Ethan gave a small nod, signaling for Clara to keep quiet.
Ethan rose from his chair, walked closer, and stood behind Martha. The faint aroma of roses from the garden drifted in.
Martha turned around, her previously tense expression now overcome with sadness. She looked at Ethan, her eyes welling up. "I know I've always been hard on you. I always thought you weren't worthy of my daughter."
Clara gasped. She had never heard her mother speak this way before.
"I saw you as just an ordinary man," Martha continued, her voice catching. "A son-in-law who would never bring happiness to Clara. A son-in-law who would only bring trouble."
A tear rolled down Martha's wrinkled cheek.
"I was wrong," Martha admitted, her voice trembling. "I... I saw how you protected me when that servant attacked.
