Brie Visits Master's Italy (After Graduation, #7) Read Online Free PDF Page A

Brianna,” her father affirmed.
    “Well then, it all comes back to the fact that I’m legally an adult. I have the right to make this choice. It’s my life. I would rather you hate me than pretend to be someone I am not.”
    “I could never hate you, Brie,” her mother protested, giving her a hug. “But this is not the life I want for you.” She tucked a lock of hair behind Brie’s ear. “It’s morally wrong, sweetheart.”
    “How? I’m in a committed relationship. What is morally wrong about that?”
    Her mother shook her head, not accepting Brie’s answer but not having a quick comeback to dispute it.
    Her father warned Brie, “Nothing you say will ever convince me that what you are doing is acceptable.”
    “I understand, Dad. But this is my calling. I can’t change who I am, even if it disappoints you.”
    “Then leave. If my opinion doesn’t matter, I don’t see any point in discussing this further. You’re willfully planning to embarrass us in front of the nation. The truth is, you care more about yourself than your own parents. As disappointed as I am, I accept that. But I do not respect your choice of ‘partner’ or the lifestyle you have chosen.”
    Brie looked to her mother and whimpered, “Mom?”
    She stared at Brie with a look of misgiving. She looked to her husband before stating, “I agree with your father.”
    Brie was stunned and stood there frozen, as if in a trance. Were these really her parents? The people who had loved and raised her since birth?
    Sir’s warm voice filled the room. “Brie, I think you have accomplished what you set out to do here.”
    His gentle reminder helped her refocus. If this was all her parents were capable of giving at this point, then she would have to accept it. Hopefully, there would come a time when they would welcome her back with open arms—once the shock dissipated. But if that day never comes… She looked at them both sadly, bereft at the thought.
    Brie couldn’t keep the tears back when she told them, “Okay, I will leave because you asked. But consider this, you always taught me to follow my heart no matter the cost. That’s what I am doing now. I hope someday you will understand and be proud.”
    She took Sir’s arm and started towards the door.
    He father declared behind her, “I will never be proud of you for this. Never!”

Lesson: His Belts

    S ir opened the car door and helped Brie into it. She remained silent, still in shock over her parents’ rejection. Just before they pulled away, her mother ran out of the house. “Brie, can I have the film? I want to see it before the rest of the world.”
    Brie gratefully pulled the disk out of her purse. “Of course. Mom, I want you to see it. I’m really proud of this film.”
    “I can’t guarantee that your father will ever watch it, but I will. I need to stay connected, even if I disagree with what you are doing.”
    Tears of gratitude ran down her cheeks. “That means a lot to me, Mom.”
    Her mother gave Brie a quick hug through the car window before running back into the house. Brie turned to Sir. “Thank you for getting me out of there before I cracked.”
    His smile was forced. “I struggled myself, Brie.”
    She leaned over and pressed her head against his shoulder. “Are you okay, Sir?”
    “Your father is a provocative man. His heart is in the right place, but his methods are… off-putting.”
    Brie snorted with anger. “Off-putting? That’s far too kind. He was horrible.”
    Sir turned towards her. “All I have to do is put myself in his shoes, and it makes it easier to accept why he is reacting this way.”
    “So you told him about us, Sir?”
    “I felt it was important to do it man-to-man.”
    “I’m sorry it didn’t go better with my parents.”
    He started the car and muttered under his breath, “It went… well enough.”
    Brie sat back in her seat and looked back at her parents’ home as they drove away. Would she ever be welcomed back into her