THE MIRACLE OF DONAS LIFE

"When are you going to get married?"

The lively dining table went silent in an instant, and there was a lingering anticipation in the air that did not go unnoticed by anyone in the room.

Michael McGregor could hear his father's voice loud and clear, but he chose to ignore it, focusing on the meal before him.

It was a question that he had grown accustomed to over the years. There was no need for him to give a verbal response. After all, his answer would remain the same.

Around the table sat five individuals overall: the Chairman of Haynes-McGregor Industries, his wife, Michael, and the latter's two siblings, namely William and Joanna.

John McGregor sat at the head of the table with a scowl, obviously displeased by his son's blatant lack of response. He slammed his fork down on the plate, making a loud noise that caused the others to jolt in surprise.

"I am talking to you," John said, his eyes narrowing in anger. "When are you going to stop refusing marriage prospects and blind dates? You are not getting any younger, Michael. It's time for you to find a wife and have her give birth to a son. An heir."

"And you're sticking to your traditional beliefs as always, Father," Michael said indifferently as he took a bite out of the steak. "I am still young enough to avoid settling down for the time being."

"There have been many rumors going around about you," John said, his tone filled with displeasure. "What do you keep waiting around for? Do you fancy men, or is there a woman that you secretly favor but is already taken?"

"None are correct," Michael said calmly.

Michael's mother, Diana, turned to him with a concerned expression on her face. "Son, is there really no one who has ever caught your attention? Your father and I are just worried about you. You've never shown the slightest interest in any of the women we've introduced you to."

Michael's two siblings, William and Joanna, remained silent, knowing better than to interfere in the same old discussion that had been going on for years.

Michael was the only one in the family who wasn't married. Will had married a beautiful and obedient woman his parents had arranged for him while Joanna had given birth to her second child last year.

They both worked hard in the family business at Haynes-McGregor Industries, Will being the COO and Joanna running the branch office in another city. She was just here today to visit her family for the weekend.

So, whenever they had family dinners like this, the conversation would eventually come back to one point.

Michael's lack of interest in women and marriage.

Since Michael was the current CEO of the company, the family had high expectations for him. At first, Will was the one that John wanted to inherit the CEO position. However, when Michael suddenly showed tremendous growth over the past few years, it eventually became clear that he was the one who was best suited for the job.

Will, the most mellow and rational son of the family, did not take it personally and supported his brother in any way he could. He didn't really care about the position and stepped out of the way when Michael began to prove himself to their father.

Joanna, on the other hand, disapproved of Michael's way of doing things. As the eldest daughter and sibling, she couldn't understand why Michael tended to do whatever he wanted and whenever he wished. Because of her father's strong personality, she had unconsciously adopted his traditional beliefs, believing that every life had a proper process that would guarantee success.

"I don't understand what the big deal is with you refusing to date or get engaged to someone at least," Joanna suddenly spoke up with a raise of an eyebrow. "If you don't want to get married or have a relationship, just say so. Don't keep stringing Mom and Dad along with your carefree tendencies."

"Joanna," Will said calmly with a warning tone in his voice. The two of them were twins, born in the same year, with Michael being the youngest. If there was anyone who could keep her in line, it was him.

"Don't keep defending him, Will," Joanna snapped. "He's been really arrogant lately. He keeps making big decisions on a whim without informing any of us, and he never even tries to ask our opinion when it comes to business matters. It's like he doesn't have a family!"

John frowned, but said nothing.

Diana, on the other hand, looked aghast as she tried to remedy the situation.

"Joanna, your brother just has his own way of doing things," she said. "I'm sure he means well and has plans for himself that we don't know about."

"That's great, then. He can tell us exactly what those plans are," Joanna said, turning to Michael with a glare. "Enlighten us, dear brother, as to why we seem to no longer exist in your life."

Michael sighed quietly as he set his utensils down on the table. Then, very calmly, he said, "If being in this family means that I have to obey every single thing I'm told to do and report every detail to all of you, then I don't need it. I am no one's puppet, and I am certainly nothing like you, Joanna."

A stunned silence met him as a response.

Diane gasped in shock. Will closed his eyes, already dreading the outcome of this conversation.