Setting ; ani's room - later that morning
The door clicked shit behind rudra , and the silence in the room seemed to pulse .
Ani stayed standing at the edge of the bed her body tense , her heart hammering in her chest . The breath she 'd been holding what felt like an eternity finally escapedd in a shaky exhale
" You don't own me ", she whispered to the empty room , though the words felt hollow ,even to herself .
The cool morning air brushed against her skin , but it did little to calm the fire burning inside her . She was trapped , and rudra knew it . Worse yet - she could feel .
The truth creeping into her bones .
He was right about one thing ;
She might have come here under duress .
She might have married him to protect her brother . But the more she fought against veer's presence , the more her body betrayed her . His touch lingered on her skin even though he hadn't laid a hand on her in hours . His words eoched in her mind , seeping into the cracks she had tried to ignore .
Her heart was not her anymore.
Her thoughts were interrupted when a shark knock on the door broke the stillness . Her pulse stipked as she turned to face it .
"Come in ". Her voice was steady , but her hands clenched into fists again
The door opened , and there stood one of veer ' s man , a silent , imposing figure in a black suit . He didn't move an inch , his eyes not meeting hers . Only when he spoke did ani ' s stomach twisted in unease
" Veer sir has given you a task , ma' am .
Her breath hiched .
"A task ?"
The man ' lips moved as he nodded . "He's waiting for you in the garden ".
Ani felt a chill , her blood running cold . The garden . She had been there once , on their weeding day . It was beautiful , but too open . Too exposed .
She nodded stiffly , turning away to change into something more partical .
The minute that passed felt like hours .
Every step toward the garden seemed to pull her deeper into veer ' s world - one that she had no control over .
Setting ; the garden - moments later
Veer stood with his back to her , facing the large fountain in the center of garden . the morning sunlight filtered through the trees ,casting long shadows , but ther was something off in the way the light fell on him - it only enhanced his aura of danger .
As she approached , his head title slightly , and he didn't need to turn around to know she was there . His voice was smooth , casual , buth with that same edge that made her blood run cold .
"You're late ".
Ani didn't reply . Instead she crossed her arms , her gaze fixed on the man who was both her captor and her husband .
" What is this about ?" She demanded .
Rudra turned slowly , his eyes locking onto hers with the intensity of a storm .
" I gave you a choice once , ani . You remember that ?" His voice lowered to a whisper , but it held a dark promise .
" Today I'm giving you another ".
Ani ' s heart skipped a beat . " Another choice ? I have no more choices . You've taken them all ".
His lips quirked into a smile that didn't reach his eyes .
"Oh , but you do . You always have a choice . the question is whether you'll be smart enough to make it.
He step towards her . Closing the distance between them until they were just inches apart . His presence was suffocating , but she stood her ground , glaring at him .
" What do you want from me , rudra ?"
" I want to test your loyalty test ", he said , his voice low and almost teasing . You'll prove it in the few next days . I'm sending you on a mansion - a task I know will push you to your limits ".
He paused , his eyes narrowing as if savouring her reaction .
"If you succeed , you'll prove you're mine , body and soul . Fail....and I'll have to make sure you'll learn what happeens when you don't love you to my expectations ".
Ani swallowed hard .
"What kind of mission?"
He leaned in , his lips brushing her ears .
"There for you to find out . But I think you're smart enough to know : failure won't just burt you . It'll hurt everyone you care about".
His words were a chilling reminder that nothing in the world , not even her brother 's life , was ever really hers to protect anymore.