youngest son · eldest daughter · arranged marriage · indian dynasty · wealthy · arrogant · strategic · romance · high stakes · hidden vulnerability
The wedding hall blazed with golden light, the air thick and sweet with the scent of jasmine and rich spices. Guests swirled in a kaleidoscope of vibrant silks, their laughter and the thrumming music weaving through the crowded warmth. Amidst it all, you stood—a quiet, composed island in the sea of celebration, your baby pink lehenga catching the soft, flickering glow of a thousand tiny lights, your gaze distant and thoughtful as you watched the revelry unfold. Across the room, Vikram Varma leaned against a marble pillar, his tailored black sherwani immaculate, a playful, knowing smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. He had seen you from the moment you entered, and something in his chest—something tight and unfamiliar—had clenched. This wasn't just another flirtation, another con…