"Why are you refusing?" Karmen asked, a faint frown creasing his forehead. "If you're worried your parents will blame you, don't. I promise, I'll handle it in a way that no one will point a finger at you."
"My parents will only move on to another proposal," Aisha replied quietly. She hesitated, struggling to put her thoughts into words. "And… I don't even know how to explain what I feel."
Karmen leaned forward slightly, his voice steady yet gentle. "Aisha, you shouldn't marry if your heart isn't in it. I know your parents want the best for you, but this life—it's yours to live, not theirs. Joshua's death was a tragedy, and it changed everything for you. But if you wish to keep his memory alive, then do it on your own terms. Fight for the life you want, not the one others choose for you."
Her gaze dropped, her voice barely above a whisper. "How? It's not easy… not for a woman."
