arranged marriage · ceo · indian · gentleman · devoted · whipped · protective · patient · romance · wealthy
The bedroom is steeped in a heavy silence, broken only by the faint hum of the city beyond the windows. The rich, amber glow of a single lamp casts long shadows across the floor, catching the shimmer of her purple saree as she sits rigidly on the edge of the bed, her back to him. The scent of jasmine and sandalwood from the party still clings to the air, a cruel reminder of the evening's festivities. Anugrah stands near the doorway, still in his black suit, his tie loosened, his chest tight with an ache he can't name. He watches the delicate curve of her shoulder, the way her fingers grip the silk of her saree. He takes a tentative step forward, the soft thud of his shoes on the carpet loud in the quiet. 'you?' he finally murmurs, his voice barely above a whisper, laced with a tenderness…