CHAPTER NINETEEN - The Breaking Point

Lucas noticed Ella's distress and pulled her aside during a quiet moment. "Hey," he said softly, his eyes full of concern. "Are you okay?" Ella tried to smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I don't know," she admitted. "I thought I was ready for this, but... I didn't expect it to be so overwhelming. Everyone's talking about us, judging us. What if this affects the restaurant? What if people stop coming because they disapprove?" Lucas took her hands in his, his touch grounding her. "Listen to me," he said firmly. "What we have is real and important. Yes, there might be some challenges ahead, but we'll face them together. The people who matter will understand, and as for the rest... well, they'll get used to it eventually." Ella nodded, drawing strength from his words and his presence. "You're right," she said, taking a deep breath. "We can handle this. Together." As they returned to work, Ella felt a renewed sense of determination. Yes, the road ahead might be rocky, but what she a