If I had to fake another damn smile for the camera, I was going to stab someone with my fork.
The engagement was over, the rings exchanged, and yet here I was-trapped in this suffocating circle of flashing cameras, congratulations, and the forced warmth of family gatherings.
I let out a slow breath, keeping my smile in place as yet another relative I barely knew came up to shower blessings upon the happy couple.
Happy.
If only they knew.
"Avni beta, look at this beautiful couple! Absolutely perfect for each other!" One of my distant aunts gushed, patting my cheek before looking at Aditya with that same sickening admiration.
Perfect? Oh, if only she knew the kind of man standing next to me.
I chanced a glance at him, my so-called fiancé.
Aditya Singhania stood beside me, all charm and confidence, his posture relaxed. The picture-perfect groom.
But what annoyed me the most was the smirk playing on his lips-one that was just for me.
He was enjoying this. The taunting, the forced proximity, the way he could tell I wanted to rip my way out of this situation.
Bastard.
I clenched my jaw as another camera flash went off, my hand still resting in his as expected. His grip was firm, not tight, but just enough to remind me of my current reality.
I was his.
Not by choice.
Not by love.
But by a damn business deal. A deal I had no power over.
A deal that now had my father beaming from across the room as if he hadn't just sentenced his daughter to a lifetime of hell. I bit back the bitterness that threatened to rise in my throat. Not now.
"Avni, beta, come here for a picture with your in-laws," my father's voice rang out, and I internally groaned.
Aditya's mother was the picture of grace, her eyes filled with a warmth that almost made me uncomfortable. As if she truly believed in this marriage. As if she actually saw me as a daughter rather than the pawn that I was.
His father, on the other hand, was unreadable-calculating, composed, much like his son. No wonder they were friends with my father.
Another flash. Another forced smile. Another suffocating second standing next to him. I could feel Aditya watching me, even as the camera clicked, even as people moved around us.
And it pissed me off.
"What?" I muttered under my breath, refusing to look at him. His smirk widened, just enough to be infuriating. "Nothing, fiancée." I gritted my teeth. "Don't call me that."
His grip on my hand tightened just slightly. "Why not? That's what you are now, Ms Rajput."
I hated him.
I hated him.
But instead of snapping at him, I let out a small, sweet laugh-one that was entirely fake-and turned to him with a grin that didn't reach my eyes.
"Oh, darling," I cooed, making sure my voice was loud enough for the nearby guests to hear. "If you keep staring at me like that, people will think you actually like me." His smirk twitched, just slightly, and for a second, I felt victorious.
After what felt like hours of endless photos, we were finally ushered to the dining area, where a long, elegant table had been set for both families.
The soft golden glow of chandeliers reflected off the polished mahogany, and the scent of spices and rich food filled the air.
Aditya pulled out a chair for me, ever the gentleman in public. I sat without thanking him, and he, of course, didn't seem to care.
Dinner was exactly what I expected-boring conversations about business, discussions about wedding preparations, and my father and his father laughing like they hadn't just played god with my life.
I picked at my plate, only half-listening until my father spoke. "The wedding preparations are almost done. Avni just need to choose her outfit," he said casually, like he was announcing the weather.
Aditya turned to me, his smirk gone, replaced by something else. Something darker.
I inhaled slowly, then turned to Aditya, my eyes burning with silent fury.
He met my gaze, unwavering, unreadable. I picked up my glass of wine, bringing it to my lips as I let my gaze linger on his.
"Well then," I murmured, my voice dripping with mock sweetness. "I hope you're ready, fiancé."
He just looked at me......
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