to the boardroom closed behind Victor, Ethan remained seated, his hands clenched into fists on the table. Lily could see

polished floor. "Ethan," she said, her voice gen

"I know," he replied, his voice low. "But I've been carrying this burden for too l

and resting on his. "You hav

. "I don't know if I can ever escape this, Lily. The pressure, the expectati

pectations had shaped him, how it had made him doubt his own worth. But she also s

conviction. "You don't have to keep proving yo

y looked at her, as if searching for somet

with a quiet resolve. "It's time to stop l

chest. "And I'll be right here