Shadows of Obsession

Prologue

The music thumped against the glass walls of the banquet hall like a living heartbeat. Laughter floated around, clinking glasses echoed through the chandeliers, and the air reeked of expensive perfume, false smiles, and cheap intentions.

Mannat Kaur Sandhu stood quietly in a corner, her fingers loosely gripping the stem of a half-empty glass of juice. Her head swam, the lights above her blurring into streaks of gold. She pressed a hand against her temple, eyes fluttering shut for a moment. Something wasn't right.

Her throat was dry. Her skin was flushed. Her heart... pounding a little too fast.

She fumbled with her phone and pressed the one contact that mattered.

Shivansh Singh Rathore.

The line connected in a single ring.

"Shiv..." she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Can you come pick me up, please?"

There was a pause — a sharp inhale from the other side.

"I'll be there in ten minutes. Hmm? Wait for me." His deep baritone came like a balm over her frayed nerves.

"Yes, Shiv..." she breathed out, the corners of her lips curving faintly.

But Shivansh felt it. Her voice — faint, trembling. Not his usual feisty Mannat. Something was wrong.

Mannat politely excused herself from the few people she was speaking to. Her steps were slow and uneven. Her heels clicked against the marble floor, each step heavier than the last. Her vision blurred, and the corridor swayed around her.

That's when she saw her.

Shaina.

Dressed in red. Lips curled into a wicked smirk.

"Mannat, Mannat, Mannat..." she drawled, her voice dark and velvety. "What happened, darling? Feeling a little... dizzy?"

Mannat didn't answer. She moved past her, the fog in her brain thickening.

But Shaina wasn't done.

"Tch tch... craving a man's touch now, aren't we, dizzy darling?"

Mannat froze.

Her blood ran cold.

She did something.

Before she could confront her, she heard a man's footsteps approaching from behind.

"Come, Mr. Jain. I told you you'd get a hot chick tonight," Shaina purred.

A sleazy voice followed. "Well, well. You got me exactly what I was eyeing."

Shaina brushed her fingers on the man's chest. "I saw you watching her, Mr. Jain. She's all yours tonight. Just remember the modeling gig we talked about."

No.

Mannat's instincts screamed at her to run. She turned and bolted down the hallway, legs trembling, breaths shallow.

"Uff, she's trying so hard to leave." Mr. Jain laughed behind her.

"Don't worry. She's drugged. Weak. Won't go far." Shaina's voice slithered after her.

Mannat reached the stairs, her vision swimming. She was halfway down when she felt a brutal tug on her hair.

"Aah!" she cried out, stumbling backward.

But before her knees could hit the floor, strong arms caught her mid-fall.

Her eyes fluttered open — and locked with the man who made the world still.

Shivansh.

"Shiv..." she whispered, her voice cracked, relief flooding her features.

He smiled slightly, brushing a thumb against her cheek. "Ji Ardhangini ji..."

The hallway was dark, shadows cloaking Shivansh's face, but the aura of power and danger around him was unmistakable.

And then came the storm.

Without another word, he handed Mannat gently to his guard, who appeared behind him, and then turned with deadly calm.

BAM.

One swift kick — Mr. Jain was on the floor, groaning in pain, clutching his stomach.

Before he could recover, Shivansh grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the wall. Jain's head hit hard — and he went limp, unconscious.

Shaina's eyes widened in horror. She turned to run.

"Zinda chhodna bhi zaroori hota hai, kabhi kabhi, taaki sabak ban sake." Shivansh's voice was lethal.

He looked at his guard and flicked two fingers. A signal.

The guard stepped forward and slapped Shaina so hard, she hit the pillar, blood dripping from her mouth.

"Shivansh..." Mannat whimpered faintly.

He turned instantly, back to her in a heartbeat. He took her in his arms — protectively, possessively.

His jaw clenched as he looked down at her flushed face, eyes struggling to stay open.

"Ardhangini ji, aap safe hain. Aapke Shiv aaye hain... ankhein kholiye ek baar."

Her eyes flickered open, glistening.

"Shiv... I knew you'd come."

He leaned down, brushing his lips against her forehead.

"Main tumhara hoon, Mannat. Tumse pehle koi tha nahi... tumhare baad koi hoga nahi."

She smiled faintly.

And in that moment, cradled in her husband's arms, even through the haze of the drug, Mannat felt invincible.

Because Shivansh Singh Rathore didn't just protect her.

He belonged to her.

And God help anyone who dared touch what was his.

-------------------------------------------------------

For more, read my book, Shadows of Obsession.

Don't forget to like, comment, and share. For spoilers, please follow @writingsbymili on Instagram.

Wattpad ID: @Writingsbymili

Scroll Stack ID: @Writingsbymili