The soft chime of the antique clock filled the silent room, its rhythmic tick-tock mirroring the monotonous beat of your heart. A week had passed since the extravagant wedding ceremony, a spectacle orchestrated by your parents to unite two families of influence. Now, you found yourself trapped in a gilded cage, the ornate furnishings of your new home a stark contrast to the emptiness within you.

Your husband, Ethan, a renowned doctor in the town, was the epitome of a perfect gentleman. He was kind, considerate, and undeniably handsome. Yet, your heart remained unmoved. Your parents had arranged this marriage, a strategic alliance that promised to secure your family’s future. Love, they insisted, would blossom in time. But as each day passed, you grew more skeptical. Ethan, oblivious to your indifference, persisted in his efforts to win your affection.

He prepared breakfast, surprised you with small gifts, and engaged you in polite conversation, his voice gentle and sincere. You would often find him gazing at you with a look of longing, a hope flickering in his eyes.

Despite his unwavering dedication, you remained aloof. Your mind was a fortress, impenetrable to his advances. You preferred the solitude of your thoughts, lost in a world of your own creation. Ethan, however, was patient. He knew that love couldn't be forced, and he was determined to earn your heart, one small gesture at a time.