Carina’s journey was a testament to her strength and resolve. Her parents had always been critical of her career choice. “Carina,” her mother would say while dunking a biscuit into lukewarm tea, “You’re going to regret not going to medical school.”
Despite their insistence, Carina was passionate about IT and cybersecurity. She tried to explain, “Cybersecurity protects important details and keeps people safe.” But her parents remained unimpressed, preferring to focus on their daughter Jade, who was studying to become a doctor. When Carina graduated and went to college, her parents made her leave the house, saying, “You’ve chosen this path, so you’re capable of taking care of yourself.” Fast forward thirteen years, and Carina had achieved a lot. She had a successful career, a beautiful house, and a caring fiancé, Mark. As they planned their wedding, Mark encouraged her to invite her parents. “You’ve done this on your own,” he said. “Be proud of yourself.”
A girl sitting with a laptop and headphones | Source: Midjourney Reluctantly, Carina agreed. She wanted to celebrate her achievements and share her joy. When her parents arrived at her home, they were stunned to discover it was hers, not just a rented room. “You own this entire house?” her father asked, wide-eyed. Carina responded proudly, “Yes, Dad. I worked hard for this.” But as soon as they entered, her mother’s entitlement surfaced. “You know, Carina,” she declared, scanning the living room, “We deserve to live in comfort after all we’ve done for you.” Carina was incredulous. “Mom, this is my home. I bought it with my own money. You did nothing to support me after high school.” Her father added, “After everything we sacrificed for you, this is the least you can do.” Carina tried to reason with them. “You chose to support Jade and let her live at home. I was kicked out and had to fend for myself. This is not my responsibility.” As tensions rose, Carina’s future in-laws, Tom and Carol, arrived. They had been listening outside and stepped in firmly. “Carina’s achievements are hers alone,” Carol said. “She’s worked hard for this and deserves every bit of it.”Tom added, “Carina invited you to celebrate her wedding and join our families, not to demand things from her.” Carina’s parents were stunned into silence. Mark joined in, stating, “Family supports each other, they don’t tear each other down. And that’s what you’ve done to Carina for years.” Carina looked at her parents with a mix of sadness and resolve. “I love you, but this is my life. You’ve been absent for years and now you’re demanding things. Is that fair? I’ve worked too hard to let anyone take that away from me.” Her father sighed, “We didn’t mean to upset you.” Carina replied gently, “Respect my choice. Be present for the wedding, but after that, you can go your own way.” The dinner at the restaurant was subdued, but Carina’s focus remained on the positives—her upcoming wedding and the support from Mark and his in-laws. As they talked about the wedding, Carol’s comments about the dress fitting reminded Carina of the love and support she had in her life. After the dinner, Carina’s parents said, “We’ll see you at the wedding.” Carina responded, “Yes, I’ll see you then.” As she watched them leave, she knew that while the road ahead with her parents might still be challenging, she had navigated this moment with dignity. The upcoming wedding was a celebration of her achievements and the supportive relationships that had helped her along the way.
