Chapter 4

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"In her silent plea for recognition, she wished for the impossible—that his gaze might linger just a moment longer and see her for who she truly was."

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After dinner, Elena found herself pacing in her room, her mind swirling with thoughts of Sameer. The weight of the evening pressed down on her, the cold indifference in Sameer's eyes haunting her. How could she get close to him when he wouldn't even spare her a glance?

The room felt stifling, the walls closing in as she walked back and forth, her silk nightgown whispering against her skin. She stopped at the window, looking out at the darkened garden below. The moonlight cast eerie shadows, mirroring the turmoil in her heart.

Elena thought about the first time she had heard about Sameer, how hopeful she had been. Despite the circumstances of their marriage, she had believed that with time, they might come to understand and care for each other. But now, three years had passed, and they were still strangers. Every cold glance, every word left unsaid, deepened the chasm between them."Why won't he see me?" she whispered to herself, her voice trembling with a mix of frustration and sorrow. "What can I do to make him notice me?"

Elena had never truly known Sameer before their marriage. As Mrs. Valens' cousin's daughter, she had met the Valens family occasionally at family events, but Sameer had always been absent due to his studies abroad. He had studied overseas and then expanded his father's construction business, adding a successful hotel chain to their portfolio. He had become the apple of everyone's eye, admired for turning the company's annual turnover from millions to billions. Elena had only seen him in photos shared by Mrs. Valens, and the same was true for Sameer—he was completely unaware of who Elena was before their marriage.

Memories filled her mind, but the relationship between her parents was complicated. She only missed her mother and thought of her. If her mother were here, what would she advise her? Elena's mother would have known what to do, how to bridge the gap between her and Sameer. But she was gone, and Elena was left to navigate this painful journey alone.

Tears welled up in her eyes, and she wiped them away angrily. She didn't want to cry, didn't want to feel weak. She needed to find a way to reach Sameer, to show him that she was more than just an unwanted bride. But how? What could she do that she hadn't already tried?Elena's mind drifted to the exhibition. It was something she was passionate about, something that might show Sameer a different side of her. Maybe if he saw her dedication and talent, he would begin to see her in a new light. But the doubt quickly crept in. What if it wasn't enough? What if he remained indifferent, no matter what she did?

The night stretched on, the silence of the house amplifying her inner turmoil. Elena felt trapped in a web of expectations and disappointments, unable to find a way out. She longed for a connection, for a spark of understanding, but it seemed so far out of reach.She sat on the edge of her bed, burying her face in her hands. "Please, let there be a way," she murmured, her voice barely audible. "Let me find a way to his heart."The desperation in her own voice startled her, but it also steeled her resolve. She couldn't give up, couldn't let the distance between them grow any larger. She had to keep trying, even if it felt hopeless. Because the other option—living in a cold and uncaring relationship—was too painful to accept.

As the days went by, Elena found herself consumed by the upcoming exhibition and her desperate attempts to connect with Sameer. The exhibition had become her sole focus, a way to escape from the growing distance in her marriage. Her days were spent in a whirlwind of preparations—selecting outfits, coordinating with vendors, and finalizing the details. She barely had time to think about herself, her personal needs, or her own well-being. The pressure and excitement of the exhibition seemed to overshadow everything else in her life.

Sameer, on the other hand, was immersed in his work. His mind was consumed by the complex business strategies needed to manage the projects he had taken on. The hotel he was constructing was no ordinary project; it was ambitious and groundbreaking. Sameer had invested a significant amount of money into this new venture, and it was unlike anything seen before in the tourism world.

The hotel was designed to offer tourists an experience of two distinct climates within the same building—one side would be hot, and the other would be cold. This innovative concept involved creating these climates artificially, a task that required immense planning and technical expertise. He envisioned adding activities such as skiing and trekking, all supervised by the hotel's management to ensure safety and enjoyment.

Building such a hotel was no small feat. The project was expected to take three to four years to complete, a timeline that reflected the complexity and scale of the endeavor. For now, Sameer needed to stay in the city to oversee the progress and make crucial decisions. His role in the project was vital, and leaving before it was well underway was not an option.

Despite his desire to wrap things up quickly and return to his life abroad, Sameer knew that his current responsibilities demanded his full attention. The hotel's development was a high-stakes investment, and he couldn't afford to make any mistakes. The amount of money he had invested was substantial, and the success of the project was crucial for his reputation and future plans.In the meantime, Sameer was determined to get the work done efficiently. He often found himself working late into the night, pouring over blueprints and meeting with engineers and architects. The pressure of the project weighed heavily on him, and he was aware that he would need to be present for several months to ensure everything went smoothly. After this period, he planned to visit occasionally, but the day-to-day operations would require his ongoing attention.As the days passed, Sameer's focus remained fixed on the hotel, leaving little room for anything else.

 The project consumed his thoughts and energy, making it clear that his current stay was not just a brief visit but a significant part of his professional journey. The grand vision he had for the hotel drove him forward, even as it kept him away from his personal life and relationships.As the days passed, Maya grew more careless towards Elena. With the realization that Sameer was unlikely to ever acknowledge Elena, Maya's vigilance relaxed. She no longer felt the need to monitor Elena's every move, confident in her position and the indifference Sameer showed towards his wife.

Elena, meanwhile, was overwhelmed by the pressure of preparing for the upcoming exhibition. Her life had become a whirlwind of activity—selecting outfits, finalizing details, and coordinating with vendors. The stress and excitement of the event had taken a toll on her well-being. Sleep had become a rare luxury; she found herself working late into the night and waking up only a few hours later, exhausted but driven.

On this particular morning, Elena dragged herself out of bed, feeling the familiar heaviness in her limbs. The lack of sleep had become a norm, a testament to her commitment to the exhibition. Despite her fatigue, she got dressed in a coffee-colored coord set that was both comfortable and practical. She hoped to blend in, yet still present herself with grace.Descending the grand staircase, Elena greeted everyone with a forced smile. "Good morning," she said, trying to mask her weariness. Her voice was greeted with polite nods and murmurs of acknowledgment, but Sameer's response was conspicuously absent. He was seated at the table with Maya beside him, their interactions as indifferent as ever.

Elena's heart sank as she noticed the lack of acknowledgment from Sameer. His cold silence was a sharp contrast to the warm greetings from everyone else. Mrs. Valens, always observant, noticed this slight. Her disappointment was palpable as she glanced at Sameer, clearly troubled by his continued disregard for Elena.

As Elena was lost in her thoughts and feeling the strain of her efforts, Mr. Valens glanced at her with concern. His brows furrowed as he noticed her exhaustion. "Are you not taking care of yourself?" he asked, his voice laced with fatherly worry.

Elena offered a weary smile and replied, "No, Dad, I've just been so busy with the exhibition. I haven't had much chance to sleep these past few days."Mr. Valens nodded understandingly. "Don't work too hard, child. Your health is more important."Elena felt a pang of relief at his kindness. "Thank you, Dad," she said, her smile brightening despite her fatigue.

Mr. Valens finished his breakfast with Selim and Arman, soon leaving for his other commitments. Sameer, as usual, departed with Maya trailing closely behind him, a subtle reminder of their apparent closeness.

As the room began to empty, Mrs. Valens rose from her seat. Her voice was firm, tinged with disappointment. "Elena, please come see me after breakfast."Elena sighed, her heart sinking at the prospect of the conversation to come. She knew Mrs. Valens' stern tone was not just about her well-being but also about the ongoing tension in the family. As she cleared her plate and gathered her thoughts, the weight of the upcoming discussion loomed over her. The anxiety of addressing her strained relationship with Sameer, combined with her exhaustion, made her feel even more isolated.

Once the dining area was quiet, Elena prepared herself mentally for the talk with Mrs. Valens. She hoped to understand her mother-in-law's concerns and possibly find a way to bridge the growing gap between herself and Sameer. Despite her fatigue, Elena knew that addressing these family issues was crucial. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was to come.
On the other hand, Sameer stood on the construction site, surrounded by the skeleton of his ambitious project. The morning sun beat down on the workers, their movements a rhythmic dance of labor and precision. The hotel was still in its infancy, but in Sameer's mind, he could already see the finished structure—a marvel of modern architecture and innovation.He walked through the site, his gaze sweeping over the scaffolding and the raw materials. Each beam, each brick, was a step towards realizing his dream. This hotel was not just a project; it was a statement, a testament to his vision and determination.

The day stretched on, and with it, the sun climbed higher in the sky. Sameer's meetings were a flurry of discussions and decisions, each one critical to the project's success. As the hours passed, the intensity of the work began to take its toll. The weight of responsibility was a constant presence, a reminder of the stakes involved.

By late afternoon, the site had quieted down, the workers taking a break from the relentless heat. Sameer found himself standing alone amidst the unfinished structure, the silence broken only by the distant hum of machinery. He closed his eyes, taking a moment to breathe in the dusty air.For a brief moment, his thoughts drifted back to Elena. The image of her standing in the morning light, her expression a mix of hope and fatigue, lingered in his mind. He remembered the way she had looked at him, her eyes searching for something he wasn't sure he could give.With a sigh, Sameer pushed the thoughts away, focusing instead on the task at hand. There was still so much to do, so many challenges to overcome. He couldn't afford to let anything distract him, not even the complicated feelings stirred by Elena's presence.

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