r parents to replace. Everything in this house felt outdated-frozen in a time she'd long since outgrown. Yet,

dr

t was maddening. She had spent years scoffing at her family's outdated traditions, years priding herself on breaking free from their mold. But now

lf, shaking her head as if the force of

e she could respond, her mother walked in,

" her mother said, setting the

ighed.

t yet probing. "You looked... distracte

: Hey, Mom, you know that arranged marriage I called in

"It's just a lot to process. All of thi

it seems old-fashioned to you, but our traditions have kept this family strong for

I've spent my whole life hearing about these 'strong traditions

anding. "I don't want you to feel trapped, Leila. But I also don't want you to dismiss s

of agreement. After her mother left, she curled up o

o Andreas. But it was impossible to escape him. He was everywhere-helping her father fix the garden ga

s he worked in the garden, his sleeves rolled up to reveal

ping her out of her reverie. "Co

the plate she was

yebrow. "Why not? You'

kneeling by the pergola, tightening the bolts on one of the beams. He l

ived," he said, brushing

ant," Leila shot bac

d with mock solemnity.

le tugging at her lips. Against her better judgment, sh

and the occasional clink of metal. But the quiet wasn't uncomfortable-it

breaking the silence, "how long

"I'm not av

n amused. "Really? Because yesterda

ng intently on the beam as if it were

'm not here to make you uncomfortable. If this whole thing feels w

, surprised.

ssure, right? But then I saw you, and..

the world seemed to shrink, leaving

d, her voice barel

nd I think I understand why our f

looked away, pretending to adjust the beam. "W

light but his gaze lingering.

y finished the pergola, she couldn't help but wonder if resisting him w