[][] Sunakshi's POV[][]
I was sitting in the most dangerous place on earth.
No, seriously.
At that moment, I was convinced that hell itself would be more welcoming than where I currently was.
And where exactly was I?
The Watson Mansion.
Again.
The grand hall sparkled beneath enormous crystal chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling. Golden lights illuminated every corner, reflecting against polished marble floors and expensive decorations. Fresh flowers filled the room with a sweet fragrance that should have been calming.
Instead, it made me feel sick.
I sat frozen on an elegant golden sofa, dressed in a heavily embroidered bridal lehenga that weighed almost as much as my entire body.
Every movement felt impossible.
The jewelry around my neck was suffocating.
The bangles on my wrists felt like chains.
And the engagement ring sitting on my finger?
That felt like a prison.
The irony was almost laughable.
This engagement wasn't even supposed to be mine.
It was supposed to be Noor's.
Yet somehow, here I was.
Sunakshi Jain.
Engaged to Kalki Watson.
How had my life become such a disaster?
Simple.
Because the devil himself had decided he wanted a bride.
And unfortunately, that bride was me.
A few hours ago, I had been peacefully hiding at Marshall's house.
Peacefully.
Well, as peaceful as life could be when you were trying to avoid a six-foot-something billionaire mafia boss who refused to leave you alone.
Then everything changed.
The moment Marshall and Krish left for the engagement, Kalki appeared.
Not with flowers.
Not with an invitation.
Not even with a conversation.
No.
The man literally kidnapped me.
One second I was standing in the living room.
The next second I was thrown over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
I had kicked him.
Hit him.
Threatened him.
Yelled every curse word I knew.
Nothing worked.
The jerk didn't even react.
By the time I realized what was happening, I was already inside his car.
And by the time I realized where he was taking me, we had already reached the Watson Mansion.
I had refused to get dressed.
He had ignored me.
I had refused to leave the room.
He had ignored me.
I had refused to walk toward the ceremony hall.
That was when he finally stopped.
His dark eyes locked onto mine.
For a brief moment, the room became silent.
Then he spoke.
"If you don't walk down that aisle, Sunakshi..."
His voice remained calm.
Dangerously calm.
"...then nobody walks out of this mansion tonight."
My blood turned cold.
Because Kalki wasn't threatening me.
He was making a promise.
And the worst part?
I knew he would keep it.
So I walked.
Not because I wanted to.
Not because I forgave him.
And certainly not because I accepted him.
I walked because I couldn't risk anyone getting hurt because of me.
Now here I was.
Sitting beside him.
Pretending everything was normal.
Pretending this engagement was real.
Pretending my heart wasn't trying to escape from my chest.
The only thing keeping me sane was the thick veil covering my face.
As long as nobody knew who I was, maybe I could survive this evening.
Especially Dadi.
If she discovered I was sitting here instead of Noor...
God help me.
The woman would either kill me herself or suffer a heart attack.
Neither option sounded particularly appealing.
I tightened my grip on the veil.
Don't fall.
Don't move.
Don't betray me.
For several minutes everything remained fine.
Then fate decided to ruin my life.
Again.
"My daughter-in-law has such a beautiful face."
Dadi's voice echoed through the hall.
I froze.
"No need to hide it."
No.
My heart began racing.
Before I could react, she stepped closer.
The guests watched curiously.
I wanted to run.
Instead, I remained rooted to the spot.
Then somebody from the crowd laughed.
"Maybe he's jealous that everyone will admire her beauty."
The guests chuckled.
I wanted to punch whoever said that.
Jealous?
Seriously?
I had been kidnapped.
Forced into a bridal outfit.
Dragged into an engagement ceremony.
And apparently people thought I was shy because of jealousy.
Wonderful.
Absolutely wonderful.
From the corner of my eye, I noticed Kalki.
The idiot was smirking.
Actually smirking.
As if this entire situation amused him.
Beside him stood Sol and Luna.
My precious children.
My adorable angels.
My tiny traitors.
Both of them looked suspiciously entertained.
I narrowed my eyes.
Just wait.
The engagement ends first.
Then we'll discuss your betrayal.
All three of you.
Including your father.
Unfortunately, before I could continue mentally planning their punishment, Dadi lifted my veil.
The world stopped.
Silence filled the hall.
For one long second, nobody moved.
Nobody breathed.
Nobody spoke.
Dadi stared at me.
Shock flashed across her face.
Pure, undeniable shock.
Her hand remained frozen in the air.
The guests exchanged confused glances.
Then came the whispers.
"What?"
"That's real beauty "
" That's why he hide her face?"
"Oh my God..."
My stomach dropped.
This was it.
This was the moment everything exploded.
But somehow Dadi recovered.
Years of social training saved her.
A smile appeared on her face.
Small.
Controlled.
Almost forced.
Yet enough to satisfy the guests.
Then she stepped aside.
And chaos erupted.
Camera flashes exploded from every direction.
Reporters rushed forward.
Photographers practically attacked us.
The bright lights burned my eyes.
I squeezed them shut.
Flash.
Flash.
Flash.
It felt like standing inside a thunderstorm made entirely of cameras.
A moment later the flashes suddenly decreased.
Confused, I opened one eye.
Then nearly laughed.
Sol and Luna were glaring at the photographers.
Not normal glaring.
Murderous glaring.
The kind that clearly said:
Try taking another picture and see what happens.
The poor photographers immediately backed away.
Honestly?
Those children were terrifying.
They definitely inherited that trait from Kalki. My gaze moved away from Sol and Luna and landed on my friends.
The moment I saw their faces, I almost forgot about my own humiliation.
Almost.
Marshall looked as though someone had just informed him that the earth was flat.
His mouth was hanging open.
One hand repeatedly rubbed his eyes as if he expected me to disappear the moment he blinked.
Beside him, Krish was gripping Marshall's arm so tightly that the poor boy was probably losing blood circulation.
Karishma wasn't doing any better.
The glass in her hand had slipped from her fingers and shattered on the marble floor.
Nobody even cared about the broken glass.
Everyone was too busy staring at me.
Honestly, I couldn't blame them.
Yesterday, I had practically sworn that I would never return to the Watson Mansion.
I had declared that I wanted nothing to do with Kalki Watson.
And now?
I was standing beside him wearing his engagement ring.
Even I would think I had lost my mind.
My eyes shifted toward Sai, Shivaay, and Rudra.
Their expressions were different.
Shocked.
Confused.
But happy.
At least someone seemed happy to see me.
Then I spotted Dylan and Rajveer.
The two brothers were staring at Kalki.
Not me.
Kalki.
And if looks could kill, the engagement would have turned into a funeral.
Neither of them looked pleased.
Neither of them looked surprised either.
Almost as if they had expected Kalki to pull something like this.
Knowing him...
They probably had.
The ceremony continued despite the shock.
Guests slowly recovered.
Conversations resumed.
The engagement rings were exchanged.
People applauded.
Music began playing.
The hosts announced the couple.
The photographers continued taking pictures.
And throughout all of it, Kalki never let go of my hand.
Not once.
Even when important businessmen approached him.
Even when politicians greeted him.
Even when international investors arrived.
His fingers remained wrapped around mine.
Firm.
Possessive.
Protective.
I wasn't entirely sure which one.
Several times I tried pulling my hand away.
Every single time his grip tightened.
The man was impossible.
"You can stop holding me."
I forced a smile as another photograph was taken.
"No."
His response came immediately.
I turned toward him.
"You are literally kidnapping my hand."
A small smile touched his lips.
"You haven't run away yet."
"Yet?"
"Exactly."
I glared at him.
He looked far too pleased with himself.
Before I could reply, another guest approached us.
The conversation ended.
Unfortunately, my irritation didn't.
Hours later, after what felt like an entire lifetime, the engagement finally ended.
The guests were beginning to leave.
The music had softened.
The hall wasn't as crowded anymore.
And for the first time that evening, I felt like I could breathe.
That was when I noticed Dadi calling Kalki toward the study.
The expression on her face made me nervous immediately.
She looked furious.
Not annoyed.
Not upset.
Furious.
Kalki followed her without arguing.
The study doors closed behind them.
My stomach tightened.
This couldn't be good.
"Sunakshi!"
I jumped.
Marshall was suddenly standing in front of me.
"So..."
His eyes narrowed.
I already hated that tone.
"So?"
He crossed his arms.
"When exactly were you planning on telling us that you were getting engaged?"
I groaned.
Here we go.
Krish immediately joined him.
"Actually, forget that."
He pointed toward the study.
"How exactly did this happen?"
Karishma folded her arms.
"Because yesterday you were crying."
"Today you're engaged."
"Tomorrow what?"
"You'll announce your wedding?"
"I DON'T KNOW!" I practically shouted.
The words escaped before I could stop them.
Everyone fell silent.
My chest rose and fell rapidly.
For a moment nobody spoke.
Then Karishma's expression softened.
"Oh."
Marshall sighed.
"That bad?"
I nodded weakly.
The concern on their faces immediately replaced the teasing.
Marshall sat beside me.
"Did he force you?"
My heartbeat accelerated.
I looked away.
A dangerous question.
One honest answer would create absolute chaos.
"He..."
The words caught in my throat.
What was I supposed to say?
That Kalki had thrown me over his shoulder and kidnapped me?
That would definitely end with Marshall attempting murder.
And honestly?
I wasn't sure who would win.
Thankfully Sai appeared before I could answer.
"Leave her alone."
She sat beside me.
"She looks exhausted."
For the first time all evening, I silently thanked someone.
The questioning finally stopped.
At least temporarily.
[][] Kalki's POV[][]
The moment I entered the study, I knew this conversation wasn't going to be pleasant.
Dadi stood near the window.
Her back faced me.
The room remained silent for several moments.
Then she spoke.
"Where is Noor?"
Straight to the point.
Of course.
I walked toward the desk.
"Not interested in discussing her."
Dadi turned sharply.
"Not interested?"
Her voice rose.
"The girl disappeared on the day of her engagement and you're telling me you're not interested?"
My patience immediately began thinning.
I had spent the entire day controlling my temper.
I wasn't interested in discussing Noor.
Not now.
Not ever again.
"Where is she?" Dadi demanded.
"I don't know."
That wasn't entirely true.
But it was the only answer she was getting.
"You expect me to believe that?"
I stared at her.
"You can believe whatever you want."
The disappointment in her eyes surprised me.
For a moment she looked tired.
Older.
Not angry.
Just hurt.
Then she said something that made every muscle in my body tense.
"Did you leave Noor because of Sunakshi?"
My head snapped toward her.
"What?"
I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
After everything Noor had done.
After every crime she had committed.
After destroying multiple lives.
Dadi was still defending her.
For the first time in years, genuine anger surfaced.
"Dadi."
My voice came out dangerously calm.
"Be careful."
She froze.
The warning wasn't lost on her.
I rarely spoke like that.
Especially to family.
"Sunakshi had nothing to do with Noor leaving."
The statement echoed through the room.
Dadi crossed her arms.
"Then explain."
I laughed bitterly.
"No."
Her eyes widened.
"No?"
"Because the truth isn't mine to tell."
Silence.
Heavy silence.
Then I added,
"But one thing is clear."
My gaze hardened.
"Sunakshi is my fiancée."
Dadi's jaw tightened.
"And she deserves respect."
Neither of us spoke after that.
The battle wasn't over.
Not even close.
But I was done discussing it tonight.
Without another word, I left the study.
[][] Sunakshi's POV [][]
The moment Dadi emerged from the study, every conversation in the hall stopped.
Her gaze immediately found me.
And suddenly I felt six years old again.
Small.
Nervous.
Terrified.
The room became silent.
Nobody moved.
Nobody spoke.
Dadi walked directly toward me.
One step.
Then another.
Then another.
I stood automatically.
My hands trembled.
I hated myself for it.
But I couldn't stop.
"Where is Noor?"
The question hit me like a slap.
Seriously?
Why was everyone asking me?
"I don't know."
The answer came out quietly.
Dadi laughed.
Except there was no humor in it.
"You expect me to believe that?"
My heartbeat accelerated.
"I really don't know."
"Liar."
The word sliced through me.
My eyes widened.
The entire hall froze.
"Dadi..." Dylan warned.
She ignored him.
Her attention remained fixed on me.
"You know exactly what happened."
I shook my head.
"No."
"You poisoned Kalki against her."
The accusation stole the air from my lungs.
My eyes burned.
The guests nearby looked uncomfortable.
Nobody dared interrupt.
"You tore this family apart."
Each word hurt more than the last.
I couldn't breathe.
Couldn't think.
Couldn't even defend myself.
Then came the final blow.
"I will never accept you as Kalki's wife."
The room disappeared.
Everything became blurry.
And then she said the words that shattered whatever strength I had left.
"You are nothing but a home-breaker."
The tears came instantly.
I couldn't stop them.
Couldn't hide them.
Couldn't pretend they didn't hurt.
Because those words touched the exact fear I had been carrying all evening.
The fear that maybe I truly was standing in someone else's place.
Maybe I truly was replacing someone.
Maybe everyone secretly thought the same thing.
The moment Dadi walked away, I broke down.
Completely.
Karishma rushed forward.
Sai hugged me.
Marshall knelt beside me.
Krish looked ready to fight someone.
But the damage had already been done.
Because some wounds couldn't be fixed with comfort.
Some words stayed.
And Dadi's words would stay with me for a very long time
I couldn't stop crying.
No matter how hard I tried.
No matter how many times I told myself not to break down in front of everyone.
The tears just wouldn't stop.
They rolled down my cheeks endlessly, blurring everything around me.
The hall that had seemed so grand and beautiful a few hours ago now felt suffocating.
Every person present had witnessed my humiliation.
Every person had heard Dadi's words.
Home-breaker.
The word echoed inside my mind again and again.
Like a curse.
Like a wound that refused to close.
"Sunakshi..."
Karishma crouched beside me and gently held my hands.
"Look at me."
I shook my head.
I couldn't.
If I looked at anyone, I knew I would cry even harder.
Marshall sat beside me on the floor.
His usually cheerful face was filled with concern.
"She's upset."
Krish glared in the direction where Dadi had disappeared.
"Upset?" he muttered.
"That's an understatement."
Sai wrapped an arm around my shoulders.
"Please don't listen to her."
I laughed bitterly through my tears.
Easy for them to say.
They hadn't been accused of destroying someone's life.
They hadn't been told they didn't belong.
The worst part?
A tiny voice inside my head kept asking the same question.
What if Dadi is right?
What if I really was standing where Noor should have been standing?
What if I really had taken someone else's place?
What if...
"No."
Marshall's voice interrupted my thoughts.
I looked up.
He was staring at me.
Firmly.
Determinedly.
"No more overthinking."
His answer came instantly.
"You didn't force yourself into that engagement."
I blinked.
Marshall folded his arms.
"If anyone should be blamed, it's Kalki."
Karishma immediately nodded.
"Exactly."
Sai tried not to smile.
For the first time all evening, I felt a tiny bit better.
Only a tiny bit.
Because the pain was still there.
The confusion was still there.
The unanswered questions were still there.
And most importantly—
Kalki still hadn't explained anything.
Not one thing.
Not Noor.
Not the engagement.
Not the kidnapping.
Nothing.
I wiped my tears.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Trying to regain some dignity.
Unfortunately, life wasn't finished embarrassing me.
Because the moment I looked up—
I found Kalki standing across the hall.
Watching me.
My heart immediately clenched.
His face remained expressionless.
But his eyes...
His eyes were different.
There was guilt there.
Pain.
Regret.
Something I had never seen before.
For several seconds neither of us moved.
Neither of us spoke.
The entire world seemed to disappear.
Then I remembered why I was crying.
And immediately looked away.
I wasn't ready to forgive him.
Not yet.
Maybe not ever.
Later That Night
One by one, everyone left.
Marshall hugged me before leaving.
Krish warned me to call him if I needed anything.
Karishma kissed my forehead and promised to visit tomorrow.
Sai remained the longest.
She stayed beside me until I finally stopped crying.
Then she guided me upstairs.
Neither of us spoke.
What was there to say?
The entire evening had turned into a disaster.
When we reached my room, she squeezed my hand.
"Try to sleep."
I nodded weakly.
She smiled sadly.
Then left.
The door closed behind her.
And suddenly the room felt empty.
Too empty.
Too quiet.
Too lonely.
I looked around slowly.
The familiar room hadn't changed.
The same furniture.
The same curtains.
The same balcony.
The same walls.
Yet everything felt different.
Because now I was engaged.
Engaged.
The word still felt unreal.
I walked toward the mirror.
The reflection staring back at me looked exhausted.
Mascara stained my cheeks.
My eyes were swollen.
My heavy jewelry hung awkwardly around my neck.
I looked like someone else's version of a bride.
Not mine.
Never mine.
Without bothering to change, I collapsed onto the bed.
My body hurt.
My head hurt.
My heart hurt.
And before I realized it—
I fell asleep.
Midnight
A loud growl woke me up.
I blinked.
Confused.
The room was dark.
The mansion was silent.
For a moment I wondered what had awakened me.
Then my stomach growled again.
"Oh."
Right.
Food.
I hadn't eaten anything all day.
Not breakfast.
Not lunch.
Not dinner.
Only stress.
Apparently stress wasn't very filling.
With a groan, I sat up.
The heavy lehenga still clung to my body.
Wonderful.
I looked at the clock.
12:47 AM.
Everyone was probably asleep.
Quietly, I slipped out of bed.
Maybe I could find something in the kitchen.
The mansion looked completely different at night.
Without guests.
Without music.
Without noise.
The hallways were silent.
Only the soft glow of night lamps illuminated the walls.
My footsteps echoed softly as I walked downstairs.
The kitchen lights were on.
Which was strange.
Because nobody should be awake.
Curious, I stepped inside.
And immediately froze.
Dylan was there.
Standing in front of the stove.
Cooking.
A smile slowly appeared on my face.
Of course.
Only Dylan would be cooking after midnight.
The mischievous part of me immediately woke up.
Quietly, I tiptoed behind him.
Closer.
Closer.
Closer.
Then—
Tap.
I touched his shoulder.
Dylan spun around so quickly that I nearly screamed.
His hand lifted instinctively before he stopped himself.
For one terrifying second both of us stared at each other.
Then relief appeared on his face.
"Sunakshi!"
I burst out laughing.
His hand moved to his chest.
"You nearly gave me a heart attack."
"Good."
He rolled his eyes.
The familiar interaction instantly eased some of the heaviness inside me.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
Instead of answering, he pointed toward the pan.
Makhana.
Roasted perfectly.
My favorite.
The smile disappeared from my face.
My chest tightened.
He remembered.
Despite everything that had happened today.
He remembered.
"You didn't eat anything."
His voice was gentle.
Simple.
Yet somehow those four words nearly made me cry again.
Without speaking, he filled a plate and handed it to me.
"Sit."
For once, I obeyed.
The aroma filled the kitchen.
Warm.
Comforting.
Home.
I began eating quietly.
For several minutes neither of us spoke.
The silence wasn't awkward.
It felt safe.
Like sitting beside family after a terrible day.
Eventually I whispered,
"Thank you."
Dylan smiled.
"You don't have to thank me."
Maybe.
Several minutes passed.
Then the question slipped out before I could stop it.
"You knew?"
Dylan continued washing dishes.
For a moment I thought he hadn't heard me.
Then he spoke.
"What do you think?"
I stared at the plate.
The answer was obvious.
"Yes."
He didn't deny it.
My stomach twisted.
So he knew.
Everyone knew.
Except me.
The realization hurt.
More than I expected.
"If Kalki wants something..."
Dylan's voice echoed through the kitchen.
"...he usually gets it."
Anger immediately surfaced.
"But I'm not something."
Dylan stopped moving.
Slowly.
Very slowly.
He turned toward me.
I stood up.
The emotions I had been suppressing all day finally exploded.
"I'm not a business deal."
My voice trembled.
"I'm not an object."
My eyes burned.
"I'm not a prize he can win."
The tears returned.
Again.
"Did anyone ask what I wanted?"
Silence.
"Did anyone ask if I agreed?"
More silence.
"Did anyone care?"
Dylan's expression softened.
Pain flashed through his eyes.
Because he didn't have an answer.
Neither of us did.
I laughed bitterly.
"I never wanted this engagement."
The words echoed through the kitchen.
"I never asked for a grand announcement."
"I never asked for rings."
"I never asked for celebrations."
My voice broke.
"I only wanted his respect."
The confession hurt.
Because it was true.
More than anything else.
I had wanted Kalki to trust me.
To understand me.
To respect me.
To love me.
Instead—
I felt like a replacement.
A substitute.
A second choice.
Dylan walked toward me.
Gently.
Carefully.
Like I might break.
Maybe I already had.
"You are not a replacement."
His voice was firm.
Certain.
For a brief moment I wanted to believe him.
Then reality returned.
"Really?"
I laughed through my tears.
"Then where is Noor?"
Silence.
"Why wasn't she standing there?"
Silence.
"Why was I?"
Silence.
The answers didn't come.
Because there were none.
At least none that anyone was willing to tell me.
And that hurt more than anything else.
I took a shaky breath.
Then looked directly at Dylan.
For the first time that night.
For the first time since the engagement.
For the first time since Kalki kidnapped me.
I spoke the truth buried inside my heart.
"I will never accept this engagement."
Dylan's eyes widened.
"Sunakshi—"
"Not until I know the truth."
My voice remained steady.
Stronger than before.
"I deserve answers."
I wiped my tears.
"I deserve the truth."
And for the first time all day—
I felt certain about something.
Kalki Watson could force me into an engagement.
He could drag me to the altar.
He could put a ring on my finger.
But he could never force my acceptance.
Not until he told me everything.
Every secret.
Every lie.
Every truth.
Only then would I decide what happened next.
And if Kalki thought I would simply stay quiet and accept everything—
Then he was about to learn exactly how stubborn Sunakshi Jain could be.
To Be Continued...