Glass Empire
Not Your Dogs!
I've been pacing in my room for the past three hours. Still no sign of my father.
Three hours since his men dragged us from the airport and threw us back into this gilded cage.
Just thinking about what they might’ve done to Vivaan makes me sick—but I can’t fall apart. Not yet.
A sharp knock cuts through the silence.
My head whips toward the door so fast it nearly snaps my neck.
I take a long breath, then another. Pulling the mask back on. Becoming Inaya Mahajan—the one they all fear.
The door creaks open. Suman aunty steps inside, eyes fixed to the floor.
Suman Aunty
“Inaya madam... Sahab ji has called you."
Inaya Mahajan(FL)
I stormed into his study without knocking. “Where the f*ck is Vivaan? What have you done to him?”
He looks up, ice in his stare. The same eyes that haunted my childhood. The same blank expression he’s worn ever since my mother left us.
Without a word, he gestures to the desk. A row of photographs lies in front of him.
Devendra Mahajan
“Pick one."
Inaya Mahajan(FL)
I scoff. “Really, father? This is your grand solution?”
Devendra Mahajan
“If you won’t choose, I will,” replies coldly
I slam my fist on the table.
Inaya Mahajan(FL)
"I've told you before, and I'll say it one last time. I will not marry one of your dogs."
Something shifts in his face. For a moment, his calm shatters, rage rising like smoke under glass.
The last time I saw that look, I was seven. That's when he told me, 'You don't even deserve my anger.'
Turns out, I still don't.
Devendra Mahajan
"Fine. You don't want to marry one of them?"
His voice was too calm. Dangerous.
Inaya Mahajan(FL)
"Father-"
Devendra Mahajan
"Vikram!"
I clenched my jaw ,Of course. He never backs down without a backup plan.
Within thirty seconds, Vikram appeared at the door like the loyal shadow he is.
Devendra Mahajan
"Find a man for madam."
Devendra Mahajan
"She's getting married today."
Inaya Mahajan(FL)
My heart dropped. "I will n-"
He didn't even look at me.
Devendra Mahajan
"Do you want to know where Vivaan is?"
Because that's what he does. He doesn't need fists. Just words.
And this time, he'd aimed straight for the only thing left that could break me.
Sleeping Prince
Ruhan Sen(ML)
"I'll buy it on the way. Bye, be there in five minutes."
Ruhan Sen(ML)
"Don’t worry, Maa. Nothing will happen, okay?"
I had to leave work early today. That ba*tards men came again.
Papa was a gambling addict. Took a loan from Devendra Mahajan, the kind of man who doesn't ask twice. Then he died and left us drowning in his mess.
If I don’t pay back what he owes, Devendra will kill us.
Sighing, I started the car.
A man in all black knocked on the window
Ruhan Sen(ML)
“Can I help you with something?” asked, rolling it down
He pulled something from his pocket. I didn’t even get time to react before *whack*.
Bro must’ve watched *End Game*he went for the head.
My vision blurred. My heart pounded so loud it drowned out everything else. Two figures, shadows really, came toward me. One of them yanked open the door, dragged me out.
No sound left my mouth.
No sound left my mouth.
Then...nothing.
My head is pounding.
Not the dull kind from too much sun or not enough sleep..this is worse. Like someone drove a hammer straight into my skull.
I try to move. My arms won’t budge.
Rope? Chains? My wrists are raw.
I blink. Nothing.
Black.
Panic starts to rise, until I realize I’m blindfolded.
The air stinks. Mold. Rust. Blood?
My throat burns. Mouth bone-dry. I shift, and metal screeches beneath me.
Breathe. Think.
Last thing I remember... car. A man in black. Flash of movement.
Then lights out.
A door creaks open somewhere to the left.
Footsteps. Slow. Deliberate. Heavy.
I freeze.
Everything in me says: *Play dead.*
So I do.
One breath. Two.
Ruhan Sen(ML)
*Please God, save me. I can't die single.*
Ruhan Sen(ML)
*If I die, what happens to Maa? To Aayna?*
The footsteps stop. Inches away now.
Then a voice. Low. Smooth. Familiar in the worst way.
Devendra Mahajan
“So... the prince finally wakes up.”
Goblin Shark
Someone removed the blindfold, breathing life back into my eyes. The room is dark—embraced by shadows, just like its owner. The only source of light hangs between two chairs.
Ruhan Sen(ML)
Chuckle nervously. “D-Sahab ji! What a pleasant surprise!”
Ruhan Sen(ML)
I was just going home to talk with your man. I-I have 30 thousand... I'll pay you back, even if it takes my whole life.”
He smiled like a goblin shark. All teeth, no soul
Ruhan Sen(ML)
*Don't laugh, Ruhan. Control. How can you find something funny in this situation?*
Devendra Mahajan
“Sadly, I don’t have that much free time, son.”
Ruhan Sen(ML)
“J-just gi—”
Devendra Mahajan
You’re not here for that so don't worry.”
Ruhan Sen(ML)
A frown forms on my face. “Then why...?”
Devendra Mahajan
"You gentlemen are going to marry my daughter.”
Is it possible to die by choking on your saliva? ’Cause I almost did
Ruhan Sen(ML)
“You want me to marry your daughter…”
I knew my face would get me into serious trouble one day, but this? I’m sure she fell in love with me, and now this devil kidnapped me to fulfill his princess’s wish.
Devendra Mahajan
“Marry my daughter and I’ll free you and your family. But if you don’t want to… then there is only one option left.”
I gulp the lump in my throat the size of my wrist.
My eyes fix on the gun placed on the table, afraid that if I look away, it’ll end up in his hand.
Devendra Mahajan
“Think about your mother, she lost her husband young. Now her son, too? And your sister… still just a little girl."
Devendra Mahajan
"Who’ll take care of them? She has to get married someday too.”
This is it. The one moment that f*ck$ your life so hard, everything flips upside down.
Maa has already gone through so much. I won’t let her suffer again.
Plus it's not like I have a choice.
Ruhan Sen(ML)
“I am ready to marry your daughter.”
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