2.

This book is entirely a product of my imagination. Please do not copy my work, or I will take strict action.

Thank you ❤️

Aaradhya's pov

I sat on the bed in my new room trembling with fear. My hands were cold and my heart raced uncontrollably. He had threatened my family promising to ruin us so completely that we wouldn't even be able to stand again. The thought made my stomach churn.

I didn't want to hurt him or his family. But life had its own cruel plans and now I am caught in the middle of a storm. I couldn't even explain myself because of how shy and reserved I am. Words just never came to me when I needed them the most.

Suddenly the door slammed open and he stormed in. My breath hitched as I saw him. His red furious eyes bore into me, and his messy hair gave him an even more intimidating look. He marched towards me with heavy angry steps.

I quickly got up from the bed my legs shaky. Before I could say anything he grabbed my arms tightly. His grip was so strong that it sent a sharp pain shooting through me.

"Ahh" I gasped wincing but he didn't care.

He leaned closer his voice laced with rage as he growled "What did you think that you would deceive Aarav Yaduvanshi and I would accept you?"

His words cut through me like a knife and tears spilled down my cheeks. I tried to say something, anything to defend myself.

"Ay... aysa na..." But before I could complete my sentence he cut me off.

"JUST SHUT UP!" he shouted and his voice echoed in the room. My entire body trembled and I felt like I couldn't breathe. His anger was terrifying and I couldn't stop myself from crying harder.

His gaze was so full of hatred that I felt like I was being crushed under its weight. He sneered his voice low and threatening.

"I know this was all your plan. Don't expect anything from me in this marriage. I'll give you a divorce... but only after making your life miserable my dear wife."

With those words he let go of my arms so harshly that I lost my balance and fell back onto the bed. He didn't spare me another glance and stormed out of the room slamming the door shut behind him.

For a moment I just sat there frozen trying to process what had just happened. My arms still hurt where he had gripped them and my body felt heavy with despair.

As soon as the shock wore off the tears came rushing back. I clutched my knees to my chest, sobbing quietly. My mind replaying his words over and over. "What did I do to deserve this?" I whispered to myself.

All I wanted was a simple life but now I was trapped in a nightmare I couldn't wake up from.

At morning

Aarav's POV

I didn't step into my room last night. Instead I stayed in my office unable to calm the storm of anger raging inside me. I won't let her get away with what she's done to me and my family. She dared to betray Aarav Yaduvanshi the man everyone fears to even look at.

I could erase her existence with a single move and no one would ever find out. But that would be too easy for her. No I want her to feel the pain slowly, every single day. She'll see a side of me no one else has ever witnessed. a side that will make her regret every choice that led her here.

When the first rays of the morning sun crept into the sky I finally decided to go back to my room. As I entered my eyes fell on her. She is sitting on the bed her head tilted slightly still in the same clothes as last night. Her face was streaked with dried tears and it was clear she had cried herself to sleep.

I stared at her for a moment feeling an odd pang in my chest but I quickly shoved it away. Shaking my head I walked toward the bathroom and slammed the door shut with enough force to make sure she woke up.

From outside I heard her startled shriek. A small smirk played on my lips. She should get used to this fear.

After finishing up I stepped out of the bathroom, dressed in my three-piece suit. She was now standing beside the bed, her gaze fixed on the floor, too afraid to even lift her eyes.

I couldn't resist taunting her. "Bad morning, wifey. Be ready for your first day of seeing hell on earth" I said with a smirk watching as she flinched slightly. She looked up at me her eyes still moist with unshed tears.

For a moment something strange stirred in my chest. Seeing those tears made me feel... uneasy. My smirk faltered for a fraction of a second but I quickly turned my gaze away, forcing myself to ignore whatever it was.

Without another word I walked out of the room my footsteps echoing down the hallway.

As I descended the stairs my thoughts began to spiral. What was that? Why did her tears make me feel something? I clenched my fists trying to shut down the growing unease.

"Ahhh stop it Aarav" I muttered to myself shaking my head to push the thoughts away. I have no time for weakness. She has to pay and I'll make sure she does.

Aaradhya's POV

What a fantastic way to start my day. Note the sarcasm. I spent the entire night crying and thinking about what fate had planned for me now. My head was heavy and my heart felt heavier.

Dragging myself to the bathroom I realized it wasn't my bathroom it is his. It was grand with an attached walk-in closet that looked more like a showroom. As I looked around I realized I had nothing to wear.

Before I could panic further there was a knock on the bathroom door. I hesitated but opened it to find Sia aunty, his mother standing there with a warm smile on her face.

"Good morning dear. And sorry I forgot to give you the clothes last night" she said handing me a bag.

Her kind voice soothed me a little, and I smiled politely "It's ok aunty" I said softly. She is really a nice lady.

Her expression immediately turned into a playful frown. "Ye kya baat hui?" she said pretending to be annoyed. Did I say something wrong?

"Pardon?" I asked confused. She smiled and gently caressed my head.

"Don't say aunty say maa or mummy. Because from now on you are my daughter understood?"she said with so much warmth that I felt tears prick my eyes.

A wave of joy washed over me. She was accepting me, even after everything that had happened after what my family and I had done to them. She felt like an angel while her son... he is the king of devils.

I tried to lighten the moment. "Ok maa" I replied with a small smile.

She shook her head laughing softly "I know what circumstances led to your marriage but I want you to give your best in this relationship. What happened has happened we can't change it but the future is in our hands." she explained gently her words filled with hope and wisdom. And she is right.

"I will give my best mom. I promise" I said earnestly feeling a little more determined.

She patted my head and added with a chuckle "Thodi problem aayegi par hum sab tumhare saath hain. Aur haan mera beta thoda khadoos hai par hum sambhal lenge."

We both laughed lightly at her words, the tension in my chest easing a little. She made me feel like I wasn't completely alone here.

"Get ready and come downstairs quickly okay?" she said and I nodded obediently.

After she left I dressed in the maroon saree she had given me. It was simple yet elegant. I applied minimal makeup and took a deep breath, trying to gather the courage to face everyone downstairs.

"Whatever happens I will handle it" I whispered to myself before stepping out of the room ready for whatever awaited me.

I come downstairs and everyone is sitting in the living room. Smiling I greet them all and touch the elders' feet. When I reach his bua's and bend to touch her feet she quickly pulls them back.

I stop and look up at her confused. She gives me a cold disgusted look and says "After what happened yesterday now you're trying to be a  good daughter in law?"

Her words hit me and I lower my eyes, unsure of what to say. His father Abhaye Uncle speaks up sternly.

"Geetanjali what kind of way is this to talk? Be quiet"

But she refuses to stay silent."Brother what I said is true. Everyone knows it" she retorts angrily still glaring at me.

Sensing the rising tension his Chachi, Mitali Aunty quickly steps in to change the mood.

"Chalo, chalo! Aaj Aaradhya ki pehli rasoi hai" she says cheerfully.

Turning to me she asks sweetly,

"Dear tell me what all can you cook?"

I give her a small smile and reply "I can make everything."

Hearing this everyone looks at me with surprise. Darsh his younger brother grins and teases "So our sister in law is the master chef!"

The word bhabhi makes my heart skip a beat. My stomach feels funny and I quickly look away flustered.

His mother smiles and says "Come on Aaradhya let's go to the kitchen" She gently guides me toward the kitchen and Chachi follows us.

As I step into the kitchen I can't help but think about the mixed reactions I've been getting. Bua's harsh words still sting but the warmth from others softens the blow. I take a deep breath and prepare myself for the pehli rasoi.

"Beta bas kuch meetha bana lena aur kuch banane ki zarurat nahi hai" Maa said, and I nodded obediently. I started preparing halwa, focusing on the task as they left to give me space.

I was almost done when I felt a presence behind me. Turning around I saw him standing there.

"Hi wifey" he greeted me with an unnecessarily wide smile. His closeness made me instinctively look down feeling shy and uneasy.

He gently took my hand in his and I couldn’t help but shiver at his touch. This was the first time any man had touched me yet instead of discomfort, I felt a strange sense of peace that I couldn’t explain.

Lost in my thoughts I flinched as a sharp burning pain hit my hand.

"Ahhh!" I hissed in pain realizing he had placed my hand dangerously close to the stove which was still on.

"Please please leave me please!" I pleaded in one breath trying to pull my hand back.

"Why wifey didn't you enjoy?" he asked smirking his voice dripping with mockery.

I looked at him with tears pooling in my eyes shocked by his cruelty. I never imagined he could be so heartless. His gaze met mine and something flickered in his eyes an emotion I couldn’t quite decipher. Slowly he let go of my hand.

I cradled my burning hand biting my lip to suppress the pain. My voice trembled as I looked into his eyes and spoke.

"I'm really sorry for hurting your family and you. I know I betrayed you and this punishment is nothing compared to what I deserve."

My words came out in broken whispers and I saw his expression shift slightly. A flicker of emotion passed through his eyes regret? Guilt? I couldn’t tell. He turned away abruptly stepping back creating a cold distance between us.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and turned back to finish preparing the halwa tears silently escaping from my eyes. I kept working even as my hand throbbed. Did I really deserve this? I questioned myself feeling torn apart.

Finally I placed the halwa in a bowl and Chachi came to the kitchen.

"Halwa is ready" she announced happily bringing the bowl to the table. I followed her and quietly sat beside Riya.

"Wow bhabhi  it smells really good." Riya said enthusiastically as everyone began eating.

Everyone praised the halwa. Chachi smiled and gave me a small box of bangles as a token of appreciation. Riya handed me a pair of earrings saying they suited me. I smiled faintly murmuring soft thank you but my mind was elsewhere.

I stayed silent throughout breakfast hiding my burned hand beneath my pallu. My appetite was gone, replaced by a dull ache in my heart. I didn’t utter a single word and no one seemed to notice my discomfort.

Once the meal was over he  stood up, excusing himself. "I have an urgent meeting to attend" he said curtly before leaving.

Aarav’s POV

What’s happening to me? Why are her tears affecting me like this?

I burned her hand to punish her for her betrayal but instead of anger or resistance she apologized. Her voice held genuine regret and she even said this pain was nothing compared to what she believed she deserved. Why is she feeling guilty? She’s the one who betrayed me.

When I looked into her eyes I saw no defiance no hatred just pain and remorse. Her tears her trembling words they’re haunting me. I’ve never treated any woman like this before. I’ve always prided myself on being respectful but with her I let my anger control me. And now a strange guilt is creeping into my chest.

At breakfast her silence spoke volumes. The way she hid her burned hand beneath her pallu trying to avoid any attention it’s etched in my mind. It wasn’t the reaction I expected. Why does it feel like I’m the one who hurt her more than she hurt me?

I clenched my fists as I drove to the office frustration bubbling inside me.

Why can’t I think straight when I’m with her? Why does she make me feel so… conflicted?

Even now the image of her tear streaked face and trembling hands refuses to leave me. What is she doing to me? This woman is turning my world upside down.

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