The paper that bound them

Rain poured like the sky had given up holding itself together.

Aarav stood outside the towering glass building, his thin shirt already damp from the cold drizzle. The city lights reflected off the polished surface above him, making everything feel distant—like a world he didn’t belong to.

Maybe he didn’t.

His phone buzzed.

A message.

“You’re late.”

No name. No emotion. Just those two words.

Aarav swallowed and stepped inside.

---

The warmth hit him first.

Then silence.

The lobby was too clean. Too quiet. Even his footsteps felt out of place as he approached the elevator. His reflection stared back at him from the mirrored walls—tired eyes, pale lips, and a face that had forgotten what rest felt like.

This is the last time, he told himself.

After this… everything will change.

The elevator stopped at the top floor.

The doors opened.

And just like that—

His old life ended.

---

The office was dimly lit, the only light coming from the city beyond the glass walls. At the center of the room sat a man, his back turned, gaze fixed on the storm outside.

Even without seeing his face, Aarav felt it.

Power.

Danger.

The kind of presence that made breathing feel… optional.

“You’re late.”

The same voice from the message.

Calm. Low. Controlled.

Aarav stepped forward slowly. “I came as fast as I could.”

The man didn’t turn immediately. Instead, he took his time—like everything in the world moved at his pace.

Then finally…

He faced him.

Ruhan Mehta.

Sharp features. Cold eyes. A gaze that didn’t just look—it measured. Judged. Decided.

Aarav felt something twist in his chest.

Not fear.

Not exactly.

Something worse.

“Sit,” Ruhan said.

It wasn’t a request.

Aarav obeyed.

---

The file was already on the table.

Thick. Heavy. Final.

Aarav stared at it for a long moment before opening it.

Line after line.

Condition after condition.

Each word tightening around him like an invisible chain.

“This is a legal marriage,” Ruhan said, his tone steady. “Recognized publicly.”

Aarav nodded slowly.

“But privately,” Ruhan continued, “it is nothing more than an agreement.”

Aarav’s fingers paused on the page.

“There will be no expectations,” Ruhan added. “No emotional involvement. No interference in my affairs.”

The rain outside grew louder.

Almost violent.

Aarav forced himself to keep reading.

And then—

He saw it.

“The parties involved agree that this union does not include love, affection, or personal attachment.”

His chest tightened.

He didn’t know why.

It wasn’t like he believed in love anymore.

Not after everything.

Still…

Seeing it written like that felt different.

Cold.

Permanent.

Real.

---

“Why me?” Aarav asked quietly.

Silence.

Ruhan leaned back slightly, studying him.

“Because you have nothing,” he said.

The words were simple.

But they hit like a blade.

“No power. No backing. No protection,” Ruhan continued. “You are… replaceable.”

Aarav’s throat went dry.

“And yet,” Ruhan added, his eyes narrowing slightly, “you are also… useful.”

Aarav let out a soft breath, almost a laugh—but there was no humor in it.

“So I’m a convenient choice.”

“Yes.”

No hesitation.

No apology.

Just truth.

---

Aarav looked down at the contract again.

His reflection faintly stared back at him from the glossy paper.

You need this, he reminded himself.

Money.

Safety.

Escape.

Things he had never truly had.

“Once you sign,” Ruhan said, his voice quieter now but no less firm, “there is no going back.”

Aarav nodded.

“I understand.”

“Do you?”

Aarav looked up.

Their eyes met.

And for a split second—

Something flickered.

Gone just as quickly as it came.

“I don’t have anything to lose,” Aarav said.

That wasn’t entirely true.

But it was enough.

---

The pen felt heavier than it should have.

His hand trembled slightly as he held it over the paper.

This wasn’t just ink.

It was a decision.

A choice that would tie his life to someone he didn’t understand—

Someone who didn’t care.

Outside, thunder cracked across the sky.

And Aarav signed.

---

The sound was soft.

But final.

Ruhan picked up the document, scanning it briefly before closing the file.

“It’s done.”

Just like that.

Aarav expected something to change.

A feeling. A reaction.

But there was only…

Silence.

---

“You will move in tomorrow,” Ruhan said.

Aarav blinked. “Tomorrow?”

“Yes.”

No discussion.

No delay.

“Your role,” Ruhan continued, “is simple. You will act as my spouse in public. You will follow the terms of the contract. And you will not cross boundaries.”

Aarav stood slowly.

“What happens if I do?” he asked before he could stop himself.

Ruhan’s gaze darkened slightly.

For the first time—

There was something dangerous in it.

“Then you will regret it.”

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