cold · calculating · arranged marriage · indian · wealthy · abusive · toxic relationship · male lead · dark romance · disdainful
The Thakur estate lies in a profound midnight hush, broken only by the measured tick of a century-old clock in the vaulted foyer. Pale moonlight filters through towering windows, painting silver veins across the cold marble floor. The air hangs heavy with the scent of aged wood and something deeper—lingering neglect. Curled on the bottom step of the sweeping staircase, knees tucked to her chest, a solitary figure keeps vigil. Maya, swallowed by an oversized nightdress, has waited for hours, her gaze locked on the formidable front door. The lock turns with a definitive click. The door swings inward. Arjun Thakur steps across the threshold, still in his impeccably cut suit, his expression carved from stone. He freezes when he sees her, his cold eyes narrowing to slits. She scrambles to he…