Love beyond the forbidden

th Matthew stayed with her, like a wildfire burning through everything she thought she knew. She felt exhilarated, terri

of duty, tradition, and responsibility-was slipping through her fingers. But she wasn't sure she wanted to hold onto it anymore. Matthew had

loors. Her parents were already asleep, and the house was still, but Emma felt anything but calm. She

wanted, something that felt more real than anything else in her life. But what did that mean for

ad no answers to. She knew one thing for certain-she couldn't keep p

outine-greeting her parents at breakfast, helping with household chores, and attending to the endless wedding preparations-but her mind was elsew

she was going through, but there was no one she could trust with the truth. Her mother would never

ee Matthew again. She had to make sense of the feelings

e they had met before, but when she arrived, Matthew was nowhere to be seen. She stood by the water, the wind rustling the leaves around her, feeling

mm

s expression a mix of surprise and concern. He had been working on the bridge repairs nea

you here," he said softly

inside her. "I needed to talk to you," sh

er, his gaze intense

don't know what to do," she admitted, her voic

dent. "I didn't mean to make things harder for you, Emma. But

nt something to me too," she said, her voice shaking. "But I'm engaged to James.

ched out to touch her arm. "But do you *want* to

d to find an answer. The truth was, she didn't want to marry James-not in the way she was supposed to. She didn't love him, not the way she

r voice cracking with emotion. "I

have to have all the answers right now, Emma. But you deserve to

nted to trust that she could break free from the expectations that had always g

admitted, her vo

rm and reassuring. "I know," he said gentl

thew's presence, the way he made her feel alive in a way she had never experienced before. But with that came the crushing reali

voice breaking. "What will people say? What wi

oice was firm but kind. "Sometimes, you have to

Was she willing to risk everything-her reputation, her future, her family's approval-for a chance at lov

er voice thick with emotion. "I

n understanding. "Take all th

cision ahead felt heavier than ever, and as she walked away from the river that day, she knew she was