The Night He Married a Stranger
The wedding hall was silent.
Not because the guests were emotional.
But because the groom had just changed.
Raj Malhotra — India's youngest billionaire — was supposed to marry Priya tonight.
The media was outside.
The investors were watching.
The deal was almost signed.
Marriage wasn't about love.
It was about business.
Until Priya disappeared.
With another man.
And a message.
"I can't marry you. I was never yours."
The humiliation burned like fire in Aarav's veins.
Board members whispered.
Cameras waited.
His reputation stood on the edge of destruction.
Then his eyes fell on someone unexpected.
A girl standing near the exit.
Simple dress. No makeup. Shock written all over her face.
Anaya Sharma.
Priya's cousin.
Middle class. Invisible. Unimportant.
Until that moment.
Raj walked toward her slowly.
Everyone watched.
"Marry me," he said.
The entire hall gasped.
Ok priya froze. "W-What?"
"You need money," he said coldly. "I need a bride. It's a contract. One year."
Her cheeks burned with anger.
"I'm not for sale."
He leaned closer.
"Your father's hospital bills. I can clear them tonight."
Silence.
Her world shattered in that one sentence.
How did he know?
Because power means knowing everything.
Tears filled her eyes.
This wasn't love.
This wasn't a dream.
This was survival.
The guests were waiting.
The media was waiting.
His empire was waiting.
"Decide," Raj said quietly.
Five seconds.
Four.
Three.
Raj closed her eyes.
"For one year," she whispered.
And just like that…
The billionaire married a stranger.
After the Wedding
The car ride was silent.
No romance.
No smiles.
Only tension.
"You will stay in my house," Raj said. "Follow my rules. No emotional expectations."
She looked out the window.
"I have one rule too."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Don't treat me like I belong to you."
For the first time that night…
He smirked.
Interesting.
Malhotra Mansion – Midnight
The mansion was bigger than her entire neighborhood.
Servants bowed.
Lights glittered.
Everything screamed luxury.
But Anaya felt small.
Raj stopped near the staircase.
"One year," he reminded her.
"And after that?" she asked.
"We go back to being strangers."
His voice was calm.
But something in his eyes wasn't.
That night, priya cried silently in her new room.
And Raj stood on his balcony, staring at the city.
He didn't believe in love.
He didn't want attachment.
He only wanted control.
But deep inside…
He knew something dangerous had begun
The next morning, headlines exploded:
"Billionaire Marries Mystery Girl After Bride Runs Away!"
And underneath the article…
A photo.
Of priya.
With a caption that would change everything.
"Is she pregnant?"
Priya stared at the screen in horror.
"What is this?!" she whispered.
Priya's jaw tightened.
"This," he said coldly,
"is war."