Love beyond the forbidden

ossomed, but also where the danger of being discovered lurked like a shadow. She kept replaying their conversations and the kiss that had shattered the delicate balance betwee

y she no longer felt connected to. Every decision she made about the wedding felt hollow as if she were planning someone else's life. But despite her inner turmoil, she couldn't

was out of place. For her, this wedding was the crowning achievement of a lifetime of planning and social maneuvering. Emma kne

It was her younger sister, Clara, a girl full of innocence and wide-eyed curiosity. Clara had always idolized Emma, watching her every move

soft as she stepped into

citement. "You must be so happy," she said, her voice full of the naivety of youth. "Everyone says this is going to

ed herself. "Yes, I'm very lucky," she said,

"I hope one day I have a wedding like yours,"

with being the eldest daughter of a prominent family. Emma didn't want to shatter Clara's illusions, but at the same time, she fel

t if you had to choose between what everyone ex

've always done what's right, Emma. Everyone looks up

ecret. How could she explain what she was going through? How could

ething different," Emma said quietly. "It's okay to fo

ss in her sister's tone. "Emma, is everything

ara's hand. "I'm just nervous,

m sure everything will be perfect.

more she tried to convince herself that she could go through with the wedding, the more she felt like she was losing herself. Every time she thought of James, it was

felt alive, as though she had been sleepwalking through life until he appeared. The thought of walking away from him filled her with a sa

ff, businesslike manner. "I've spoken to James' father about the property transfer," he said,

ed food around her plate. She glanced at her mother, who was beaming

d brightly. "Emma, you must be thrilled to

mile, nodding.

that she wasn't some piece of property to be traded between families. But she s

ocating atmosphere any longer. She needed air, space to think, and most of all, she needed to see Matthew.

y the water's edge as though he had been waiting for her. He looked up w

aid quietly, ris

how to explain the storm of emotions raging inside her. But as soon as s

pered, her voice breaking.

cheek. "Then don't," he said, his voice firm yet kind

ea felt both liberating and terrifying. Could she defy everything she had been taught to beli

e admitted, her

t air swirled around them. "You don't have to be scared alone,"

s, Emma felt a sense of peace. But even in Matthew's embrace, the weight of her choice loomed over