The Arranged Marriage.

f connection with Max. They talked for hours, sharing stories and

ough the woods surrounding the cabin. The air was cri

h sending shivers down her spine. They walked in

sense of excitement building inside her. She knew she

is lips brushing against hers. Sophia felt a rush of excitem

ting into Max's arms. She had never felt thi

erself. She wanted Max,

ocked together. They fell onto the bed, their

nt. Sophia had never felt this way before, a

he had to leave. She couldn't stay here, no

sturb Max. She gathered her clothes and quic

he had used him, and she knew it. But she couldn't help h

As she locked the door behind her, Sophia felt a sense of relief

ent person staring back at her. She saw a person who

nning forever. She had to face he

ad made a mistake. She had used Max, and she had hurt him. And

r heart racing with excitement, her

d, and then remembered the night before. He smiled, thinking abou

note or some sign of where Sophia

of determination. He was going to find Sophia, and

his heart racing with excitement. He knew he had

a sense of hope. He had found Sophia, and he had fallen

d if anyone had seen Sophia. Finally, he

excitement. As he entered, he saw Sophia sit

s. He was happy to see her, but he was also

but gentle. "What happened? Why di

ding his. "I'm sorry, Max. I ju

ked on hers. "What's going on, Sophia

ing. "I just can't do this, Max. I

nt, but he didn't give up. "Why

ith tears. "My past, Max. It's comp

'm here for you, Sophia. I'll help you

h gratitude. "Thank you, Max. But

ove. "I'll give you all the time yo

hat he had found the one. He was willing to

g that Sophia was still hiding something from him. He kne

past, but she remained tight-lipped. He knew she was scared,

id, his voice gentle. "But I'm here fo

lled with tears. "Thank you,

with love. "I mean it, Sophia

he had to be patient. Sophia needed tim

forever. He needed to know what Sophia

oom, Max knew that he had to make a

"I need to know what's going on.

lled with fear. "Max, I...I d

ntle. "You can trust me, Sophia

rs slumping. "Okay, Max. I'll tell you

asked, his heart ra

are about me after I tell you," Sophia

love. "I promise, Sophia. I'll alw

past. She told him about her parents and their arranged

never leaving hers. He could see the pain and

nd in his. "I'm so sorry, Sophia," he said, hi

"It's not your fault,

It's not just your life. It's our

e had ever said anything like that to her before. N

e said, her voice ba

close. "You don't have to thank me, Soph

sh over her. She knew she had made the right decision in

f determination in Max's eyes. "What's wrong

hia," Max said, his voice firm. "We're going to ma

never thought about taking down her pare

t's a good idea," she sai

cary, Sophia. But I'll be with you every

termination there. She knew she could trus

ly, feeling a sense of