Chapter 18: Bound by Expectations
Aria's heart had been heavy for days. The distance between her and Elias was growing, the coldness in the mansion's halls suffocating. She needed to see her family—if only to remind herself of who she was before this life of duty and contracts swallowed her whole.
The moment she arrived at her childhood home, a familiar yet foreign place now, the air felt thick with unspoken judgment.
Her mother was waiting in the grand foyer, her expression carefully composed but eyes sharp as knives.
"Aria," her mother's voice was calm but carried an edge that sent a chill through her. "Leaving the matrimonial house without permission is unacceptable."
Aria swallowed hard. "I needed space. I needed to breathe."
Her mother's gaze hardened. "You were never meant to leave. You have a duty to fulfill. This marriage isn't just yours; it's ours, too."
Before Aria could respond, her father entered, his presence looming and stern.
"Do you realize what your actions could cause?" he asked, voice low but heavy with disappointment. "You jeopardize not just yourself, but our family's reputation."
The weight of their words crushed her spirit.
"I'm not a child anymore," Aria said, her voice trembling but firm. "I'm tired of being treated like one. I needed to come home because no one in that house cares about me. Not really."
Her mother's eyes flashed with anger. "Care? We did what was necessary to secure your future."
"But at what cost?" Aria's voice cracked as the tears she fought to hold back welled up. "I feel alone—like I'm just a pawn in a game I never agreed to play."
Her father's jaw tightened, but no words came. The silence between them was deafening.
That night, alone in her childhood room, Aria let the tears fall freely. The home she once thought would be a sanctuary now felt like another cage—one built on expectations and sacrifice.
Back at the mansion, Elias sat in his study, unaware of the storm brewing within her. But tonight, fate would weave their paths together in unexpected ways.
Here's the next part, deepening their emotional exchange and beginning Elias's attempt to reconnect:
Absolutely! Here's an expanded, more detailed Chapter 18 focusing on Aria's visit home, her parents confronting her about leaving the matrimonial house, the emotional tension, and her internal struggle.
---
Chapter 18: Bound by Expectations
Aria's heart had been heavy for days. The distance between her and Elias was growing, the coldness in the mansion's halls suffocating. She needed to see her family—if only to remind herself of who she was before this life of duty and contracts swallowed her whole.
The moment she arrived at her childhood home, a familiar yet foreign place now, the air felt thick with unspoken judgment.
Her mother was waiting in the grand foyer, her expression carefully composed but eyes sharp as knives.
"Aria," her mother's voice was calm but carried an edge that sent a chill through her. "Leaving the matrimonial house without permission is unacceptable."
Aria swallowed hard. "I needed space. I needed to breathe."
Her mother's gaze hardened. "You were never meant to leave. You have a duty to fulfill. This marriage isn't just yours; it's ours, too."
Before Aria could respond, her father entered, his presence looming and stern.
"Do you realize what your actions could cause?" he asked, voice low but heavy with disappointment. "You jeopardize not just yourself, but our family's reputation."
The weight of their words crushed her spirit.
"I'm not a child anymore," Aria said, her voice trembling but firm. "I'm tired of being treated like one. I needed to come home because no one in that house cares about me. Not really."
Her mother's eyes flashed with anger. "Care? We did what was necessary to secure your future."
"But at what cost?" Aria's voice cracked as the tears she fought to hold back welled up. "I feel alone—like I'm just a pawn in a game I never agreed to play."
Her father's jaw tightened, but no words came. The silence between them was deafening.
That night, alone in her childhood room, Aria let the tears fall freely. The home she once thought would be a sanctuary now felt like another cage—one built on expectations and sacrifice.
Back at the mansion, Elias sat in his study, unaware of the storm brewing within her. But tonight, fate would weave their paths together
Elias's hand lingered gently on Aria's cheek, warmth seeping through the coldness that had settled between them. For so long, he had kept his distance, believing it was easier that way. But now, looking at her vulnerability, he knew otherwise.
"Aria," he said softly, voice stripped of its usual steel, "I don't want us to be strangers. I don't want you to carry this alone."
She swallowed hard, fighting the urge to pull away but unable to meet his gaze. "I'm scared, Elias. Scared that no matter what I do, I'll never be more than a contract to you. A role to play."
His eyes darkened with emotion. "That's not true. You're more than that. You're more than I even expected."
Her breath hitched, and a single tear escaped. "Then why does it feel like I'm the only one trying? Like you've already given up?"
Elias's jaw tightened, frustration and regret battling within him. "I didn't want to hurt you. I thought if I kept my distance, I could protect both of us."
Aria's voice was barely a whisper. "Protect us from what?"
"From falling apart," he admitted. "From losing someone I care about."
For a moment, silence wrapped around them, fragile but hopeful.
Then Elias leaned closer, his forehead resting gently against hers. "Let's stop pretending this is just business."
Her lips trembled. "I want that too."
The distance between them began to shrink — not with grand gestures, but with a quiet promise: they would try. Together.