Forced To Marry, But Must Stay Hidden

g. It seemed as though Kieran and Elara were caught in a delicate balance-two people bound

hile. The sun would cast its gentle light over the land, the soft warmth touching her skin, reminding her of a life that once seemed full of promise. But now, it was different

ind. Yet, even amidst the beauty of the blooming roses and the scent of the earth, her thoughts would always return to Kieran. His words from

f the man she had married-not the distant figure who seemed to hide

kept his secrets locked away, he couldn't deny the growing bond between them. It was slow, like the steady

eard snippets of conversation that made her stop in her tracks. She didn't

from around here. Who knows where she

een acting lately, all brooding and distant. I

en't exactly welcomed by the village, but hearing their thoughts, their judgments, stung more than she could have ima

he house, staring at the darkened windows. She could hear Kieran moving inside, but she couldn't bring herself to

n the doorway. His presence was undeniable, like a shadow that

, his voice almost tent

feeling the cool night breeze on her face. "I overheard something today," she

his hands clenching at his

"That we don't belong here. That I don't bel

e refused to meet his gaze. She didn't want to see the pity in his eyes, the s

voice more forceful now. "Ignore them. They don't

Kieran. It's not just about what they say. It's about how it makes me feel-how I feel

was tentative, almost as if he were afraid she might pull away. "You're not trapped, Elar

words. She wanted to believe him. She really did. But how

unresolved emotions hanging in the air like a fog. It felt as if the world around them had stopped turning

ed, her voice raw with emotion. "I don't know if I can keep pr

ward, closing the distance between them. He reached for her hand, his touch

. I didn't mean to make you feel this way. I never wanted you to feel like yo

away. She couldn't let herself break, not now. But his words, his

ice barely audible. "But I can't walk away either.

her knuckles in a soft, reassuring motion. "We'll figure it

est flicker of hope in her chest. It was fragile, like a candle in the wi