Chapter 1
The ticking of the antique grandfather clock echoed ominously through the marbled halls of the Grover mansion. It was the kind of silence that screamed—tense, thick with unsaid words and looming decisions. The house, once a symbol of power and opulence, now stood like a decaying monument to fading glory. Heavy velvet drapes blocked out the sun, and the faint scent of incense hung in the air, failing to mask the staleness of secrets.
Arunika Grover/ FL
** stood at the center of the drawing room **
Arunika Grover/ FL
** clenched her fist**
Her eyes—sharp, stormy, questioning—flicked between her grandparents, who sat on the vintage sofa with the calm detachment of people who had already made up their minds
Anurag Grover/ FL grandfather
You are marrying him ❄️ ** commanding tone **
Arunika Grover/ FL
** brows furrowed ** Marrying who?
Anjali Grover/ FL grandmother
** placed a delicate hand on Anurag's arm, as if urging him to soften the blow **
Anjali Grover/ FL grandmother
Avyaan Rathod ** said gently **
Arunika Grover/ FL
** blinked ** Avyaan Rathod? The businessman?
Anurag Grover/ FL grandfather
The Rathods are powerful. Connected. Respected ❄️ ** tone hardening again **
Anurag Grover/ FL grandfather
This alliance will save our name. Our reputation. Everything we built ❄️
Arunika Grover/ FL
** took a step back **
Arunika Grover/ FL
** heart thudding against her rib cage**
Arunika Grover/ FL
You have already fixed my marriage without telling me?
Anjali Grover/ FL grandmother
** sighed and pressed her lips together **
Anjali Grover/ FL grandmother
It’s done, beta. The engagement is tomorrow. The wedding, the day after.
Arunika Grover/ FL
Are you even listening to yourselves?!
Arunika Grover/ FL
** voice cracked and laced with disbelief **
Arunika Grover/ FL
You want me to marry a man I’ve never met. For what—business? Status? To clean up the mess you’ve made?
Anurag Grover/ FL grandfather
It’s not a mess, it’s our legacy! ❄️
Anurag Grover/ FL grandfather
We built this empire from nothing. We won’t let it crumble because of some idealistic tantrum ❄️
Arunika Grover/ FL
It’s not a tantrum
Arunika Grover/ FL
** stepping forward and her voice shaking **
Arunika Grover/ FL
It’s my life
Just then, footsteps thundered from the grand staircase
Kiaan Grover/ FL younger brother
** tall and sharp-eyed, stormed into the room and his usually calm demeanor was gone, replaced by rage **
Kiaan Grover/ FL younger brother
You can’t do this to her ❄️
Kiaan Grover/ FL younger brother
** placing himself protectively beside his sister **
Kiaan Grover/ FL younger brother
This isn’t 1950. She’s not some asset to be traded ❄️
Anjali Grover/ FL grandmother
Kiaan ** stepped forward **
Anjali Grover/ FL grandmother
You know we have tried everything. The debts—
Kiaan Grover/ FL younger brother
We will find another way ❄️
Kiaan Grover/ FL younger brother
** interrupted **
Kiaan Grover/ FL younger brother
Give us time. We’ll figure something out— ❄️
Anurag Grover/ FL grandfather
There is no time ❄️
Anurag Grover/ FL grandfather
** cuts him off **
Anurag Grover/ FL grandfather
The Rathods are our last chance. If this deal falls through, we lose everything. The estate. The company. The reputation. Do you want to be known as the family who defaulted and vanished in shame❄️
Arunika Grover/ FL
** eyes flashed with unshed tears **
Arunika Grover/ FL
So you’ll sell me off to buy more time? ❄️
Anjali Grover/ FL grandmother
It’s not like that ** whispered **
Arunika Grover/ FL
Then tell me what it is
Arunika Grover/ FL
** demanded**
Anurag Grover/ FL grandfather
** walked toward the fireplace, his hands clasped behind his back **
Anurag Grover/ FL grandfather
Avyaan agreed to wipe our debts. He wants this marriage. He knows who you are ❄️
Kiaan Grover/ FL younger brother
** scoffed **
Kiaan Grover/ FL younger brother
Yeah, he wants control. Power. And you’re handing him my sister like she’s some bargaining chip? ❄️
Anurag Grover/ FL grandfather
Enough! ❄️ ** turned sharply **
Anurag Grover/ FL grandfather
You speak of control? Let me remind you of something, Kiaan ❄️
Anurag Grover/ FL grandfather
** reached for a drawer and pulled out a folder and Tossing it on the table **
Anurag Grover/ FL grandfather
You don’t shut your mouth, I’ll make this public ❄️
Kiaan Grover/ FL younger brother
** stepped forward warily, picking up the folder. His eyes scanned the contents, and his face paled **
Arunika Grover/ FL
What is this? ** steps forward**
Kiaan Grover/ FL younger brother
** swallowed hard **
Kiaan Grover/ FL younger brother
It’s... it’s about my company. The funding—some of it’s tied to grandfather’s accounts. If this gets out, I could be ruined ❄️
Anurag Grover/ FL grandfather
You used our name to start your venture❄️ ** said coldly **
Anurag Grover/ FL grandfather
And now you’ll do what’s needed to protect it ❄️
Kiaan Grover/ FL younger brother
** looked at his sister helplessly **
Arunika Grover/ FL
** shook her head **
Arunika Grover/ FL
You blackmailed your own grandson just to silence him?
Anjali Grover/ FL grandmother
We’re doing this to protect you both ** insisted **
Anjali Grover/ FL grandmother
Avyaan will keep you safe. He’s rich, stable—
Arunika Grover/ FL
I don’t want rich and stable ** snapped **
Arunika Grover/ FL
I want choice. I want respect
Anurag Grover/ FL grandfather
** eyes turned steely **
Anurag Grover/ FL grandfather
And I want to save this family. We’re out of options ❄️
Silence fell. Only the ticking clock marked the seconds that passed like a slow, suffocating countdown.
Arunika Grover/ FL
I won't be happy ** whispered **
Anjali Grover/ FL grandmother
Maybe not now
Anjali Grover/ FL grandmother
But someday, you’ll understand why we did this.
Arunika Grover/ FL
** turned to Kiaan and her voice barely audible **
Arunika Grover/ FL
Should I do this
Kiaan Grover/ FL younger brother
** clenched his jaw **
Kiaan Grover/ FL younger brother
I don’t want you to. But if I speak, he’ll destroy everything I’ve worked for.
It was the cruelest choice: sacrifice herself, or watch her brother fall.
Arunika Grover/ FL
** shoulders slumped ** fine
Arunika Grover/ FL
** whispered **
Anurag Grover/ FL grandfather
** nodded ** You’ll thank us one day ❄️
Arunika Grover/ FL
No , I won't ** snapped **
And as she walked away, the heavy silence returned. But this time, it was the sound of a soul surrendering to a fate it never chose.
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