Morning came quietly, but it didn't feel peaceful.
Aarohi slowly opened her eyes, momentarily disoriented by the unfamiliar surroundings. The soft mattress beneath her, the elegant ceiling above, and the faint scent of luxury lingering in the air—it all felt unreal.
For a few seconds, she simply stared ahead, trying to make sense of where she was.
Then it hit her.
She was married.
To Kunal.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the bedsheet as memories of the previous night returned—awkward silences, arguments, unexpected confessions… and that strange distance that still lingered between them.
She quickly sat up and glanced around the room.
The bed beside her was untouched.
The sofa, where Kunal had slept earlier, was now neatly arranged—no blanket, no trace of his presence.
He was already gone.
A strange feeling crept into her chest, though she couldn't quite name it.
Relief?
Or disappointment?
Aarohi shook her head and got out of bed.
She didn't have time to overthink.
After freshening up, she stepped out of the room and made her way downstairs. The house felt even larger in daylight—grand, polished, almost intimidating.
A maid immediately approached her, bowing respectfully."Good morning, ma'am. Please come, breakfast is ready."
Aarohi nodded slightly, still not used to being addressed that way, and followed her into the dining hall.
The moment she entered, her steps slowed.
Kunal was already there.
Seated at the table, dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, he looked… untouchable.
Sunlight streamed through the large windows, falling across his sharp features, making him appear even more striking—and distant.
He didn't look like someone who belonged to the same world as her.
He looked like someone far above it.
Aarohi walked forward carefully.
"Good morning," she said.
Kunal briefly glanced at her—just one look—before returning to his coffee without responding.
That single glance was enough to make her pause.
It wasn't cold.
It wasn't warm either.
It was simply… indifferent.
She sat down quietly.
The silence between them stretched as they ate. No conversation. No acknowledgment.
Just two people sharing a table—but nothing else.
After a while, Kunal stood up and left without a word.
Aarohi remained seated, staring at her plate.
Her appetite had disappeared.
One of the maids noticed her expression and spoke gently, "Ma'am, please don't mind. Sir isn't a bad person. Sometimes his mood is off in the mornings."
Aarohi looked up. "Did he not sleep well?"
The maid nodded. "He woke up in the middle of the night and went to the study. He didn't return after that."
Aarohi blinked, surprised.
So he had left… because of her?
A quiet realization settled in her heart.
Of course he was uncomfortable.
He hadn't chosen this marriage.
And he loved someone else.
Aarohi lowered her gaze.
"Forced into a life he didn't want…" she murmured softly.
For the first time, she felt something close to guilt.
After breakfast, she got ready to leave for work.
As she stepped outside, she noticed movement near the main gate.
A group of people stood there—and at the center of them was Kunal.
Tall. Composed. Dominant.
Even in a simple walk, he carried authority that others naturally followed.
Aarohi hurried toward him.
"Wait! Kunal, wait!" she called out, slightly out of breath.
He stopped.
Turned.
His expression tightened slightly as he saw her running toward him.
"I need to go to the company too," she said quickly. "Can you drop me somewhere nearby? I don't need anything fancy—even the bus stop is fine."
Kunal frowned immediately.
"The Kapoor family isn't so poor that their daughter-in-law has to take a bus."
His tone was firm, almost sharp.
Aarohi blinked.
She hadn't expected that reaction.
He studied her for a moment, then said, "Get in."
Her face lit up slightly, and she quickly followed him into the car.
The interior was luxurious—soft leather seats, a subtle fragrance, and an overall elegance that made her feel out of place.
In her haste, she accidentally stepped inside with dusty shoes, leaving faint marks.
Kunal noticed instantly.
"Why are your shoes so dirty?" he asked, irritation clear in his voice.
Aarohi looked down, embarrassed. Then she gave a small, awkward smile.
"I only have one pair."
Kunal stared at her.
Really looked at her this time.
Her clothes—clean, but worn out. Slightly faded. Clearly used many times.
Without another word, he said to the driver, "Take us to a shopping center."
The car changed direction immediately.
Aarohi stiffened. "Wait—there's no need. My clothes are fine."
Kunal didn't respond.
She tried again, "I'll get my things later. I didn't bring much with me."
Still nothing.
After a pause, he finally spoke, his tone calm but firm, "I don't like seeing things that bother me."
Aarohi frowned slightly. "Saving money isn't something to be bothered by."
Kunal looked at her again.
"To you, maybe."
She crossed her arms lightly. "You're used to luxury. I'm not."
Her voice wasn't defensive—just honest.
"I wear my clothes until they can't be worn anymore. That's normal for me."
Kunal didn't respond immediately.
But something in his expression changed.
Slightly.
Then she added, quieter this time, "I'm not really part of that family you investigated."
His eyes shifted toward her.
"They never treated me like one."
And just like that, the air in the car changed.
Not tense.
Not awkward.
Just… heavier.
Soon, the car stopped in front of a high-end showroom.
Kunal stepped out first.
Then looked back at her.
"Come."
Inside, the staff immediately greeted them.
Without hesitation, Kunal said, "Bring everything in her size."
Aarohi froze.
Everything?
Within minutes, racks of expensive clothes surrounded her.
Dresses. Formal wear. Casual outfits.
Things she had only ever seen from a distance.
She stood there, overwhelmed.
For the first time in her life…
She wasn't choosing what she could afford.
She was choosing what she wanted.
And that realization—
Felt more powerful than anything else.
But as she glanced toward Kunal, standing calmly nearby, one thought crossed her mind—
This life… comes with a price.
And she was only beginning to understand what that price truly was.