The Heart Dilemma

sion that hung thickly in the air between them. She lif

her emotions, "it's been days since you mentioned

unned

palms, causing her hands to tremble. "Does it go

lence lingere

r, and yet we're expected to act as if we're in a genuine relations

xpression. "It was your father who pushed for this arrangement,

napologetic response, but

gigg

l? What about me? What would I gain from all of th

ith someone of my figure. Do you know what that means? I doubt you know how much influence and power

sbelief. Her frustration grew, like

crescendo of emotions breaking against the shores of his i

in his chair, stretc

reater good. Your father made his decision, and now y

idened "Co

trated she was. She wanted to scream at him, to tell him

rves, she knew deep down that

*

ugh the room, Ava lay there, her heart heav

and structure, but deep down, her hear

oughts, this longing for intimacy and a connection

voice barely audible, her vulner

s with a distant look. "What is it aga

spread, tracing invisible patterns. "I... I know this marriage was arrang

an, we knew what we were getting into when we agreed to this marriage," h

I've always yearned for a marriage filled with love. A marriage where I truly feel

at tighten, and sh

to be seen. You don't talk to me. You don't even see me. It

t he chose to ignore her, his attention fixed on

r words hanging in the air. Then, without lo

on of pain and annoyance visible in

rong. "I'm here, right in front of you, and yet I f

ustration. He responded dismissively, "This is pointless," his tone dis

e weight of his arrogance and i

arranged marriage. Y

g special about you for your fath

for a connection that seemed out of reach. "I heard you. But that do

," in Insolence, his words heavy with uncertainty. "

I want more," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I wa

responded dismissively, "This is the way things are, we'r

as if the connection she so desperately de

our happiness?" she asked, her

make this work, to find some common ground." Her voice was despe

eemingly impenetrable. "I do not need vulnerability,"

he verge of bursting out. Amid her astonishment, an i

, you may view vulnerability as weakness, but I

more daring than I thought," he mused, h

a puppet in this marriage,' she affirmed. 'If we're going to make this work, we n

ile. 'Very well,' he said, his tone carrying a hint of challen