Karthik’s POV

The Malhotra mansion was finally quiet.

The wedding guests had left.

The lights were dim.

But Karthik Malhotra’s anger was still burning.

He stood on the balcony outside his room, staring at the dark Mumbai skyline.

The city lights flickered below like scattered stars.

Usually, this view calmed him.

Tonight…

Nothing could.

His jaw tightened.

“Damn it.”

The word slipped through his teeth.

Behind him, inside the room, his newly married wife was probably sleeping.

The word wife irritated him.

Because the only woman he had ever imagined marrying was Harshita Singh.

His phone vibrated in his hand.

Her name flashed on the screen.

Harshita Calling.

Karthik answered instantly.

“Harshita.”

Her soft voice came from the other side.

“Karthik… are you okay?”

For the first time that night, his expression softened slightly.

“No.”

There was silence for a moment.

“I saw the wedding pictures online,” she whispered sadly.

Karthik’s grip on the phone tightened.

“I didn’t want this marriage.”

“I know,” Harshita replied quickly.

“You love me.”

“Yes.”

The answer came without hesitation.

“I always will.”

Inside the bedroom, Rhea shifted slightly in her sleep.

But Karthik didn’t notice.

Harshita sighed dramatically.

“It hurts knowing you belong to someone else now.”

“You know I don’t,” he said firmly.

“This marriage is just a deal between families.”

His voice turned colder.

“That girl means nothing to me.”

Harshita’s tone softened again.

“You promise?”

“I promise.”

A small smile appeared on Harshita’s face on the other side of the call.

Exactly the response she wanted.

Because manipulating Karthik Malhotra was her biggest achievement.

“Meet me tomorrow,” she whispered.

Karthik didn’t hesitate.

“I will.”

The call ended.

Karthik stayed on the balcony for a long moment.

Then he finally walked back into the room.

Inside the Bedroom

The room was dim.

Only the soft lamp near the bed was on.

Rhea was sleeping quietly.

Her face looked peaceful.

Innocent.

Her long hair spread across the pillow.

For a moment Karthik paused.

His sharp eyes studied her.

She didn’t look like someone who could destroy a life.

She looked like a child lost in the wrong world.

He immediately pushed the thought away.

“This girl ruined everything.”

Karthik walked to the couch and sat down.

Just then—

Rhea stirred.

Her eyes slowly opened.

For a second she looked confused.

Then she remembered.

Her new life.

Her forced marriage.

Her eyes fell on Karthik sitting across the room.

She quickly sat up.

“I… I didn’t realize when I fell asleep.”

Karthik didn’t reply.

Rhea hesitated before speaking again.

“Did you eat dinner?”

Still silence.

She nervously continued.

“I asked because… you didn’t eat anything during the wedding.”

Karthik finally looked at her.

His expression was unreadable.

“Why do you care?”

The question stunned her.

“I… I’m just asking.”

“You don’t need to.”

His tone was cold again.

“We’re strangers living in the same house.”

Rhea’s fingers tightened around the bedsheet.

“But we’re married.”

The words slipped out before she could stop them.

Karthik’s eyes darkened.

He stood up slowly.

Each step he took toward her made her heartbeat faster.

He stopped near the bed.

“Let me make something clear,” he said quietly.

“This marriage exists only on paper.”

Rhea lowered her eyes.

“So don’t expect anything from me.”

Her voice came out softly.

“I’m not expecting anything.”

“Good.”

He turned away again.

But Rhea gathered courage.

“Mr. Malhotra…”

He looked back impatiently.

“What now?”

“Can I… ask something?”

His expression showed annoyance.

“Make it quick.”

Rhea hesitated.

“Do you really love Harshita?”

The question froze the air in the room.

Karthik stared at her.

“Why?”

Rhea shook her head quickly.

“I was just curious.”

For a moment he didn’t answer.

Then he spoke firmly.

“Yes.”

The single word hurt more than she expected.

“She’s the woman I wanted to marry.”

Rhea nodded slowly.

“I understand.”

Her voice sounded calm.

But inside…

Her heart cracked a little.

Karthik noticed the sadness in her eyes.

But he ignored it.

Because caring would only complicate things.

He walked back to the couch.

“Sleep,” he said shortly.

Rhea lay down again.

The silence returned.

But neither of them slept easily that night.

Because destiny had already started weaving a complicated story between them.

A story filled with love…

Pain…

And misunderstandings.

And somewhere in the shadows of Mumbai…

Two people were already planning to destroy Rhea’s life.

Aryan Darat.

And Harshita Singh.

How was the chp !??

Do you all enjoy 😉.

Don't forget to comment and vote guys

Bye!!