𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐲𝐚: 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐞

2. Married

I apologize for any mistakes.
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Do let me know if you liked the chapter. I'm not Hindu, so I don't know much about Hindu marriages, but I still tried my best.

Happy reading! 🎉

Anaya's POV:

The day is here. The day I marry a man feared by all, the day I had been dreading, counting down to with a mix of helplessness and growing resentment. The day I marry the human disguised as a monster.

I stand in front of the mirror, my eyes tracing the intricate patterns of henna swirling up my arms. They're supposed to symbolize joy, love, and the start of a new journey. But all I feel is suffocation. The weight of the heavy silk lehenga, the clinking of bangles, the fragrance of jasmine in my hair—everything feels like chains binding me to a fate I despise.

"Anaya, you look beautiful," my stepmother says, her voice sickly sweet. I manage a smile, though it doesn't reach my eyes. I've mastered the art of pretending by now, and today, more than ever, I'll need that skill.

This marriage is nothing more than a deal, a transaction between our families. But for me, it's a cage. My stomach churns as I think of him—Devansh Rathor. The man who radiates darkness, who never flinches, never smiles, and whose mere presence silences entire rooms. A monster in every sense, yet everyone calls him king.

The worst part is the realization that my father, my hero, is not the man I thought he was.

He wants this wedding more than anyone. Not because he cares about me, but because this marriage will elevate his status. Fame, power, connections—that's all he sees. And now, I know. All those times I believed he had my best interests at heart, it was nothing but a lie. He wasn't protecting me—he was bargaining me away.

I glance at him standing there, a proud smile on his face. It used to warm my heart, that smile, but now it's a cold reminder of how far I've fallen in his eyes—from his daughter to a pawn in his ambition.

I feel the sting of betrayal, a deep ache in my chest. How could I have been so blind? How did I not see it before? The truth weighs heavy on my shoulders as I prepare to walk down the aisle to marry Devansh Rathor—a man I hate, but at least I know who he is. A monster, yes, but a monster who doesn't pretend to be anything else.

I inhale deeply, steadying myself. If my father thinks he's using me for his gain, he's wrong. I'll find a way to survive this, even if it means playing along with their plans—for now.

I meet my father's eyes, my smile just as empty as his promises. "I'm ready," I say, my voice steady, but inside, everything has changed. I'll never see him the same way again.

As I walk down the aisle, each step feels heavier than the last. The murmurs around me are faint, like whispers in the wind, but I can feel their eyes—everyone watching, judging. My heart races, but not from nerves. No, it's from the weight of the dagger hidden in the folds of my lehenga. A silent promise to myself, a weapon I've kept concealed for him—Devansh Rathor.

I've been played like a doll my entire life, dressed up and moved around for others' gain. But today, I won't be a doll. Not anymore.

The air feels different here, colder. There's a chill creeping into my bones, and I know why. It's him. Devansh. His presence alone shifts the very atmosphere, dark and foreboding. I can't see him clearly yet through the blur of the veil, but I don't need to. I've heard enough about him to imagine exactly what he looks like—a monster. People have said it time and again, and they're right. He may wear a human face, but there's something deeply inhuman about him.