REJECTED MATE'S STRUGGLE

orate empire, even before the ink on our marriage certificate dried. Knowing the truth, however, did not lessen

chandelier glistened like a million stars, illuminating the shining marble flooring with a chilly glow. And there he was, my future husband Lucas Albrecht, the heir appa

you?" His words cut through the quiet l

s union brought together two influential families via a merger. There was no room for love in our

was never home; he was either on business trips or entertaining guests at opulent events, and I was just his attractive face to nod and smile at. He was aloof and preoccupied with his busi

utfit, and making sure everything was immaculate. Foolishly, I believed that maybe, just maybe, he would see me for who I was. But as the evening wore on, it was evid

he smiled at her, a grin I had never seen aimed toward me, and it caused a terrible knot to grow in my gut. Maybe the visitors di

my voice steady, and my hands were shaking. What are you doing, Lucas? E

aire, stop flattering yourself. This marriage is a business a

room, and I remained there, dumbfounded. It wasn't simply an emotional rejection; it also physically felt like a

hy. I would worry if he would ever return when he would be silent for days or even weeks at a time. Upon his return, it se

ooked at him. Why wouldn't she, too? Lucas was rich, powerful, and unreachable-everything she could ever hope for. The fact that

racing heart, I stood still at the entrance. My feet wouldn't move, even though I want

," Sophie put her hand on his

forth a frustrated, yearning sigh. It'

my face. Whatever had happened between them was not co

e had I felt so abandoned and so alone. I was being torn apart by Lucas's behavior, but what could I do?

w, a notion started to cross my mind. I have to stop doing th

of rejection even while the answer wasn't quite apparent. Even i

from Lucas, the guy who had turned

would figure out a way to get my life back, to emerge from the darkness and into the light. An

grief, and rejection. However, I was resolved to confront it, regardless of the consequences. Because

ng all else, I would

study, I discovered something that completely turned my plans: a letter from Soph