Sanaya woke up to the faint morning light filtering through the heavy curtains, her body aching from an uncomfortable night on the couch. The soft ticking of a clock was the only sound in the large, imposing room. For a brief moment, she didn't remember where she was. The plush couch, the rich velvet curtains, and the cold atmosphere-it all felt foreign. Then it all rushed back to her: the marriage, the tension, and Abhimaan.
Sighing, she sat up and stretched, her neck sore from the stiff position she had slept in. Her red cartoon-printed nightsuit had bunched up slightly, a small comfort in an otherwise overwhelming place. Glancing over at the king-sized bed, she noticed it was empty. Abhimaan had already left, perhaps for work or to avoid her, as he had done the night before. A part of her was relieved not to have to face him first thing in the morning, but another part of her-the part that still clung to the hope that this marriage might be more than a contract-felt a small twinge of disappointment.
She shook the feeling away, reminding herself that this wasn't a marriage built on love or affection. It was an arrangement, a substitution for her sister, and she was merely playing the role until Arohi came back, if she ever did.
After a quick shower, Sanaya returned to the walk-in closet, staring at the array of expensive clothes that hung there. Silks, chiffons, heavy embroidered sarees-none of it felt like her. Her fingers trailed over the luxurious fabrics until they landed on something familiar. Hidden among the new clothes was an old, comfortable emerald-green salwar suit, one her sister had given her as a gift before her marriage. It wasn't grand or glamorous, but it felt like home, like a small piece of herself she could hold onto in this vast, suffocating mansion.
Suit...

Dressed in the simple suit, Sanaya felt more at ease, though her heart still carried the weight of uncertainty. She ran her fingers through her damp hair, glancing at the reflection in the ornate mirror. The girl staring back at her looked out of place-too small and too unsure to belong in a world as grand and cold as the Rathore estate.
Taking a deep breath, she left the room and made her way down the long, echoing hallway, past portraits of the Rathore ancestors. Their eyes seemed to follow her, judging her, reminding her that she was not meant to be here. She was a replacement, a stand-in for the sister who had run away. That thought stung more than she cared to admit.
As she reached the grand dining room, the scent of freshly prepared food greeted her, momentarily distracting her from her spiraling thoughts. The large table was already set for breakfast, and Ruhani Singh Rathore and her husband, Aksh, were seated, waiting for her. Their warmth was a stark contrast to the icy tension she felt whenever Abhimaan was near.
"Good morning, dear!" Ruhani greeted her with a smile that made Sanaya feel a little less like an intruder. "Come, sit with us."
Sanaya offered a small smile in return as she took a seat at the table. Her eyes briefly darted around the room, searching for Abhimaan, but he was nowhere to be seen.
"Where is Abhimaan?" Aksh asked, his voice a deep rumble as he set down his newspaper.
"He had some work early this morning," Ruhani replied before turning her attention back to Sanaya. "Did you sleep well, dear? I hope the room wasn't too overwhelming."
Sanaya hesitated, the memory of the cold couch still fresh in her mind. "It was... fine," she said softly, not wanting to seem ungrateful. The truth was, she hadn't slept well at all, but admitting that felt too vulnerable.
Ruhani smiled warmly. "If there's anything you need, don't hesitate to ask. You're part of the family now."
Sanaya nodded, though the words felt hollow. She wasn't sure she would ever truly feel like part of the family, not when her very presence was a reminder of Arohi's absence.
Just as she was about to take a sip of tea, the door to the dining room creaked open, and Abhimaan walked in. The air seemed to shift as his presence filled the room. Dressed in a crisp black suit, he looked every bit the intimidating figure she had come to know over the past few days. His expression was as unreadable as ever, but Sanaya noticed the faintest trace of tiredness in his eyes.
"Good morning, son," Aksh greeted him, folding his newspaper neatly.
Abhimaan gave a curt nod in response, his gaze briefly flickering to Sanaya before moving on as if she were invisible. He sat down at the table opposite her, his silence more imposing than any words.
"How was your night, Sanaya?" Ruhani asked, her tone light as she tried to ease the tension in the room.
Sanaya forced a polite smile, her heart pounding under Abhimaan's gaze. "It was good," she lied, hoping to avoid any further questions about her sleepless night.
Abhimaan sipped his coffee, seemingly indifferent to the conversation. But Sanaya could feel the weight of his presence, the way his silence wrapped around her like a cold, unspoken judgment. She pushed her food around on her plate, barely eating, her appetite lost in the uncomfortable quiet.
As breakfast went on, Sanaya kept her answers short and polite, avoiding eye contact with Abhimaan as much as possible. Ruhani and Aksh tried to engage her in conversation, but their warmth only made the distance between her and Abhimaan more glaring.
After what felt like an eternity, breakfast came to an end, and Abhimaan excused himself to leave for work. The moment he stepped out of the room, Sanaya felt like she could finally breathe again. But the relief was short-lived, as Ruhani turned to her with a new suggestion.
"I was thinking, dear," Ruhani began, "we should host a family dinner this weekend to properly welcome you into the Rathore family. It's important for everyone to get to know you."
Sanaya's heart sank. The last thing she wanted was more attention, more eyes on her, scrutinizing her every move. But she couldn't refuse-not without seeming rude or ungrateful. So she nodded, forcing another smile. "That sounds... lovely."
Ruhani beamed, clearly pleased with the idea. "Wonderful! I'll start making the arrangements. It'll be a small, intimate gathering, just close family and friends."
The idea of having to sit through a dinner, pretending to be comfortable in this strange new life, filled Sanaya with dread. But she swallowed it down, reminding herself that this was her reality now. Whether she liked it or not, she had to play the part.
Later that afternoon, Sanaya found herself wandering the expansive grounds of the Rathore estate. The manicured lawns, the colorful flower beds, and the peaceful gardens were breathtaking, but they did little to calm the storm inside her. She had always loved the outdoors, but even in the beauty of the garden, she felt like she didn't belong.
She came across a secluded bench beneath a large oak tree and sat down, letting out a long, weary sigh. Her mind raced with thoughts of the upcoming dinner, of Abhimaan's coldness, and of her own uncertainty about what the future held. How was she supposed to navigate this life when every step felt like walking on eggshells?
The sound of approaching footsteps pulled her from her thoughts. She looked up to see Abhimaan standing a few feet away, his expression unreadable as always.
"What are you doing out here?" he asked, his voice low and devoid of emotion.
"Just needed some air," Sanaya replied, trying to keep her voice steady. She had no idea what to make of him-one moment distant, the next silently watching her like a puzzle he couldn't solve.
Abhimaan stood there for a moment, as if contemplating whether or not to say more. His gaze softened slightly, but the tension between them remained thick.
"You don't have to sleep on the couch," he said, his voice gruff but not unkind. "There's more than enough room on the bed."
Sanaya blinked in surprise, taken aback by his words. She had expected indifference from him, not an acknowledgment of her discomfort.
"I didn't want to intrude," she replied carefully, unsure of how to navigate this sudden shift in their dynamic.
"You're my wife," Abhimaan said, the word 'wife' sounding foreign on his lips, as if he still hadn't fully accepted it. "There's no need for this distance, at least not like that."
Sanaya's heart pounded in her chest. She wasn't sure how to respond. Was this his way of extending an olive branch, or was he merely stating the obvious? Either way, the conversation left her feeling even more uncertain.
"I'll... think about it," she said softly, her gaze dropping to her hands.
Abhimaan didn't press her. He simply nodded once before turning and walking away, leaving her alone with her thoughts.
As she watched him disappear into the distance, Sanaya couldn't help but wonder what their future would hold. They were strangers, bound by a contract neither of them wanted. Yet, in moments like this, there was a glimmer of something more-something unspoken but powerful. Could they ever bridge the gap between them, or were they destined to remain strangers in this marriage of convenience?
The wind rustled the leaves of the oak tree above her,
I HAVE A REQUEST TO ALL OF YOU WHO ARE READING THE BOOK AS YOU ALL GET KNOW THAT I AM NEW WRITER SO I WANT SUPPORT OF YOU ALL SO THAT MY STORY CAN GET MORE READERS AND VOTES SO PLEASE GIVE VOTES.AND COMMENTS IF YOU LIKE THE COUPLE OR NOT
THANKYOU!