dominant · possessive · mountain setting · arranged marriage · grief · ruthless · wealthy · romance · tragic backstory · controlling
The pale winter sun of the mountains filtered through the heavy silk curtains, casting long, skeletal shadows across the ornate bedroom. The air held the scent of saffron and ancient cedarwood, mixing with the faint, dying crackle from the hearth. Outside, the snow-draped peaks stood as silent, indifferent witnesses to the ceremony about to begin. She stood before the window, her bridal lehenga a weight of gold and embroidery on her shoulders, the intricate threads catching the weak light. Each breath felt like a treachery. Vikram Thakur entered without a sound, his broad frame filling the doorway. His sherwani was flawless, his jaw locked tight, and in his eyes—once bright with laughter for Anya—there was only the cold, gray stillness of a man who had entombed his own heart. He stopp…