Love Beyond Frame

Chapter3

As the wedding preparations started, Anne felt trapped. She was still going through the emotions, smiling and pretending to agree to the plan, but inside her, her heart wasn’t there. Her friend Eva noticed the change in her behavior and asked if she was fine. Anne smiled, responding to them that everything was fine, but deep down in her heart, she was battling with her emotions.

The wedding ceremony was a very big and lavish one, attended by top-class personnel, business associates, family members, and friends. Anne acted as if everything was okay with her, putting on a brave face, smiling at the cameras, and happily accepting well wishes at the event. However, beneath the surface, Ann experienced a profound sense of unhappiness, a concern that she had prioritized her personal happiness over her family's business.

As many were in attendance, they filled the church, celebrating what they saw as a union of two prosperous business families. Ann wore an amazing white dress and was compelled to smile as she walked down the aisle.

Billy looked handsome in his black suit, but there was no bond between them. As they exchanged vows, Ann felt a grip of downheartedness. She was playing along and doing what was expected of her, but deep down, she knew this was not what she planned or the kind of life she had wished for herself.

Billy's best man and friend, Joe, also noticed that Anne wasn't looking so happy. He stylishly walked up to her and asked, Ma'am, is everything okay with you? Anne looked at him and was lost in words for a moment, and she whispered in his ear and said, I wish I could say I am okay. Joe was shocked at her response, wondering why she would make such statements. Looking at how big the wedding was and seeing such an amazing personality from different places who were present at her wedding, he expected she would be happy and joyful.

After the wedding was over, Anne moved into Billy's home as his newlywed wife. She tried to adjust to her new life at Billy House, which was much larger and more sumptuous than what she was used to.

Though Billy was kind to her and ensured she was comfortable, to her, her relationship with Billy felt more like a business arrangement than a marriage. They ate meals together, attended social events as a couple, and sometimes talked about their activities, but there was no deep and strong emotional connection.

One day, Anne's best friend, Eva, couldn't hold back any longer. Seeing the change in her attitude and behavior, she decided to confront Anne, asking her to be sincere with her about her feelings.

Anne broke down in tears, speaking slowly and opening up everything to her. She disclosed that she really didn't want to marry Billy, but because of the pressure from the family, she decided to do it, only to satisfy her father and save the family business.

Eva, her friend, listened to her as she expressed so much dissatisfaction and disappointment. I understand that you really don't want this marriage, but now you are on it. It was your father's arrangement, but you can make it work.

Anne tried to engage herself with work, hoping it would distract her from the loneliness she felt. She spent longer hours at the office, helping to bring the two businesses together and apply new strategies.

The combination brought some success. Their family business began to thrive, and Anne's father's worries were reduced. He appreciated Anne for her commitment and sacrifice, but that didn't bring her happiness.

Every evening, Anne would sit alone in their gorgeously furnished living room, feeling a deep sense of discontentment. She missed the life she really wanted and the freedom her heart desired. Billy noticed her behavior and unhappiness.

He tried to suggest different things to lighten up her moment. He offered to take her on a vacation so they could get to know each other and spend more time together. But Anne seemed not to be interested. She was emotionally isolated, unable to speak up to him.

Weeks turned into months, and though the business blossomed, Anne's personal life remained stuck. She and Billy continued to live together, but they were more like business partners than husband and wife. Ann wondered if she would ever find true happiness. She remembered her dreams and aspirations and had a feeling of regret for the choices she had made.

On a certain day, Anne met a young lady by name Joyce through work. Joyce was energetic, high-spirited and full of life. She was passionate about her profession and career. She reminded Anne of the person she was once before she got married.

They started becoming friends and working closely on some projects, and Joyce's zeal was contagious. Anne enjoyed their discussion and looked forward to maintaining a lasting relationship. As Anne and Joyce spent more time together, Anne began to realize how much she had been missing in her life. Joyce talked about her dreams, career and aspirations. Anne was calm thinking of the kind of life she was living now. Joyce noticed her quietness and asked what the problem was. Anne quickly snapped out of her quiet mode, pretending everything was fine.

Anne returned home from work that evening and sat in the living room as usual. Billy watched her and was kind of worried about what was really going on with her; she always kept to herself. Anne became increasingly withdrawn, retreating into her own thoughts and dreams of a life where she could have chosen her own path.

Her isolation makes both of them struggle to communicate with each other. Billy made several attempts to bridge the gap between them, but the lack of emotional intimacy between them was noticeable, so he struggled in all his attempts.

Anxiety began to rise in their home as the process of maintaining good communication was overwhelmed by the weight of unspoken discontentment, which took charge. Anne's family, while apparently excited about the union, noticed the subtle shifts in her manner, the occasional regretful peek, and the growing sense of unhappiness that seemed to envelop her.