Ned gazed at her, his face unreadable.
"By comparison, you've really lived a blessed life. Our families are so different… I completely understand why your mother opposes us being together," she said softly.
"Her opposition doesn't matter on this one thing. I won't change my decision just because she disapproves," he replied coolly.
"Don't say that out of anger. You still have to consider her feelings," Sophie said, looking straight into his eyes. "After all, you're her only son. She has high hopes for you, of course she wouldn't want you to marry a girl like me, someone with no status, no background."
"Status? Background? A girl like you?" He stared back at her, a flash of anger in his voice.
"You once told me your mother grew up in privilege and judges everything by her own standards. I think that makes perfect sense," Sophie said earnestly. "It's only natural for her to care about family background and social standing. Someone like me, who has nothing, she could never accept."
