes my chest tighten even more.
"Love? Love won't bring you honor, Sean! You can't live on love alone, especially with someone who brings nothing but baggage."
"What do you mean?" Sean's voice rose, the first time I heard him lose his temper.
"Don't you know a woman from a poor family like her will only be a burden? She just wants to drain your money!" Amber started to sound even more annoyed.
"Calista is not a burden. She is a woman who will stand by me, no matter what. I don't care about her background—I love her, and I'm going to marry her."
I turned to her, seeing the determined look in her eyes. He hadn't changed since back then. There was something in the way he protected me that made my chest warm a little despite how painful this situation was.
"Sean," I whispered softly, trying to hold back the tears. "Maybe... maybe your family is right. I don't deserve—"
"Calista, stop." He cut me off before I could finish. "You do. Don't ever think otherwise."
However, before I could answer, her father's voice entered the conversation.
"Sean, rethink your decision. Married life isn't as easy as you think. If you choose a woman like her, you will only bring destruction to yourself."
I swallowed, my body freezing. Those words were like a sledgehammer that hit me hard. There was no room for defense, no place to prove myself.
In their eyes, I was just a poor girl who didn't deserve to stand in this room.
Sean squeezed my hand, giving me courage I never thought I would feel.
"I've thought about it, Dad," he said firmly. "And no matter what you think of Calista, it won't change my decision. I will marry her, with or without your blessing."
"Well, what makes you defend her so much, Sean?" quipped Amber, then gave me a hateful look.
"What did you do to Sean, huh? You incited him against his family?" Amber accused me.
"No, Amber. I didn't tell him anything," I retorted. "Sean made that decision. Shouldn't you accept his decision?"
Amber immediately let out a long breath while laughing sarcastically.
"Gosh... what do you have against me like that?" Amber asked.
"Mom," Sean interjected, "you need my marital status, right? Just accept my decision. I've done your bidding. What more do you want?"
"Sean-"
"Enough, Amber," Reynald, Sean's father, chimed in. Compared to Amber, he hated me more calmly.
"We don't need to force him. He's made his choice, we'll see how he takes it," Reynald continued before stepping away from the living room.
There was a sudden uneasy feeling in my chest. Why did those words sound like a threat?
***
"So, you're the one?"
It was Jennifer.
After quite a heated argument, Amber called Jennifer to come talk about canceling the wedding. A few hours ago, we came to an agreement: Sean and I would get married two months later.
I knew Jennifer wouldn't fully accept that decision. However, I wasn't going to just hand Sean over to her either.
I won't sacrifice my life again for someone else.
"The woman who said she managed to snatch Sean away from me?" Jennifer asked in a sarcastic tone.
"I didn't snatch anyone," I replied calmly, though there was a faint tremor in my voice. "Sean chose to be with me."
She snorted sarcastically, stepping closer. "Don't be stupid. You think he really loves you? You're just a toy. A little toy he uses to rebel against his family."
I felt the heat in my chest boil, but I still tried to stand up straight.
"If I'm just a toy, why didn't he choose you? Wouldn't that have been easier? Aren't you the one her family wants?"
Jennifer glared, her eyes blazing with hatred.
"Because he hasn't realized what's best for her yet! You don't understand, do you? You're a nobody. You have nothing worthy of her. Do you think he can be happy with someone like you?"
Her words slapped me, but I didn't back down.
"I may not be a rich woman or someone whose family is favored by his parents," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
"But I know I love him sincerely. I don't care about status or possessions—I just want to be by his side. And that's more than enough for us," I continued with firmness.
"Love?" Sean chuckled, full of mockery. "You think love is enough? Life with Sean won't be as easy as you think. You don't know our world. You'll only be a burden to him."
I stepped forward, my gaze meeting his directly.
"Your world?" My voice was low, then I looked at him intimidatingly for a few seconds.
"A world of rules and manipulation? If that's what you call love, I don't need it. I may come from an ordinary family, but I've never taken advantage of Sean like you have.
"I don't care about everything you think is important—only care about him."
Jennifer's face flushed, her jaw hardened. "You think you can win this? I'll do anything to get Sean back. You won't last long in this world."
I smiled faintly, though my heart trembled violently.
"You can try, Mrs. Jennifer. But I won't give up either. If I have to fight for my relationship with Sean, I will. He's not a gift you can just claim. He chose me, and I will stand up for him."
Silence enveloped us for a moment, only the sound of Jennifer's ragged breathing could be heard. She looked at me sharply, as if she wanted to swallow my courage whole. But I stood my ground, refusing to bow to her threats or insults.
"We'll see," she said finally, her voice low but threatening. "We'll see how long you last."
Before he walked away, I was provoked by his words. My heartbeat quickened.
"Should I show you who I am, Mrs. Jennifer?"
- Writer
