VANYA'S POV

I stared at the papers in shock, each line weighing on my heart. I’d already accepted this marriage would lack love, and I’d made peace with staying silent for the sake of our families.

My plan was to go along for a year, let Rudransh secure his inheritance, and then slip out of his life. But seeing it all written down, reduced to cold terms and conditions, made me feel like nothing more than a pawn.

The first clause was clear:

1. I would have no rights as his wife.
Rudransh wanted me to stay completely out of his affairs, to act as though I didn’t even exist in his life.  To him, I wasn’t a partner or a person—I was just a necessary means to an end.

2. I would leave once he received his inheritance.
In a way, this didn’t hurt as much; after all, I had planned to leave anyway. But the way he’d written it, was like he was making sure I understood that my presence was purely transactional—something to be discarded as soon as I’d served my purpose.

But it was the final clause that broke me:

3. I would receive only 10% of his wealth as settlement and be cut off from his family forever.
It wasn’t even the money itself that hurt; it was the implication. Rudransh clearly saw me as nothing more than a gold-digger, someone who’d marry him for his money.

And beyond that, he was saying I’d never see his family—Twisha, Maa Sa, Dadi Sa—again. People I’d come to care for, people who’d shown me warmth and kindness despite the circumstances.

The next morning, we were supposed to travel to Jaisalmer for our reception. I tried to gather my thoughts, wondering how I’d face Rudransh after this.

Tara burst into the room, her playful smirk giving away that she was up to something.

“Now what are you up to, Tara?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Nothing, baisa,” she replied with a mischievous grin. “I’m just here to take you to the snangriha for your bath.”

She practically skipped along, leading me there. Although I had a nagging feeling that something was odd, I brushed it aside, thinking I was overthinking.

I let myself relax in the cool water, washing away the tension that had built up.

After bathing, I was preparing a small pot of smoke for my hair, letting the herbal scent fill the room.

Just then, I heard a sound behind me. Turning, I thought it might be Tara pulling a prank. But the person standing there left me speechless.

Rudransh was there, half-naked, only in white clothes wrapped around his lower region . In the soft light, I could see every line of his strong, muscular frame, and for a moment, I forgot to breathe.

Our eyes met, and in that instant, something shifted. Gone was the man who left me with those harsh terms.

For a brief moment, he was just a person, someone who seemed as caught off guard as I was. There was a strange intensity, a silent understanding in his eyes that neither of us could ignore.

But reality quickly came rushing back, and I pulled my gaze away. The anger and hurt surged up again.

I wrapped my saree tightly around me, lifted my chin, and walked past him, unwilling to let him see how much he affected me.

I went to my room, quickly getting ready to leave. By mistake, he had caught a glimpse of my face earlier, but I made sure it was the last time by covering myself with my veil.

I quietly sat in the car beside Dadi sa, avoiding any conversation with him.

After a few hours, we arrived in Jaisalmer, where Maa sa welcomed me with such warmth that it brought tears to my eyes.

Twisha and Tejveer, my two favorites, greeted me eagerly, and I felt a sense of comfort spending time with them.

I prepared dinner for everyone, then retreated to our room, hoping to avoid any unnecessary questions about our marriage.

In our room, I changed into a light saree in the bathroom. When I stepped out, I saw Rudransh standing in the balcony, probably surprised to see me here. Ignoring him, I went to the couch and settled in for the night, wrapping myself tightly.

But he wasn’t going to let it go. He started asking about my signature on the papers.

I immediately refused, but his reaction was exactly what I’d feared. He started accusing me of being a gold digger, which was the last straw for me.

Without another word, I walked over to my suitcase, took out those cursed papers, and returned to him. I paused, searching his eyes for even the slightest hint of regret, but found none.

I signed the papers, then threw them in his face. Without waiting for a response, I turned and walked out, feeling both broken and strangely free.

It was 1 a.m., and the house was silent, everyone likely asleep. I tiptoed through the corridors and made my way to the main door. But just as I reached it, I noticed the guards stationed outside. My mind raced. What would I say?

I approached them, trying to look calm. “I’m going out. Please open the doors.”

One guard gave a polite nod. “Of course, ma’am. Let me just inform sir.”

I panicked, speaking quickly. “No, no. It’s a surprise…for everyone. I don’t want to wake him up. Just open the door quietly.”

After a moment’s hesitation, he agreed but insisted that I take the car with the driver. With no other option, I got into the car and told the driver to take me to the nearest hotel.

When we arrived, I turned to him with a practiced smile. “I’m just meeting someone here, and then we’ll head home. I will be back in an hr.”

He nodded, and as soon as he drove away, I booked another cab and left for my best friend’s hotel, finally feeling a sense of freedom.

After checking in, I booked the hotel’s best room. I wanted this time to be my escape, a chance to heal.

Once I entered my room, I slipped into a long, relaxing jacuzzi bath, letting the warm water ease my worries away.

Afterward, I changed into a cozy bathrobe, feeling more at peace than I had in days.

My stomach rumbled, so I called the reception. "Room 809 here. Could I please order a cheeseburger, veg momos, chow mein, a veggie burrito, and a chocolate milkshake? As soon as possible."

In less than half an hour, the food arrived, and I felt a rush of excitement.

After so many days, I could finally indulge in my favorite treats. Each bite felt like a little slice of happiness, something I’d been missing for too long.

But as I lay back on the bed, a pang of guilt hit me. I couldn’t help but think about Maa sa, Dadi sa, Twisha, and Tejveer.

They loved me so genuinely, and I knew this would hurt them. Still, I reminded myself that Rudransh was the one who’d pushed me to this point.

With that thought, I eventually drifted off to sleep.

I woke up early, a habit I’d picked up from Dadi sa. Sitting up in bed, I found myself wondering what my morning would look like back at home with all the usual tasks.

Pushing those thoughts aside, I got up and headed to the shower.

After drying off, I realized I didn’t have much to wear—just the saree from yesterday. With a sigh, I put it back on and decided to go shopping.

Downstairs, there was a lovely boutique in the hotel. I browsed through racks of clothes and filled my arms with a variety of tops, hot pants, skirts, and jeans.

My eyes sparkled when I saw a sleek black bodycon dress displayed in a glass case—I had to have it.

I treated myself to makeup, skincare essentials, and a collection of shoes and heels. After paying, I felt an unexpected thrill.

Next, I headed to the breakfast buffet. Keeping it light, I ordered a sandwich and coffee.

I’d planned a special day for myself and couldn’t wait to meet my best friend after months.

Back in my room, I changed into a white tank top, a skirt, and some stockings, finishing the look with a pair of comfy sandals and a hint of makeup.

I checked my reflection in the mirror—HOT.
I looked different, a lot freer than the woman who wore sarees and veils.

For the first time in a long time, I felt like me.

With a smile, I headed out of the hotel gracefully and slid into the car, excited to meet my friend at the cafe.

I stood in front of The Traveller's Cup, one of the best cafes in Jaisalmer, buzzing with excitement.

Inside, in the VIP section, sat Aaravi—my best friend since school, the one who had seen me through every high and low.

She was married to one of India’s top hotel architects, and while her story is whole different , her husband was totally obsessed with her. I was genuinely happy she’d found that kind of love.

I spotted her in a casual white bodycon dress, sipping her coffee. Without thinking, I ran up behind her and hugged her tightly, and we practically squealed, jumping up and down like two little kids.

Her laughter was infectious, and I could see her bodyguards standing nearby, politely averting their gazes just as her overprotective husband had instructed.

Pulling back, I crossed my arms, giving her my best mock-angry glare.

"Why the hell weren't you at my wedding, you bitch?" I demanded, feigning hurt. "Do you even have the slightest idea how alone I felt... traitor?"

She immediately signaled her bodyguards to wait outside.

Then, with a playful pout, she grabbed her ears in mock apology. “I’m so sorry, my love. Something really important came up, I swear! Sit down, and I’ll explain.”

We settled into our seats as she ordered pasta and garlic bread, our ultimate comfort foods.

Over bites and laughter, I listened, and eventually, I knew I couldn’t stay mad at her. After all, she’d come as soon as she could.

“I just got back to Jaisalmer yesterday and called you the moment I could,” she said with a small smile.

"Fine," I sighed, smiling back. Then I shared everything that had been weighing on me—the contract, Rudransh’s accusations, the cold way he’d treated me.

By the time I finished, her face was full of anger and protectiveness. She slammed her fork down and said,

Aaravi’s face was a mix of anger and determination as she practically fumed. "How dare he! Who does he think he is, treating you like that? You don’t need to go back to him, not after the way he’s behaved. You did the right thing by walking away. Come stay with me for now, and I’ll handle every part of the divorce process. Don’t worry, babe—I’ve got your back."

Her fierce protectiveness made my heart swell. I couldn't help but laugh a little, her loyalty lifting my spirits.

"Calm down, daughter of Hulk," I teased, patting her shoulder. "Let’s think about all that later. Today, let’s just enjoy ourselves and forget about the drama."

She grinned, her anger melting away as she held up her phone. "Fine! But look at this—I think we need a little adventure. What do you say?"

I glanced at her screen, and before I knew it, I was nodding enthusiastically. Whatever she had in mind, I was in.

He doves 🤍
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