Isha stood in the balcony of Vikram's mansion, her eyes fixed on the garden below where preparations for the engagement were in full swing. Decorators bustled around, music played faintly in the background, and the atmosphere was festive—but inside her, everything was crumbling.
She felt sick. Hurt. Terrified.
Her eyes welled up, threatening to spill over.
It had been two weeks since the incident at the party. And now, she was here—like a prisoner dressed up for her own execution.
As she stood silently, the door to her room opened. It was Riya—her younger sister, not by blood but by bond. They had grown up together in an orphanage. Riya was just two or three years younger, in college now, but to Isha, she was everything. Her strength. Her reason.
No one could tell they weren't real sisters.
That same love was now being used against her. Vikram had found a way to blackmail her, using Riya as the bait—and now he was forcing this marriage. Isha, once vibrant and full of life, now felt like a caged bird clipped at the wings.
Riya was stylish, witty, bold—a true firecracker. And once, Isha had been the same. But life had made her wear masks, layer after layer of maturity, control, silence. No one saw her soft, childlike side anymore.
Riya stepped into the room and said with forced cheer, "Di, everything's ready downstairs. Your engagement is tomorrow. Are you… ready?"
Isha didn't reply.
Riya came and sat beside her, holding her hand gently. "Why are you doing this, Di? I know you don't love him. Hell, you don't even like him. Then why?"
Isha avoided her gaze and whispered, "It's nothing. Just focus on your assignments. The engagement is tomorrow. You won't get free time then. Go complete your work."
Before Riya could say more, Isha stood up and practically pushed her out of the room.
Riya frowned, walking away slowly. But in her heart, she knew something was off. And she had already decided—if she couldn't stop the engagement, she'd make sure the wedding never happened. She had a full-proof plan in mind. A proper dhamaka.
Meanwhile, downstairs, a few staff members entered Isha's room, carrying the engagement dress. Without a word, Isha took it from them and changed into it. When she stepped out, everyone around froze.
She looked like an angel. Like a dream in silk.
She turned to the mirror and looked at herself, empty eyes staring at a beautiful stranger.
That's when Vikram entered.
She didn't even hear him come in.
He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. Isha flinched, terrified. She turned quickly and saw him smiling.
"Isha… you look stunning," he murmured, looking at her reflection in the mirror. Then, without warning, he leaned down and placed a kiss on her bare shoulder.
Disgust rose in her throat, but she swallowed it down.
"I… I should change. This dress might get ruined," she muttered, breaking free from his grip and hurrying to the bathroom.
Vikram watched her leave with a smirk playing on his lips.
"She's running now," he thought, "but after marriage, where will she go?"
---
The Next Day – Engagement Day
The mansion was glowing. The stage was decorated, guests had arrived—people with big names and even bigger egos. Everything was perfect.
Everything… except Isha.
She stood in front of the mirror again, fully dressed. She looked breathtaking—more beautiful than any bride-to-be had a right to be. But this time, there was no joy on her face. She looked like a statue—beautiful, but lifeless.
Riya stood behind her, stunned by her sister's beauty, but worried. "Di… are you sure about this?" she whispered.
Isha nodded once, her face unreadable.
They both went downstairs.
The moment Isha stepped into the hall, all heads turned. People gasped softly, eyes wide. Now they understood. Now they knew why Vikram, the billionaire, was marrying an orphan.
She was ethereal.
Isha joined Vikram on stage. Her eyes never once met his. She kept her gaze lowered, frozen.
The ring exchange began. Isha placed the ring on Vikram's finger, and applause erupted around them.
Now it was Vikram's turn.
He took the ring.
A woman nearby took Isha's hand and gently pushed it forward. Tears filled her eyes.
Just as Vikram was about to slide the ring on her finger—
BANG!
A gunshot shattered the moment.
Everyone froze.
Seconds later, bullets started flying—toward chairs, bottles, decorations—but not at people. Screams filled the hall. Panic broke loose. Guests ran in every direction. The guards tried to control the chaos, but they were outnumbered.
A group of men dressed in black stormed in with rifles, blocking all exits.
Riya immediately rushed to Isha and hugged her tight, shielding her.
Then… the main door opened again.
Several suited bodyguards entered. And between them walked a man.
When Isha saw him, she forgot to breathe.
Her lips parted. Her voice cracked out a name.
"Harsh…"
Riya looked at her. "You know him?"
But Isha couldn't speak. Her whole world narrowed to that one man.
One of the senior guests, an old business tycoon, stood up in shock. "Alex Shekhawat!"
Everyone turned to look.
The air in the room changed.
Vikram's face went pale. He was sweating.
Alex—aka, Harsh—walked onto the stage. Straight to Isha.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice low, rough, but filled with concern.
Isha… nodded.
Harsh turned, pulled out his gun, and pointed it at Vikram.
Vikram trembled. "M-Mr. Shekhawat! What have I done? Why do you want to kill me? I've never even met you before!"
Harsh's eyes burned. "What have you done?"
He turned to Isha and said calmly, "She's mine."
Then looked back at Vikram and hissed, "And you were trying to marry her?"
Everyone was silent. Mouths open. Eyes wide.
Vikram stuttered, "W-What?"
Harsh grabbed him by the collar and leaned in close. "How dare you try to force a wedding with my woman?"
Then he shoved him. Vikram stumbled and fell.
Harsh turned to Isha. She looked at him for a moment…
…and fainted.
He rushed forward and caught her in his arms.
Everyone watched in stunned silence as he picked her up, holding her close.
As if she was the only thing in the world that mattered.
From the balcony of a mansion that wasn't hers, Isha watched her own engagement being prepared—an engagement she never wanted, to a man she couldn't stand. Two weeks ago, one night changed everything. Now, she was standing on the edge of a fate she didn't choose… until chaos barged in with bullets and a name she hadn't heard in years: Harsh. The man she thought she'd lost forever. And tonight, he came back not just to claim her—but to wage war.