The Unwanted Engagement

Dion Windsor, heir to a powerful family, is summoned by his formidable grandmother and told his wedding date is set. He's been engaged since childhood to Faye Matthews, a talented pianist, as part of a Windsor tradition. Both are trapped by family expectations—Dion by duty and guilt, Faye by her father's greed and violence. Their engagement is a sentence, not a choice, and both have spent years running from its reality, Dion through distance and work, Faye through obedience and silent suffering.

Gilded Cages, Hidden Bruises

Faye's life is dictated by her abusive father, who controls her every move and uses her as a pawn for financial gain. She endures his cruelty to protect her younger sisters, believing her marriage to Dion will be their salvation. Her stepmother and siblings are complicit or powerless, and Faye's only solace is the piano—a skill forced upon her to make her a suitable Windsor bride.

Forbidden Longings

Faye finds fleeting happiness with Eric, a kind lawyer, in a relationship she knows is doomed. Their connection is a rebellion against her fate, a taste of freedom and choice. But as her wedding to Dion approaches, she must end things with Eric, sacrificing her heart for her family's safety.

The Confrontation at The Lacara

Dion catches Faye with Eric at a Windsor hotel, shattering the polite distance between them. The confrontation is raw and exposes their true feelings—Dion's jealousy and possessiveness, Faye's longing for agency. Dion demands Faye end her relationship with Eric, setting the tone for their tumultuous dynamic.

Shattered Illusions

Faye's breakup with Eric leaves her hollow, and Dion's own guilt and unresolved trauma haunt him. Both are forced to confront the reality of their engagement: it is not just a family arrangement, but a crucible for their deepest wounds. Their interactions become charged with unspoken desire and resentment.

The Price of Obedience

Faye's father's abuse escalates as the wedding nears, punishing her and her sisters for any perceived slight. Faye's obedience is a shield, but it comes at the cost of her spirit. Dion, meanwhile, is pressured by his siblings and grandmother to win Faye over, not just for inheritance, but for the family's legacy.

Family Ties and Sibling Schemes

Dion's siblings, each with their own complicated marriages, intervene with well-meaning but chaotic advice. Their meddling highlights the contrast between the Windsor family's loyalty and Faye's isolation. Dion is pushed to seduce Faye, but what begins as strategy becomes genuine yearning.

The Dress, The Scandal

Faye's wedding dress fitting is overshadowed by tabloid rumors of Dion's infidelity with his secretary, Maria. The media storm threatens the fragile trust between Dion and Faye, while her father uses the scandal to tighten his grip. Faye's sense of self-worth is battered, but a spark of defiance grows.

The Piano's Lament

Dion's mother's piano, a symbol of loss and guilt, becomes a point of connection between him and Faye. Both are haunted by the past—Dion by his parents' tragic death, Faye by her mother's absence. Through music, they begin to share their pain and glimpse the possibility of solace in each other.

The Charity Gala

At the annual Windsor gala, Dion and Faye break from their scripted roles. A dance becomes a turning point, as genuine attraction and vulnerability surface. Dion's jealousy and Faye's longing for freedom clash, but their chemistry is undeniable. The night ends with promises and new fears.

The Awakening

A family trip to Hawaii forces Dion and Faye into close quarters, stripping away pretense. Their physical relationship ignites, but more importantly, they begin to see each other's true selves—flawed, wounded, and yearning for connection. Dion's protectiveness and Faye's courage grow in tandem.

The First Betrayal

Faye's secret contact with Eric is discovered, leading to a painful confrontation. Dion's possessiveness and Faye's guilt threaten to destroy their fragile bond. Yet, instead of violence, Dion offers forgiveness and a chance to start anew, signaling a shift from control to partnership.

The Hawaii Reckoning

In the aftermath of betrayal, Dion and Faye confront their deepest fears—his fear of not deserving love, hers of never being free. Their physical union is both passionate and healing, but emotional scars remain. They vow to try, to be honest, and to build something real.

The Seduction Pact

The Windsors' matriarch and siblings continue to shape Dion and Faye's marriage, for better and worse. Faye is given control of a family foundation, a gesture of trust and responsibility. Yet, the specter of her father's abuse and Dion's guilt over his parents' death loom large.

The Wedding Night

Their wedding night is a crucible—Faye's inexperience and Dion's tenderness collide, leading to a night of vulnerability and pleasure. They begin to rewrite the narrative of their marriage, moving from obligation to choice, from pain to passion.

The Cost of Freedom

Faye's father's financial and emotional abuse is exposed, leading to his downfall at the hands of the Windsor brothers. Faye is finally free, but the cost is high—her relationship with her sisters and stepmother is shattered, and she must reckon with the reality of her own complicity and survival.

The Father's Downfall

The Windsors orchestrate Faye's father's ruin, both financially and physically. Faye is given the choice to show mercy or vengeance, and she chooses to cut ties, reclaiming her agency. Dion's willingness to do anything for her, even become a monster, is both a blessing and a burden.

The Cottage Secret

Faye secretly buys a cottage, a symbol of her need for autonomy and a safety net. When Dion discovers it, he is devastated—not by the act itself, but by what it reveals about her trust in him. Their marriage is tested as both must confront the difference between freedom and running away.

The Divorce Ultimatum

Dion, determined to give Faye true agency, offers her a divorce. He steps back, allowing her to discover who she is without him. Both are heartbroken, but the gesture is an act of love—he wants her to choose him, not be trapped by him.

The Search for Self

Alone for the first time, Faye travels, plays music in train stations, and lives on her own terms. She realizes that freedom is empty without love, and that her dreams are richer when shared. Dion, meanwhile, watches from afar, hoping she will return.

The Return and the Choice

Faye returns, not because she must, but because she wants to. She rejects Eric's advances and reaffirms her love for Dion. They both acknowledge their flaws and the pain they've caused, but choose to move forward together, stronger for having faced their demons.

The Second Proposal

Dion proposes to Faye again, this time as a true partner, not as a duty. They exchange vows of mutual support, honesty, and love, promising to keep choosing each other every day. Their families, once sources of pain, become witnesses to their healing.

Healing Duet

Together, Dion and Faye perform a duet at a charity concert, honoring their mothers and the legacy of love and resilience. Their marriage, once unwanted, becomes a testament to the power of choice, forgiveness, and the courage to heal. The past is not forgotten, but it no longer defines them—they are free, together.

Characters

Dion Windsor

Dion is the second son of the powerful Windsor family, burdened by guilt over his parents' death and the weight of family expectations. He is intelligent, driven, and emotionally scarred, using work and distance to avoid pain. His engagement to Faye is both a duty and a source of torment, as he fears he will destroy her happiness. Dion's journey is one of learning to forgive himself, to love without control, and to trust in the possibility of happiness. His relationship with Faye transforms him from a man ruled by guilt and fear into a partner capable of vulnerability, passion, and true devotion.

Faye Matthews Windsor

Faye is a gifted pianist whose life has been shaped by abuse, loss, and the relentless pursuit of perfection. Her father's violence and manipulation have left her with deep scars, but also a fierce determination to protect her sisters and reclaim her agency. Faye's engagement to Dion is both a prison and a lifeline, offering hope of escape but also new forms of control. Her journey is one of self-discovery, as she learns to distinguish between obedience and choice, fear and love. Through music, courage, and the willingness to risk her heart, Faye becomes not just a survivor, but a woman who chooses her own destiny.

Eric

Eric is Faye's secret boyfriend, a kind and supportive lawyer who represents the life she might have had. He is patient, understanding, and genuinely cares for Faye, but ultimately cannot compete with the pull of her connection to Dion. Eric's presence forces Faye to confront what she truly wants, and his heartbreak is a catalyst for her growth.

Jimmy Matthews (Faye's Father)

Jimmy is a controlling, violent man who uses Faye as a means to financial security. His cruelty is both physical and psychological, shaping Faye's fears and her understanding of love and power. His eventual downfall is a moment of catharsis, but also a reminder of the lingering effects of trauma.

Anne Windsor (Dion's Grandmother)

Anne is the formidable head of the Windsor family, orchestrating marriages and alliances with ruthless efficiency. Her actions are driven by a desire to protect the family legacy, but often come at the expense of individual happiness. Over time, she reveals a capacity for growth and understanding, ultimately supporting Dion and Faye's choices.

The Windsor Siblings (Ares, Luca, Zane, Lexington, Sierra)

Dion's siblings each have their own complicated relationships and histories, but are united by fierce loyalty. They provide comic relief, support, and sometimes chaos, pushing Dion to fight for Faye and offering a model of imperfect but enduring love.

Maria

Maria is Dion's secretary, rumored to be his lover. Her presence stirs insecurity in Faye and forces Dion to confront the importance of boundaries and transparency in marriage. Ultimately, she is a catalyst for growth, not a true threat.

Abigail, Linda, Chloe (Faye's Stepmother and Sisters)

Faye's stepmother and sisters are both victims and enablers of her father's abuse. Their relationship with Faye is fraught with jealousy, dependence, and betrayal, highlighting the complexities of family ties and the cost of survival.

Raven, Valentina, and the Windsor Wives

The wives of Dion's brothers become Faye's found family, offering friendship, guidance, and a sense of belonging. Their own stories of love and resilience mirror Faye's journey and provide hope for healing.

Silas Sinclair and Xavier Kingston

Silas and Xavier are the Windsor family's security and underworld connections, willing to do whatever it takes to protect the family. Their actions blur the line between justice and vengeance, reflecting the moral complexity of the world Dion and Faye inhabit.

Plot Devices

Arranged Marriage as Emotional Crucible

The central device is the arranged marriage, which forces Dion and Faye to confront their deepest wounds and desires. It is both a source of conflict and the means by which they find freedom—not from each other, but from the legacies of pain and control that shaped them.

Dual Narration and Internal Monologue

The story alternates between Dion and Faye's perspectives, using internal monologue to reveal their fears, hopes, and evolving feelings. This structure allows readers to understand the psychological complexity of both characters and the slow, painful process of building trust.

Symbolism of Music and the Piano

The piano is a recurring symbol—of Faye's lost mother, Dion's guilt, and the possibility of healing. Music becomes a language through which they express what words cannot, and their duet at the end is a metaphor for their hard-won harmony.

Family as Both Support and Obstacle

The Windsor and Matthews families are both sources of pain and healing. Sibling schemes, parental manipulation, and the contrast between found and biological family drive much of the plot, highlighting the importance of chosen bonds.

Secrets, Betrayals, and the Power of Choice

The narrative is propelled by secrets—Faye's relationship with Eric, her hidden cottage, Dion's guilt and nightmares. The turning point is the granting of true choice: Dion offers Faye a divorce, and she must decide what she wants, not what she is told to want.

Healing Through Mutual Vulnerability

The story's resolution is not a fairy-tale ending, but a commitment to ongoing healing. Therapy, honest communication, and the willingness to face the past together are depicted as essential to lasting love.

Analysis

The Unwanted Marriage is a modern, emotionally intelligent reimagining of the arranged marriage trope, using it as a lens to explore trauma, agency, and the transformative power of love. Catharina Maura's narrative is as much about breaking cycles of abuse and control as it is about romance. The novel's greatest strength lies in its psychological depth: both Dion and Faye are deeply wounded, and their journey is not about rescuing each other, but about learning to rescue themselves and then choose each other freely. The story challenges the notion that love is enough on its own, insisting instead on the necessity of choice, honesty, and mutual healing. In a world where so many are shaped by the expectations and wounds of others, The Unwanted Marriage offers a hopeful message: that it is possible to break free, to heal, and to build a partnership rooted in respect, passion, and the courage to keep choosing each other, every day.

Last updated: July 19, 2025