# Chapter 5: The Breaking Point
The tension in the room thick hard to breathe. I stood firm my expression cold steady. After a tough argument with my parents I was ready to declare they no longer controlled my life.
"If you can't accept my decision then I'm leaving. I won't come back to this house or see you again," I said my voice sharp strong.
My parents looked shocked disbelieving. For years they pushed their expectations on me but tonight I was ready to break free.
"You don't mean that Michelle. We just want you to be happy," my father said worry showing in his serious tone.
"Happiness means nothing if I can't choose it for myself," I replied remaining cold unyielding.
After a tense moment my mother sighed. "Fine we will accept your choice whoever you marry. Just don't walk away from us. You are our only child."
I nodded slightly but didn't soften my expression. I understood the deal I made. The hesitant smile from my parents showed their desperation.
Days later the family held a dinner to make this acceptance official. Andrew and his mother arrived the atmosphere tense cautious. The beautifully set table reflected the seriousness of the occasion but unease lingered.
"You look handsome today." my mom said delaying the conversation
My father cleared his throat spoke to Andrew formally. "In recognition of your service we have decided to give you twenty percent of our properties."
Andrew's eyes widened but he quickly hid his surprise because he wasn't expecting that, he was expecting me to be his wife and all the properties will be in his name. "Sir it's too much. I appreciate it but I can't accept such generosity."
"You must," my mother insisted. "You have earned it."
I watched quietly from across the room feeling detached. This wasn't my concern. I felt no gratitude toward Andrew no warmth or care. I didn't owe him anything at least not emotionally.
Andrew exchange glance with his mom and excused himself to go to the restroom leaving politely. Moments later he returned quietly to the table.
Then without warning a loud crash shattered the fragile calm. The grand chandelier above had come loose its crystal pieces swinging dangerously.
Before anyone could react the chandelier fell toward me. Andrew immediately lunged pushing me out of the way just before the chandelier crashed to the floor sending shards flying everywhere.
Andrew collapsed immediately under the debris. Panic erupted as people rushed to help him. I stood still my expression unchanged my mind calculating rather than feeling.
"Michelle I think you should follow them to the hospital." my mom said.
"Why? He would probably be okay."
"Michelle we accepted your decision, but he saved you again you can't be an ingrate, we raised you right, you were poorly raised. Id this how you are showing appreciation to your saviour?" My dad asked.
I looked at them, I wished they see what I saw in the future, all this was just planned.
"Okay." I accepted, my parents had been a lovely parents since childhood and I do everything they want.
The sirens wailed as paramedics arrived quickly taking Andrew to the nearby hospital. I followed silently my presence obligatory not sympathetic.
Hours later in the hospital lobby I sat alone my gaze distant. The initial concern I might have felt was gone replaced by resignation. Andrew's mother stayed by my side quiet watchful.
The hospital was eerily quiet as midnight approached. Suddenly the lights flickered went out plunging the lobby into darkness. Confusion filled the air among the few waiting people.
I searched my bag for my phone only to find the battery dead. A wave of true unease washed over me as the darkness exposed a vulnerability I didn't like.
"Michelle?" Andrew's mother whispered nervously breaking the silence.
"Here," I replied curtly my breathing steady but my body tense.
Every sound amplified the scrape of footsteps the faint murmur of voices yet the overwhelming darkness seemed to swallow reality. I remained still my usual calmness challenged but unbroken.
A distant noise echoed sharply through the darkness something falling somewhere down the hall. Pressed against the cold wall my heart raced but any fear hidden behind my practiced stoicism.
The emergency lights flickered back on dimly restoring the sterile glow. For a brief moment I noticed the worried expression on Andrew's mother's face before the weight of the night settled back in.
In that quiet moment I realized the night's events from the chandelier's fall to the sudden blackout were not accidents. And while I felt no sympathy for Andrew I understood this was just the beginning of something much more serious.