Pear-Shaped Marriage.

A Garden of Facades.

The garden was a tapestry of vibrant colors, a picturesque setting for a family gathering that felt more like a social gauntlet than a celebration. Sophie stood slightly apart from the thrumming crowd, her anxiety clawing at her insides like a restless cat. The soft clinking of glasses and laughter echoed around her, yet she felt a world away, anchored by her thoughts.

Mia, her best friend and an unwavering pillar of support, noticed her fidgeting. "Hey, it's going to be okay," she said, her voice a soothing balm against Sophie's racing heart. "Just breathe. You don't have to rush into anything. Kids can wait."

Sophie forced a smile, grateful for Mia's comforting presence. "It's just... sometimes it feels like I don't belong here, you know? Like I'm an outsider looking in."

Mia's gaze softened. "You're not an outsider. You're a part of this family too, whether you realize it or not. Just be yourself."

With a nod, Sophie tried to ground herself in the moment, but as she watched Jason glide through the crowd, effortlessly charming everyone around him, that feeling of inadequacy prickled at her skin. She took a sip of her wine, the cool liquid a temporary escape, but it couldn't drown out the nagging voice in her head. They were from two different worlds.

While Jason engaged in conversations about business and investments with his father and other influential guests, Sophie felt the divide grow wider. She recalled moments when she tried to share her entrepreneurial endeavors, only to be met with polite nods and half-hearted questions. Jason, with his silver spoon and corporate empire, existed in a realm that felt light-years away from her reality.

As Mia drifted off to mingle with her father and Jason, Sophie remained anchored in her corner, watching as Jason shared laughter and stories, the picture of the perfect son. But what about the perfect husband? That question hung in the air like a specter, and no amount of wine could dispel it.

The sun dipped lower, casting a warm golden hue over the garden, but Sophie felt the chill creeping in. She couldn't shake the thought that no matter how hard she tried, she'd never truly fit into Jason's world. Yet, she reminded herself fiercely, she was a businesswoman. She had built her own success from the ground up, proving her worth time and again.

With a deep breath, Sophie straightened her shoulders, channeling the confidence that had gotten her this far. She would stand strong, even if she felt small among giants. As she sipped her wine, she silently vowed to find a way to bridge the gap between their worlds, because love was a dance, and she wasn't ready to sit this one out.