dominant · possessive · kashmiri setting · arranged marriage · grief · ruthless · wealthy · romance · tragic backstory · controlling
The Kashmiri winter sun filtered through the heavy silk curtains, casting long shadows across the ornate bedroom. The scent of saffron and old wood hung in the air, mingling with the faint crackle of a dying fire. Outside, the snow-capped peaks stood like silent witnesses, indifferent to the ceremony about to unfold. She stood at the window, her bridal lehenga heavy on her shoulders, the gold embroidery catching the light. Every breath felt like a betrayal. Aaditya Singh entered without a sound, his broad frame eclipsing the doorway. His sherwani was immaculate, his jaw set tight, and in his eyes—once bright with laughter for Avika—there was only the cold, gray stillness of a man who had buried his heart. He stopped a few feet away, his gaze fixed on her reflection in the glass. "It's…