Bridget took a deep breath, gathering her courage, and without wasting another second, she shared her momentous news.
“My dear family,” she began, doing her best to keep her voice steady, “I have a most important announcement to make.”
Her smile radiated her resolve as she continued, “I have made the decision to embark on a new chapter in my life, far away from our beloved estate. I will be leaving to our second estate for a simpler life.”
She glanced at her father, who already knew of her plans, and then back at everyone else. She took a moment to catch her breath before finally revealing, “I requested Father’s blessing on this, and he graciously agreed already. Thus, it is settled.”
Bridget’s words were met with shocked faces and dropped jaws all across the dining table. Leonard was the only one who managed to maintain a smile, his eyes filled with support.
Her mother was the first to break the heavy silence that descended on the room. Her voice cracked with disbelief as she addressed her. “Bridget, my dear, tell me this is but a jest. You cannot be serious.”
Everyone seemed to find their voice after that.
Elliot leaned forward, his eyes raging with confusion and protest. “Why on earth would you choose to leave us in such a manner, Sister? Where… How… Where is this coming from?”
Ruth nodded in agreement, her voice tinged with worry. “Indeed. We cannot support this idea of yours.” She shook her head vehemently. “You will be too far away from the family, and we will be constantly plagued with concern for your well-being.”
Olivia chimed in softly, her voice barely above a whisper, “When… when will you be leaving, Bridget?”
Bridget sighed, feeling the weight of their piercing gazes on her. “I am leaving… tomorrow,” she finally admitted, her voice filled with determination and sorrow.
The room immediately erupted in a chorus of shocked exclamations.
“Tomorrow?!” they all exclaimed, their voices blending together in a symphony of disbelief.
“Have you perchance taken a tumble and struck your head, Bridget? How else could you come up with such an absurd notion?” Hector’s eyes were wide and flashing with disbelief as he finally spoke up.
As the intense dialogue unfolded, the expressions and emotions of each character became more pronounced. Ruth’s eyes welled up with tears, Elliot’s frustration turned into anger, Olivia clutched her hands tightly, and Hector’s disbelief was etched on his face.
Bridget’s laughter echoed through the room as she shook her head at his words. “Oh, Brother,” she said, trying to mask her nervousness with a light tone, “always with a flair for the dramatic. I assure you, I am very serious about this.”
Her gaze shifted to the rest of her family as she continued, her voice steady but filled with determination, “I have made up my mind, and nothing will sway me.”
Hector scoffed, his eyes betraying his heavy sadness. “And who am I supposed to take on my grand adventures and daring schemes now? What will become of our frightening duo, Sister?”
Bridget’s heart clenched at the thought of leaving her brother. She realized at that moment that she would miss him the most. Hiding her tears, she cleared her throat and let out another laugh.
“Oh, dear brother, fear not. You are far too mischievous to stay idle for long. I have no doubt you will find a new partner in cr?—”
Before she could continue, Leonard suddenly interjected with a firm declaration. “Indeed, Hector, you shall have to seek another partner for your… schemes. The matter is settled. Bridget shall no longer be available.”
The room fell silent, and everyone’s eyes turned to Leonard in bewilderment.
Ruth glared at her husband with accusatory eyes, her voice filled with disbelief as she asked, “How could you agree to this? Our daughter is leaving us!”
Leonard met his wife’s gaze, his expression mirroring her sorrow. Ruth seemed caught off guard by the vulnerability in his expression.
With a heavy sigh, he responded, “I agreed to it because it is what our daughter desires. Her happiness is of utmost importance to me.” He paused, his eyes scanning the faces of each family member seated at the table. “I fully support Bridget in her decision, and I hope that all of you will do the same.”
Bridget’s eyes met her father’s, and a grateful smile graced her lips. At the exchange of warm smiles between the two, everyone in the room was left astonished. Their eyes darted back and forth, searching for answers in this unexpected development.
At last, the shocked silence was finally broken by Hector, who let out a long, low whistle before speaking the thoughts that lingered on everyone’s minds.
“I never thought I would see the day,” he murmured, his voice carrying a mix of surprise and amusement.
Laughter erupted in the room, like a sweet melody instantly chasing away the tension that had filled the air moments before. It was a collective, much-needed release, and Bridget’s face brightened with a smile at her brother.
She knew she would miss this ability of his to always lighten every situation. She wondered how she would truly survive without him.
