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"Are you really going? Are you really considering this? Will you make a proper decision for once in your life, İnci?" he spoke sincerely as he fixed his gaze upon me, his piercing blue eyes filled with a mixture of concern and longing. His hand gracefully glided through his raven-black hair, a gesture that revealed his inner turmoil. Once again, he locked eyes with me, those captivating orbs resembling the depths of the ocean, holding both mystery and familiarity. In that moment, his eyes were hypnotized me but I can't live like that anymore.

Throughout the course of my existence, I had become accustomed to molding my life according to the whims and desires of others. But this time, a glimmer of hope had been presented to me in the form of a promise from my father. He assured me that if I were to wed Max, a man of considerable wealth and intellect, I would finally gain the freedom I so desperately craved. It seemed like a logical choice, one that would ensure a life of security and comfort. Max was undeniably charming, treating me with unwavering kindness and honesty. Yet, beneath the surface of our seemingly perfect union, I bore the invisible scars of emotional violence. And in the depths of my soul, a yearning for liberation echoed relentlessly. I longed to break free from the shackles of my existence, to inhale the sweet air of independence and reclaim my autonomy.

"Mary?" Max's voice quivered as he pleaded with me, his voice a delicate tremor. "Don't do stupid decision, stop being a child , and please forget what you said."

A tumultuous storm of emotions raged within me, leaving me teetering on the precipice of an irrevocable choice. Freedom and security waged an intense battle within my heart, tearing at the seams of my very being. Summoning every ounce of resolve, I steeled myself and locked my gaze with Max's, searching for solace and clarity in the depths of his eyes.

A hushed whisper escaped my lips, barely audible yet carrying the weight of my conviction. "Yes, perhaps it may seem foolish," I murmured, my voice tinged with a mix of vulnerability and determination, "but above all else, I yearn to forge a path that is uniquely mine."

A flicker of anguish flickered across his countenance, etching lines of sorrow upon his face, as he silently acknowledged my words. Though a bittersweet melancholy enveloped my being, deep down, I knew that embarking on this journey was the only way to unearth my true worth and embrace the essence of genuine freedom.

"You have the freedom to live the life you desire, Mary," Max's voice trembled with a blend of desperation and exasperation. "Simply let me know your wishes, take those much-needed vacations, find moments of clarity. Mary, we're far from being a conventional couple. I'm rarely present, only returning home for a fleeting two or one day a month. You have the liberty to roam, indulge in shopping, or engage in activities that offer respite from your thoughts. Mary, what you're doing is nothing short of foolishness, can you not perceive it?" Max's words hung in the air, tinged with a mix of concern and frustration.

Making my decision wasn't easy. Ezra's offers might seem enticing, but I didn't want to lose my happiness and freedom. With the pain and disappointment in my heart, I gathered my courage.

Reaching a resolution proved to be a formidable challenge. Though Max's enticing offers held a certain allure, I couldn't fathom sacrificing my own happiness and freedom in the process. With a heavy heart burdened by pain and disillusionment, I summoned my inner strength.

"Max, I'm not happy," the words escaped my lips, carrying the weight of my unspoken truths. Although a torrent of thoughts and emotions swirled within me, those simple words were the only ones that found their way into the open.

Ezra remained silent and pondered for a while. Finally, he took a deep breath and nodded.

A complex expression danced across Ezra's face. Perhaps he was attempting to comprehend, or perhaps he was simply disappointed. But what mattered most to me was my own happiness.