In a world of power and privilege, love is the ultimate rebellion."
In a society where arranged marriages dictate destiny, love is a dangerous game.
Aiden Baldwin has always honored his family's legacy, bound by duty and expectations-until Karlie Co...
"Lovers in love and the other's run away. Lover is crying 'cause the other won't stay."Lisa Loeb.
"Aiden punched the wall in frustration. "Why does it have to be this way? Please, Karlie, I beg of you. Why can't we fight for our love?" he yelled, his voice raw with desperation. "Why do you have to marry Anthony? Have you thought about the fact that the Fairviews are powerful people? They would never just let us go off and be together. It doesn't matter where we go!"
Karlie felt her heart shatter even more. She wanted to scream, to tell him that she wanted him just as much, but it wasn't that simple. "Aiden, I'm doing this for you," she said, her voice trembling.
Aiden's eyes flashed with pain. "For me?" he scoffed. "Karlie, this isn't for me! This is for them. You're sacrificing our happiness for people who don't even care what you want."
Karlie clenched her fists, her body shaking. "It's not just about us, Aiden! It's about our families, their reputation. Even Andy—he still needs you. I can't risk ruining everything for them," she whispered, trying to hold back her tears.
Aiden stared at her, his expression torn between anger and heartbreak. "But what about us? What about our happiness?" he asked, his voice cracking.
Karlie swallowed the lump in her throat. "I don't know, Aiden," she admitted. "I don't know what to do."
Silence fell between them, thick with emotions neither of them could fully express. Then, Aiden stepped closer, his desperation spilling over. "Just give me one more chance, Karlie. One more chance to make this right. I swear, I'll do whatever it takes," he pleaded.
Karlie looked up at him, her heart splitting in two. She wanted to believe him—wanted to say yes—but reality weighed heavy on her shoulders. "I'm sorry, Aiden," she whispered. "I can't."
Aiden's face fell, and he turned away, his jaw clenched to keep his emotions in check. Karlie hesitated before stepping forward and wrapping her arms around him tightly. She pressed her face against his chest, inhaling his scent, memorizing the way he felt.
"I love you, Aiden," she choked out. "I always will."
Aiden hugged her back, his grip unrelenting, as if he could somehow hold onto her forever. "I love you too, Karlie," he murmured. "More than anything in this world."
They stayed like that for a few moments—two souls clinging to each other despite knowing they were about to be torn apart.
Then, slowly, Karlie pulled away.
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