HOUSE OF LIES

8

A dim ray of sunlight fell on Nandani’s face, making her squint in irritation. She pulled the comforter over her head.

"Rajveer, can you please close the curtains?" she asked, her voice frustrated.

Silence. No response.

"Maybe he’s already gone to the office," she thought with a sigh.

Annoyed, Nandani got up, deciding to get ready. She was already dressed in a red saree, wearing light jewelry. She carefully put on her mangalsutra and applied the vermilion on her forehead.

As she made her way downstairs, she ran into Asha.

Nandani immediately bent down to touch Asha’s feet.

"Areh, beta! God bless you," Asha said with a warm smile.

"Nandani," Asha began softly, "I know everything happened so fast, and we couldn’t even do much for you. Please… forgive my son."

Nandani stayed silent, feeling the weight of her situation. She was still adjusting to her new life, the new house, and these people.

Asha continued, "We didn’t get the chance to do the proper rituals. But at least we should visit the Kuldevi Mandir. It’s tradition in our family."

Nandani simply nodded.

"Come down after you’re ready. We’ll have breakfast, then we can leave," Asha said kindly.

After breakfast, they headed toward the car when a guard stepped in front of them.

"Ma'am, you can’t leave without Sir’s permission," the guard said firmly.

"We’re just going to the Kuldevi Mandir," Asha replied, her patience thinning.

"Still, ma’am, you need Sir’s permission," the guard insisted.

Asha's eyes narrowed. "Don’t forget, I am still the queen of Suryagarh," she said, her voice cutting like a blade.

She quickly called someone, and a few minutes later, a man in his late 50s arrived.

"Rani Sa, is there a problem?" Naitik asked with concern.

(Naitik Mukherjee – the advisor to the former king)

"This guard is challenging my authority," Asha said, pointing at the man.

"Guards, arrest him!" Naitik commanded.

"Sir, I was just following orders!" the guard pleaded as the others dragged him away.

Nandani watched the scene unfold, confused and unsure of what was happening.

"Rani Sa, you may leave now," Naitik said, glancing briefly at Nandani.

"Come, beta, let’s go," Asha said, her voice regaining its warmth.

"I forgot my phone upstairs. I’ll just get it quickly," Nandani said.

"We don’t need a phone at the temple, Nandani," Asha replied with a dismissive wave.

"But I need to let Rajveer know I’m going with you," Nandani insisted.

"I’ve already informed him. Don’t worry," Asha said coolly.

"But still—" Nandani started, but Asha cut her off, her voice suddenly sharp. "Oh, come on! We’re getting late."

Reluctantly, Nandani got into the car, her unease growing. They drove off in silence until Asha passed her a bottle of water.

"Here, beta, have some water. It’s a hot day," Asha said with a smile.

Nandani took the bottle and gave a weak smile in return. She drank, but soon after, she started feeling dizzy. Her eyelids grew heavy, and within minutes, she was unconscious.

"Take us to the warehouse," Asha ordered the driver coldly.

"Sleep well, Bahu Rani," Asha said with a sinister laugh.

---

At the office:

"The next meeting is at 4 pm, and after that—" Anshuman, Rajveer’s PA and best friend, was interrupted by the sound of his phone ringing.

He answered it quickly.

"Sir, Madam Sa has left the house with Rani Sa," Bahadur, one of the guards, informed him.

" you are informing this to me now , tum sabko goti khelne k liye rakkha h kya mene" Rajveer shot up from his chair, fury radiating from him.

"Sorry, **Kunwar Sa, I was busy with tasks assigned by Naitik Sir," Bahadur stammered.

"Get me her location. Now!" Rajveer ordered, slamming the phone down.

Anshuman, sensing the tension, asked, "Everything okay, Rajveer?"

"Nandani left the house with my stepmother," Rajveer replied, his voice low and dangerous.

"What? I had a guard stationed for her safety. How did this happen?" Anshuman asked, shocked.

"I don’t know," Rajveer growled, his eyes darkening. "But I swear, if anything happens to my wife, I will tear this world apart."

//This is my first story

I know it's not an upto mark story , but still try reading it till the end ,do like and vote ///

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