Author POV

Powerful men don’t like losing control.

Karthik Malhotra was one of those men.

He controlled business deals, politicians, media, and even people’s fear.

But there was one thing he was not used to controlling.

His emotions.

And ever since Aryan Darat had entered his house…

Something inside him had started changing.

Something dangerous.

Something he refused to accept.

Because the last thing Karthik Malhotra wanted…

Was to feel possessive about a girl he never wanted to marry.

Garden Scene – Continuation

Rhea POV

The tension in the garden felt suffocating.

Karthik stood in front of Aryan like a wall.

His eyes cold.

His jaw tight.

Aryan looked completely relaxed, like he was enjoying this.

“I told you to stay away from my house,” Karthik said.

Aryan smirked.

“You invited half of Mumbai yesterday. I assumed I was welcome.”

“You’re not.”

Rhea looked between them nervously.

“Please… this is not necessary.”

Karthik turned toward her sharply.

“I told you to go inside.”

His tone was commanding.

Rhea frowned.

“You don’t have to talk to me like that.”

Aryan raised an eyebrow, amused.

“Oh… she talks back.”

Karthik’s expression darkened.

“This doesn’t concern you, Aryan.”

Aryan looked at Rhea again.

“It actually does. We were talking.”

Rhea sighed.

“He just came to say hello. Why are you making it a big deal?”

Karthik froze.

Slowly he turned toward her.

“You think I’m overreacting?”

“I think you’re being rude.”

Silence.

Heavy.

Dangerous.

Aryan smiled slightly, enjoying every second.

Karthik stepped closer to him.

Very close.

Too close.

His voice dropped low.

“If you come near her again… I won’t be this polite.”

Aryan chuckled.

“I’d like to see that.”

And before anyone could react—

Karthik grabbed Aryan by the collar.

Rhea gasped.

“Karthik! Stop!”

The guards at the gate looked shocked but didn’t move.

Because no one interfered when Malhotras fought.

Aryan didn’t even try to push him away.

He just smiled.

“That’s new,” he said calmly.

“I didn’t know you cared this much.”

Karthik’s grip tightened.

“I don’t care.”

“Then why are you angry?”

Silence.

For a second Karthik had no answer.

Rhea quickly stepped forward.

“Please leave him!”

She held Karthik’s arm.

“Everyone is watching!”

Her touch made him freeze.

He looked at her hand on his arm.

Then at her face.

Slowly he let go of Aryan.

Aryan adjusted his shirt calmly.

Then he leaned slightly toward Rhea.

“You should be careful.”

His eyes shifted to Karthik.

“He gets angry when someone looks at what he thinks belongs to him.”

Karthik’s fist clenched again.

But this time Aryan stepped back himself.

He smiled.

“We’ll meet again, Mrs. Malhotra.”

And he left.

Karthik POV

The moment Aryan disappeared, Karthik turned toward Rhea.

His eyes were burning.

“What did I tell you?”

Rhea crossed her arms.

“You embarrassed yourself.”

His expression darkened.

“I embarrassed myself?”

“Yes.”

“He’s not a normal man!”

“And fighting him in the garden makes you look normal?”

Karthik stepped closer.

“You don’t understand this world.”

“Then explain it instead of shouting!”

For a moment they stood very close.

Her breathing fast.

His eyes intense.

“You will stay away from him,” he said.

“You can’t order me.”

“I can.”

“Why? Because I’m your wife?”

Silence.

The word hit differently this time.

Wife.

Karthik looked at her face.

For a second his expression softened.

But only for a second.

“Yes.”

His voice became firm.

“You are my responsibility.”

Rhea looked hurt.

“I’m not your responsibility. I’m a human being.”

She turned and walked away.

Karthik watched her go.

His chest felt strangely tight.

He didn’t like that feeling.

Not at all.

Author POV

Across the city…

Another storm was starting.

And her name was Harshita.

Harshita POV

Harshita sat in her apartment, scrolling through photos from last night’s party.

One photo made her stop.

Rhea wearing the Malhotra diamond necklace.

Her nails dug into the phone screen.

“That should have been me.”

Her friend spoke softly,

“You knew his family would force him to marry.”

Harshita’s eyes turned cold.

“They forced the marriage.”

She smiled slowly.

“But they didn’t force love.”

Her friend frowned.

“What are you planning?”

Harshita picked up her phone.

Dialed Karthik’s number.

He answered after a few seconds.

“Yes?”

Her voice became soft instantly.

“Karthik… can you come tonight? I don’t feel well.”

Pause.

Then he said,

“I’ll come.”

She smiled.

After cutting the call, she whispered,

“Let’s see how long that innocent girl survives in your world, Rhea.”

Ending Scene – Night

Author POV

Night covered the Malhotra mansion in silence.

Rhea stood on the balcony, looking at the city lights.

Her eyes looked tired.

Confused.

Lonely.

She whispered softly,

“This marriage… what am I supposed to do in it?”

Behind her, the bedroom door opened.

She turned.

Karthik stood there.

For a moment neither spoke.

Then he said,

“You shouldn’t go near Aryan again.”

She sighed.

“That’s all you ever say.”

He walked closer.

“You don’t know what he can do.”

“And you don’t know what I feel.”

Silence.

Her eyes filled slightly.

“I didn’t choose this marriage either.”

That made him stop.

She continued softly,

“But I’m trying.”

His expression changed slightly.

For the first time…

He didn’t look angry.

He looked conflicted.

But before he could say anything—

His phone rang.

Harshita.

He looked at the screen.

Then at Rhea.

Then answered.

“I’m coming.”

Rhea’s eyes fell.

Karthik picked up his keys and left.

Door closed.

And the sound echoed in the empty room.

Rhea whispered,

“I understand… I was never first.”

Outside the mansion…

A black car stopped.

Aryan stepped out, looking at the house from a distance.

His lips curved slowly.

“The cracks are getting deeper.”

He looked at Rhea’s balcony.

“And soon… everything will break.”

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