“Lily, I’m sorry. I never wanted this for you, or for myself. My family… they think that by marrying me off, the whispers would stop, the burden of their expectations lifted. They believe a marriage would silence the rumors.” His voice cracked, a sound so raw it pierced through the haze of shock that enveloped me.
I stood there, processing his words. The truth was bitter, yet it offered clarity. Our marriage was a facade, a carefully constructed illusion to protect an intricate web of family reputation and social obligation. I had been thrust into a world of wealth where appearances were everything, even if it meant sacrificing genuine happiness.
