381: SILENT EXCHANGE ARIEL’S POV Sir Reynold clapped his hands, and a helper swiftly entered the living room, carrying a small box. With a nod from Sir Reynold, the helper approached Luke and handed him the box. Luke took it, his eyes briefly shuddering towards me before focusing on the box in his hands. Sir Reynold’s voice broke the tense silence. “Open it, Luke.” Luke hesitated for a moment, his gaze lingering on me before he slowly lifted the lid of the box. Inside gleamed a stunning diamond ring, catching the light in a mesmerizing display Sir Reynold’s voice was firm. “Put it on her finger, Luke.” Luke’s eyes darted to mine once again, a cold intensity burning in them. For what felt like an eternity, we locked eyes, a silent exchange of emotions passing between us. Sir Reynold’s tone grew impatient. “What are you waiting for, Luke? Put the ring on her finger.” With a reluctant nod, Luke rose from his seat, his movements deliberate as he approached me. He knelt before me, his expression unreadable as he took my hand in his. The touch sent a shiver down my spine, but I refused to let it show. With deliberate slowness, he slid the ring onto my finger, his gaze never leaving mine. The load of the moment hung heavy in the air, a silent acknowledgment of the fate that had been thrust upon us. I felt a sense of resignation as the diamond sparkled on my finger. This ring was more than just a piece of jewelry, it was a symbol of the life that awaited me, bound to a man I barely knew, in a marriage dictated by imperative rather than love. But as I looked into Luke’s eyes, I saw something twitch beneath the icy facade. Was it regret? Resignation? Or perhaps something else entirely? Only time would tell. Still in s silence, Sir Reynold’s piercing gaze bore into Luke. “Kiss her, Luke,” he commanded, and I could only wonder what happened between these two? A tense silence enveloped the room as Luke and I exchanged uncertain glances. The weight of Sir Reynold’s expectation hung heavy in the air, suffocating any semblance of free will. Minutes passed like hours, the pressure mounting with each passing second. But just as the tension reached its breaking point, Luke stood abruptly, his jaw clenched with resolve. “I cannot,” he declared, his voice betraying a hint of defiance as he turned on his heel and strode away. leaving his grandfather stunned. As for me, I wasn’t. The echo of his departure reverberated through the room, leaving behind a hollow emptiness tinged with the bitter taste of rejection. Sir Reynold’s steely gaze followed Luke’s retreating figure, his expression was SILENT EXCHANGES unreadable The path we had been forced upon was fraught with incertitude and Incumbency, a far cry from the fairy tale romance I had once dreamed of. But even at this point, still through the ashes of shattered moments and unexpected situation, I found a glimmer of something else–hope. Hope that perhaps, in spite of the constraints that bound us, we could forge our own destiny, one that defied the expectations thrust upon us. Only God knew if that hope would be enough to sustain us in the trials that lay ahead. Could Luke actually fall in love with me? Could we make something different out of this? These questions just kept on revolving in my head. “It’s okay, Ariel. He just has a lot to think of right now,” Sir Reynold said softly, dragging me out of my thoughts “Oh, okay,” I responded calmly, pretending not to know what was going on between these two. I could see that this marriage situation had brought something terrible between them, but Luke didn’t want to disrespect this man. It was quite clear. Before I could dwell further on Luke’s departure, Sir Reynold’s commanding voice sliced through the tension once again. “Eva,” he called, and a maid promptly appeared at the doorway, her demeanor poised and professional. “Show Miss Ariel around the mansion,” Sir Reynold instructed, his tone carrying a hint of dismissal. I nodded silently, grateful for the opportunity to escape the suffocating atmosphere of the living room. Rising from my seat, I followed Eva out of the room, casting one last glance over my shoulder at Sir Reynold, whose stoic expression betrayed nothing of the turmoil within. Eva led me through the labyrinthine corridors of the mansion, and it was really beautiful. Beautiful than our mansion, since these people were richer than us. They were in the five–star silk–stocking level. Eva proved to be a gracious guide, offering tidbits of information about each room we passed. Yet, despite her efforts to make me feel welcome, I couldn’t shake the sense of apprehension that lingered in the air. With each step, I found myself grappling with the reality of my situation. Trapped in a marriage of convenience, hurled to a man I barely knew, in a world governed by duty rather than desire. But as Eva led me through the ornate halls of the mansion, I wondered if between this story of wealth and privilege, there might be a glimmer of humanity waiting to be discovered. Perhaps, in the labyrinth of this mansion, I would find not only the keys to its hidden chambers but also the secrets of my own heart. I continued to tread on the heels of Eva, and I didn’t know, I just felt this pang of empathy for her. There was something in her demeanor, a subtle sadness beneath the guise of professionalism, that spoke volumes. 381 SILENT EXCHANGE As if sensing my curiosity, Eva began to speak, a hint of melancholy right there. “You know, Miss Ariel, Paths dictated by duty rather than sometimes life takes us down paths we never imagined for desire.” I listened intently as she recounted her own story, a tale of love forsaken in the face of familial expectations. “I was once like you, Miss Ariel,” Eva confessed, her eyes distant as she delved into the depths of her past. “I fell in love with a man who was not of my family’s choosing. But when it came time to marry, duty prevailed over my heart’s desires.” A heavy sigh escaped her lips as she continued, “I thought I could learn to love him, that perhaps duty would pave the way for affection. But as the years passed, I realized the folly of my decision. I was trapped in a loveless marriage, bound by chains of obligation.” Her words struck a chord within me, resonating with the doubts and fears that had plagued my heart since Sir Reynold’s decree. “And do you regret it?” I found myself asking, my voice barely above a whisper. Eva’s gaze met mine, a glimmer of sorrow stirring in her eyes. “Every day,” she admitted with intense remorse. “I traded my happiness for the illusion of duty, and in doing so, I lost myself. Π Her words hung heavy in the air, it was literally a solemn reminder of the stakes at hand. “Miss Ariel,” Eva told me, with a gentle and firm tone. “Whatever decision you make, make it wisely. Do not allow yourself to be bound by the expectations of others. Choose the path that leads to your own happiness. That’s all I have to say.” Her words echoed in my mind as we continued our journey through the mansion. And finally, we parted ways, after she had led me back to the living room. #Claim Bonus For Free Every Days