HAPPY READING🦋

His words shook the ground beneath my feet. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't think. If I stayed even a minute longer, I would've done something reckless—I would kill him.

My steps faltered as I rushed to my room, keeping my face blank, my mind screaming. His words echoed inside me like a storm refusing to quiet down. Somehow, I managed to slip into my room without breaking down in front of anyone.

The moment the door clicked shut, the mask shattered.

Tears streamed down my face, each drop carrying betrayal, heartbreak, fury and something far worse—self hate. It all swirled within me like a cyclone I couldn't escape.

I despised myself for believing that bastard. For turning my back on the one person who always stood by me. Karan. I should've trusted him. I should've fought for him. But I didn't.

I let Chirag manipulate me. I let Karan fall without asking a single question.

I want to expose Chirag—to drag his filthy truth into the light in front of Papa. But I can't. Papa trusts him with whole heart. If he finds out the kind of monster Chirag truly is—it will shatter him.

But the question that keeps eating away at me like poison is—why? Why does Chirag hate Karan so viciously? Is it because he became a part of our family? Because he earned a place in the business? Or is there something deeper?

"Karan, I'm sorry," I whispered, hugging myself as the sobs took over. "You always protected me... and that day, I failed you."

"I should've trusted you," I cried, choking on regret. "I knew in my heart you could never do something like that but you were silent. Why didn't you say anything, Karan, when everyone accused you of stealing that charity money?"

The weight of that day crushed me all over again.

The silence.

The stares.

His silence.

My doubt.

And now... my guilt.

I was sitting in the living room, talking with Papa about my new business plans and my ideologies. Ma was busy arranging everything for lunch.

A sudden scream from the kitchen made both of us flinch. I jumped to my feet and rushed inside.

My breath hitched the moment I saw Karan holding Ma in his arms as she winced, pain etched across her face. Her foot was twisted .

"Ma!" I cried out, hurrying towards her.

"Kaveri, help her sit somewhere. I'll be right back," Karan said gently, and I nodded, my heart thudding in panic.

I sat near Ma's feet, carefully pressing them, but immediately pulled back when she hissed in pain.

"I think we need to take her to the hospital," I whispered in concern, glancing at Papa.

"No need," Karan's voice interrupted behind me as he walked out of the kitchen, holding a bowl.

I stood up, giving him space as he knelt in front of Ma.

"Nothing will happen, Ma," he assured her softly, offering a calming smile as he placed a warm, wet cloth on her swollen foot.

"Just a minute, hold me," he said as he gently held her foot, preparing to twist it.

Ma gripped his shoulder tightly, bracing herself.

I felt lines form on my forehead seeing her in pain.

"That's it," Karan finally said with a reassuring smile, fixing her foot in a swift, practiced motion. Ma winced, but the tension on her face eased soon after.

"And for this, you wanted to take her to the hospital?" Karan teased, raising an eyebrow at me.

I let out a sheepish smile. "I didn't know my brother is also a doctor," I said, throwing my arms around his neck.

Ma looked at him, her eyes soft with affection.

"From the age of five, you've been taking care of her, Karan," she said fondly, gesturing at me. "That day, we truly felt lucky to have sent her on that trip. If she hadn't gotten stuck in that forest, how else would we have found you?" she added, gently caressing his cheek.

Karan's parents lived in Udaipur, while he stayed here for work. His whole family loved me like their own daughter. Even Nikhil—Karan's younger brother—treated me like his elder sister.

Karan continued running the cloth over Ma's feet, easing the pain with gentle hands.

"We're really lucky to have you," Papa said, placing a hand on his shoulder, pride gleaming in his eyes.

"Don't be so quick to decide, Bade Papa," a voice interrupted.

We all turned.

Chirag stood at the door, a smug smirk playing on his face. He walked in and dropped a file on the table with a loud thud. My eyes flicked between the file and Chirag's face. Dread sank in. "What is this?" Papa asked. "The truth about the person you're so proud of," Chirag said, flipping open the file.

"Remember that project we didn't move forward with because of their illegal background? Karan got them into our company anyway—just changed the name. These are the documents." His voice was laced with venom.

"And the money you promised to donate to the charity—to save kids from a drug-infested orphanage? That money never reached."

Karan's brows furrowed. "I don't know—"

"And here," Chirag cut in, "is his bank statement. Every month, 15 lakhs are being transferred into his account."

Karan's face contorted in confusion and disbelief.

"We all know about his family background. How the hell is he getting that kind of money?" Chirag spat, his voice dripping with accusation.

"Chirag!" I snapped, my tone a clear warning.

He flinched slightly but didn't back off. "Ask him. Ask your beloved Karan." I turned to him. "Karan," I called softly. But he remained still, still gently pressing the cloth to Ma's feet.

"Karan," I called again, this time making him stand. I grabbed his arm tightly. "Say something—tell him the truth. Shut him up." "Yeah! Even I want to hear," Chirag mocked, covering his ears sarcastically.

"Say it!" I pleaded, my grip on Karan's arm tightening. But he didn't budge. His eyes stayed glued to the floor.

"K... Karan..." my voice trembled. "What else will he say now?" Chirag sneered, stepping forward. "Bade Papa, this is the person you trust blindly?" he scoffed. Papa clenched his fists but stayed silent.

"It's not about 15 lakhs or 150 crores. It's about trust," Chirag said coldly. "I... I didn't do anything wrong," Karan finally stammered, his voice shaking.

"Then say where the money came from," Chirag demanded. "Say it, and I'll fall at your feet and apologize."

"I..." Karan opened his mouth, but nothing came out. My throat went dry as I saw him—silent. Struggling. "Enough!" Chirag growled, grabbing Karan by the collar.

I rushed forward, but Chirag turned to me, jabbing a finger at my face.

"Stop me—only if you can say where that money came from," he dared.

I froze. My lips parted, but no words came. "I don't know anything..." That was the last thing I heard from Karan before Chirag dragged him to the door.

I lowered my gaze.

"Kaveri!!" Karan's voice cracked behind me, but his earlier silence... it crushed me. "You!" Chirag stormed back toward me, pointing. "He will never step foot in this house again. Because of him, and the deal with that tainted company, our family's name is stained. And it's all because of you."

"You can't raise your voice at me," I growled. "Oh, I can raise more than just my voice!" he snapped, raising his hand—

—but before he could touch me, a brutal force pushed him to the ground. 

Karan.

He stood protectively in front of me, rage burning in his bloodshot eyes, veins pulsing at his temple. "How dare you raise hand on my daughter" my father roared at Chirag.

"Insult me all you want," he snarled, "but if you ever try to lay a hand on her again—" his voice was thunder.

In all these years, I had never seen Karan like this. He was always calm. Controlled.

But today... he was a storm.

"You bastard!" Chirag roared, grabbing Karan's collar again and throwing him out of the house.

Karan didn't resist. He didn't speak.

He just... looked at me.

That silent stare.

One that said, I don't need the world to believe me. I just needed you to.

But I failed.

Again.

And now, another fear has taken root in me.

If what Chirag said about Ranveer is true... Karan will try to stop this wedding.

And if he does...

No.

Nothing must happen to Karan.

A pungent, rotting smell hit my nose as soon as I walked into the basement.

"Vikram!!" I shouted, my voice cutting through the silence. "How many times have I told you to open the windows after our sessions?" I snapped, searching through the blood-stained mess on the table.

"I'll will make sure from n..next time, I promise..." he muttered, looking nervously between me and the long wooden table covered in dark, dried blood. I nodded once, my eyes sharp.

I care a lot for him but if I want to make him a tough man I have to be strict with him.

"Who the fuck are you??" a panicked voice screamed behind me. "Leave!" came another cry-desperate, broken.

I looked at Vikram, who glanced from me to the man tied up nearby. I picked up a long, sharp knife with an old handle. Vikram stepped back immediately, gulping hard. "Will this work?" I asked casually, turning the knife in my hand. He nodded, shaking.

Lightly I dragged the blade across my wrist-not deep, just enough to bleed-and Vikram rushed forward and grabbed my hand, panicking. I let the bigger knife fall and grabbed a smaller one, just a bit longer than my hand. I slid it across my finger, letting the blood drip. Vikram's grip loosened as I pulled my hand away, unfazed.

I knelt beside Aakash Kapoor, tied tightly to the bloody table. "What now, Vikram? Do I even have to undress him myself?" I muttered, eyeing Aakash in his stupid yellow and white three-piece suit.

I motioned to Vikram. Minutes later, he came back with my favorite bottle of Macallan and a glass. I downed it in one gulp, took the bottle, and drank more. Then I turned to Aakash again and crouched.

He flinched as far as the chains allowed. I smirked. "Cute boy," I mocked, tapping his cheek before rubbing his blazer.

"Hmm... Cotton-linen blend. Light. Cheap feel," I said slowly, running my fingers along the fabric. "Vikram!! One minute. Bring a bucket of water and a long jute cloth," I ordered.

He blinked. "What?"

"It's already been 3 seconds," I said coldly. He ran.

"Aakash, here's a free tip," I said, spinning the small knife in my fingers lazily. "You're three shades darker than fair, and this yellow-white combo? Makes you look like a sick bastard." He looked confused and scared. "Not that it matters. You're not leaving alive. But god, your taste is terrible."

I scraped the knife on my head. He gasped, a scream trapped in his throat.

"As a fashion designer, I can't tolerate this level of fashion disaster," I said just as Vikram returned, out of breath.

"You have a lighter or matchbox?" I asked. He stayed quiet and that's what needed for me to understand. "Fine." I reached into his pocket and took it myself. "We are talking about this but for now shut up. Don't move. Brain off. Body still. For five minutes." My tone was deadly. Vikram froze.

I turned around and uncapped the whiskey and poured it over Aakash's suit, just enough to soak the fabric without wasting a drop. He struggled wildly, but the metal cuffs held him still.

With one flick, I lit a match and tossed it onto his chest.

The flames caught fast. His screams ripped through the room. The smell of burning flesh spread quickly and thickening the air. Exactly after seven seconds, I grabbed the soaked jute cloth and slammed it onto him.

Steam rose. His screams didn't stop.

The fire had touched just long enough. Blisters formed. Skin peeled in small sections, bubbling where cloth had fused into flesh. The fabric had melted into his flesh, leaving him naked.

"Oops," I said flatly. "One second late and only your suit would've burned." I picked up the knife I had dropped earlier.

"What the fuck do you want?!" he yelled, tears of pain pooling in his eyes.

I wasn't planning to see her before the engagement, but I couldn't stop myself. I'd seen her just days ago.

The blush on her cheeks when her relatives whispered my name-it haunted me in beautiful ways.

She hadn't really seen me. Not once. Maybe on engagement day she gets to see me first time that too face to face and I'm fucking dying to see her reaction.

The moment she meets my eyes, will she remember everything?

Would she?

The thought scared and thrilled me all at once.

"Say something!! Who the hell are you??" Aakash's voice pulled me back. "I'm here to introduce you to a real man," I said, dragging the cold blade across his throat.

"Mind if I take your hand?" I asked darkly, grabbing it-just like he once dared to touch her. His brows creased. I leaned in. "You don't mind. I know."

Without warning, I slammed the blade into the back of his hand. Bone cracked. It poked out his palm. Blood sprayed, hitting the table and dripping onto the floor in thick drops.

"Why are you doing this?! Who are you?!" he begged.

I leaned in, nose almost touching his. "I'm Vihaan Ranveer Rawal. Ace." His eyes widened. "And more importantly... Kaveri Aggarwal's future husband."

Terror filled his eyes.

That moment-his fear, his screams-it satisfied something inside me. But when he realized I wasn't just Ace-I was her fiancé-his fear doubled.

"Ranveer... please. It was a misunderstanding. I didn't mean-please!" he begged.

His hand shook, the knife still stuck, blood flowing.

I brought the lighter to his chest, burning the tiny hair. He jolted, another scream bursting out. I slid the knife down his stomach. He gasped, body shaking.

"Don't worry," I whispered, voice calm and deadly. "I will let you die as a man." I said and a relaxation flickered in his eyes.

"Yes-" my voice dropped to a dangerous whisper as I slammed the blade on his inner thigh, inches away from his cock. Not just a cut, I twisted the edge, letting the metal tear through nerves. The scream that left Aakash wasn't just a sound-it was an animalistic howl, full of horror and raw, soul-ripping pain. Vikram stumbled back, pale, unable to look. "Is this how you want to be a made man huh?" I shouted, looking over my shoulder at Vikram who closed his eyes. "Watch!!" I growled and he opened his eyes.

"You were talking about popping something, huh?" I growled, watching blood gush in uneven spurts. "your filthy mouth was all cocky, wasn't it? Talking about tying her to a bed. Popping her like she was fucking toy." I gripped his thigh through the torn skin, just hard enough to make him jerk. "You imagined her body under you, crying in pain. And you fucking smiled."

He thrashed. His back arched. He pissed himself. As I twisted knife.

"You touched her," I spat, and drove the blade again-not deep this time, just a slow drag along the already split tip. "You know she was mine"

Aakash's voice broke into high-pitched cries. He couldn't even beg anymore. Snot ran from his nose. Tears blurred his blood-smeared cheeks. His legs shook violently as shock settled in.

"You don't get to walk away with a alive cock and memory of her in your mind," I hissed, pulling the blade back slowly, making sure he felt every inch of metal scraping raw, exposed tissue.

"Tie you to the bed, showing real man, huh?" I repeated his old words, full of venom. I grabbed his ankle and cut deep-right at the nerve, not fatal but brutal.

His screams turned into sobs. Tears mixed with blood. He banged his head against the table, wishing to pass out. To die.

I looked at my watch, calm, and drank from the bottle again. My throat burned, but the fire inside me was worse.

"I'm running out of time," I said, then pressed two fingers to his neck.

His heartbeat pounded-wild, scared, alive.

I stared at his pulse for a few seconds before digging a knife just enough to cut half way through his nerve "Kaveri Aggarwal is only mine and anyone who tried to touch her will be buried six feet under the ground or will be turned into ash" I said looking into his wide eyes.

I would have left him just by a week torture if he just have layed his dirty eyes on her but he touched her and said things that still not letting me cool even after seeing him dying.

He had many crime cases on him- rape, murder, child abusing, but never got arrested because of his fucking father.

I walked back to Vikram who was drenched in sweat. "If I see this lighter again in your pocket-" I paused, tugging back the lighter into his pocket. Vikram is in his early twenties, I want to see him in best position ever and for that I have to be strict with him.

I ruffled his hair before turning around to walk out "What to do with his body?" He stammered. I turned around just enough to look at Aakash's half dead, blood flowing body. "After an hour, throw him in the vulture's wall," I said. "Vehicle will come and you are not going to shake like this shit in front of them" I said pointing at his body and he nodded.

I walked through stairs and drew the bookshelf to close the entrance. I stared at my blood stained shirt before unbuttoning it. My friend Arjun barged inside while I'm fetching another shirt.

"Here" he said, dropping a box on the table with a huge thud sound. I smirked taking it and walking to piece of dress I'm working on.

"Not this color Arjun" I said looking up at my best friend. "Ranveer, I have showed you five different reds and you rejected all those reds then what color stones you actually want to finish this design?" Arjun asked, distress clear in his voice. "Right!! I should show you" I said , leaning back on my chair. "Lock the door and come" I said walking to bookshelf that I closed few minutes ago.

Arjun gave me a questioning expression. I moved it aside as an entering pin and his mouth fell hung. "Close it" I said having least interest in his expression.

I walked down and he followed me. "What the fuck" has voice rang in basement as he saw Aakash body in blood pool. I took a piece of white cloth from near and dipped it in Aaksh's blood. "Here, exactly this color" I said passing him the cloth

"Are you serious? You killed a person Ranveer" he exclaimed pointing at Akash's lifeless body. "Ya! This month only one" I replied.

"I...what" he struggled to form a sentence while sitting back in chair. I laughed seeing his expression. My phone pinged and my laugh died.

"What the fuck were you doing" voice rang through phone. "What happened" I asked, walking to the window. "She is not happy , something is wrong with her" I looked up at as these words reached my ears. "I will talk to you later" I said and disconnected I stared at his pulse for a few seconds before digging the knife in-just deep enough to slice halfway through the nerve.

"Kaveri Aggarwal is only mine. Anyone who dares to touch her will either be buried six feet under or turned to ash," I said, locking eyes with his widening ones.

I might've let him go with just a week of torture if he had only laid his filthy eyes on her. But he touched her. Said things that still make my blood boil-even now, while he's dying at my feet.

He had countless charges-rape, murder, child abuse-but never spent a single night in a cell, all thanks to his fucking father.

I walked back to Vikram, who was drenched in sweat. "If I ever see this lighter in your pocket again-" I paused, shoving it back into his jeans. Vikram was in his early twenties. I wanted to see him rise, be better. But for that, I had to be strict.

I ruffled his hair and turned to leave. "W-What should I do with the body?" he stammered.

I glanced back at Aakash's half-dead body, blood still pouring from him like a slow death.

"After an hour, throw him at the vulture wall," I said coldly. "The vehicle will come. And don't shake like a scared little shit in front of them," I added, pointing at his trembling hands. He nodded quickly.

I climbed the stairs and slid the bookshelf back into place, sealing the entrance.

Blood stained my shirt. I stared at it for a second before unbuttoning it, grabbing another one. Just then, Arjun barged in.

"Here," he said, dropping a box onto the table with a loud thud.

I smirked as I took it and walked to the half-finished dress I'd been working on.

"Not this red, Arjun," I said, glancing up at him.

"Ranveer, I've already shown you five shades of red! What color stones do you actually want to finish this design?" he asked, frustration all over his face.

"Right. Let me show you," I said, leaning back in my chair. "Lock the door. Come."

He gave me a questioning look.

I slid the bookshelf aside again, revealing the secret entrance. His mouth fell open.

"Close it," I said, unmoved by his reaction.

I walked down into the basement, Arjun following.

"What the fuck-" his voice cracked as he froze at the sight of Aakash lying in a pool of blood.

I picked up a piece of white cloth, dipped it in the blood, then walked back to him.

"Here. Exactly this color," I said, holding it out.

"Are you serious? You killed someone, Ranveer," he exclaimed, pointing at the body in horror.

"Yeah. Only one this month," I replied casually. "I... what-" he sank into the chair, trying and failing to form a sentence.

I chuckled at his expression, but it died the moment my phone pinged. "What the fuck were you doing?" a voice barked through the speaker.

"What happened?" I asked, walking toward the window. "She's not okay. Something's wrong with her."

I froze. Every cell in my body snapped to attention at those words.

"I'll talk to you later," I muttered and hung up, ignoring the protest on the other end.

I turned and walked back upstairs, leaving Vikram and Arjun behind. the call ignoring protests on other side.

I walked upstairs leaving Vikram and Arjun there.

Arjun rubbed his temples in frustration, staring at Aakash's bleeding, barely conscious body. He knelt beside him and checked his pulse.

"He's not going to die that quickly," Vikram muttered from behind. "His blood will drain out slowly. Then he'll die."

Arjun stood up, eyes cold but steady. "Vikram, take him out through the other entrance. I'll be waiting with my car."

Vikram's eyes widened. "No! Are you trying to save him? Ranveer bhai will kill us both!" he stammered, stepping back in panic, clearly refusing to be part of it.

Arjun exhaled sharply and walked toward him. "Vikram, listen. Ranveer will never find out. I promise. And I'll make sure Aakash never comes near Ranveer or Kaveri again."

He placed a firm hand on Vikram's shoulder, feeling the tremble in his body. The boy was shaking like a leaf. Arjun tightened his grip, silently asking him to trust.

"I will make sure Aakash will never return to India" he added and Vikram looked up. "Do you want Ranveer to add another sin in his account?" Arjun said trying to explain. Vikram fell silent for a moment before nodding. "Ranveer should not know that Aakash is alive" Arjun added.

🤍ྀི

Kaveri sat in front of the mirror, her gaze fixed on the reflection staring back at her. The bright pink lehenga she wore glowed against her skin, but the same brightness failed to touch her face. Chirag's words about Ranveer kept playing in her head on a loop, and each time they did, her body jolted—just like it did during her nightmares.

Gripped by a whirlwind of thoughts, she walked downstairs, her heart pounding in fear. This would be her first meeting with Ranveer.

The soft clinking of her bangles drew every eye in the room as she descended the stairs. Her anklets chimed with every cautious step, each movement deliberate—each one heightening someone else's heartbeat. The one who had waited for this moment for years.

Vihaan Ranveer Rawal

Dressed in a dark pink kurta paired with gold trousers, he turned slowly to the source of the sound—and there she was. The love of his life. His palms turned sweaty, his chest rising and falling quicker as he struggled to keep his composure. Taking a deep breath, he finally looked up—but her eyes were glued to the floor, as if she were either searching for something or hiding the sorrow buried deep within them.

Before he could fully absorb her expression, Kaveri's mother gently pulled the dupatta over her head, signaling the start of the ceremony. Ranveer groaned softly in frustration, running a hand over his face.

"Patience, bro," whispered Ruhani, his younger sister with a teasing smile. "Ranveer bhai is so desperate," Adarsh, his younger brother, added, barely holding in his laughter.

"Ruhi, bhai can't meet bhabhi just yet... but we can, right? So..." Adarsh grinned and moved, side-eyeing Ranveer mischievously. Ranveer chuckled, ruffling Adarsh's hair. "Let's talk about this jester later."

"Bhai! are you sure, you want to talk with Bhabhi with this voice" Adarsh laughed as Ranveer's voice became hoarse because of  spending hours in the basement filled with rot dealing with people and also because of yelling at his employees

Meanwhile, Kaveri sat still, her hands clenched tightly in her lap, trying her hardest to keep her emotions from spilling out. "Bhabhi!" Adarsh called out, and Kaveri flinched, jerking her head up. "You idiot! You scared her," Ruhi scolded, hitting him on the back of his head.

"Sorry, bhabhi," Adarsh said, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly.

Kaveri gave a weak smile, wiping the sweat from her temple. "I'm Ruhi," Ruhi chirped, sitting beside her. "Hi, Ruhi," Kaveri replied softly, forcing the words out.

Ruhi's cheerful expression faltered as she noticed the blank emptiness in Kaveri's eyes. "Ranveer bhai was really excited to meet you, bhabhi," Adarsh said casually, unknowingly stirring something inside her.

Kaveri's breath hitched. She clutched her dupatta tighter, biting her lip to suppress the storm threatening to rise again. That incident... it was clawing back into her mind.

"You look really beautiful, bhabhi," Ruhi complimented her sincerely.

"And bhai isn't looking any less handsome," Adarsh said, pointing in Ranveer's direction.

Kaveri looked up.

Ranveer's back was turned to her as he stood speaking with some guests.

He killed a man using sugar syrup and honeybees.

Kaveri's chest tightened. Her gaze dropped again.

"He's devilishly handsome," Adarsh added.

True... he is a devil, Kaveri thought to herself.

"It's time for the ceremony," her mother announced, and everyone began gathering. Kaveri shut her eyes tightly as she sensed Ranveer approaching the chair behind her. She adjusted her dupatta so that it covered more of her face.

Ranveer's smile widened with every step toward her.

RV, you'll stay with me forever, right?

RV, how will we plan our life together?

Will you love me endlessly, unconditionally?

His heart twisted with every memory—every moment from their past echoing in his mind.

"Sit, beta," Kaveri's mother said, pulling him out of his reverie.

He rubbed his hands together, trying to steady himself before sitting beside her. Kaveri shifted slightly away, her body instinctively recoiling from his presence. His smile faltered at her clear discomfort. Still, he reached for her hand.

She stiffened as his warm fingers enveloped her cold, sweaty palm. He took her hand gently to slide the ring onto her finger. Her eyelids squeezed shut, trying to hide the tremble in her hand.

Ranveer, lost in the moment, brought her hand to his lips to kiss her knuckles as he slid the ring—but just then, her eyes landed on the scars scattered across his hand.

Chirag's words flashed through her mind.

He's dangerous. You don't know what he's capable of.

Without thinking, she pulled her hand back abruptly.

A flicker of pain crossed Ranveer's face. He didn't understand what was happening—why she was behaving like this.

Kaveri's eyes darted toward Nisha, who held the ring. Her heart sank seeing the bruises on Nisha's lips, faint but still visible under layers of lipstick.

With trembling hands, she took the ring and quickly slid it onto Ranveer's finger, withdrawing her hand as soon as she could.

Not once did she look him in the eyes. Her gaze instead flickered to her phone on her lap. She had texted Nikhil earlier that morning—still no reply.

She could feel Ranveer's eyes on her. At least look at me once, his gaze silently pleaded.

Kaveri exhaled shakily and finally gathered the courage to look at him—but just then, her phone rang. Both of them looked down at the screen. It was Nikhil.

She disconnected the call instantly.

Everyone around was caught up in conversations, but the suffocation she felt only intensified. Without a word, she rose from her seat and began walking toward the stairs, ignoring Ranveer completely.

Just as she reached the staircase, Chirag blocked her path.

"Where are you going?" he asked firmly. "Call from office," she said, not sparing him a glance.

Chirag's jaw tightened. "You can take the call later. For now, go to Ranveer and give him this juice. Spend some time with your fiance," he said with a twisted smirk.

"Me? You go give it to him," she replied sharply, her hands already trembling at the thought of going near Ranveer again.

Chirag leaned closer. "Huh! For now, it's just juice, but later, you'll have to give him a lot more," he whispered menacingly.

Ranveer's jaw clenched. He could hear everything. "That idiot really thought he planned this wedding? If only he knew...I planned it two years ago."  Ranveer smirked

"And even if you're not ready to give what a man has right on his woman..." Chirag's smirk deepened as he stepped closer, "...he'll find ways to take it. Forcefully, if needed, and—"

Before he could finish his sentence, a thundering voice echoed through the hall, loud enough to freeze everyone in place.

Ranveer.

Despite suffering from a sore throat—he roared so fiercely that silence swept over the entire hall.

Everyone flinched.

Every head turned.

And Chirag... finally shut up.