I was sitting in my room in this red bridal lehenga. The stylist had left after doing my make-up. And now I was sitting all alone, looking at my reflection in the mirror. Today I was looking completely different in this red bridal attire, with this heavy kundan jewellery. This heavy red lehenga, with golden zari embroidery, small beads, and mirror work on it, was giving me an utterly royal look.

Of course I was going to be a wife of a billionaire, the CEO of the Rajvansh Empire, Ekansh Rajvansh. He was the son of my father's boss. We hadn't  met much— only once or twice before marriage, but as far as I had seen and understood him, he seemed decent.

The memory of our engagement flashed in my mind.
On our engagement, when bua, her daughter, and Kriti, my sister, were taking me towards the stage, I was nervous, confused, and had many questions in my mind. My hands were trembling, eyes were lowered, I was taking slow, hesitant steps. And then someone forwarded his hand toward me. I lifted my eyes—and it was him, my to-be husband Ekansh.

He was standing with a small, assuring smile, as if he sensed my nervousness, my confusion, his hand extended toward me to help me. Our eyes met; a different feeling formed in my heart. I placed my cold and trembling hand in his warm one and ascended the stage. Standing beside him, my eyes remained lowered, still nervous—but a faint, shy smile was there on my lips.

When I thought about him, I felt butterflies in my stomach, a strange feeling and fear, too. Thousands of questions began flooding my mind. What will happen when he gets to know about my past? Will he also judge me like everyone? Will he ever be able to see me as I really am?

My eyes welled up with tears. Then my gaze fell up on the photo resting on the bedside table. I picked it up and gently caressed it. A small, painful smile came on my lips, and all the memories came back fresh, like it was yesterday.
This picture was from Ankit's birthday seven years ago. Me, mumma, papa, Ankit, and Kriti were very happy in it. There was cake smeared on Ankit's face, and he was making faces. Kriti and I were teasing him. Mom and Dad were laughing, too.
Tears streamed down on my cheeks.

This is my last day in this
house—

I knew I meant nothing to them, just a disgrace. They didn't even want to see my face after that incident, but they are my family. I couldn't hate them. I still love them, no matter what happened seven years ago.
Mumma had only come into my room just once, to check if I had packed all my stuff or not—to ensure nothing will be left behind, because after the wedding I would have no connection with this house, with them.

Today, every memory of my childhood, the crushed dreams, the pain, the mistake, the chance I was begging for, everything weighed heavily on my heart.
The thing that hurts the most: when you are a stranger in your own house. I'm just a taint to them—

The girl who forgot her dreams, forgot herself, too, to fulfill her parents' wish, for their happiness. Her one mistake and she became a Shame.
The raw, bitter truth of my life from the last seven years.
My heart clenched—this pain was deep and unbearable, slicing my heart. Fresh tears rolled down on my cheeks.

My trance broke when the door cracked open and there stood Kiara Sharma. She was a sweet person, but her mouth... It had no filters. But it was good to be like that in this world. I quickly wiped my tears and placed the photo back in its spot, but she had already noticed it.

She was looking so beautiful in this peach lehenga.
She approached and sat in front of me, taking both my hands in hers, and exclaimed, "Ohh my god SHAAA ! you are looking so fucking beautiful, my girl. That Rajvansh is going to get a heart attack after seeing you."

I laughed shyly.

"But don't worry, sweetheart, I will treat him with 50% discount—after all, he is my jiju," she remarked with a wink.

I chuckled and inquired, "Only fifty percent discount?"

She narrowed her eyes, folding her hands on her chest, and teased, "Hmmm, started taking his side already, not bad," then chuckled.

My eyes widened. "Nothing like that." I mumbled, lowering my gaze.

"Blushing, hmmm? Girl, you are looking like a red fucking tomato," she teased me.

"I would have treated him for free, but he has so much money that it won't affect his fucking treasury, sweetheart," she continued with a devilish smirk, "and I have all the rights—after all, I am his wife's friend, his sister-in-law."

I chuckled softly.

Suddenly, her expressions shifted "And if that Rajvansh tries to force his rights on you or forces you for sex, let me know. I will punch on his fucking face so hard that it will break," she gritted her teeth. And I knew that in her mind, she must have punched him while thinking this.

I stared at her with wide eyes, and then burst into laughter. "Okay."

"Here, this is for you," she handed me a small packet with a smile. There is a small box in it.
"Congratulations, Sha. May your married life be filled with endless pleasurable adventures," she said teasingly, with that signature smirk.

Just then the door cracked open. Kriti was standing there. "The Baarat has arrived. Everyone is calling the bride downstairs," she announced in a distant, bored tone.

She was the same girl who always used to clung to me in childhood. And look—hate in her eyes for me, my little sister. I felt a little bad, but I'm used to it now.

"Let's go," Kiara urged excitedly while holding my hand and helping me stand.

I took a deep breath, moving towards the new chapter of my life.

❀❀❀❀❀❀

Please Read :

This is my first book I have no experience in writing I'm not professional writer. and English is not my first language there may be spelling and grammar mistakes typo too kindly ignore the mistakes.

Healthy criticism is welcome, but unnecessary criticism or negatively will not be tolerated.

Thank you and Happy reading...... ♥︎

✿ Follow me on instagram for updates of the book id in bio ✿