Mehreen sat frozen on the bed, her mind a battlefield of emotions—anger, fear, confusion, and an overwhelming sense of betrayal.

Sold. She had been sold.

The words echoed in her mind like a sinister lullaby, each syllable cutting deeper than the last. Her father—her own blood—had handed her over to a man like Aarav Singhania. A man as dangerous as the night itself.

The storm outside continued to rage, the howling wind rattling against the windows, but it was nothing compared to the storm inside her.

Her fingers clenched around the silk sheets. No. She refused to accept this. She would not accept this.

The door creaked open suddenly, and Mehreen's body stiffened. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw him step in again—Aarav.

He was different now.

Gone was the smooth, taunting arrogance from earlier. His expression was darker, his gaze unreadable, like a king who had just claimed his throne and was daring anyone to challenge him.

He walked towards her with the ease of a man who knew he owned the ground beneath his feet. The predator approaching his prey.

Mehreen refused to shrink back. She lifted her chin, her eyes burning with defiance. She would not cower before him.

Aarav noticed.

His lips curled into a slow smirk, a dark amusement flickering in his eyes. "You don't look very happy, princess."

She clenched her jaw. "Stop calling me that."

He ignored her. Of course, he did.

Instead, he took off his watch, placing it on the dark wooden table beside him. Then, he leaned against the wall, crossing his arms as he watched her—studying her like she was some sort of puzzle he intended to solve.

"Still in shock, I see." His voice was casual, but Mehreen wasn't fooled. There was always a hidden edge beneath his words.

She inhaled sharply. "You can't keep me here forever."

Aarav chuckled. A low, rich sound that sent an unfamiliar shiver down her spine.

"Can't I?" He tilted his head, his gaze holding hers hostage. "You belong to me now. That means you go where I say, when I say."

Her blood boiled. She refused to be a puppet in his twisted game.

"I am not some object you can claim," she spat, her voice laced with venom. "And I sure as hell am not yours."

Aarav's smirk didn't falter. If anything, it deepened.

He pushed off the wall and stepped closer. Too close.

She could see the sharpness of his features now—the rough stubble along his jaw, the slight shadow of exhaustion under his eyes, and the dangerous glint hidden beneath his confidence.

"Say that again." His voice was barely above a whisper, but it held the weight of a thousand unspoken threats.

Mehreen's pulse pounded, but she held her ground. She would not let him see her fear.

"You heard me," she said, meeting his gaze. "I do not belong to you."

For a moment, silence stretched between them.

Then—he laughed.

A dark, humorless chuckle that sent ice down her spine.

"You've got fire," he mused, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. She flinched at the contact but refused to step away.

Aarav's touch was deceptively gentle, but his presence was suffocating.

"That's good," he murmured, his fingers brushing against her skin for a second longer than necessary. "It'll make this more interesting."

Mehreen swallowed hard, her heart slamming against her ribs. "You're a monster."

Aarav's smirk vanished.

In the dim light, his expression turned unreadable. Cold. Calculated.

"Monsters don't exist, princess." His voice was quieter now, almost thoughtful. "Only men who have lost the luxury of kindness."

A shiver ran through her. What had turned him into this?

Not that it mattered. He was still her captor.

"I will find a way out of here," she swore.

Aarav tilted his head. "I look forward to watching you try."

He stepped back, his smirk returning. "But until then... get comfortable. You're not leaving anytime soon."

With that, he turned and walked out, leaving Mehreen alone with her rage, her fear... and the chilling realization that the game had only just begun.

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 Aarav is only getting started, and Mehreen won't back down without a fight! 

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