Battle of hearts

Emily's days at the manor were slowly becoming less overwhelming, but the constant presence of Ethan in her life was another story. It wasn't just the maids bustling around her or the lavish lifestyle that kept her on edge; it was the way Ethan acted as if this marriage was completely natural.

Ethan, on the other hand, seemed unfazed. He had a way of brushing off her discomfort with his casual demeanor, and that only irritated her more.

The morning began with Emily sitting by the large window in their shared bedroom, sipping tea as she gazed out at the sprawling gardens. She was lost in thought when Ethan walked in, his usual confident stride and a faint smirk playing on his lips.

"Daydreaming about me already, Mrs. Carter?" he teased.

Emily rolled her eyes, setting her cup down. "More like figuring out how to survive this marriage."

Ethan chuckled, unbuttoning the cuffs of his shirt as he approached her. "Survive? That's a dramatic choice of words."

"You wouldn't understand," Emily muttered.

He leaned against the windowsill beside her, arms crossed. "Try me."

She looked up at him, surprised. "You really want to know?"

Ethan nodded, his expression unusually serious.

Emily sighed. "I never imagined my life turning out this way. Marrying someone I barely know, living in a house that feels more like a museum than a home, and pretending everything is fine. It's... a lot."

For a moment, Ethan didn't respond. Then he said quietly, "You're not the only one who didn't imagine life this way."

Emily raised an eyebrow. "You? The perfect Ethan Carter didn't plan this out to the last detail?"

Ethan laughed, a short, bitter sound. "Far from it. You think I wanted to get married like this? Trust me, Emily, this wasn't exactly my dream, either."

His honesty caught her off guard. For the first time, she saw a flicker of vulnerability beneath his arrogant facade.

---

A Visit to the Bookstore

Later that day, Ethan decided to surprise Emily by taking her to the bookstore she loved so much. She had mentioned it in passing once, and though he pretended not to care, he remembered every detail.

"Where are we going?" Emily asked as they got into the car.

"You'll see," Ethan replied cryptically.

When they pulled up in front of the small, cozy bookstore, Emily's eyes widened in disbelief.

"You remembered?" she asked softly.

Ethan shrugged. "You talk about this place like it's your sanctuary. I figured it's time I see what the fuss is about."

Emily smiled, a genuine smile that lit up her face. "Thank you."

Inside, the smell of old books and fresh coffee greeted them. Emily immediately felt at ease, wandering through the shelves and running her fingers over the spines of well-worn books. Ethan followed her, watching her with an amused expression.

"You look like a kid in a candy store," he remarked.

Emily shot him a playful glare. "This place is special to me."

"Clearly," Ethan said, picking up a random book and flipping through it.

Anna, who was working behind the counter, noticed them and waved. "Emily! It's so good to see you!"

"Hi, Anna," Emily said, hurrying over to her friend.

Anna's eyes flicked to Ethan, and she raised an eyebrow. "And who's this?"

Emily hesitated, glancing at Ethan. "This is... Ethan. My husband."

Anna's jaw dropped. "Husband? Since when?!"

"It's a long story," Emily said quickly.

Anna didn't look convinced but decided not to press the issue. Instead, she focused her attention on Ethan. "You'd better take good care of her. Emily's the best."

Ethan smirked. "I'm well aware."

---

A Heated Exchange

On the way back to the manor, Emily's mood shifted. She couldn't stop thinking about how much her life had changed in such a short time.

Ethan noticed her silence and frowned. "What's on your mind?"

"Everything," Emily admitted. "I don't understand you, Ethan. One moment you're insufferable, and the next, you do something thoughtful like taking me to the bookstore. Who are you, really?"

Ethan's grip on the steering wheel tightened. "I'm someone who's trying, Emily. Isn't that enough?"

Emily scoffed. "Trying? You mean trying to control everything, including me."

Ethan pulled the car over to the side of the road and turned to face her. "I know I'm not perfect. I know this marriage is far from normal. But I'm doing the best I can."

Emily stared at him, her anger fading as she saw the sincerity in his eyes. "Why?" she asked softly. "Why are you trying so hard?"

Ethan looked away, his jaw tightening. "Because I care about you, Emily. More than I should."

His words left her speechless. She didn't know how to respond, so she simply looked out the window, her thoughts a whirlwind.

---

A Night of Reflection

Back at the manor, Emily retreated to the library, one of her favorite places in the house. She needed time to process everything Ethan had said.

She curled up in a plush armchair, a book in her lap, but her mind kept drifting back to him. Despite his flaws, there was something about Ethan that drew her in, something she couldn't quite put into words.

Ethan, meanwhile, sat in his office, staring at a photo on his desk. It was a picture of them from the wedding, both of them smiling for the camera. But the smiles didn't reach their eyes.

He ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. He had always been in control of his life, but Emily was a wildcard he hadn't anticipated.

For the first time in a long time, Ethan felt unsure of what to do next.

---

A New Beginning?

The next morning, Ethan found Emily in the kitchen, making coffee. She looked up when he entered, her expression guarded.

"Morning," she said.

"Morning," he replied, pouring himself a cup.

They stood in silence for a moment before Ethan spoke. "About yesterday..."

Emily held up a hand. "Don't. Let's just... take things one day at a time."

Ethan nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I can do that."

As they sat down to breakfast, the tension between them began to ease. For the first time, it felt like they were on the same page, however tentative it might be.

And for Emily, that was enough—for now.