BOUND BY FORTUNE

ultuous sea of emotions. The initial spark of attraction had left her both exhilarated and unsettled. Each night, she lay awake in her spacious

state, far from the pressures of the outside world. **"What do you want to be when you grow up?"** her friends had asked, and she had always answered with enthusiasm: an artist, a writer, a philanthropist. But now, with her future decided by others, those dreams felt like distant fantasies. Later that evening, as Isabella sat in her favorite nook of the estate, a cozy corner filled with plush cushions and books, she picked up a novel she had been reading. The protagonist was a strong, independent woman who fought against societal norms to forge her own path. Isabella felt a pang of longing as she read about the character's adventures, her heart yearning for the same courage. Suddenly, her phone buzzed with a message from her mother: **"Remember to prepare for your meeting with Alexander tomorrow. It's important that you start planning your future together."** A wave of frustration washed over Isabella. Planning a future? It felt absurd to think about a life with someone she barely knew, let alone someone who had been thrust upon her by her family's ambitions. The thought of discussing wedding plans, a shared home, and a life together felt suffocating. That night, she stood in front of her mirror, staring at her reflection. The woman looking back at her was a stranger-someone who wore the façade of the perfect daughter, the dutiful heiress. But inside, she felt like a tempest, torn between her desires and her obligations. **"What do you want, Isabella?"** she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible. The silence of the room enveloped her, and for the first time, she allowed herself to confront the truth. She wanted to be free. Free to choose her own path, free to explore the world without the constraints of others' expectations. But the reality of h