Episode 1: The deal

“Marry him.”

The words echoed in Aarohi’s ears like a nightmare she couldn’t wake up from.

“…What?” she whispered.

Her father didn’t look at her.

“I’ve already signed the agreement.”

Agreement?

Aarohi’s hands trembled as she stared at the papers lying on the table.

A contract.

Her name.

Someone else’s name.

Kabir Malhotra.

“No.” She stepped back. “No, this is a joke, right?”

Silence.

Heavy.

Suffocating.

“It’s not a joke,” her father said coldly. “We’re in debt. This is the only way.”

Debt?

Her chest tightened.

“You’re… selling me?” Her voice cracked despite her trying to stay strong.

“I’m saving this family,” he snapped. “And you will do as you’re told.”

The room felt too small.

Too tight.

Too real.

“I won’t marry him,” Aarohi said, shaking her head. “I don’t even know him!”

“You don’t need to.”

A new voice entered the room.

Deep.

Calm.

Dangerous.

Aarohi froze.

She turned slowly—

And her heart stopped.

Kabir Malhotra.

Standing at the door like he already owned everything.

Like he already owned… her.

“You’re late,” her father muttered.

Kabir ignored him.

His eyes were on Aarohi.

Sharp.

Unreadable.

“Look at me,” he said.

Her body refused to move.

“I said—look at me.”

Something in his tone made her obey.

Their eyes met.

And for the first time… she felt fear.

Real fear.

“She doesn’t look happy,” Kabir said casually.

“This isn’t about happiness,” her father replied.

Kabir smirked slightly.

“No,” he said. “It’s about control.”

Aarohi’s breath hitched.

“What do you want from me?” she demanded, forcing her voice not to shake.

Kabir walked closer.

Step by step.

Until he stood right in front of her.

Too close.

Way too close.

He leaned down slightly, his voice dropping to a whisper only she could hear—

“I want everything.”

Her heart slammed against her chest.

“I’m not yours,” she said, even though her voice betrayed her.

Kabir smiled.

Not a warm smile.

Not a kind one.

Something far more dangerous.

“You already are.”

He picked up the contract.

Signed his name.

And placed the pen in her trembling hand.

“Sign it.”

“I won’t.”

His expression didn’t change.

But the air around them did.

Cold.

Heavy.

Threatening.

“You have two choices,” Kabir said quietly.

“Sign this…”

He stepped closer.

“…or watch your family lose everything.”

Tears burned her eyes.

This wasn’t a choice.

This was a trap.

Her fingers tightened around the pen.

Her vision blurred.

Her future…

Collapsing in front of her.

Slowly—

She signed.

Kabir took the paper, glanced at it once, and then looked at her.

Satisfied.

“Good girl.”

The words felt like chains wrapping around her.

As he turned to leave, he paused.

Without looking back, he said—

“Get ready.”

“For what?” she whispered.

A slight pause.

Then—

“For your wedding.”

Aarohi stood there, frozen.

Heartbroken.

Powerless.

And unknowingly…

walking straight into a life she could never escape.

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