Chapter 1: The Deal
Bound by Fate: A Marriage of Convenience
The grand ballroom of the Rajan Mansion was ablaze with light, its crystal chandeliers casting a golden glow over the polished marble floors. The air was heavy with the scent of roses and expensive cologne, mingling with the tension that lingered between the two families seated at opposite ends of the long oak table. This was no ordinary gathering; this was a negotiation.
Aaditya Rajan, the heir to the Rajan empire, sat with a stoic expression, his sharp jawline and piercing eyes betraying none of the turmoil within. Across from him sat his father, Vikram Rajan, a man whose mere presence commanded respect. Beside Vikram, the Mishra family held their groundâa stark contrast of warmth and fragility. Priya Mishra, the eldest daughter, sat silently, her hands clenched in her lap, her gaze fixed on the ornate carpet beneath her feet.
"It's settled then," Vikram's voice cut through the room like a blade. "Aaditya and Priya will marry within the month."
Priya's head shot up, her wide brown eyes locking onto Aaditya's. Her heart raced, a mixture of disbelief and anger bubbling beneath her calm exterior. She had always known her family's financial struggles were dire, but to be sold off like this? It felt like betrayal.
Aaditya, on the other hand, remained impassive. He had expected this; his father had always treated him as a pawn in their business empire. But that didn't mean he had to like it.
"Father," Aaditya's voice was measured, yet firm. "Have you considered what Priya or I might want?"
Vikram's eyes narrowed. "What you want is irrelevant. This marriage will secure the Mishra family's loyalty and prevent their company from collapsing. It's a mutually beneficial arrangement."
"Beneficial for whom?" Priya's voice was soft but steady, cutting through the tension. All eyes turned to her. She rose from her seat, her slender frame radiating quiet defiance. "I am not a commodity to be traded."
Her father, Rajesh Mishra, placed a trembling hand on her arm. "Priya, please. This is for the family. We'll lose everything without their help."
Tears pricked her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She glanced at Aaditya, searching for any sign of rebellion, any shared resentment. But his face was unreadable, a mask of indifference.
"Fine," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "If this is what it takes to save my family, I'll do it."
Aaditya's jaw tightened, a flicker of somethingâguilt? Sympathy?âcrossing his face. He rose to his feet, towering over everyone in the room. "If Priya is willing, then so am I."
The room fell silent, the weight of their words settling over everyone present. Vikram's lips curled into a satisfied smile, while Rajesh Mishra looked visibly relieved. But Priya and Aaditya both knew the truth: this was no fairytale beginning. This was a transaction, a deal struck in the name of survival.
As the meeting concluded and the families began to disperse, Aaditya approached Priya. "This isn't how I wanted to meet my future wife," he said, his voice low and laced with irony.
She met his gaze, her chin held high. "And this isn't how I imagined my life would turn out. But here we are."
Aaditya couldn't help but admire her strength. He extended a hand. "Shall we at least try to make this bearable?"
Priya hesitated before taking his hand. "We'll see."
In that moment, an unspoken understanding passed between them. This was the beginning of a reluctant partnership, one born out of necessity but destined to uncover unexpected growth and uncharted depths of connection.