Mumbai
Jannat Villa
Rudraksh's sharp gaze rested on Haya, making her instinctively take a step back. But before she could move any further, he suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards him with force, leaving barely any space between them. His smirk was taunting as he spoke, his deep voice laced with mockery.
"Tell me, Haya... does it burn? Does it bother you that the place where you should have been is now occupied by Sofia?" His fingers tightened slightly around her wrist as he tilted his head. "I must say, it's barely been two days since you arrived, and you've already embraced the role of a devoted wife. Quite impressive, don't you think?"
Haya glared at him and struggled to free herself from his grip, her voice laced with irritation. "Look, first of all, learn to keep your distance! You always seem to be looking for an excuse to hover over me!"
At her words, Rudraksh simply let out a lazy chuckle and, without a care in the world, lay down beside her on the bed, completely relaxed. Closing his eyes, he spoke in an indifferent tone.
"Just quietly vacate my bed, Haya. I need to sleep."
Haya's eyebrows furrowed in disbelief. She folded her arms across her chest and glared at him. "Are you serious? This is no time to sleep, Rudraksh! Mom said we need to reach the reception early. Get up already!"
But instead of listening, Rudraksh's eyes flickered open, and within the blink of an eye, he grabbed her wrist once again and gave a sudden tug. A surprised gasp escaped her lips as she lost her balance and fell directly onto him. Her hands instinctively landed against his chest, and her body froze as her gaze lifted, meeting his intense blue eyes.
A smirk tugged at the corner of Rudraksh's lips as he traced his fingers along the soft skin of her face, his voice dropping to a teasing whisper.
"So, you're in quite a hurry to go downstairs with me, huh? To show everyone the grand move you've made? After all, you've played quite the game, haven't you? You are now Haya Rudraksh Shekhawat."
His words sent a wave of frustration through her. Haya clenched her jaw and quickly pulled herself away from his grip. She looked at him with fierce determination, her voice sharp and cutting.
"You think too highly of yourself, Rudraksh," she snapped. "What do you think? That Haya Diwan is some cheap woman who would throw herself at just anyone? Maybe the problem isn't with me. Maybe it's your poor tasteâchoosing a girl who is willing to crawl into your bed just because you asked her to."
Her words struck a nerve. Rudraksh's expression darkened instantly, and before she could react, his arm snaked around her waist, pulling her back into his hold. His grip was firm, unyielding, and the amusement in his eyes had vanished, replaced by something far more dangerous.
His jaw tightened, and his eyes burned with fury as he grabbed a fistful of her hair, forcing her face dangerously close to his. His breath fanned against her skin as he spoke, his voice low but filled with quiet rage.
"I warned you, didn't I?" His grip tightened slightly. "Keep that sharp tongue of yours in check, Haya, before I make you regret it." His blue eyes gleamed with cold fire. "And as for Sofia... she is not like you. She is not someone who would stoop so lowâsomeone who would marry me just for money, who would agree to be my wife only to seal a deal."
Haya's breath hitched as his words cut through her like a blade. But despite the storm raging in his eyes, she refused to back down. She refused to let him see the way his words affected her. Instead, she lifted her chin and met his gaze with unwavering defiance.
Rudraksh's words struck a nerve, and in response, Haya dug her nails into his chest, her eyes blazing with anger.
"I came here with dignity, Rudraksh," she spat. "You brought an entire wedding procession to take me with youâI didn't run away and come here on my own. You chose to bring me, so the next time you open your mouth, think a hundred times before saying anything." Her voice was laced with venom as she glared at him. "And now, go ahead and rot here, you disgusting man."
As soon as she tried to pull away from his grip, Rudraksh leaned in, his lips brushing dangerously close to her ear as he whispered, "Sofia is coming to my reception. You better treat her well."
His voice was calm, but the weight of his words sent a shiver down Haya's spine. Her breath hitched for a second. No matter how much she hated him, she couldn't deny one thingâRudraksh Shekhawat's presence was overpowering. His intensity, his piercing gaze, the way he carried himselfâit was enough to make anyone weak in the knees. And even though she despised his arrogance, there were fleeting moments when she forgot everythingâthe insults, the tauntsâwhenever he came too close.
Rudraksh noticed her sudden silence, and a slow, knowing smirk appeared on his lips. He pulled away ever so slightly, but in the process, his lips brushed lightly against her cheek, making her freeze for a moment.
Haya quickly snapped out of it and took a step back. "I'm going to get ready. You can come whenever you want," she muttered, her voice steady but her heart racing. Without waiting for his response, she turned and walked away.
As she disappeared from his sight, Rudraksh let out a relaxed chuckle and leaned back comfortably. His voice was calm, but there was a dangerous glint in his eyes as he murmured to himself, "Just wait and watch, Haya Diwan. You have no idea what I'm going to do with you."
He smirked, his fingers lazily tracing patterns on the bed as he spoke to himself, his voice filled with dark amusement. "You take too much pride in your beauty and your so-called character. But all these words you throw at me? You're only fooling yourself, Haya. I know exactly what kind of woman you are."
He exhaled slowly and smirked to himself. "Sooner or later, you will surrender yourself to me, and when that moment comes, I'll remind you of every single thing you said today."
With that, Rudraksh turned off the lights, rolled onto his side, and shut his eyes, a satisfied smirk still playing on his lips.
Jannat Villa
Garden Area â 8:00 PM
The evening sky was adorned with golden hues as Jannat Villa shimmered under the glow of countless lights and floral decorations. The entire estate looked nothing short of a dream, with golden statues placed at various spots, drawing admiration from every guest. A luxurious red carpet stretched across the pathway, its grandeur demanding attention.
The event was graced by the most renowned personalities from the film industry, business world, and other elite circles. But tonight, the real anticipation wasn't for the dignitariesâit was for the new bahu of the Shekhawat family. And why wouldn't it be? The name Shekhawat alone was enough to shake the world, let alone the presence of Rudraksh Shekhawatâa man known to set fire to anything he touched.
Everyone was well aware of his reputation. Even his own family knew that Rudraksh wasn't just a businessmanâhe was the king of the underworld. Yet, despite his dark empire, he had never crossed a line that would bring disgrace to the family name. That was why Pushkar Shekhawat, his grandfather, had never raised a voice against his ways.
At the grand entrance, a fleet of servants stood ready, greeting and escorting guests with the utmost hospitality. Within moments, the garden filled with people. Despite the crowd, the venue still looked vast and open, a testament to its grandeur. A feast boasting cuisines from all over the world was arranged for the evening. Outside, the media was going wild, eagerly capturing moments and impatiently awaiting the arrival of the bride and groom.
Inside the Mansion â Bridal Suite
Upstairs, an army of elite makeup artists worked meticulously on Haya, perfecting every detail of her look. But despite all the attention, she was utterly bored.
A while later, the stylists stepped back, admiring their work with satisfied smiles. "All done! You look breathtakingly beautiful," one of them praised. With a final glance at Haya, they exited the room, leaving her alone.
Moments later, the door creaked open, and Rudraksh stepped in. His piercing blue eyes landed on her, and for a brief second, he stopped in his tracks. Dressed in an exquisite red lehenga, Haya looked more mesmerizing than ever. The skilled hands of the makeup artists had only enhanced her beauty, making her look like something out of a dream.
But Rudraksh, too, was a sight to behold. Clad in a perfectly tailored three-piece business suit, he exuded dominance and power with every step he took toward her.
Haya noticed his slow approach, and her eyes narrowed. As she inched backward on the sofa, she raised a warning hand. "Why do you always walk toward me like some lunatic? Just stay where you are!"
But Rudraksh didn't stop. Instead, he smirked and took another step closer. Panicked, Haya leaned too far back and lost her balance, tumbling onto the sofa. And before she could recover, Rudraksh was leaning over her, his face mere inches from hers.
His warm breath fanned across her face, making her pulse quicken. His deep blue eyes darkened as he lowered his face slightly, his lips hovering dangerously close to hers. Haya's breath hitched. Her eyes fluttered shut on their own, and for a brief moment, time itself seemed to stop.
But just as she braced herself for what was coming next... he pulled away.
Confused by the sudden loss of proximity, Haya's brows furrowed. She hesitantly opened her eyes, only to find Rudraksh standing upright, casually holding up his phone.
"You really think I desperately want to be close to you?" he teased, mischief dancing in his voice.
Realization dawned on herâhe had only leaned in to pick up his phone from the sofa. Heat rushed to her face, turning her cheeks an embarrassing shade of red. She quickly sat up, clearing her throat in frustration.
"If you just needed your phone, you could've asked me," she grumbled, turning her face away. "But no, you just had to come close. Admit it, Rudrakshâyou wanted to be near me."
Rudraksh let out a low chuckle, running a hand through his hair. "How long are you planning to sit here sulking?" He extended a hand toward her. "Let's go."
Haya hesitated. A wave of nervousness crashed over her, twisting her stomach into knots. She hated being around crowds, and tonight, she was about to face an entire hall full of high-profile guests. She wasn't just Haya anymoreâshe was Haya Rudraksh Shekhawat, and all eyes would be on her.
Sensing her hesitation, Rudraksh suddenly reached out and grabbed her hand, holding it firmly.
The unexpected warmth of his touch sent a strange sense of comfort through her. It was as if, in that single gesture, he was silently reassuring her. I've got you.
But Rudraksh himself? He didn't even glance at her. His focus remained on his phone, as if the whole interaction meant nothing.
Without another word, he started walking, and Hayaâher hand still enclosed in hisâhad no choice but to follow.
As Rudraksh and Haya reached the staircase, an unexpected storm awaited them.
Like a falling star crashing to the earth, Sofia appeared in front of them, her piercing gaze instantly locking onto their intertwined hands. A fire ignited in her chest, spreading like venom through her veins. The sight of Haya holding her Rudraksh's hand was enough to shatter her composure.
Her lips curled in disdain as she spat, "You illiterate girl! You've become nothing but a headache for Rudraksh."
Haya stood frozen, momentarily taken aback. The sheer hostility in Sofia's voice stunned her, but it was her words that left an even deeper impact. Before she could even form a response, Rudraksh, who had been calmly engrossed in his phone, suddenly lifted his gaze. His sharp blue eyes locked onto Sofia with an unsettling intensity.
In one swift motion, he pulled Haya slightly behind him, shielding her from Sofia's glare. His voice was calm yet dangerously firm as he said, "Watch your tone when you speak to my wife, Miss Sofia."
Sofia's eyes widened in sheer disbelief. Had she just heard him correctly?
The words "my wife" echoed in her mind like a brutal slap. She knew the truthâRudraksh wasn't emotionally attached to Haya. He had only married her because, in his world, having a partner was necessary. Someone he could present as his wife in public, a name he could attach to his reputation when required.
That's what she had always been to himâa business companion, a plus-one to his high-profile meetings. She had convinced herself that even if Rudraksh never acknowledged her as his girlfriend, she was still his in some way. And now, hearing him claim that low-class girl as his wife in front of herâit was unbearable.
The humiliation burned through her, feeding the fire of jealousy and rage inside her.
She took a step forward, her voice laced with disbelief. "What did you just say, Rudraksh?"
But Rudraksh didn't spare her another glance. Instead, tightening his grip on Haya's hand, he simply stated, "I don't repeat myself."
With that, he turned and walked away, taking Haya with himâleaving Sofia standing there, consumed by anger and betrayal.
What exactly is Rudraksh planning? ð¤
Will the distance between Haya and Rudraksh ever diminish? Or will their relationship remain just a contractânothing more than a deal?
To uncover the secrets, betrayals, and an obsession that blurs the line between love and power...
⨠Read "The Devil's Sweet Sin: