Akshu had run far from the mansion, her breath ragged and her feet aching from the distance she had covered. The deserted road stretched endlessly ahead when, suddenly, a car appeared in the distance, driving toward her. Desperation overpowered hesitation. She stepped forward and raised her hand, silently asking for a lift.

The car slowed down and stopped beside her. The driver rolled down the window, concern visible on his face.

"Kya hua madam ji? Madad chahiye?"

[What's wrong, madam? Do you need help?]

To Akshu, the man felt like nothing less than a messenger sent by God. Relief flooded through her tired body as she nodded quickly.

"Bhaiyya, please... can you drop me off at the nearest bus stop?" she pleaded.

The driver gestured for her to open the door. Trusting her luck for once, Akshu quickly got inside the car, believing she had finally escaped.

Then she heard it.

"Kahi jaa rahi ho, sweetheart?"

[Where are you going, sweetheart?]

The calm, dangerously familiar voice froze the blood in her veins.

Her breath hitched as a firm hand wrapped around her wrist. Slowly, she turned her head.

Veeranshu Singhaniya sat beside her, his posture relaxed, his presence dominating the entire space like he owned the air she breathed.

"Tch... tch..." he murmured softly, his fingers tightening slightly around her wrist. "Running away from me? I didn't expect such a reckless decision from you."

Akshu's pulse raced wildly. She tried to pull her hand away, panic flickering across her face.

"I didn't want any trouble... bas Shyra ko iss sab mein mat laaiye," she said hurriedly, panic creeping into her voice as she struggled to free herself.

[I didn't want any trouble... Just don't bring Shyra into all this.]

Veer's eyes darkened at the mention of the name.

"Oh... so Shyra and Nisha helped you," he muttered coldly. "How brave of them."

For a brief second, his grip loosened.

That was enough.

Akshu jerked her hand free and bolted out of the car, running with everything she had left.

"Main marr jaungi... lekin aapki kabhi nahi banungi, Mr. Singhaniya!" she shouted while running.

[I will die... but I will never be yours, die Singhania!]

But her escape lasted only seconds.

Several black cars screeched to a halt around her, forming a suffocating circle. Every possible path vanished within seconds.

Her steps faltered.

Veer's car stopped right in front of her. The door opened slowly, and he stepped out with calm, deliberate steps. The authority in his presence alone made the air feel heavy.

"Kahan bhaag rahi ho?" he asked quietly.

[Where are you running?]

His eyes locked onto hers with terrifying certainty.

"Tum marr bhi jaogi... toh bhi meri hi rahogi. Lekin agar zinda rehkar meri nahi bani..." he paused, his voice turning dangerously soft, "...toh tumhari best friend zinda nahi bachegi."

[Even if you die... You will still be mine. But if you don't become mine by staying alive... then your best friend will not survive.]

[Haa yehi reel dekh ke aaye ho na tum log😋💃🏻]

Akshu's heart nearly stopped.

Her mind immediately flashed back to what she had heard earlier that night—his cold voice on the phone, ordering someone to erase every trace of her abusive relatives like they were nothing.

That was the moment she had realized what kind of man Veeranshu Singhaniya truly was.

"You... you can't control my life like this," she whispered, fear and heartbreak tangled in her voice.

But Veer didn't argue.

In one swift motion, he lifted her over his shoulder as if she weighed nothing. Akshu struggled fiercely, hitting his back with desperate fists.

"Put me down, Veer! You can't force this!"

Her protests meant nothing to him.

He carried her to the car and placed her inside before firmly shutting the door. The drive back to the mansion passed in suffocating silence.

"Veer..." Akshu finally whispered, tears streaming down her face. "This isn't right."

His hands tightened on the steering wheel.

"You heard one conversation," he said coldly. "And suddenly you think you know me."

She looked away, her heart aching.

"I know enough."

The car finally stopped in front of the mansion.

Before she could react, Veer pulled her out and dragged her inside, taking her straight toward a room upstairs.

"Let me go... I won't come in your way again," Akshara said, her voice breaking as she struggled against his hold.

Veer stopped walking.

Then he let out a quiet, humorless chuckle.

"Tch... tch... that's where you're wrong, sweetheart."

He stepped closer and gently held her face between his hands, the softness of his touch clashing horribly with the possessiveness in his eyes.

"You may have walked into my life by chance," he said quietly.
"But now you belong here."

His gaze hardened.

"And Veeranshu Singhaniya doesn't lose what is his... especially not his wife."

Akshu's eyes widened in shock.

"Now get ready," he continued calmly, releasing her. "Our wedding is in a few hours."

When she didn't respond, his voice suddenly turned sharp.

"I said, answer me, Akshu."

Startled, she flinched, tears pooling in her eyes.

"Y-Yes..."

Satisfied, Veer turned toward the women standing nearby.

"Taiyaar karo inhe,"  he ordered coldly. "Aaj poori duniya dekhegi... Veeranshu Singhaniya ki biwi kaun hai."

[Get her ready, Today the whole world will see... who is Veeranshu Singhania's wife.]
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AUTHOR NOTE🤍
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Love you, cuties. 🫶🏻❤️
— Author Shyra