Chapter 4
The velvet curtain of night had fallen hard over the Rathod estate, its grand façade now dimmed under the weight of something far heavier than twilight. The laughter that had once echoed across the manicured lawns had long died, swallowed by tension and the heavy hum of security radios.
Arunika Grover/ FL
** laying motionless on the massive chaise in the private guest lounge of the mansion, her face was pale against the plush ivory pillows **
The once-celebratory music was now a distant memory, replaced by whispers of worry and sharp commands.
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
** stood by the windows, his jaw tight, eyes flicking to the door every few seconds **
The doctor finally entered, his coat flapping as he rushed in with a nurse trailing behind
Doctor : Clear the space, please. I need to examine her.
Everyone retreated—Zara, Gianna, Naina, and even Anaya—who lingered for a moment longer
Anaya Rathod / ML elder sister
** exchanging a worried glance with Avyaan before stepping out **
Doctor : ** bent over Arunika, checking her pulse, pupils, and blood pressure **
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
How is she? ❄️ ** asked, voice was low but sharp, betraying the desperation brimming just beneath **
Doctor : ** didn’t look up **
: She’s stable for now. But her vitals show signs of mild intoxication—most likely a sedative or hallucinogen. We won’t know for certain until her test results come back
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
You mean someone drugged her?❄️
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
** snapped **
: Yes ** confirmed and now lifting her wrist again to recheck the pulse **
: Whatever it was, it was mild enough not to cause permanent damage, but just enough to impair her senses. She’ll be groggy when she wakes
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
** fists clenched the fury in his chest was molten **
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
** turned towards raghav **
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
Did you check the footage? ❄️
Raghav Sen/ ML bestfriend
We’ve started pulling all CCTV from the main floor and garden
Raghav Sen/ ML bestfriend
Security says a waiter in a white uniform approached her—but so far, no matching exit footage
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
** slammed his palm against the side table, making the lamp jump **
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
I want every damn guest cross-checked. No one does this to her—not in my house, not at my event. ❄️
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
** mind was spiraling because she could’ve been harmed far worse **
Humiliated. Or worse—targeted because of him
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
** stood at the foot of the chaise, staring at her fragile form **
Arunika Grover/ FL
** brows twitched slightly, and a soft moan left her lips **
Anaya Rathod / ML elder sister
** gently dabbed her forehead with a cool cloth **
Arunika Grover/ FL
** eyes fluttered open, glazed and confused **
Arunika Grover/ FL
Wh... what happened?
: You’re okay ** said gently **
Arunika Grover/ FL
** blinked slowly, taking in the sterile scent, the bright white lights, and the overwhelming worry in the room **
Zara khan / FL bestie
** immediately rushed back in **
Zara khan / FL bestie
Runi! Oh my god—are you okay?
Arunika Grover/ FL
Zara? ** muttered **
Zara khan / FL bestie
Yes, yes! You’re safe. I’m right here
Arunika Grover/ FL
** her eyes searched beyond her friends and found him—Avyaan **
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
** Standing still, a storm bottled behind his dark eyes **
Arunika Grover/ FL
** tried to sit up, grimacing **
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
** moved swiftly to her side, placing a firm hand on her shoulder **
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
Don’t. The doctor said to rest ❄️
Arunika Grover/ FL
You were there ** whispered **
Arunika Grover/ FL
I... I was holding a glass ** confused **
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
Someone drugged it ❄️
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
We don’t know who yet ❄️
Arunika Grover/ FL
** hand went to her head **
Arunika Grover/ FL
Everything was spinning. My heart was racing. I thought I was going to pass out in front of everyone.
Gianna Mehra / FL bestie
You almost did ** said while coming closer**
Gianna Mehra / FL bestie
Avyaan caught you
Avyaan didn’t respond. His expression didn’t shift. But he hadn’t moved from her side either.
Outside the room, the security team scrambled to review hours of footage. Every face was being scanned, every movement timed. Yet the mysterious waiter had vanished like smoke.
Raghav Sen/ ML bestfriend
This doesn’t make sense ** muttered **
Raghav Sen/ ML bestfriend
The cameras caught him with the drink, but then there was no footage of him leaving. No exit. No corridor footage. Nothing.
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
You’re telling me someone walked into my engagement party, drugged my fiancée, and disappeared? ❄️
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
** deadly calm **
Raghav Sen/ ML bestfriend
I’m telling you someone planned this
Raghav Sen/ ML bestfriend
And planned it well
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
Start with the caterers. I want the staff list verified. Background checks. Surveillance from two blocks down. If we don’t find who did this in 24 hours, I’m burning every single contact we’ve made for this event.❄️
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
** turned, heading back toward the room **
Arunika Grover/ FL
** sat up and sipping water**
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
** stepped inside **
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
** eyes met **
Arunika Grover/ FL
** eyes met **
Arunika Grover/ FL
You don’t have to act like you care ** said quietly **
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
** didn’t answer at first **
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
This happened under my roof. That makes it my responsibility ❄️
Arunika Grover/ FL
That’s all this marriage is to you, isn’t it? A responsibility. A contract
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
** looked at her, something unreadable flickering in his eyes **
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
And to you? ❄️
Arunika Grover/ FL
** looked away **
Arunika Grover/ FL
I don’t want pity
Arunika Grover/ FL
Just honesty
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
I told you not to expect anything from this marriage ❄️
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
** voice hardening **
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
I meant that. But I didn’t expect this either ❄️
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
So we’re both in uncharted waters ❄️
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
** turned to leave but paused at the door **
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
You’ll stay here tonight. Under my security. My staff. No arguments ❄️
Arunika Grover/ FL
I’m not a prisoner
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
No, you’re not, But you’re not safe either. Not until I know who did this ❄️
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
** left **
That night, Avyaan couldn’t sleep
The storm inside him wouldn’t rest. He stood at his home office window, staring into the darkness as the city lights flickered far beyond
He remembered her hand, limp in his.
The way her lips trembled as she passed out in his arms.
She wasn’t just a pawn in this marriage anymore. Not tonight.
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
** picked up the phone **
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
Track every call and guest from tonight. I don’t care who they are—dig until you find dirt. This wasn’t random ❄️
Avyaan Rathod/ ML
** sat back in his chair, staring at the two rings sitting in a tray on his desk **
The engagement was public. The world had seen them together. If this was a warning—it wasn’t for her.
Comments
ღYaraღ
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. Highly recommend.
2025-05-18
1