She didn't believe what she is looking at. Why is his family here? Why are they looking at her like that? Why is the older woman she had helped said that she was his mother?

Why are they here with a proposal?

It can't be a coincident that two days after her parents said no, Shayaan was here with her proposal. She narrow her eyes at Shayaan who was looking back at her with narrow eyes. There was anger and she felt it in her soul. She didn't let it show on her face how much it affects her.

Even if she is now compared to ice - there were some fear that lives and breathe with her. She cannot escape them even after therapy.

"Can I speak to Shayaan alone?" She asked shocking everyone

She knows her parents were melting away when they heard about the proposal. She is angry with her parents for putting her back on the pedestrian. She heard his mother confirming that they should talk and she took a few steps towards the garden. Garden of her home was something she cherish since she made it from scratch.

As she stops and he stops beside her she spoke, "Why?"

"For my sister".

She nodded, "Ok. I will do this for my brother too. What are you expectation of me?"

"I don't care about much. I just want you to be good in front of my family and the world, like a real wife".

"Good. I don't expect anything from you beside that you respect me. My choices and my comfort". He nodded and she hesitated, "Do you expect intimacy?"

He turns his head, looking at her for a long minute then shakes his head that made her breathe a little.

"Its a deal".

She didn't realize just how much her parents wants her to get married until she told them that she was ready for this one. They jumped right into the preparations. She demanded just one thing that they will take her brother proposal and will respect his wife like they want their daughter to be respected as. After a very long argument and reasoning, she managed to convince them.

That was the first day she entered her forever home.

She wore a very simple dress because she didn't want to draw attention to herself. She asked her people to pack big gifts bag with flowers to take to their Haveli. She was going to make sure she did her best when she brings her brother proposal.

Even his family brought so many gifts even sweets and other items that were still in their fridge even after 5 days. Her brother was happy and she was happy for him. She didn't try speaking to her brother again. It was clear the first time he let his emotions out that he takes her as a person who ruined his life. There was no way she will ever have a brotherly love. Not in this life. None of the male figure she had in her life were ever good to her.

He felt it.

Her presence once she put her feet on the door of his Haveli. It was like he just know she is here even when he specifically told everyone to not disturb him since morning for this sole reason. To not be aware of her presence. How is that he was still so consious about it? How is that he had locked himself in sound proof office and he still knows she was here?

This cannot be right.

So was his dreams. His dreams had turned violent for the first time. Every night he hears her scream and beg. She begs him to save someone and no matter what he does, he always wakes up before he can do anything and he knows that he was shaken badly because the afteraffect stays with him for hours.

For hours, he thinks about what she needs his help with. He had appointed body guards when he first saw that dream. They were the most expensive and highly trained people. She doesn't know it yet but he monitor her everyday. He knows where she is and exactly what she is doing. He needs to know. He doesn't know why but after that dream he can't shake of the feeling of wanting to protect her. The urge was so strong that he barely stays in his seat. He wants to be by her side as much as possible in case of any threats.

He didn't even sit for 1 more minute before he was out of his office walking downstairs. It didn't take long to come to the living area and it even took shorter time to find her in all the people gathered in the place. All of his extended family was also invited since it was going to be two announcements.

His gaze zero on her because she commands attention. She was wearing a very simple dress which looks like she doesn't want attention on her but it does the opposite. The simplicity of hers draws everyone in. She wasn't even looking at him and he desperately wants her eyes on him. Her eyes were the first thing he had seen and fallen for.

She was frowning at something she was looking at on her phone and then someone snatched the phone out of her hand. She made a small sound that no one could have heard but he did and he hated it. Because she looks upset even more. She glare at the man who he knows is her cousin - Ibrahim. Ibrahim went out of the Haveli towards a quieter place with her phone and she continues to look his way.

It took a moment before she realize he was here. It was like her skin was on fire and she now realized it was all because of him. She raises her eyes to find that he was looking at her already. Her heart kick start as she forget what upset her because now she was in a completely different world.

She heard everyone congratulating and her eyes turns to her brother who has a big grin on his face as he looks at his future bride. It makes her happy. A small smile starts to appear on her face when her brother looks back at her and his smile vanished. It cracks her heart a little and she turns her face away from her brother with no smile on her face anymore.

The rest of the day went by with her first dinner in the Haveli and some of her future husband cousin showing her around the place. She stayed close to Ibrahim as she doesn't want to be left alone.

"I will come in a minute". She said to Ibrahim as everyone was busy planning the venue of wedding

Mostly all plans were made by her brother and his bride and she just nods along with them. She doesn't care much about weddings or looks. She just wants to get it over with.

She sits on the bench in the garden closing her eyes as she breathe a sigh. She was tired. So tired. Her heart was recently hurt again and she hates herself for doing that. She always hurt herself.

She sighs.

"What's wrong?"

She yelp as she heard the sound of his voice. She open her eyes to find him standing right in front of her with his arms crossed over his chest. She goes to gym regularly but she was no where as beautiful as him. His body was well built and taken care of. She likes that. Someone who is serious about his health. He was also very beautiful. She had rarely found a man who looks as beautiful as him with plain black eyes. This man doesn't just holds commands, he holds her attention which was very rare.

She frowns, "Something is wrong?"

"You tell me. You don't look happy".

She shrugged, "I can't fake happiness".

"That's not what I am saying. I am asking you what is causing you to sigh and frown so I can fix it".

"There is nothing to fix".

"It's your brother". It was a statement, "I saw how you lost your smile. It's not right".

Why was he paying such close attention to her?

"Of course he is. We haven't seen each other in decades".

"No. He doesn't like you". Another statement, "And I don't like that".

"Why do you care? You are marrying me so your sister can marry my brother. It doesn't matter what my family dynamic are".

God, he told himself that. He told himself the exact same thing when he saw the scene. He said that it doesn't matter what their (brother and sister) relationship is. He doesn't care that when a small smile appear on her lips she looks so fascinating. He was just about to memorize that smile when she lost it. He hated that. The way her eyes turned sad.

"You are right".

She didn't see much of her husband in upcoming days. Apparently, he was as busy with work as she was. She had told her parents to let her brother and his wife decide everything beside her clothes. She will just buy her dresses. She had stayed away from the planning and her home as much as possible. She doesn't want to be the center of attention. That was until his mother requested her presence in his Haveli. His mother specifically said that she only wants to meet her, so, here she was sitting in front of his mother.

"I didn't get a chance to speak to you properly". His mother said as she picks her cup of tea

She was sure she knows what this was about. A power play. His mother will straight out demands things of her and exactly what she expects from her. Things she should do and shouldn't. She knows now that she will draw a line at most points and not just sit back and take it all.

"I just have a few things I want to hand them to you". His mother added and she frowns

His mother gestures the house helper as they brought few trays filled with things. Jewellery, not just any jewellery, these were the most expensive and ancient sets of it. They must cost a millions if they are ever sold.

"What is all this?" She asked shocked

"These are gifts from your future mother". His mother said grinning, "You have no idea how long I have wished for someone as amazing as you to be a part of our family. It was always scary how people changes colour after knowing who we are or they already know and hide their true self".

"B-But you don't know me". She argued, "This is too much".

"Nonsense. I know you went and bought so much more for my daughter. She was so happy when she saw all the things".

"I don't think I need them". She said hesitating as his mother passes a necklace to her and she didn't expect the weight because she almost dropped it causing his mother to laugh

"Of course you do". His mother said beaming, "You are going to be a Queen after a month of your marriage".

"Is it possible to keep these with you?" She asked because she is honestly so bad at keeping things safe, "Please".

"Look at your bride, beta". His mother said looking over her shoulder and she didn't even turn when she heard his steps coming closer until he was standing right by her side

"She is being humble. We have a safe in our room where you will keep all of these. I was supposed to ask you one of these days to come by so we can put your fingerprint in our system". He said as he sat on the sofa beside her and she kept quiet

She knows the security of this place is very high. She saw it the first day she came here. Only a selected people were allowed in and if there is someone coming randomly for any work, there will be guards around them. It makes sense. Each thing in this palace costs a fortune. As much as doesn't care about such materialistic things she knows most people do.

"I have time today". She said placing the heavy set back in the box

He nodded, looking at her for a moment longer before he turns to his mother, "We will take our leave now, Amma. Can you keep these with you until we are done".

"Sure".

Once he kissed his mother forehead, they move out of her room to the corridor with no words spoken between them. She didn't think her heart can melt but it does when he shows affection to his mother.

Her phone rings and she halts looking at her phone and a frown appear on her face again. She hates whenever he calls. He hates that he still holds a part of her. She hates that her heart still holds that fear. She clench her jaw when she felt the familiar prickling feeling overtaking her.

A hand appear in her sight before the phone was ripped from her hand. She raises her head looking at her future husband.

"What is it?"

"There is something you should know before the wedding tomorrow". She said as she enters his office and he shuts the door

"What?"

"I have been married before. When I was seventeen to be exact".