Avni Rajput's world had always been small, contained within the walls of her ambitions and the love she shared with her brother, Veer. But that world shattered the moment her father announced her fate without so much as a warning.
The Storm Before the Storm
The morning was eerily quiet. Avni sat at the breakfast table, stirring her tea absentmindedly, unaware of the storm brewing around her. Her father, Vikram Rajput, sat across from her, his fingers drumming against the table. There was tension in the air, something thick and unspoken.
"Avni," he said, clearing his throat.
She looked up, surprised at his serious tone. "Yes, Papa?"
He hesitated for a moment before forcing a smile. "I have something important to tell you."
Veer, who was sipping his coffee beside her, immediately sensed something was wrong. "What is it, Dad?"
Vikram shifted uncomfortably. "Avni, you know how much I love you. How much I want what's best for you."
Avni frowned, setting her cup down. "What's going on?"
Vikram exhaled sharply. "You're getting married."
The words hung in the air like a death sentence.
Avni blinked, trying to process what she had just heard. "What?"
"To Reyansh Rajvansh," Vikram continued as though it was a minor detail, "the wedding is in a week."
The room spun. Avni felt her breath hitch, her heartbeat roaring in her ears. "You're joking... right?" she whispered.
Vikram shook his head. "No, Avni. It's settled."
Veer slammed his mug down, fury flashing in his eyes. "Settled? How the hell can you just decide something like this? Without even asking her?"
Avni felt cold all over. "Papa, please tell me this is a misunderstanding."
Vikram's face was pale, guilt flickering in his eyes, but he didn't waver. "This is for the best, Avni."
"For whom?" she demanded, standing up abruptly. "Certainly not for me!"
She looked at Veer, who was already standing, his fists clenched. "You sold her off, didn't you?"
Vikram's lips parted, but no words came out. His silence was the confirmation they needed.
Avni stumbled back, shaking her head in disbelief. "You... you used me as a bargaining chip."
"It's not like that!" Vikram tried to reason. "Reyansh is a powerful man. You'll have everything—wealth, status—"
"I don't care about wealth and status, Papa!" Avni snapped, her voice cracking. "I wanted a choice!"
Vikram lowered his gaze. "I had no choice."
Veer grabbed Avni's hand. "Come on, Avni. We're leaving."
But before they could move, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the hallway.
Then, a deep, commanding voice cut through the chaos. "No, you're not."
Reyansh Rajvansh stood in the doorway like a shadow of doom. Tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in an all-black suit, he exuded power, danger, and absolute authority. His dark eyes held no emotion, but the room seemed to freeze under his gaze.
Avni had seen pictures of him before. The King of Udaipur. The ruthless businessman. The underworld ruler. But no image had prepared her for his overwhelming presence.
"Reyansh..." Vikram exhaled in relief, as if the devil himself had come to rescue him.
Reyansh's sharp gaze flickered to Veer's hand wrapped protectively around Avni's wrist. He raised an eyebrow. "Going somewhere?"
Veer squared his shoulders. "You can't force her into this."
Reyansh smirked. "I think you'll find that I can."
Avni clenched her fists, stepping forward. "You think you can buy me, Mr. Rajvansh?" she hissed.
His gaze snapped to hers, something dark and unreadable in his expression. "No, Miss Rajput. I think I already have."
Avni's breath hitched. The arrogance. The cruelty in his words. He spoke as if she were an object he had acquired in a business deal.
She swallowed the lump in her throat, forcing herself to meet his gaze. "You can make my father sign a contract, but you can't make me say 'I do.'"
Reyansh tilted his head slightly, amusement flickering in his dark eyes. "You assume I need your consent."
A chill ran down her spine.
Veer stepped in front of Avni, his voice low and dangerous. "This isn't happening. I won't let you ruin her life."
Reyansh's smirk vanished. "You overestimate your power, Rajput. The deal is done. The wedding will happen. Whether she likes it or not."
Tears burned in Avni's eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She refused to break in front of him.
Reyansh turned to leave but paused at the door. His voice was quiet, but the authority in it was unshakable. "Seven days. Be ready."
And with that, he was gone, leaving behind shattered hearts and a fate Avni could no longer escape.
The next few days were a blur. Veer fought tooth and nail, but Reyansh was untouchable. Vikram begged Avni to accept her fate, claiming it was for her own good. But Avni knew the truth—she was nothing but a pawn in a game played by powerful men.
Every night, she lay awake, staring at the ceiling, wondering if there was any way out. But deep down, she knew the truth.
Reyansh Rajvansh had already decided.
And no one, not even she herself, could change that.
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