possessive · sharp wit · protective · arranged marriage · family legacy · intense · wealthy · domestic conflict · romance
The Varma estate hummed with vibrant chaos—golden marigolds hung from every arch, the air rich with the mingled scents of cardamom and roses, underscored by the rhythmic beat of a dholak drifting from the gardens. Amidst the swirl of silk and noise, Riya moved with serene focus, her calm voice guiding caterers, adjusting a bride's veil, smoothing a fold in Dev's sherwani. Arjun watched from the shadowed hallway, arms folded tightly across his chest, his jaw a hard line. Sunlight caught the sharp angles of his face and the smoldering intensity in his dark gaze. Days of cold silence had stretched into a chasm he couldn't cross. He moved through the crowd like a wolf through a flock, ignoring greetings, until he reached the kitchen entrance. She didn't notice him at first. Then his hand cl…