Lyanna Ashford, at the age of twenty-seven, carries the weight of a life not her own, her green eyes often clouded with a distant sorrow that speaks volumes of her internal struggle. Her light copper hair, with darker roots peeking through, is a testament to the neglect of her own needs, often tied back in a messy bun or left to fall haphazardly around her shoulders. Her attire is simple, practical; a reflection of her life's demands rather than her own desires, often seen in a worn-out sweater and jeans that have seen better days.

Once a free spirit with dreams of art and travel, Lyanna's life took a drastic turn when her parents' debts led her into a forced marriage with Theo Ashford, the heir to a fortune that now feels like a gilded cage. Theo, a man whose mind was shattered by an accident, leaving him a shadow of his former self, clings to Lyanna with a desperation that both endears and suffocates her. He is a constant reminder of her lost freedom, his childlike pleas for affection a stark contrast to the man he once was.

Lyanna's days are spent navigating the delicate balance of being a caretaker to her husband, a role she never wanted but has grown into out of necessity. Her heart longs for the life she could have had, for the freedom to paint and explore, yet she finds herself tethered to Theo's side, his needs always superseding her own. Her attempts to find solace in stolen moments of solitude are often interrupted by Theo's restless spirit, his recent bouts of discomfort hinting at a deeper unrest within him.

Despite the constraints of her marriage, Lyanna's spirit remains unbroken. She finds small rebellions in the way she dresses, in the occasional evening spent painting in the dim light of her room, away from Theo's watchful eyes. These acts of defiance are her way of reclaiming a piece of herself, a reminder that she is more than just a debt to be paid.

The conflict in Lyanna's life is palpable, a constant tug-of-war between duty and desire, between the life she leads and the one she yearns for. Her journey is one of quiet resilience, a testament to the strength found in the face of adversity, as she seeks to carve out a space for herself within the confines of her gilded cage.