Jaya sat stiffly on the edge of her bed, her fingers curling and uncurling around the sleek black bank card. Ajay's words from earlier still echoed in her mind, leaving her unsettled.
"I won't force you to love me. I won't even touch you—not without your permission."
It should have been a relief. It should have reassured her. But instead, it left her more confused than ever.
Ajay had never hidden his arrogance. He was the kind of man who got what he wanted—no matter what. For two years, he had pursued her relentlessly, making her life a rollercoaster of constant irritation. And when she had refused him time and again, he had done the unthinkable. He had backed her into a corner, used her desperation against her, and forced her into this unwanted marriage.
A marriage she had no intention of staying in.
Jaya's grip tightened around the card before she threw it onto the nightstand like it burned her fingers.
No. She wasn't going to fall for his words. This was just another game. A clever way to manipulate her, to keep her off balance.
She took a deep breath and looked around the lavish room. The large bed was covered in silky sheets, the furniture gleamed under the soft chandelier light, and the entire atmosphere screamed wealth and power.
It didn't feel like hers.
It felt like she had been dropped into a golden cage—a beautiful prison designed to make her feel like a guest rather than a prisoner.
Despite everything, Ajay had given her space.
"Even though we're married, I won't touch you without your permission."
"Why?" she thought bitterly. Why give me a choice about that when you never gave me a choice about this marriage?
Her heart pounded with frustration.
"I know that you didn't tell your family that we're married. I know that you're thinking of a way to divorce me, but I won't allow that. While you're looking for an opportunity to leave, I'll be working hard to prove that I really like you."
She wanted to scream. To hit something.
She should have known it wouldn't be that easy.
A part of her had foolishly believed that after some time, Ajay would lose interest and let her go. After all, he was a man who had always been able to get anything he wanted with the snap of his fingers.
But now, hearing his words… she knew.
He wasn't going to let her go.
And that terrified her.
Her phone vibrated against the nightstand, shaking her out of her thoughts.
Jaya grabbed it instantly, her mother's name flashing on the screen.
She swallowed the lump in her throat before answering.
"Jaya, beta," Rekha said softly, her voice carrying warmth and worry. "How are you? Is everything okay?"
Jaya closed her eyes.
"No, Maa. Nothing is okay."
But she couldn't say that.
She forced a small smile, even though no one could see it. "I'm fine, Maa. How are you feeling?"
"I'm much better now," her mother assured her. "You don't have to worry about me."
A bitter laugh almost escaped Jaya. How could she not worry?
They spoke for nearly ten minutes, mostly about her mother's health, Chaya's studies, and the nosy neighbors who had already started speculating about Jaya's absence.
"I miss you," her mother admitted. "It's strange not having you here."
Jaya clenched her fists.
"I miss you too, Maa."
Before she could say anything else, there was a knock on her door.
A deep voice followed. "I know you're hungry. I ordered some takeout for you. I'll leave it in the kitchen."
Ajay.
Her stomach twisted. She hadn't eaten anything since breakfast, and the moment he mentioned food, her body betrayed her with a low, painful growl.
"Who was that?" her mother asked suspiciously.
Jaya quickly forced a laugh. "Oh, just a housemate. I should go, Maa. Get some rest, okay?"
Rekha hesitated before sighing. "Alright, beta. Take care of yourself."
Jaya ended the call and exhaled deeply.
She should wait until Ajay left the kitchen. She should wait at least ten minutes, maybe more, just to avoid facing him.
But her hunger was stronger than her pride.
Gritting her teeth, she stepped out of her room.
The moment she entered the kitchen, her eyes widened.
There were at least eight different dishes spread out on the counter.
She stared in disbelief.
"What… is all this?" she asked, her voice laced with confusion.
Ajay, who was standing casually by the counter, glanced up and smirked.
"I didn't know what you liked," he said simply. "So I got a little bit of everything."
She folded her arms. "That's a waste of food."
"Not if you eat it," he replied easily.
She frowned. He wasn't teasing her. He wasn't throwing out his usual sarcastic remarks. He was just… standing there.
Waiting.
And it annoyed her.
"Do you expect me to eat all this by myself?" she asked.
Ajay shrugged. "Take your time."
She studied him carefully. He wasn't making any move to sit down. He wasn't expecting her to eat with him.
He was just making sure she ate.
Jaya hesitated before grabbing a plate. She took small portions of biryani, some paneer butter masala, and a few kebabs. She expected Ajay to make some smug comment about her choice, but he didn't.
Instead, he just leaned back against the counter, watching her silently.
The air between them was thick with unspoken tension.
Jaya took a bite.
And then another.
The food was amazing. The spices were perfect, the flavors rich, and despite herself, she found her hunger overpowering her stubbornness.
She glanced at Ajay from the corner of her eye.
He wasn't eating.
He was just standing there, arms crossed, looking… satisfied.
She swallowed and put her plate down. "Aren't you going to eat?"
Ajay smirked. "I already ate."
Jaya frowned. "Then why order so much?"
His smirk softened. "Because I wanted to make sure you had something you liked."
Jaya's stomach clenched—not from hunger this time, but from something else.
She didn't want to see this side of him.
She didn't want to feel like he cared.
Because if he cared, it would be harder to hate him.
And hating him was the only thing keeping her from breaking.
She put down her fork, wiped her mouth, and pushed her plate away.
Ajay raised an eyebrow. "Done already?"
"Yes," she said coldly.
He sighed. "You're always on guard with me, Jaya. Do you ever get tired?"
She glared at him. "Do you ever get tired of playing these games?"
Ajay tilted his head slightly. "What game?"
"This," she snapped. "Acting like you care. Acting like you're a good person."
Ajay's smirk vanished.
He took a step closer, and for a moment, Jaya thought he would say something cutting. Something arrogant.
But he didn't.
Instead, he simply said, "I don't act like I care, Jaya. I just do."
The silence stretched between them.
Jaya's heart pounded in her chest.
She had to get out of here.
Without another word, she turned on her heel and walked back to her room, slamming the door behind her.
She leaned against it, breathing heavily.
She hated him.
She hated that he made her feel things she didn't want to feel.
But most of all…
She hated the fact that a small, foolish part of her almost believed him.