Maya(mrs. Independent)

Abhiraj Wolfe stood on the stage like a ghost of my worst nightmares. Unbothered, untouchable, and cold as death itself. His sharp jaw clenched once, the only sign of life on a face otherwise carved from stone,his lips a thin line, and I hated every second of it. This wasn't a celebration. It was a transaction. A merger of power and money, signed in blood-ours.

I stood opposite him, wearing the wedding dress my mother chose, the smile I didn't feel, and the weight of expectations that could drown me. Saving my company had come at the ultimate cost: my freedom. I'd worked too hard, climbed too high to watch everything crumble over a bad financial quarter. Merging with Wolfe Enterprises wasn't just the shortest way-it was the only way.

And abhiraj? He didn't even want this.

He stood there, his steel-grey eyes fixed somewhere over my shoulder, as though I didn't exist. He wasn't just cold; he was detached, resigned, the unwilling groom forced into this circus by his grandfather's demands. For all his power, even he couldn't say no to the almighty winget dynasty.

his grandfather, the legendary founder of Wolfe Enterprises. It was his grandfather's word that bound us together in this farce of a marriage. The elder Wolfe had admired me the moment we met during a business meeting, charmed by my independence, intelligence, and boldness. But Abhiraj's father despised me for the very same reasons.

I could feel Abhiraj's irritation emanating off him in waves, as though being here, standing beside me, was some great injustice.

the weight of expectations that could drown me. Abhiraj voice, quiet and detached, cut through the stifling air.
"You look... adequate. Let's get this over with."

He wasn't even looking at me. His steel-grey eyes were fixed somewhere over my shoulder, as though I didn't exist.I forced myself not to react to his cold indifference,his gaze somewhere far off, as if this whole arrangement wasn't a bloody business deal for power. But I wasn't going to let him have the last word.

A dry laugh almost escaped my lips, but instead, I leaned forward just enough for my words to reach him.
"You look not even adequate," I whispered, my tone sweet but laced with venom.

That got his attention. Abhiraj head snapped toward me, his eyes narrowing with a dangerous glint. He leaned in, close enough that his scent-a mix of suit and cedar-brushed against me like an unwelcome touch.
"Watch your tongue, wife," he hissed, voice low enough that no one else could hear. "You may not like what happens if you keep up that attitude.."

I tilted my head, meeting his glare with one of my own. "What will happen... husband?" I spat husband word like it was poison.

His lips twitched, just barely, as if he were amused. That made it worse.
"Oh, darling," he murmured, his voice dropping to something that sent a chill down my spine. "Is that any way to talk to the man who's about to own every inch of you and your company?"

My breath hitched, but I forced myself to keep my face blank. "It's just business," I whispered, my voice sharp enough to cut. "You don't own me."

Abhiraj pulled back, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. It wasn't kind. It wasn't playful. It was the kind of smile a wolf gives right before it tears out your throat.
"Oh, but I do," he said, straightening his jacket. "And let me tell you something, maya. I'm a very...possessive owner. Now smile for the cameras. We wouldn't want your little rebellion to make the front page, would we?"

The priest's voice droned on in the background, but all I could hear was the blood rushing in my ears. The walls of the grand ballroom felt like they were closing in, and every eye in the room was fixed on us. On this deal being sealed.

When the priest finally said, "You may kiss the bride," my heart dropped.

Abhiraj turned to me, his cold gaze locking onto mine like a predator who knew its prey had nowhere to run. I started to turn my face away, my fingers curling into fists at my sides, but his hand shot out, gripping my chin and forcing me to face him.

"Don't make a scene, sweetheart," he whispered, his voice low and sharp. "Kiss me like you mean it, or I'll make sure everyone here knows just how much you hate me. And trust me, you don't want that."

His grip wasn't painful, but it wasn't gentle either. My skin burned under his touch-not from heat, but from anger, Fury swelled in my chest, hot and unrelenting.

I wanted to slap him. I wanted to scream in his face. But I had no choice. Not here. Not now. His fingers were digging into my skin, and I had nothing left to do but lean in and pressed my lips to his.

My teeth caught his bottom lip, biting hard enough to draw blood. A small, satisfied part of me felt triumphant as the metallic taste hit my tongue.

Abhiraj didn't pull away, instead. His hand tightened on my waist, pulling me flush against him. His lips moved against mine, stealing control of the kiss as he deepened it with a force that left no room for resistance. By the time he pulled back, his lip was swollen, and a smear of crimson painted the corner of his mouth.

It wasn't a kiss. It was a war.

He licked it away, his eyes dark and unreadable as they roamed my face.
"That little bite of yours," he said, his voice a low murmur."You really think you can get away with playing this game, don't you?"

I didn't respond. My glare was answer enough.

Abhiraj leaned in one last time, his lips brushing against my ear as he whispered, "This marriage may be a business deal, but by the time I'm done with you, you'll learn one thing: I don't lose."

The cameras flashed. The deal was sealed.

And we were trapped.

This marriage wasn't union..it's was battlefield.