Bound by Fate: Love, Betrayal, Forced Marriage

chapter 3

Hey, if you liked this chapter please vote and comment ✨❤

Enjoy reading cuties 💗

Ekansh's pov

I had never felt this way for anyone before, but when I saw her crying, I felt a deep pity. I knew this marriage was forced for her, but not for me. I offered her my handkerchief and gave her water to make her comfortable. I couldn't take my eyes off her the whole drive; her perfect face, eyes with long lashes, and minimal makeup had me captivated. Oh God, she's perfect, those heart-shaped lips. As we reached home, I quickly got out of the car and opened the door for her. She was lost in her thoughts but snapped out of it when she saw the Malhotra mansion.

Surprise was evident on her face as she stepped out of the car. I showed her the direction to the door, where Isha and Ranvijay were already standing. Maa brought the thali and applied tikka on our heads. Then a maid came with two pots of rice, and Maa asked both brides to gently kick them. They did as instructed.

As she kicked the pot and moved forward, her ankle twisted, and she was about to fall, but I saved her by holding her. It was clear she couldn't walk. Without a second thought, I picked her up bridal style. Shocked expressions were visible on all the family members' faces. I headed towards our room.

Authors pov

"I've never seen Bhai this romantic," Annaya whispered to Varun, and they started giggling.

"Ranvijay beta, take Isha to your room. You both must be tired; we'll do the rest of the rituals later," Poonam Ji said to Ranvijay.

"Ji Ma," Ranvijay responded, taking Isha to his room and closing the door behind them. He jerked Isha towards the bed. Shocked, she screamed, "What are you doing, Ranvijay?"

"What am I doing? What did you do? Did you forget the agreement? Why did you help Payal run away?" he shouted.

"I didn't help—" she began, but he interrupted, "Don't lie! Read these marriage contract papers properly. It says Payal should marry Ekansh, and that's why I was marrying you. But you—" He stopped, fuming.

"Now you'll face the consequences," he said, gripping her hand and dragging her to the balcony. "You'll sleep here," he commanded and left.

In Ekansh's room

Ekansh gently laid her on the bed and was about to massage her foot, but she refused. "I'm okay," she said.

"But you don't seem okay," he replied.

She smiled bitterly, "You ruined my life; you don't need to care about me." She stood up and tried to walk towards the bathroom, but her ankle pain made her stumble. Ekansh caught her again.

"I don't need your help," she said bitterly and moved towards the bathroom.

"Haye, yeh adda," he muttered to himself.

She came out wearing a simple salwar suit. Ekansh stood up, "I think we should talk."

"I need to sleep," she replied curtly.

"It's about our relationship—"

"Please, I'm not in the mood to talk about this."

"But I think you should try."

"Try what? You and your family forced me into this marriage."

"Sometimes forced things are meant to be for our good."

"Not for me, Mr. Malhotra."

"Ekansh! Ekansh Malhotra."

She gave him a dismissive look.

He came closer and whispered in her ear, "Please don't give me those cute expressions. I can't control myself from kissing you."

Her cheeks flushed red at his words. "Uff, someone is blushing," he teased, trying to annoy her.

"If you don't stop, I swear I'll punch you," she warned.

"Go ahead, at least then you'll touch me," he retorted with a sly grin, frustrating her further.

She grabbed a blanket and headed towards the sofa. "Where are you going with that blanket?" he asked.

"Suicide. Wanna join?" she snapped back.

Realizing she intended to sleep on the sofa, he quickly went and sat on it. "This is my favorite sofa; I don't let anyone else use it. I'll sleep here, you sleep on the bed."

She gave him a puzzled look but moved back to the bed. She was angry but too tired to argue further. Sleep eluded both of them. Prakruti was shocked by this side of him. Whenever he came to her home, he was always cold, never even speaking kindly to Payal. Why this sudden change?

Prakruti pov

There must be some master plan behind this. I was consumed by my thoughts when they drifted back to Rajveer.

"Rajveer," I whispered.

My hands started trembling. I reached for water, but the glass slipped, making Ekansh wake up.

"What happened? Are you okay?" he rushed to me.

He checked my hands, but I jerked them away. "Stop this fake care and all," I said. Hurt was visible on his face.

"I can take care of myself, understand? Don't ever try to come close to me. This is a forced marriage, so let it be," I said in one go.

Next morning

I woke up to find him sitting on a chair beside me. I don't know why he is taking such care of me. Even though I'm the replaced bride, something is off. I need to get out of this quickly. But first, I need to meet Rajveer before he does something wrong.

Author's Pov

Rajveer was/is her boyfriend. A forced boyfriend. She never wanted to be in a relationship, but he threatened her family, leaving her no choice. He was really toxic.

She got up from bed, went to the bathroom for a shower, and came out wearing a red saree, rubbing her hair with a towel.

Ekansh, already awake, was mesmerized by her beauty and kept staring at her. She noticed but ignored him.

He cleared his throat, "Be ready. Today we are moving to our house."

"Our house?" she asked, shocked.

"Yes, before the wedding, Ranvijay and I decided to take our own house with our wives," he said.

"Okay," she answered, not wanting to talk further.

A knock on the door interrupted them, and Ekansh went to take a bath while Prakruti opened the door.

"Bhabhi, Badi Maa is calling you for your first rasoi. Are you ready?" Annaya asked.

"Yes, let's go," she replied, and they headed to the kitchen.

Isha was already there, turning her face away as Prakruti entered. Poonam Ji arrived and said, "As it's your first rasoi, make something sweet, whatever you wish."

Prakruti made halwa, which everyone loved. They gave her blessings and sagun. The men went to the office, and Annaya took both her Bhabhis for a chit-chat. All Prakruti wanted was to talk to Rajveer, which wasn't possible on the phone.

"Ah, Annaya, I'm so tired. Can I go to my room?" Prakruti made an excuse.

"Okay, Bhabhi, take rest," Annaya said with a smile. Prakruti had formed a good connection with her.

Reaching her room, she closed the door, got her phone, and dialed a number.

"Hey, Prakruti," a voice came from the other side of the phone.

----

I hope you liked today's chapter.
Show your love.
You support means world to me! ❤✨