The beginning

Flashback :

One Month ago,

"I refuse to marry him," Rose said firmly.

But instead of getting riled up, Daniel just stared back at her with a stoic expression.

"Aren't you up to your neck in debt Miss Rose? My brother is in love with you. He is capable of not only keeping you happy but also giving a better life to your family. I suggest that you think over your decision one more time" said his brother.

Her hand balled in a fist.

Those words just infuriated her more because she is anything but one of those greedy, helpless and dependent girls who are waiting for their knight in shining armor to save them from their misery but before she could retort back, Daniel replied sternly instead.

"Mason, don't do that. It should entirely be her decision and I will completely respect it if she refuses to marry a handicapped person like me. But yes, I would like to state it clear for once that if Rose decides to marry me, I would definitely treat her family as my own."

She just stared back at him with no words. His calm and composed self did suprise her but she was firm on her decison.

Finally, averting her gaze from him when she looked at her mother, she found her staring back at her with hope evident in her eyes, hope that she does agree with him.

She felt an instant pang of pain in her heart.

She couldn't comprehend the fact that her mother wants her to agree to this proposal.

Rose couldn't help but feel betrayed.

Thick tension consumed the room. The silence got suffocating for her too.

"What do I do?" She thought to herself.

END OF THE FLASHBACK.

ONE MONTH LATER

Rose's point of view:

For the sake of my family, I decided to accept this fate of mine and today is the day, I become Mrs. Daniel Maxfield from Rose Dimitri.

I was ready to fight for myself. Nothing could have broken my spirit. What eventually did was the plea in my mom's eyes.

A sigh eluded my lips and nervousness kicking in now. This is really happening.

I glanced in the mirror to have a look at me.

I looked good but I only looked good. I felt no ounce of happiness. I was trying really hard to hold back my tears and to stay strong as always.

Isn't one's day of marriage supposed to be the best day of their life? It is supposed to be the happiest day for oneself but all I want to do is run away from this reality of mine. How I wish I could change this fate but I am powerless.

AN HOUR LATER,

Walking down the aisle, my eyes perked up to look at the man to who I am destined to be with forever and my heart sank in. This is really happening.

His eyes were fixed on me, keenly observing me.

I must admit that even though being a guy in a wheelchair and with that neutral expression on his face, he still managed to have an alluring charm. Something in his attitude was intriguing.

I walked towards him and stood right in front of him.

He looked up at me and brimmed a genuine smile.

As the ceremony proceeded,

The priest asked "Do you Miss Rose Dimitri take Daniel Maxfield as your husband?"

Gulping down my saliva, my eyes instinctively looked for my mother in the crowd for an escape. She stood there right in the front row with a blank expression on her face. I stared at her for a brief minute and finally, she just slightly nodded back in response.

I got my answer. There is no way out of this. I have to do this.

Taking a heavy sigh,

"Yes, I do," I finally said.

AN HOUR LATER,

Scene from the bedroom,

The silence in the room was deafening.

I stood there motionless near the window, lost in my thoughts when the door swiftly opened and I found Daniel at the doorstep.

He moved his wheelchair to come in while I just stared at him in silence.

"Um, did you like the room and the house?" He asked finally.

I just nodded in response.

"You aren't happy with this marriage, right?" He asked back quite straightforwardly.

"I am married to a person I hardly know anything about. You are like a complete stranger to me. This isn't what I wanted in life. What do you expect from me?" I replied in a low voice.

I was so frustrated, feeling so helpless for such a long time now that I guess, I have stopped bothering to care or to hide my feelings anymore. I know it's unfair to him but I just couldn't care less.

I could see his jaw clenched a little.

"I did not force you into this, Rose." he replied back in a stiff tone.

Taking a sigh and nodding my head in response, I finally said

"I know. I just cannot help but feel trapped."

His hurt expression did not go unnoticed.

"I understand that but now that we are married. Can't you give us a chance? " he asked softly, which made me look at him.

A chance?

"I should but I just don't feel ready enough to do it. I need some time" I replied softly.

Giving an understanding nod,

"Well, take your time. You have a lifetime now to know me. This is just the beginning" he added with a faint smile.

"Just the beginning" I mumbled back.

But am I even ready for it?