It has been a long and arduousjourney for Ryan, whose decision to share his wealth with his wife Anne had not come easy. Earlier that day at work, he had called his lawyer and informed him about his visit soon.
"This is so unusual of you, Ryan." That was the lawyer's reply on the phone. "We haven't met since the past few months, and now you want to out of the blues? What's the matter?"
"Don't be too curious, you will find out about it soon" Ryan cited simple before cutting the call abruptly, breathing out slowly.
They did vacate the hotel room and for the first time since Anne could remember, she was finally getting to enter Ryan's house again -not as his girlfriend, who was forbidden from anywhere around Ryan, but as his newly wedded bride.
As they sat in the dimly lit living room, the amber glow of the fireplace flickering gently on their faces, Ryan felt alive with the comforting warmth of conviction for the first time in months.
Within the safe cocoon of their home, a life altering decision had just been made, one that will shatter long family distance belief and tear apart prior agreements. The time had come to embark upon a new chapter of their lives, united with a sense of equity and fairness.
Anne looked intently at Ryan, feeling the weight of the decision he had taken. It was evident in her furrowed brows and the way she clasped her husband's hand.
"Are you sure about this?'' she asked hesitantly, her voice filled with uncertainty and concern. "You know how much resistance we are likely to face from your mother."
Ryan's face softened as he met with her gaze, and he cued her cheek with his free hand, offering her a reassuring smile. "I am positive, my love." He assured her. "it's only right, and I know it in my heart. We have been through so much together, and I believe that sharing our wealth is merely a reflection of the trust and love we have forged together over time."
Anne couldn't be more happy as she felt her dream finally coming to pass before her, but still, she couldn't wear the expression she longed to wear on her face, Ryan might get them the wrong way.
The following day, Ryan faced his doubts and fears when he approached his mother with his decision. He predicted difficulty in winning her approval, but the thought he could face her fears with sufficient resolve.
His world-weary mother, no stranger to navigating the treacherous waters of family business, had spent many years fostering rapprochement between herself and Ryan -maybe he failed to see this. And also, she between the empire that had been her life's work.
Upon hearing the news, she fixed her eyes upon Ryan, her sharp gaze boring into him as she got red with pure anger. "Is this how you repay my dedication, my sacrifices? Eh, Ryan?" She questioned, her tone dripping with disdain. "To throw away your birthright, your father's legacy, in pursuit of some_ misguided sense of fairness?"
Ryan exhaled slowly, readying himself to confront his mother, yet again. With a firm yet respectful tome, he replied to her. "Mother, this is not a betrayal. It is based on love, trust, and fairness. The world has changed, and we cannot continue to cling to heirlooms and sentiment of a bygone era. I have seen the consequences of family destroyed by greed and possessiveness, and I will not allow our lineage to suffer the same date."
"Stop this nonsense, Ryan. Just put a stop to it this very moment, do you hear me." She was almost yelling at him, growling in anger.
She wondered how much inconsiderate her son will be towards her after all the years she had spent on him. Likewise, she wondered if at all he'll stop hurting like he's used to ever since he met that woman, Anne.
"I love that woman, mother. I ..."
His mother was too impatient to hear him talk, she's already sick of his incompetence all for love. "I've heard that sick words from you numerous times already, I might throw up soon if you don't stop." She told him, a hint of seriousness in her voice.
Whatever his mother's mean, he doesn't care at all. She can be sick of his love for Anne all day, but he won't ever stop confessing how much he loves Anne -maybe someday, who knows, his mother might get to accept her and give in to their love.
"We are happily married..."
"No, you aren't because I was neversupporting such a union..."
"δΈ€and she has agreed to share everything with me since the day we became one." He managed to complete his sentence, even after being interrupted by his mother.
She wasn't stunned by his last sentence but still..."I know she agreed, but I do not, Ryan." His mother exclaimed in desperation. "In my eyes, she's still a stranger and an enigma -someone with a..."
"I think we are done with this conversation, mom." He told her in a silent tone, sighing slowly afterward. "It hurts arguing the same thing over again with no sign of improvement."
Even though he had anticipated his mother's reaction, the brewing storm of tension and resentment left his feeling exhausted and disheartened. The support he had hoped for seemed beyond his grasp, and the struggle to maintain the family appeared overwhelming.
******
At his long-standing and faithful lawyer, Mr. Oliver Hampton, Ryan presented his intentions to him. Mr. Hampton looked up from the papers on his desk, his usually calm and paternal demeanor cracking into a mild frown.
"Did I just hear you clearly, Ryan?" He asked, a look of surprise in his eyes that tends to merge with the mild frown he was wearing.
"Of course, you do. You heard me obviously, Mr. Hampton." Ryan's reply was plain as he wore a straight look on his face.
Mr. Hampton sighed under his breath before speaking. "Ryan, I must advise caution here." He began, his gravelly voice revealing the years of experience he carried with him.
"There is nothing to be cautious about, it's my decision and what, I think, is right for the betterment of my marriage." Ryan cajoled with so much seriousness. "Why then do I need to be cautious?"
"Your decision to share your wealth with Anne, while admirable, is the one that has potential for unrest with in the family. You know how dear your mother's sentiment are to her, and I don't think she will relent so easily. I implore you to reconsider your course of action." Mr. Hampton tried to sound convincing enough, maybe Ryan might have a rethink on his decision.
Well, his words did get to Ryan as he had expected, he's the same kid he has known for years now. Lost in thought, Ryan stared out at the window, admiring the view of the bustling city, the life he had built for himself and the family he held so dear.
He pondered the cause of his decision, the reliance on his sense of righteousness, and decided to follow the path he had laid out. He turned to his lawyer, determination radiating from his sea-green eyes. Even after deciding to think it through again, he was still left with the same decision.
"Mr. Hampton, I have spent countless nights going over this decision. I understand the implications, the possibility of conflict and the disruption it may cause." Ryan paused his words, slightly pressing his lips against each other -seeing that the lawyer did not give a reply, he decided to continue his words.
"However, I can stand my decision. My love for Anne and my desire for parity in our relationship cannot be measured against the perceived cost of my family. We will face whatever challenges confront us, united and unyielding."
With striking poise, Ryan signed the documents that would incontrovertibly alter the tapestry of his family -his mother especially.
As he affixed his signature to the parchment, he gripped the pen with a mix of trepidation and conviction. He knew that the world would throw many curve balls at them as they welcomed this new chapter, but he stood unwavering in his belief that his decision was the right one.
United by love, trust and equality, Ryan and Anne now stood at the precipice of a new milestone in their lives. Despite the opposition and turmoil that undoubtedly lay ahead, the overwhelming sense of righteousness that envelope fortified by the unconditional love the shared, offered them the strength they needed to stand resolute in the face of adversity.
Ryan knew that with the unwavering faith in their love and support for each other, they could weather whatever storm may befall them -this was his thoughts and he couldn't be any prouder for signing the document. This was his way of appreciating her and expressing his love for her...