After the heated exchange with his father, Alex's grandfather, William, turned to us with a calm but commanding gaze. "Alex, I'd like you and your young lady to join me at my home. There's much to discuss."

We nodded, and a few minutes later, we were seated in the backseat of his car, winding through the city toward the sprawling Beaumont estate. As we passed through the tall iron gates, I was awed by the grand mansion before us-a building with an old-world elegance that held its own kind of charm. The house was stately but somehow inviting, with ivy crawling up the stone walls and soft light glowing from its many windows.

When we arrived at the front door, a single maid greeted us politely and escorted us into the main hall, where an older woman stood waiting. She had warm eyes and a gentle smile, and the moment she saw Alex, her face lit up.

"Alex, my dear!" she exclaimed, pulling him into a hug before her eyes darted to me. Her gaze softened, and she reached for my hands, squeezing them warmly. "And who might you be, darling?"

"This is my girlfriend," Alex said, his voice proud and steady. "Grandma, this is the girl I've been telling you about."

His grandmother, Noria, beamed. "Oh, you lovely thing! I've heard so much about you already." Her eyes sparkled as she studied me. "Now, come, let me have a good look at you! Oh, you're just beautiful," she said, squeezing my hand again. "So tell me, my dear, what are your dreams? What do you want to do?"

I hesitated, caught off guard by her eagerness and genuine interest. "I...well, I've always loved helping people," I replied slowly, smiling as I felt myself relax under her kind gaze. "I want to study psychology and perhaps go into counseling."

Noria's eyes softened, and she nodded approvingly. "A noble pursuit. We need more people in this world who understand how to listen and care." She glanced at Alex, and then back at me, a knowing twinkle in her eye. "Tell me more about your family, darling. What are they like?"

And so, standing there with Alex's grandmother, I told her about my family-my hardworking parents, my siblings, and the challenges we faced together. She listened intently, occasionally nodding, her gaze warm and unwavering. I could feel her genuine interest, and it made me feel welcome in a way I hadn't expected.

"William," she called, glancing toward the grand staircase, "you've got a wonderful one here, that's for certain."

William appeared, giving her a small smile before addressing us. "Would you two mind joining me in the living room?" he asked, gesturing to an elegant sitting area. We followed him into a vast room filled with rich, dark wood furniture and tall windows that looked out over the sprawling gardens.

Once we settled in, I couldn't help but notice David lurking by the door, his presence awkward and tense. William gave his son a long, hard look before sighing. "David, I'd like a word with you in private."

David's face tightened, and without a word, he followed his father out of the room, leaving us alone in the comfortable silence of the living room. Alex looked at me and squeezed my hand, his gaze filled with gratitude. I could see that he was as surprised as I was by his grandfather's support.

After a short while, William returned, looking more resolved than before, and took a seat across from us. He reached for Noria's hand, and the two of them looked at us with a mixture of pride and warmth.

"Alex," William began, his voice steady and full of conviction, "from this point on, I will be responsible for you, for your education, and for anything else you need to pursue your dreams. Your father..." he trailed off, casting a look back toward the door, "...your father will not interfere any longer. You're free to choose the life you want, and I'll support you in every way I can."

Alex's face lit up with a happiness I'd never seen before. "Thank you, Grandpa," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "Thank you so much. I won't let you down. I'll work hard, and I'll make something of myself, I promise."

William smiled, nodding as he watched Alex. "I know you will. And you have a bright future ahead of you, not because of who your family is, but because of who you are. You're free now, Alex, to pursue your art, your studies, and your relationship without fear of reprisal from your father."

Overcome, Alex reached out and embraced his grandfather, his shoulders shaking with silent sobs. William held him tightly, a gentle hand on his back, and for a moment, it was as if no one else existed in that room. The love and pride in William's eyes spoke volumes.

After a few moments, Noria joined them, wrapping her arms around them both, her eyes glistening with tears. "You're part of this family," she said softly to me, her voice filled with warmth. "You're part of this too, darling."

Her words wrapped around me like a warm embrace, and I felt a tear slip down my cheek. Tentatively, I joined their hug, feeling a sense of belonging I hadn't known I was missing.

Finally, Alex pulled away, wiping his eyes and smiling through his tears. "Grandpa, I promise, I won't take this for granted. I'll do my best to honor your trust."

William smiled, nodding. "I never doubted that for a second, Alex."

There was a quiet moment, and then Noria clapped her hands softly, breaking the silence. "Now, we must celebrate! I'll have the cook prepare something special. Tonight, we'll enjoy a family dinner. None of this formal dining room nonsense-just us, relaxed and happy."

The prospect of a warm, intimate dinner was perfect, and I found myself looking forward to spending the evening with Alex's grandparents. It was a side of his family I'd only heard about, but now, seeing it firsthand, I understood where Alex had inherited his kindness, his passion, and his strength.

As we sat around the living room, talking and laughing, Alex's happiness was contagious. He looked over at me, his eyes shining, and mouthed, "Thank you." I knew he meant it not only for standing up to his father but for being there with him through everything.

Dinner that evening was a simple but delicious meal, served in a cozy, sunlit room off the kitchen. The laughter and conversation flowed easily, and I found myself feeling more comfortable and at home than I ever could have imagined.

When the evening finally came to an end, we said our goodbyes, with promises to visit again soon. Alex's grandparents both embraced us warmly, their love and support wrapping around us like a protective shield.

As we left the estate, walking hand in hand, Alex turned to me, his face still glowing with happiness. "I feel free," he said, a look of wonder in his eyes. "For the first time, I actually feel free to be myself."

I smiled, feeling my heart swell with pride. "You've earned it, Alex. You deserve to follow your dreams and to live your life the way you want."

He stopped walking and turned to face me fully, his hands coming to rest on my shoulders as he gazed into my eyes. "And I want you to be a part of that life," he said softly, his voice full of conviction. "No matter where this journey takes me, I want you there with me."

I felt a rush of warmth fill my chest as I looked up at him, my heart racing. "I want that too, Alex," I whispered, smiling.

In that moment, standing under the stars outside his family estate, I felt a peace I hadn't known was possible. We had fought battles, faced down harsh truths, and overcome obstacles that once seemed insurmountable. And now, with the unwavering support of his grandparents, we were free to create a future that was truly our own.