It wasn’t what I had imagined.

Beside me, Bradley’s expression became stiff.

“Mom?”

Kira’s voice snapped me out of my shock.

“Are you going to let everyone come inside?”

“Yes. Of course.”

I stepped aside quickly.

“Come in.”

We led everyone toward the dining room, but my hands had begun trembling.

My thoughts were moving too fast.

I needed to speak to Kira privately.

“I forgot a few things in the kitchen,” I said. “Kira, help me for a second.”

Then I looked at Bradley.

“You too.”

The moment the kitchen door closed behind us, I turned toward my daughter.

“Was there something you forgot to mention?”

Kira frowned.

“What are you talking about?”

“Marcus is Black.”

Her expression immediately hardened.

“Yes, Mom. I’m aware.”

“Why didn’t you tell us?”

“Because I knew this would happen.”

She crossed her arms.

“I knew you would react exactly like this. Marcus is a wonderful man. His family is kind. Why couldn’t you just meet them before deciding anything?”

Bradley finally spoke.

“My daughter is not marrying a Black man.”

Kira’s eyes widened.

“That isn’t your decision.”

Her voice shook with anger.

“Can both of you please behave normally for one evening?”

Then she walked out of the kitchen.

Dinner was painfully uncomfortable.

Kira and Marcus tried to keep conversations moving, but the atmosphere felt heavy.

I barely tasted my food.

Afterward, Kira pulled out old family photo albums and began showing Marcus pictures from her childhood.

They sat together on the couch, laughing.

From across the room, I watched them.

Then Marcus’s mother, Betty, moved closer to me.

“What do you think of them together?” she asked quietly.

I hesitated.