I pleaded softly, “Mom, please. They’re doing no harm.”

But it was too late. Waiters were already escorting the couple out. They didn’t protest. They simply bowed their heads, trembling, and stood outside the hall without even a chair to sit on. My chest ached, but the ceremony swept forward, pulling me with it.

During the banquet, Javier kept glancing toward the entrance, his hands fidgeting restlessly. I couldn’t shake the image of the couple waiting outside.

When the celebration ended, I excused myself and went to them.

The man’s voice was weak, trembling as he spoke: “Miss, thank you for caring. We didn’t want to intrude. We only wished to see our son Javier one last time.”

I froze. “You… know him?”