Chapter 2: The Deal I Never Agreed To
I didn't breathe.
I didn't blink.
I just stared at the man sitting beside me like my life had suddenly turned into someone else's story.
Aarav Sen.
CEO of Sen Group.
Billionaire.
And… according to that stupid certificate in my bag—
My husband.
My fingers trembled as I pulled the marriage certificate out again.
The words didn't change.
The stamp didn't disappear.
My name was there.
His name was there.
And the date…Today.
"How…" My voice came out broken. "How is this even possible?"
Aarav looked at me calmly, as if this was just another business meeting.
"You signed," he said.
"I didn't!" I snapped, my eyes burning. "I would remember marrying a stranger!"
He didn't react.
He only leaned back, resting his arm on the seat like a king who never had to explain himself.
"You didn't marry a stranger," he said.
I froze."What?"
His eyes met mine, and for the first time, something flickered there—something sharp.
"Because you already knew me."
My heart stopped.
No.
That wasn't possible.
I shook my head quickly. "I don't know you."
Aarav's jaw tightened.
For a second, the calm CEO mask slipped.
But it came back just as fast.
"Fine," he said coldly. "Then let me introduce myself properly."
He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a sleek black card.
He held it out to me.
AARAV SEN
CEO, SEN GROUP
I didn't take it."I don't need your card," I whispered.
Aarav's lips curved slightly.
"Good," he said. "Because you need something else."
My throat went dry. "What?"
His voice dropped lower.
"You need to stay married to me."
My eyes widened.
"What?!" I almost choked. "Are you crazy?"
He leaned forward, his face inches away from mine.
"No," he said. "I'm careful."
I backed away until my shoulder hit the window.
"Listen, Mr. CEO," I hissed. "I don't know who you are or what game you're playing, but I'm not staying in this—this—"
"This marriage?" he finished for me.
I glared.
"Yes. This!"
Aarav's expression turned serious."I didn't choose this for fun," he said. "I chose you because I had no other option."
I laughed bitterly.
"Oh wow. How romantic."
His gaze didn't move.
"You think I care about romance?" he asked.
I went silent.
He continued, "I needed a wife. Legally. Immediately."
My stomach twisted.
"So I'm just a… contract?"
His eyes darkened.
"No."
Then he paused, as if he was thinking carefully.
"You're the only one I can trust."
I stared at him.
That sentence hit differently.
I hated it.
Becausefor a second…
I wanted to believe him.
But my life wasn't a movie.
I was a normal girl.
I didn't belong in the world of billionaires, CEOs, and private jets.
"So what now?" I asked quietly. "You take me home like a trophy?"
Aarav's lips pressed together.
"No," he said. "You go home like my wife."
My chest tightened.
"I'm not going anywhere withyou," I said.
Aarav leaned back again.
"Then you'll regret it," he said.
My eyes narrowed. "Is that a threat?"
He shook his head.
"It's a warning."
He pulled out his phone, tapped the screen, and turned it toward me.A news article was already trending.
BREAKING: CEO AARAV SEN RETURNS… MYSTERY WIFE SPOTTED WITH HIM AT AIRPORT
My blood turned cold.
There was a blurred photo.
But I knew it was me.
My scarf.
My face half-hidden.
My body sitting beside him.
I felt dizzy.
"This… this is—"
"It's already out," Aarav said.
My hands shook.
"So what? People will forget."
Aarav's eyes locked onto mine.
"They won't," he said. "Not when my enemies start digging."swallowed.
"Enemies?"
His voice turned darker.
"I have people who want to destroy me," he said. "And the easiest way to do that…"
He paused.
"…is by hurting my wife."
My breath caught.
I stared at him, horrified.
"I didn't ask for this," I whispered.
Aarav's face softened just a little.
"I know," he said quietly.
For the first time, his voice sounded human.
Not CEO.
Not billionaire.
Just… a man.
"I'm sorry,"he added.
I blinked.
I didn't expect an apology.
But my heart didn't soften.
Not yet.
"Then fix it," I said.
Aarav's jaw clenched.
"I can't," he admitted.
I stared at him.
"What do you mean you can't?"
He looked away for a second, then back at me.
"Because the marriage isn't the problem," he said.
My pulse raced.
"Then what is?"
Aarav's voice dropped to a whisper."The problem is… someone made sure you and I would end up like this."
I felt chills.
"Someone… did this on purpose?"
Aarav nodded.
"And now," he said, "we have to play along."
I shook my head.
"No. I won't."
Aarav leaned in.
"You will," he said.
His eyes were intense now.
Not cold.
Not cruel.
Just… dangerously determined.
"Because if you don't," he whispered, "they will come for you first."
My heartpounded so hard it hurt.
I didn't know what scared me more—
The enemies he was talking about…
Or the way his voice sounded like he would burn the world to protect me.
Aarav sat back.
"We're landing soon," he said.
I stared at him, speechless.
Then he added one last sentence.
"And from nowon…"
His gaze held mine.
"…you are Mrs. Aarav Sen."