Marry Me.

Chapter Five.

Two weeks remained until our wedding day, and uncertainty draped itself over my heart like a heavy shroud. Recent weeks had whisked me through a whirlwind of emotions—moments of tenderness and connection juxtaposed with Nolan's cold and distant demeanour. As I stood on the cusp of forever, a nagging question gnawed at me: Should I truly marry him?

Within my heart, I clung tightly to the memories of our time together, especially that day when Nolan arrived with chocolates and desserts, revealing depths of affection I had yearned for. It had felt like a glimpse into a future brimming with joy and hope, where our love held the power to surmount any obstacle.

Yet, as I treaded my way to the kitchen, seeking his presence and a semblance of reassurance, my hopes were dashed again. There stood Nolan, his expression veiled by cold indifference, his eyes distant and aloof. It was as if our tender moments had been mere illusions, fleeting respites from the binding reality we found ourselves.

"Nolan," I began, my voice trembling with a mixture of hurt and frustration. "Why must you retreat into this coldness? Is this truly a foreshadowing of our future? An eternal struggle between warmth and indifference?"

Nolan's gaze met mine, icy and unyielding like the winter winds that whispered outside. "Daphne, we've discussed this before. The constraints we're under—they weigh heavily on me. I can't let myself be swayed by emotions that will only lead to pain."

A pang of heartache shot through me, tendrils of doubt creeping in. I'd held onto the hope that our shared intimacy marked a turning point, a chance to break free from the chains of our predetermined union. Now, faced with Nolan's frigid disposition, I wondered if our love held the strength to weather the brewing storm.

"Why do you persist in building this wall of detachment?" I implored, desperation tinting my voice. "Can't you see how deeply I love you? The ache in my heart when you shut me out?"

His features hardened, jaw tense. "Daphne, you must understand that my actions don't mirror my feelings for you. I'm merely trying to do what I believe is best for us both."

Tears welled in my eyes, emotions threatening to engulf me. The dreams of a love that defied norms, that surpassed the boundaries of our arrangement, felt shaky. In the face of Nolan's coldness, my hopes seemed to crumble into illusions.

"You speak of what's best for us, but what about what we truly desire?" I cried, desperation etching my voice. "Don't we have the right to chase our happiness, even if it means defying tradition and expectation?"

A shadow of pain crossed Nolan's eyes, softening his features momentarily. "Daphne, please, try to understand. This decision bears heavily on me. I want nothing more than your happiness, but I dread the consequences of deviating from the path set before us."

Anger and heartache mingled within me, a tempest of emotions. I had hoped Nolan's love for me would stand strong against the currents of tradition and expectation. But as doubts swarmed at that moment, my vision of the future we'd envisioned became hazy.

As the argument raged on, the divide between us yawned wider. The warmth and tenderness we'd shared just a day prior now felt like distant echoes, swallowed by the acrid exchange of words and the bitter chill in the air.