Chapter 175: Home is Where the Heart is Part 2

Zoya’s P.O.V

I gasped, my mind struggling to process this revelation. "What? No way! How could they?"

My father chimed in, his voice filled with bitterness. "It gets worse, Zoya. Ravi, he... he wasn't even a real surgeon. He had forged his medical degree. It came to light when a patient died during a simple operation he performed."

I couldn't help but feel a strange mix of emotions.

Anger, sadness, and betrayal swirled within me, but at the same time, I felt a glimmer of relief.

The demons of my past, the constant need for approval, had been based on a false sense of superiority that Ravi and Tania had projected.

It was a painful realization, but it was also an opportunity for healing and growth.

As I sat there, absorbing the shocking revelations about one of the many people that made my life a living hell, a heavy silence settled over our table.

My parents' tearful confessions hung in the air, mingling with the ambiance of the restaurant.

It was a surreal moment, one I had never anticipated: they had apologized for the years of mistreatment, for the countless times they had dismissed my dreams and worth.

Moreover, the asshole Ravi and the bitch Tania turned out to be frauds! Ha!

I never thought this day would come.

My initial amusement at the Ravi situation soon faded, and tears welled up in my eyes again, but they were different this time — tears of relief, of release.

It had taken them far too long to see my true worth, but I realized in that moment that I no longer needed their approval.

I had forged my own path, built my own life, and had a family that loved and supported me unconditionally.

I took a deep breath, steadying my emotions. I looked them right in the eye, my voice filled with a newfound sense of strength as I said, "I appreciate your apologies, and I forgive you. But I want you to know that I've built a life that I'm proud of, and I no longer seek your approval. I forgive you both because you're my parents, but know that I will never forget the damage you caused me all these years."

My mother reached across the table, her hand trembling as she placed it on mine. "Zoya, you've become such a strong and remarkable woman," she said, her voice choked with emotion. "We're so proud of you, even if we didn't show it before."

I offered a small but sincere smile, grateful for the chance to heal old wounds. "Thank you. I'll try to put the past behind us as much as I can and cherish the present."

The weight that had burdened our family for years began to lift, despite my insistence to myself that it would take a long time before I saw them as my parents and family again, and in that restaurant, under the soft glow of warm lighting, we found a glimmer of reconciliation and a new beginning.

Small victories are still victories, aren't they?

The restaurant was abuzz with emotion, and I was still absorbing everything that happened between me and my parents when Ezra suddenly stood up.

He looked at me with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat.

"Ezra?" I asked. "What are you…?"

Then…

Oh, my goodness…

I watched in awe as he knelt down on one knee, a small velvet box in his hand.

Time seemed to slow as my breath caught in my throat.

Is this truly happening?

"Zoya," he began, his voice steady and full of love, "I've loved you from the moment I laid eyes on you. I've watched you grow, overcome challenges, and become this incredible woman. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, supporting you, loving you, and cherishing every moment together."

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I couldn't help but smile through them.

He opened the velvet box to reveal a stunning ring, a symbol of his commitment to me and our future together.

"And I did something I probably should've done a long time ago," Ezra continued, a hint of humor in his voice. "I asked for your parents' approval before I did this."

I couldn't contain my joy any longer.

My tears of surprise and relief transformed into tears of pure happiness. "Yes," I whispered, my voice trembling with emotion. "Yes, a thousand times, yes."

The entire restaurant seemed to burst into applause as Ezra slid the ring onto my finger, sealing our love and commitment to each other.

Amidst the clinking of glasses and well-wishes from the other patrons, we set a date for our wedding, deciding to wait until after our baby was born.

This way, I could fully participate in all the cultural events and celebrations with my family, making our union a true merging of our lives, traditions, and love.

As we swayed to the soft melody of the piano, the world around us seemed to fade into a distant background, leaving only Ezra and me in our intimate bubble of joy.

His hand rested gently on the small of my back, the warmth of his touch sending shivers of happiness down my spine.

The restaurant had transformed into a sea of smiles and laughter as our family and friends joined in the celebration of our engagement.

The soft glow of candlelight bathed the room in a warm, romantic ambiance, and the scent of delicious food filled the air.

I rested my head on Ezra's shoulder, inhaling his familiar scent. "I can't believe all of this," I whispered, my heart overflowing with love and gratitude. "Our journey has been so incredible, from the darkest of times to this moment of pure happiness. I've never been happier."

Ezra pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead, his lips warm and tender. "I wouldn't change a single moment of it," he replied, his voice filled with sincerity. "It's made us who we are, and I'm thankful for every step that led us here."

The piano played on, and we continued to dance, lost in the beauty of the moment.

It was a dance not only of two souls deeply in love but also a dance that celebrated the triumph of hope, forgiveness, and the unwavering bond we shared.

In that moment, the world felt perfect, and I couldn't wait for the beautiful future that awaited us as we embarked on this new chapter of our lives together.