Shadows of Obsession

Chapter 1: Got Married To A Stranger

MANNAT'S POV

I was dressed in a red bridal lehenga and stood in front of the marriage registration office like a bride, waiting for my fiancé, Ranvijay Singh Shekhawat, whom I had loved for over 10 years. I called him several times, but he did not answer. He either forgot we were getting married today or was with Shaina, his secretary, and his good friend.

I called him again, groaned, and murmured, "Please pick up, Ranvijay." Then he finally answered my call, his voice filled with concern, "I can't come to our wedding today. Something happened to Shaina. I need to be there for her.

"Are you really not coming? It's our wedding day. I have been waiting for you here for the past four hours." I asked him with disbelief and sadness in my voice. "I am not coming." He yelled in frustration and hung up the phone. His words shattered my heart. He never cared about me. He has a lot of people in the company and Shaina's own family to look after her, so why does he have to stay with her and leave me alone on our wedding day? 

I've been such a fool for loving him. I was so blind that I saw them together frequently, yet he always said, "We are friends." I believed him, ignoring my senses and what I observed. I blindly trusted him. I loved him wholeheartedly, but he was always preoccupied with her. He knows all of her favorite things, from food to apparel. However, he knew nothing about his own fiancé. He was unaware of the preferences of the girl he intended to marry. 

I wouldn't break down. I know this was Shania's plan; she did something to her purposefully so that we wouldn't get married. I am not marrying him today, let alone in the future.

I knew he was cheating on me. I learned about it two days ago. I wanted revenge from him, but I know this wound won't heal quickly. Even now that I am aware of his betrayal, it stings every time he reacts in this manner. 

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Flashback:

I was sitting in the living room. I had been working nonstop for 24 hours. First at university, and now working on Jay's project. It's a crucial job for me because it's for Jay. I've been with Jay's company since it started five years ago. Jay has fallen madly in love with me. We've been in a relationship since we were 15. Jay is really special to me. He is my whole life. I've been helping him with his business since he started it. 

I finished the project and went to sleep. I was about to slip into a deep sleep. I heard a knock at the door. I grumbled, stood up drowsily, and opened the door to see Jay and Shaina there. I offered him an exhausted smile and hugged him. Jay returned my hug with, "You look exhausted, Sunflower." 

I said sleepily, my eyelids drooping from exhaustion: "Yeah, I am tired; I just finished the project and was going to sleep." The dark circles below my eyes and my feet were unstable. "You've finished it?" He asked, his voice full of disbelief.

I nodded, yawned, and said, "Yeah, I did. I can't even stand now. I haven't slept for a single minute in the past 24 hours." I wobbled on my feet and barely acknowledged Shaina's presence. Before I could say 'hi' to Shaina, Jay held my hand, took me to the room, and said, "You should sleep now." He helped me onto the bed and pulled the covers over me, and I soon fell asleep.

After a while, I heard someone talking and then some unusual noises in my sleep. I was unwilling to open my eyes until I heard Jay's voice. I forced myself to open my eyes. 

I wish I had never opened them. Jay had pinned Shaina against the wall, and they were kissing each other. They couldn't see me when I pulled the quilt over my head and peeked through. Tears filled my eyes. I was unable to stop crying. I placed my palm over my mouth, forcing myself to muffle my sobs.