Family Drama

Lexi stood in her bedroom, staring at the portrait Julian had painted of her. She couldn't believe how perfectly he had captured her essence—the sparkle in her eyes, the soft curve of her smile, the quiet strength she didn't always see in herself. It was as if he had painted not just her face but her very soul. The sight of it left her breathless.

Lost in thought, she barely noticed when her mother, Regina, stormed into the room, her heels clicking against the hardwood floor.

"Lexi, we need to talk," Regina announced, her voice sharp yet laced with an undercurrent of urgency.

Lexi's stomach twisted into a knot. That tone never meant anything good. She turned slowly, meeting her mother's icy gaze. Had she done something wrong? She had always been the perfect daughter—obedient, composed, never one to question the family's expectations. But the look on Regina's face sent a shiver down her spine.

"What is it, Mother?" she asked, forcing herself to stay calm.

Regina exhaled, crossing her arms. "Your father wants me to finalize your engagement to Harrison Green. It's time, Lexi. He's a suitable match, and you need to start taking your responsibilities seriously."

Lexi felt like the ground had been yanked from beneath her. Harrison? The thought of spending the rest of her life with that man made her stomach churn. She had dated him for a year—long enough to see the truth beneath his polished charm. He was a liar. A cheat. A self-absorbed businessman who cared only about himself and his next big deal. He was always traveling—to Russia, to Singapore, to God-knows-where—leaving her behind like some forgotten afterthought.

"But Mother," Lexi said, her voice barely above a whisper, "I don't love him."

Regina's expression turned steely. "Love is irrelevant, Lexi. Marriage is about securing our family's future, not indulging in childish fantasies. You will marry Harrison Green."

Lexi swallowed the bitter lump in her throat. She wanted to fight back, to scream that she wasn't some pawn to be traded in a business deal. But she had seen what happened to people who disobeyed the Martins. Her father was not a man to be crossed. Neither was Regina.

So she did what she had always done. She swallowed her feelings and played the role expected of her.

"Yes, Mother," she murmured, her voice hollow.

Regina gave a satisfied nod and left the room, her heels clicking just as sharply as when she had entered.

The moment the door shut, Lexi collapsed onto her bed, gripping the sheets as if they could anchor her to something real. Trapped. That's what she was. Trapped in a life she didn't want, with no way out.

Across town, Julian was dealing with his own family crisis.

His mother, Sarah, stood in the doorway of his tiny studio apartment, looking exhausted. Dark circles framed her eyes, and there was a weariness in her posture that made Julian's heart ache. He knew she had been struggling—juggling bills, her failing health, and the relentless weight of just trying to survive.

"Julian," she said softly, her voice cracking with emotion, "I don't know how much longer I can keep this up."

Julian clenched his jaw, frustration bubbling inside him. He hated seeing his mother like this—tired, overworked, barely holding on. And he hated that he wasn't in a position to help her the way he wanted to.

He put down his paintbrush and crossed the room, taking her hands in his. "Mom, I promise—I'll figure something out." His voice was steady, but inside, he was a storm of uncertainty.

Sarah forced a small, tired smile. "I know you will, sweetheart. You always do."

Julian hugged her tightly, feeling the frailty in her frame. He had to do something. He didn't care if it meant putting his dreams on hold. He would help her.

What he didn't know—what neither he nor Lexi could have possibly foreseen—was that their worlds were about to collide in a way that would change everything