Chapter 4 – The First Night

The room was too quiet.

Too perfect.

Too… unfamiliar.

Aanya stood near the window, her hands gripping the edge of her dupatta as city lights flickered below.

Married.

The word still didn’t feel real.

A few hours ago, she had a choice.

Now… she had a husband.

A stranger.

A dangerous one.

The door clicked open behind her.

Her body stiffened instantly.

She didn’t turn.

She didn’t need to.

She could feel him.

That same presence.

Calm. Controlled. Unreadable.

He stepped inside, closing the door softly.

The sound echoed louder than it should have.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

The silence stretched… heavy and suffocating.

“Relax.”

His voice broke through the tension.

Low. Steady.

“I’m not going to touch you.”

Aanya turned sharply, her eyes narrowing.

“Good,” she said quickly, masking the way her heart had just skipped.

A faint smirk appeared on his face.

“Glad we understand each other.”

He walked past her like she wasn’t even a distraction.

Like this was just another normal night for him.

Taking off his jacket, loosening his watch, completely at ease.

That annoyed her more than it should have.

“How can you act like this is normal?” she snapped.

He paused for a second.

Then looked at her.

Really looked at her.

And for the first time…

There was something darker in his eyes.

“Because for me,” he said quietly,

“It is.”

Aanya felt a chill run down her spine.

Who was this man?

What kind of life had he lived for this to be normal?

“I kept my promise,” he continued calmly.

“Your father’s debt is gone.”

Her breath caught.

Just like that?

“So it’s done?” she asked, almost afraid to believe it.

“Yes.”

Relief washed over her—

But it didn’t last long.

Because he added—

“But that doesn’t mean you’re free.”

Her heart dropped.

“What does that mean?”

He stepped closer.

Not threatening.

Not aggressive.

But close enough to make her pulse race.

“It means,” he said, his voice dangerously soft,

“This marriage isn’t just a contract.”

Aanya swallowed hard.

“Then what is it?”

For a second, he didn’t answer.

Like he was deciding how much to reveal.

Or how much to hide.

“Rules,” he finally said.

Her brows furrowed. “Rules?”

“Yes.”

He walked past her again, completely in control.

“Rule one,” he said, almost casually,

“You don’t question me.”

Aanya let out a small, disbelieving laugh.

“That’s not happening.”

His gaze snapped back to hers.

Sharp.

Warning.

“Try me.”

Silence.

Tension.

A silent battle neither of them was ready to lose.

“Rule two,” he continued,

“You don’t tell anyone the truth about this marriage.”

“What truth?” she shot back.

“That it’s not real.”

Aanya froze.

Not real?

Then what was this?

“And rule three…” he said, his tone dropping slightly.

This time, there was no calm.

No softness.

Just something cold.

Something dangerous.

“Don’t fall in love with me.”

Aanya blinked.

And then—

She laughed.

Actually laughed.

“You really think that’s a risk?”

A faint smirk returned to his lips.

But his eyes didn’t match it.

“People make mistakes,” he said quietly.

Something about the way he said it…

Felt personal.

Aanya crossed her arms.

“Are you done?”

“For now.”

“Good,” she replied. “Because I have one question.”

His gaze lingered on her.

“Go ahead."

She hesitated for a second.

But she needed to know.

“Why do you hate my family?”

The air shifted instantly.

His expression hardened.

The calm disappeared.

And for the first time—

She saw it clearly.

Anger.

Deep. Buried. Dangerous.

“You’ll find out,” he said.

Cold. Final.

That answer wasn’t enough.

Not even close.

But before she could push further—

His phone rang.

He picked it up without hesitation.

“Yes.”

His voice changed.

Colder. Sharper. More dangerous than before.

He listened for a few seconds.

And then—

His jaw tightened.

“When?” he asked.

A pause.

And then—

His eyes flicked to Aanya.

Something unreadable passing through them.

“Keep an eye on him,” he said quietly.

“I’ll handle it.”

The call ended.

Aanya’s heart was racing again.

“What was that about?”

No answer.

He just stared at her for a moment.

Like he was thinking.

Calculating.

And then he said something that made her stomach drop.

“Seems like your family didn’t learn from their mistakes.”

“What are you talking about?” she demanded.

But he didn’t answer.

Instead—

He moved toward the door.

“Where are you going?” she asked.

He paused, glancing back at her.

And for the first time…

There was something almost… dangerous in his calm.

“To finish what they started.”

The door shut behind him.

Leaving Aanya alone.

Confused.

Terrified.

And more trapped than ever before.

Because now she knew one thing for sure—

This wasn’t just about revenge.

Something bigger was coming.

And she was right in the middle of it.

What do you think her family did? 😳

And what is he about to do next?

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Because things are about to get dangerous