Chapter 3 – The Answer

Aanya stared at the file for hours.

The numbers blurred.

The words stopped making sense.

But the truth remained the same.

There was no way out.

Her father’s voice echoed from the living room — tired, weak, trying to sound normal.

“Everything will be okay, beta.”

Her chest tightened.

No… it wouldn’t.

Not unless she did something.

Something she would regret for the rest of her life.

The next morning, Aanya stood in front of the mirror.

She didn’t recognize the girl staring back.

Dark circles. Pale skin. Eyes filled with fear.

Was she really about to do this?

Marry a stranger?

Sell her life for a deal?

Her phone buzzed.

One message.

Unknown number.

“Time’s up.”

Her hands went cold.

This was it.

No more running.

No more thinking.

Just… one decision.

The hotel looked even more intimidating in daylight.

Like it was waiting for her.

Like it already knew her answer.

Aanya walked in slowly, every step heavier than the last.

And there he was.

Sitting exactly where she expected him to be.

Calm.

Unbothered.

As if her entire life wasn’t about to change because of him.

He looked up as she approached.

No surprise in his eyes.

Just certainty.

“So,” he said, leaning back slightly,

“what’s your answer?”

Aanya’s throat went dry.

For a second, she couldn’t speak.

Couldn’t breathe.

But then—

She remembered her father.

The debt.

The fear.

The way everything was falling apart.

And just like that…

Her hesitation disappeared.

She met his gaze.

“I’ll do it.”

Silence.

Even she didn’t expect it to feel this heavy.

But he didn’t react the way she thought he would.

No smile.

No relief.

Just a small, almost unreadable nod.

“Good.”

That was it.

Good?

That was all he had to say?

Anger flickered inside her.

“You don’t get to act like this is normal,” she snapped. “This is my life.”

His eyes darkened slightly.

“And it’s my deal,” he replied calmly.

That shut her up.

Within minutes, everything started moving too fast.

Documents appeared.

Lawyers.

Signatures.

Her name on papers she didn’t fully understand.

It felt unreal.

Like she was watching someone else ruin their life.

“Sign here,” someone said.

Her hand trembled as she held the pen.

This was it.

No turning back.

Aanya closed her eyes for a second…

And signed.

“Congratulations.”

The word felt wrong.

Cold.

Empty.

Aanya looked up slowly.

“Now what?” she asked.

For the first time, he stood up.

Tall. Dominating. Impossible to ignore.

“Now,” he said, stepping closer,

“you become my wife.”

Her heart skipped.

This was real.

Too real.

“But don’t misunderstand,” he added, his voice dropping slightly.

“This isn’t love.”

Aanya let out a dry laugh. “Trust me, I wasn’t expecting that.”

A faint smirk touched his lips.

“Good.”

She thought that was it.

That the worst part was over.

She was wrong.

Because then—

He said something that made her blood run cold.

“The wedding is today.”

Her eyes widened.

“What?”

“No delays,” he said smoothly. “No time to change your mind.”

“This is insane—”

“This is necessary.”

His tone left no room for argument.

And before she could process it—

People started moving again.

Stylist. Makeup. Dress.

Everything happening around her like a storm she couldn’t escape.

Hours later…

Aanya stood in front of a mirror again.

But this time—

She didn’t recognize herself at all.

Dressed as a bride.

About to marry a man she didn’t know.

For reasons she didn’t fully understand.

Her heart pounded as the door opened behind her.

She didn’t need to turn to know it was him.

His presence was… impossible to ignore.

“Ready?” he asked.

She let out a shaky breath.

“No.”

A pause.

And then—

“You don’t have to be.”

The ceremony was a blur.

Words she didn’t hear.

Faces she didn’t recognize.

All that mattered was him.

Standing across from her.

Watching her like this was all part of a plan.

Because it was.

And then came the moment.

The one that would change everything.

“Do you accept this marriage?”

Her heart pounded so loudly it drowned out everything else.

This was her last chance.

Her last moment to stop this.

To walk away.

To run.

But instead—

Aanya whispered,

“I do.”

The world went silent.

For a second…

It felt like everything had stopped.

And then—

He leaned closer.

Just enough for only her to hear.

And said the words that shattered everything she thought she knew.

“Welcome to the beginning of your family’s downfall.”

Why does he hate her family so much? 😳

What do you think they did?

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Because the truth… is darker than you think