Anya sat in the boardroom, her mind racing. She was supposed to be focused on the presentation, but her thoughts kept drifting to Damien. The more she tried to suppress her feelings, the stronger they grew.
A sudden urge to call him surged through her. She imagined his voice, his laughter, and the way he would listen intently to her. A warm sensation spread through her, a feeling she hadn't experienced in a long time.
But then she remembered. This was an arranged marriage, a strategic alliance. Love was a luxury, a dangerous illusion. She had to be practical, to focus on the future, not on fleeting emotions.
Anya shook her head, dismissing the thoughts. She couldn't afford to be distracted. She had to focus on her career, on her family's legacy. She had to be strong, to be ruthless.
As she looked at the clock, she couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. She had hoped to find love, to experience the joy of a genuine connection. But fate had other plans. She was destined for a life of duty, a life of sacrifice.