You were in your own home resting on a Saturday afternoon when you heard someone knocking on the door so softly that if you weren't alert you wouldn't have heard it. You got up from the sofa and when you opened the door you found a small female figure with jet hair and a sad look looking at you with a certain shyness. You could tell by the way she was dressed that she was cooking something because her apron was stained with something that looked like chocolate

"Neighbor, I-I'm sorry to bother you at this hour and... I'm really embarrassed to have to do this but..." She fiddles with her flowered skirt shyly as she seemed to be looking for courage to speak "Can't you give me some butter? It's just that I'm making a chocolate cake and I didn't remember I was out of it..."

"Sad...?" Her voice was soft and quiet; a habit she had acquired over the years of being ignored by her husband "Oh no... I'm not sad. Not really." She hesitated, wondering whether to confide in this stranger or keep up the facade of contentment she put on for the townspeople. "It's just that... my life isn't what I thought it would be, you know? I gave up so much to marry him... and now..."

She trailed off, unable to continue with her half-hearted lie. Her eyes pleaded silently with you to understand, as if somehow this kind stranger could save her from the unhappiness she was drowning in.

She didn't know what made her do it, but before she could stop herself, the dam inside her broke and the words came spilling out. "He doesn't love me," she whispered hoarsely, her throat tight with emotion. "Not like he should. He hardly ever comes home, and when he does... it's just to use me." Her voice cracked on the last word, betraying her pain.

"I-I don't know what to do," she continued, desperation lacing her voice. "I can't leave him; I have nowhere else to go. I used to be so happy before... but now..." Her lower lip trembled, and tears began to well up in her eyes. "It's like I don't matter anymore."

As she confessed her darkest secrets to you, Lissa searched your face for any hint of judgment or dis

She hesitated, unsure whether sharing another secret was a good idea. But something in your tone, the way you seemed to truly care... it made her want to trust you. "Okay," she whispered, slowly nodding. "But promise not to tell anyone."

Her voice dropped even lower as she continued, "I-I used to have dreams... about leaving him and starting over somewhere else... but I don't know how I could ever do that. He controls everything." She looked down at her feet, ashamed of the vulnerability she was displaying to you. "I just want to be loved," she whispered, "like everyone else."

Nodding slowly, she moved closer to the couch and sat down gingerly on its edge. Her eyes remained fixed on her hands folded tightly in her lap, as if afraid to meet yours. She could feel a thousand butterflies taking flight within her chest, her heart hammering against her ribs like a trapped bird trying desperately to escape. "I-I don't know what to do," she whispered again, sounding lost and confused. "All I want is to be happy... to matter."

Her voice cracked on the last word, and tears spilled down her cheeks, leaving silvery trails on her pale skin. She wiped them away hastily, trying to regain some measure of composure before she completely broke down in front of you. But it was clear that she was falling apart inside, fragile and exposed like a newborn fawn left shivering in

Her world came crashing down around her as the truth hit home. Eric had been unfaithful all this time; he hadn't loved her at all, just used her to advance his career and stroke his own ego. The hurt and betrayal were more than she could bear, and she fell silent, staring numbly at the floor as if it might swallow her whole. A tear trickled down her cheek once more before she could stop it, leaving a wet trail on her skin.

She closed her eyes, trying to stem the tide of pain threatening to engulf her. "I-I don't know what to do," she whispered through gritted teeth, feeling utterly lost and abandoned. "He'll never let me leave; he controls everything I have." Her words were barely audible over the hammering of her heart in her ears. "And there's nowhere for

She looked up at you with wide, wounded eyes, hope and fear warring within them. "Would you... really do that?" she whispered hesitantly. "I-I mean, I've heard things about you, too, you know. People say..." Her voice trailed off as she struggled to find the words. "But if you really think I deserve a chance at happiness... thank you."

There was something in your eyes that made her believe you truly meant what you said, and for the first time in years, Lissa allowed herself a glimmer of hope. Perhaps there was a way out after all, even though it seemed impossible before now. A future where she wasn't just some forgotten wife, used and discarded by a man who never loved her. But could she really trust you enough to take such a leap of faith? The uncertainty ate at her, but with every beat of her heart, it grew

She took a deep breath, steeling herself for the decision she was about to make. "Okay," she said finally, her voice steady despite the tremor in her chest. "I'll stay." It felt like admitting defeat, surrendering to a life without Eric and all his empty promises. But perhaps, with your help, she could finally find something more: happiness, love... a reason to live again. As the weight of her decision settled on her shoulders, Lissa couldn't help but wonder what sort of future waited for them around the corner. Whatever it might be, she knew one thing for certain: from this moment on, her life would never be the same again.

She sniffed, wiping the remaining tears away with the back of her hand as she forced a small smile onto her face. "Okay," she whispered, feeling strange new emotions swirling within her. "I'll try." Maybe, just maybe, there was hope for them after all. Even if it meant starting over from scratch and rebuilding her life without Eric by her side, perhaps it would be worth it in the end. With each passing moment that she spent with you, Lissa couldn't help but feel a strange sense of peace wash over her. Perhaps she had found not only a new home, but also something more: a true friend and ally who believed in her and cared for her when no one else did. As they sat together on the couch, their hands only inches apart yet somehow connected by an invisible thread of understanding and compassion, Lissa couldn't help but feel grateful for the chance at

As the days turned into weeks and the months slipped by unnoticed, Lissa slowly but surely forgot about Eric and focused instead on rebuilding her life with you. She found happiness in simple things like cooking together, tending to your garden, or just sitting beside you as you read a book by the fire. Your patience and understanding gave her the strength to face each day, even when the memories of her past life threatened to overwhelm her. And little by little, she found herself returning your affection, however tentatively at first. The butterflies in her stomach fluttered more urgently whenever you were near, and she couldn't help but feel a warm glow spread through her every time you smiled at her. In this new life with you, she had discovered something she hadn't known was missing: true love. It wasn't perfect, of course - there were still obstacles to overcome and hardships ahead -

Her heart skipped a beat as you asked the question she had been dreading. She knew she shouldn't love Eric anymore; he had betrayed her and hurt her too deeply for that to be possible. But the old feelings died hard, and there were times when she caught herself missing him... or wishing things could have been different. The truth was, she wasn't entirely sure.

"I-I don't know," she stammered, looking down at her hands. "Sometimes I think I do, but then other times..." Her voice trailed off as she wrestled with conflicting emotions. "It's complicated."

She leaned back against the couch, taking a deep breath to steady her racing heart. "I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice hoarse with emotion. "It's just... so much has happened, and I'm still trying to figure everything out." A tear trickled down her cheek as she stared at the floor, unsure how to convey the turmoil within her heart. "I want to be happy," she whispered, more to herself than to you. "But it's hard sometimes... to forget what came before."

Her eyes drifted back up to yours, searching for understanding or comfort in your gaze. But all she saw was concern and patience, reminding her of everything that had drawn her to you in the first place: your strength, your kindness, your unwavering love. And with that realization came a renewed determination to face whatever challenges lay

"T-Thank you," she stammered, her voice still unsteady. "For everything." She sniffled, taking a moment to compose herself before looking back up at you with a small smile. "I know I don't say it enough, but... I really appreciate all that you've done for me." Her eyes sparkled with gratitude, and for the first time in months, she felt truly hopeful about the future. Perhaps, eventually, things would work out just as you had promised: a happy ending after all the heartache and pain.

Tentatively, she reached out to take your hand in hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "I'll try," she whispered. "To move forward... and leave the past behind." Her words were soft but steady, her resolve beginning to solidify like molten steel around her heart. Together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead

Her heart skipped a beat as she waited for you to continue, her breath caught in her throat. Whatever it was that you wanted to say, she knew it must be important; your voice held a gravity that made her feel almost weightless with anticipation. Her fingers tightened around yours, unwilling to let go even for a moment.

"You're so beautiful," you finally said softly, your gaze never leaving hers. "And I love you so much." The words were simple yet filled with such tenderness that they made her entire body tremble with emotion. She felt herself blush at your compliment, the sensation traveling up from her neck to stain her cheeks a vibrant shade of pink.

"I-I don't know what I did," she stammered, tears beginning to well up in her eyes once more. "To deserve someone like you." But even

Tears spilled down her cheeks unbidden as she leaned into your touch, unable to speak past the lump in her throat. "I-I'm so lucky," she managed at last, barely above a whisper. "I never knew someone could love me like this." Her fingers twined more tightly with yours, as if afraid that if she let go you might vanish before her eyes. But it wasn't just the words that made her heart skip a beat; it was the way you looked at her, with such tenderness and care, as if she were the most precious thing in the world.

She could feel herself falling deeper under your spell, drifting further from the hurt and pain of her past life. It was a terrifying and exhilarating sensation all at once, but somehow it felt right. As you held her hand, Lissa knew that she was exactly where she belonged:

Her heart raced as she looked up at you, her eyes wide with wonder and hope. She took a shaky breath before slowly nodding, tears streaming down her face. "I-I do," she whispered hoarsely. "And yes... I'd love to marry you." The words tumbled out of her in a rush, as if they had been waiting for this moment all along. She knew that with your love and support, she could finally move forward, away from the pain of her past and into a bright new future where she belonged.

As you leaned closer to brush a tender kiss against her forehead, Lissa closed her eyes, reveling in the feeling of being truly cherished and wanted for who she was. She never thought such happiness could be hers again, but here it was: a second chance at life, and the promise of endless love and companionship. For the first time in years, she felt