Page 42 of Claiming My Nemesis

I nodded, my heart swelling at the thought. “Yes, maybe by the lake. It’s such a beautiful place, and it means a lot to both of us.”

Mom’s face softened, her earlier reservations fading as she smiled. “That sounds lovely, Natalie. I’d love to help with the arrangements.”

Dad chuckled, leaning back in his chair. “A lakeside wedding, huh? That sounds like a perfect way to start your life together.”

The conversation flowed easily afterward, with my parents asking questions and offering suggestions about our plans. The more we talked, the more I realized how much I wanted this—to marry Ethan, to build a life together, and to have my family by my side.

But as the conversation began to wind down, I noticed a flicker of concern cross my mother’s face. She glanced at Ethan, then back at me, as if weighing her words carefully.

“Ethan,” she began, her tone gentle but serious, “I know you have a demanding career. How do you plan to balance that with a family life? I just want to make sure that Natalie isn’t left feeling lonely or overwhelmed.”

Her question hung in the air, and I could feel its weight. I looked at Ethan, my heart in my throat, wondering how he would respond.

Ethan didn’t miss a beat. He leaned forward, his expression earnest. “Mrs. Collins, I understand your concern, and it’s something I’ve thought a lot about. My work is important to me, but nothing is more important than Natalie. I’ve already started making changes in my life to ensure that I can be there for her and for our future family. It’s about finding the right balance, and I’m committed to making that work.”

Mom seemed to relax a bit at his words, and I felt a swell of pride in my chest. This was the man I was marrying—a man who wasn’t afraid to face challenges head-on and willing to make sacrifices for the people he loved.

She nodded thoughtfully and turned to me with a question that had clearly been on her mind. “Natalie, how do you feel about giving up your preschool? I know how much it means to you.”

I paused, knowing we would have to address this sooner or later. “I’d love to continue running it, Mom, but with Ethan’s work in Dallas, it would be impractical for us to live in CedarCove. I’ve thought about it a lot, and while it’s hard to imagine letting go of something I’ve built, I’m excited about what the future holds for us in Dallas. Maybe I can find a way to continue working with children there.”

I’m glad to hear that,” Mom said softly, her eyes meeting mine with a look of approval. “That’s all I needed to know.”

My mother smiled gently, her eyes filled with understanding. “I know you’ll make it work, Natalie. You always do.”

Ethan squeezed my hand, and I felt reassured. This was a new chapter, and while it meant making some sacrifices, it also meant new opportunities and adventures together.

The tension eased once more, and the conversation shifted to lighter topics, like wedding colors and guest lists. I could feel the last remnants of anxiety slipping away, replaced by a growing sense of excitement and anticipation.

This was really happening. We were planning a wedding, building a future together. And as I looked around the room at the people I loved most, I knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, we would overcome them.

After our initial conversations about the engagement and the wedding, we moved into the dining room, where my parents had set out some documents and notes. I knew this was where we’d dive into the details of the Whitmore deal—a subject that had loomed over Ethan and me since we left Dallas.

Dad spread out the papers on the table, his expression turning serious. “We’ve done some digging, and there are a few things you need to know about this resort deal.”

Ethan and I exchanged glances before we sat down, ready to absorb whatever information they had gathered. Mom handed me a stack of notes, and I skimmed through them, trying to understand the legal jargon and government regulations that filled the pages.

Dad cleared his throat, drawing our attention back to him. “The government’s restrictions on the land are pretty strict, as you know. But there’s a way to make this work. The key is to transfer the deed from the current owner directly to Whitmore instead of calling it a sale. By doing so, Whitmore would be bound by the same terms originally agreed upon with the government, which means he won’t be able to make extensive changes to the resort for at least a year.”

Ethan leaned forward, his brow furrowed in thought. “And after that year?”

Mom chimed in, her voice steady and calm. “After that year, Whitmore would have to pay a substantial assessment fee, but then he could make limited changes, provided they don’t infringe on the surrounding national forest. It’s not ideal, but it’s a way to move forward without losing the deal entirely.”

I watched Ethan process the information, his mind clearly working through the implications. I knew how much this deal meant to him—professionally and personally—and I could see the apprehension in his jaw as he considered our next steps.

“This could work,” he finally said, nodding slowly. “It’s not what we originally planned, but it’s better than losing the deal altogether. I appreciate all your work on this, Mr. Collins.”

Dad smiled with a hint of pride in his eyes. “Call me Jim, son. And you’re welcome. We’re happy to help.”

Ethan reached over and took my hand under the table, giving it a gentle squeeze. I returned the gesture, feeling a wave of gratitude for my parents’ support. It wasn’t lost on me how much they were willing to do to help Ethan and me navigate this complicated situation.

“So, what’s our next move?” I asked, looking between Ethan and my parents.

“We’ll need to present this option to Whitmore as soon as possible,” Ethan replied, his tone more confident now. “I’ll contact him first thing tomorrow, and we’ll go from there.”

“Good,” Mom said, nodding in approval. “And in the meantime, you two should focus on your future. The business will always be there, but these moments are precious.”

I smiled, feeling the kindness of her words settle over me. “You’re right, Mom. We’ve got a lot to figure out, but I’m glad we’re here to talk through it.”

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