In a twist of fate, a wealthy heir believed he was bound to wed an unattractive stranger in an arranged marriage, only to be stunned when she unveiled her face…

Anna nodded thoughtfully. Perhaps they need more reassurance. Have you considered hosting a meeting here? Sometimes, seeing the people behind the business can make all the difference.

David blinked, startled by the suggestion. You think that would work? It’s worth a try, Anna said simply. To his surprise, David followed her advice, and the meeting proved successful.

The deal closed shortly afterward, leaving David both relieved and bewildered. As the days turned into weeks, David found himself re-evaluating his initial assumptions about Anna. She wasn’t the aloof, impersonal figure he had imagined.

Beneath the veil was a woman of intelligence, kindness, and depth, a woman who seemed to navigate the world with a quiet strength he hadn’t expected. Yet, despite everything he had observed, the veil remained an ever-present reminder of the distance between them. One night, as he sat alone in his study, David found himself staring out the window, his thoughts consumed by Anna.

She was nothing like he had anticipated, and yet he couldn’t shake the feeling that there was still so much he didn’t know. For the first time, he wondered if the problem wasn’t her reluctance to reveal herself, but his own failure to truly see. The tension between David and Anna had been building for weeks, an unspoken weight that hung in the air between them.

Despite the moments of mutual respect and surprising insight, the veil remained a constant reminder of the distance that still existed. One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon and cast long shadows across the mansion, David found himself unable to hold back any longer. He sought out Anna in the library, where she often retreated with a book in hand.

She was seated in her usual chair by the window, the soft glow of a nearby lamp illuminating the veil that still concealed her face. Anna, David began, his tone sharper than he intended. She looked up, her gray eyes calm but watchful.

Yes, we need to talk, he said, stepping closer. Anna closed her book and set it aside. What about? David hesitated, his frustration bubbling to the surface.

Why do you keep hiding behind that veil? Do you think I can’t handle seeing you? That I’m too shallow to accept whatever it is you’re so afraid to show? Anna’s gaze didn’t falter, but David noticed the slightest flicker of emotion in her eyes. This isn’t about you, David, she said quietly. Then what is it about, he demanded, his voice rising.

Because from where I’m standing, it feels like some sort of test, like you’re trying to see how long I’ll tolerate being married to a mystery. Anna stood, her movements controlled but deliberate. She turned away from him, her hands clasped tightly in front of her.

It’s not a test, she said softly. Then why? David pressed, stepping closer. Why won’t you let me see you? Do you think I’m not mature enough to handle the truth, or is it that you don’t trust me? Anna’s shoulders tensed, and for a moment David thought she might leave the room without answering.

But when she finally turned to face him, her eyes were filled with a quiet intensity that made him pause. Do you really want to know why, David? she asked, her voice steady but laced with an edge he hadn’t heard before. Yes, he said firmly.

Because I wanted you to see me for who I am, she said, her tone unwavering. Not for what I look like, or what others say about me, but for the person I am beneath all of that. And I thought, hoped, that you might be willing to look beyond the surface.

Her words struck him like a blow, the weight of them sinking into his chest. Anna continued, her voice quieter now. But it seems I was wrong.

All this time you’ve been fixated on what you can’t see, instead of what’s right in front of you. David opened his mouth to respond, but no words came. For the first time he realized how shallow and judgmental he had been…