VOWS OF VENGEANCE

Chapter 4: Fate's Cruel Twist

The sun rose steadily over the horizon, casting its golden rays into Kiara’s room as she sat at her desk, already deep in thought. The events of the previous day still lingered in her mind—her case victory, the intense rivalry with Aarav Thakur—but today, something else loomed over her, something personal, something unavoidable.

A soft knock on her door startled her out of her reverie.

"Kiara, come down. Your in-laws will be here soon. Please wear something Indian and look your best," her mom called from outside, her voice tinged with nervous excitement.

Kiara let out a long breath, her hands trembling slightly. Her in-laws? She still hadn’t met the man she was supposed to marry, and her mind was plagued with questions about who he could be. She was doing this for her parents, but the thought of marrying a stranger made her stomach churn.

She glanced at the bed where her mom had laid out an elegant Indian outfit—a deep red saree with intricate golden embroidery. It was beautiful, but it felt heavy in her hands, like the weight of her future.

With a resigned sigh, she dressed, her mind swirling with uncertainty. Once she was ready, she looked at herself in the mirror, adjusting the drape of her saree. She looked like a bride already, but all she felt was dread. Her usual confidence, the same strength she had in the courtroom, was nowhere to be found.

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The sound of voices and the opening of the front door made Kiara’s heart race. Her parents were downstairs, greeting her soon-to-be in-laws. She took a deep breath, straightened her posture, and made her way downstairs.

When she entered the living room, her eyes immediately found his parents. His mother, Rani, was seated gracefully on the couch, wearing an elegant traditional saree, her posture regal. His father sat next to her, his expression warm as he noticed Kiara entering the room.

“Kiara, beta, come here,” her mom said, motioning for her to sit next to them. Kiara complied, greeting them with a polite smile. They seemed kind enough, but the tension in her chest only grew stronger.

After a few moments of small talk, Kiara scanned the room again. Where was he? She had yet to meet the man she was supposed to spend her life with.

Just as the thought crossed her mind, the front door creaked open. Her gaze shifted, and when her eyes landed on the figure stepping into the room, her heart nearly stopped.

Aarav Thakur.

The air in the room seemed to freeze as Aarav entered, his sharp, predatory gaze sweeping the room before locking onto Kiara. His face was unreadable, but the flicker of recognition in his eyes matched the shock she felt.

No. This couldn’t be happening.

He was her rival. Her enemy. And now, her future husband?

Aarav’s mind raced as he took in the sight before him. Kiara Singh. The woman who stood against him in every courtroom battle, who matched him in fire and intellect. And now, here she was, dressed in a stunning saree, looking more beautiful than he had ever seen her. He had only ever seen her in formal business attire, but now, in this traditional outfit, her beauty was undeniable.

He mentally cursed the twist of fate. Of all people, why her?

*She’s beautiful,* he thought, despite himself. *But she’s still my rival.*

He forced his shock down, maintaining a calm exterior as he stepped into the room. His mother, Rani, greeted him with a smile, unaware of the storm brewing between the two.

“You both should get to know each other a bit better,” Rani said after a while. “Why don’t you step out into the garden and talk?”

Neither Aarav nor Kiara said a word, but they both nodded stiffly. As if compelled by an unseen force, they stood and walked outside, the tension between them palpable.