Years of hard work had led Carina to success, but her parents still sought to claim ownership of her achievements. Despite their initial shock at her accomplishments, they quickly shifted to demanding a share in her success.

Carina’s fiancé, Mark, and his parents offered unwavering support, standing up for her against her parents’ attempts to assert control. Their words of encouragement and validation reinforced Carina’s decision to stand her ground.

In the end, Carina’s parents realized the error of their ways, albeit reluctantly. While they agreed to attend her wedding, the rift between them remained, a reminder of the boundaries Carina had set to protect her hard-won independence.

As Carina parted ways with her parents after the tense encounter, she felt a mix of sadness and relief. Though she longed for their acceptance, she knew that their conditional love was not worth sacrificing her autonomy.

With her supportive fiancé and future in-laws by her side, Carina looked forward to her wedding day, knowing that she was surrounded by people who truly valued and celebrated her achievements, regardless of blood ties.