Chapter 3
Arunika Grover/ FL
I didn’t agree to this ❄️
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
You don’t need to. Your family already signed the papers. All that’s left is your signature ❄️
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
** handed her a folder **
Arunika Grover/ FL
** opened it and her stomach dropped **
Marriage Contract
Length: 2 years
Clause 1: No emotional obligations.
Clause 2: No public interference or interviews.
Clause 3: No consummation expected or required.
Clause 4: Divorce to be finalized upon mutual agreement at the end of the term.
Clause 5: Failure to comply results in forfeiture of financial immunity to the Grover estate.
Arunika Grover/ FL
** looked up at him ** So this is it? A cold deal. You’re not even pretending to make this look normal.❄️
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
I don’t pretend ❄️** said coolly **
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
This is business. Nothing more. I don’t do relationships. I don’t believe in love. And I don’t owe you anything beyond my name on paper ❄️
Arunika Grover/ FL
Then why bother marrying me at all? ❄️ ** asked bitterly **
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
** stepped closer, his voice low and lethal **
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
Because it’s the fastest way to destroy the people who tried to ruin my family. And marrying you is poetic justice❄️
Arunika Grover/ FL
** jaw clenched ** And what about me? What do I get? ❄️
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
Freedom ❄️
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
In two years, you walk away. Debt-free. Name intact. Independent. Isn’t that what you want? ❄️
Arunika Grover/ FL
** stared at him, fury and defiance brewing in her eyes **
Arunika Grover/ FL
Fine. I’ll sign it. But don’t think for a second that you’ll get an obedient wife. If you play dirty, I’ll match you❄️
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
** lips curved into a dark, mocking smile **
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
Good. I never liked weak women ❄️
She signed the papers with trembling hands, each stroke sealing a fate she hadn’t chosen but refused to surrender to.
As she pushed the folder back toward him, their eyes met again. And for the briefest moment, beneath all the cold contracts and calculated hatred, a spark flickered.
One neither of them dared to acknowledge.
The Rathod Mansion sparkled under thousands of fairy lights, casting a warm golden glow on the manicured lawns where the grand engagement of the year was being hosted. The Grovers and Rathods, once connected only by occasional business formalities, now stood shoulder to shoulder, forging a bond neither family could have foreseen—or entirely approved of.
The engagement was the talk of the town, every major newspaper and media outlet invited, and the crème de la crème of India’s business elite graced the occasion. Opulent floral arrangements, glittering chandeliers suspended from glass domes, and a live quartet playing subtle, romantic tunes filled the night with an air of cultivated charm.
Arunika Grover/ FL
** stood on the top landing of the grand staircase in a rich wine-colored lehenga with intricate gold embroidery **
Arunika Grover/ FL
** hair flowed in soft waves, and a minimalist diamond necklace adorned her neck **
She looked every bit the heiress bride—except for the storm in her eyes
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
** standing at the base of the stairs in a sharply tailored black tuxedo, caught her eye **
Their gazes met and locked for a heartbeat, long enough for the butterflies in her stomach to turn into a swarm of angry bees
Zara khan / FL bestie
You look like you want to murder someone ** nudging her side **
Arunika Grover/ FL
Only one person ** muttered, eyes narrowing at Avyaan **
Gianna Mehra / FL bestie
Oh come on ** chimed in, grinning as she adjusted her earrings **
Gianna Mehra / FL bestie
He’s brooding and hot. It could be worse
Naina Kapoor/ FL bestie
Yeah ** added with a smirk **
Naina Kapoor/ FL bestie
He could be bald and sixty
Arunika Grover/ FL
** rolled her eyes **
Arunika Grover/ FL
** but a smile twitched at her lips despite herself **
Raghav Sen/ ML bestfriend
** clinked glasses with each other **
Ayaan Malhotra/ ML bestfriend
** clinked glasses with each other **
Veer kapoor/ ML bestfriend
** clinked glasses with each other **
Ayaan Malhotra/ ML bestfriend
So this is the woman who finally got the Ice King to melt ** quipped **
Raghav Sen/ ML bestfriend
Or freeze even harder ** replied **
Veer kapoor/ ML bestfriend
Avyaan hasn’t smiled once since we got here.
Veer kapoor/ ML bestfriend
I give it three months before they kill each other
Veer kapoor/ ML bestfriend
** laughed **
Anaya Rathod / ML elder sister
** swept over to Arunika with a warm smile **
Anaya Rathod / ML elder sister
You look beautiful. My mother is obsessed with you already
Arunika Grover/ FL
I wish she’d pass some of that obsession onto your brother ** replied dryly **
Anaya Rathod / ML elder sister
Oh don’t worry ** winked **
Anaya Rathod / ML elder sister
He’s just good at hiding things
Soon, the couple stood before the crowd on a crystal stage as the emcee announced the union. Photographers clicked furiously. Champagne glasses were raised. The engagement rings were brought forward on a velvet cushion.
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
** gently slid the diamond-studded ring onto Arunika’s finger **
Arunika Grover/ FL
** did the same**
The crowd erupted in polite applause, with the press snapping away.
But even amidst the flashing cameras and murmurs of admiration, tension simmered between the pair.
Congratulations, Mr. and future Mrs. Rathod ** one reporter called out **
Zara khan / FL bestie
** unable to resist, shouted from the crowd **
Zara khan / FL bestie
Avyaan, hold her hand properly! She’s your fiancée now!
Gianna Mehra / FL bestie
** followed up with a louder**
Gianna Mehra / FL bestie
Smile, Arunika! He’s not that bad, is he?
From across the garden, Kabir Sethi arrived silently, watching the celebration with unreadable eyes. He stayed in the shadows, never announcing his presence.
As the evening progressed, servers floated around with trays of hors d’oeuvres and champagne. The elite mingled—politicians, media magnates, fashion moguls—all came to witness the merger of two titanic legacies
Waiter : ** approached Arunika with a flute of champagne **
Arunika Grover/ FL
** took it, distracted by the flood of guests congratulating her, not noticing the sharp glint in the waiter’s eyes **
Waiter: ** lingered a moment too long before disappearing into the crowd **
Arunika Grover/ FL
** took a few sips as her head buzzed with over stimulation from the event **
Arunika Grover/ FL
** music pulsed, the lights blurred. Her smile faltered **
Arunika Grover/ FL
** whispered and blinked rapidly **
Arunika Grover/ FL
Something’s... off
Zara khan / FL bestie
What? Are you okay?
Arunika Grover/ FL
I... I think I need to sit—
Arunika Grover/ FL
** knees buckled, the glass falling from her hand and shattering on the stone tiles **
Gasps rang out as Arunika collapsed mid-step, caught just in time by Avyaan, who had instinctively surged forward.
Anaya Rathod / ML elder sister
Call the doctor! ** screamed **
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
** scooped her into his arms as if she weighed nothing, shouting to his security **
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
Seal the exits! No one leaves until I find that waiter! ❄️
The world had been watching.
And someone had just sent the first strike.
nyxieeeee
Enjoyyyyy guysss
Comments
Nakayn _2007
I can tell you put so much heart into this story, keep up the passion!
2025-05-18
1