VEILED VOWS ( On Hold )

CHAPTER 4

**Tara's POV**

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I don't even remember how I made it back to the apartment. The drive was a complete blur, with all the streets just blending together. It was like I was floating outside my body, watching myself move on autopilot. My father's voice kept echoing in my head, cold and emotionless, like he was discussing a business deal, not my life.

"You'll marry Abhay Singhania."

But what really got to me was my mother. I said yes because of her. She looked at me with those pleading eyes-the same eyes that always gave in to my father-and I just couldn't stand it. I couldn't watch her suffer, and she knew that. She used it against me, even threatened me with her life, leaving me with no choice.

I always thought she was enduring everything for me, even when she didn't stand up to Dad. I thought she was trapped, just like I am, so I forgave her for it. But today, she pushed me into the same trap she's been living in all these years.

By the time I parked in the underground garage, my hands were shaking so much I could barely turn off the car. I just sat there regretting the decision I just made and trying to hold back the tears that were threatening to spill. But I couldn't stay here forever. I had to move. If I stopped now, I wasn't sure I'd be able to pull myself together.

Somehow, I dragged myself out of the car and into the elevator. The soft hum of the machinery was the only sound as I rode up to the apartment I share with Bhavya and Prachi. My home-but tonight, it didn't feel like home. I felt like a stranger, like my whole world was falling apart.

When the elevator doors opened, I hesitated. I knew my friends would be inside, and they'd see right through me.

The apartment door felt heavy as I pushed it open. I could hear them in the living room, laughing. We were supposed to celebrate my another win today but now I am scared because my problem will again ruin Their happy moment. I should just leave quietly I can't ruin their smiles.

As I turned to leave Bhavya voice stopped me from behind "Tara? What happened? Where are you going? " she asked, walking towards me.

I tried to speak, but the words were stuck in my throat. All I could do was stand there, trembling. I knew I would get weak in front of them which I don't want to. Prachi and Mihir joined her, both of them looking just as concerned. Vikram stepped forward, reaching out to touch my arm, but I flinched back i don't know why.

"Tara, you're scaring us," Prachi said softly, like she was talking to a wounded animal. And maybe I was-cornered, scared, desperate.

I've always been the strong one, the one who rarely shows weakness. But right now, standing in front of my friends, I couldn't do it anymore. I broke down.

"He... he fixed my marriage," I whispered, my voice trembling. "I... I said yes."

For a moment, everything was silent. The shock hung in the air like a thick fog. Bhavya's grip tightened on my arm, her eyes wide with disbelief. "To who?"

"Abhay Singhania," I could barely get the words out. "My father arranged it... and my mother... she made me say yes."

Abhay Singhania. His name alone carried weight, the kind of weight that could crush you if you weren't careful. I knew of him, of course. Everyone did. He was the kind of man who didn't just run a business-he controlled it, shaped it, made it into something formidable. But why would someone like him agree to a marriage like this? What did he stand to gain?

I barely knew him, but now he was going to be my husband. I didn't even have a say in it. It was all decided for me, just like everything else in my life.