"To the ones who loved too deeply and were torn apart,
To the hearts that still ache in silence,
This story is for you. The scars may never fade,
But perhaps, through pain, we learn to live again."
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Everything felt surreal, like a nightmare I couldn’t wake up from. The woman sitting beside me wasn’t Pooja. My heart raced as panic and fury fought for dominance. Without thinking, I grabbed her wrist and stormed off to a private room.
“Who the hell are you, and where is Jaan?” I barked, my voice cold and menacing.
The girl flinched under my grip, her wide eyes brimming with fear. Before she could stammer a response, my mother’s voice pierced through the tension.
“She’s Ashi, Pooja’s sister.”
Ashi? That faint memory stirred—Jaan had once mentioned her adopted sister, but I’d never paid much attention. Why was she here, dressed as a bride?
“Your Pooja ran away,” my father spat, his voice dripping with disdain. “She left you at the altar to chase her modeling dreams. And now, our family’s reputation lies in ruins.”
I froze, my mind struggling to process his words. No, this had to be a lie. Pooja loved me. She wouldn’t just leave.
“You’re all lying,” I snarled. “Just give her back to me!”
My father stepped closer, shoving a piece of paper into my hand. “Read this and see for yourself.”
The Letter:
Rey, I’m sorry for leaving like this, but my dreams are more important than anything else, even you. My childhood dream of becoming a model is finally coming true, and I can’t let it slip away.
Yours, Pooja.
The words blurred as my world collapsed around me. She left me. She used me. My chest tightened as the weight of betrayal settled in.
“She played you, son,” my father said, his tone unyielding. “And now you’ll marry Ashi. This family cannot afford more disgrace.”
“No—” I started, but he cut me off.
“This isn’t a request. It’s an order.” His eyes were steel, leaving no room for argument.
Everyone filed out of the room, leaving me alone with Ashi. I turned to her, anger bubbling beneath the surface. Without a word, I grabbed her arm and dragged her back to the mandap.
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Just an hour ago, I was preparing for Pooja di’s wedding, excited to see my future jiju. I’d only seen him in photos, but he seemed kind and charismatic. Yet, as the youngest and the adopted one, I wasn’t allowed to participate in much.
I was folding clothes when my mother burst into the room, her face livid.
“Change into this bridal lehenga. You’re marrying Reyansh,” she ordered, throwing the heavy garment at me.
“What? Why?” I stammered, panic rising in my chest.
“Pooja ran away,” she hissed. “She left us humiliated in front of everyone. You’re the only one who can save us now.”
I stared at her, stunned. My sister ran away? Why? She loved Reyansh—or at least I thought she did.
My brother walked in, his face filled with guilt. I turned to him, silently pleading for help.
“Please, Ashi,” he said softly. “Just this once. For the family.”
Tears burned my eyes, but I nodded. What choice did I have? My heart was screaming, but my mind knew I couldn’t refuse.
When I walked down the stairs, my heart pounded painfully in my chest. Reyansh’s eyes lit up as he saw me, his smile wide and expectant. But as soon as he lifted my veil, the smile shattered, replaced by pure rage.
Before I could explain, he dragged me to a room, demanding answers I didn’t have.
Now, sitting beside him in the car, I could feel his anger radiating like a storm about to break. He hadn’t said a word since the wedding, but his clenched fists and rigid posture spoke volumes.
What would happen once we reached his mansion? Fear gripped me, but beneath it was something else—determination. I hadn’t chosen this path, but I would survive it.
