BOUNDED BY FATE

Chapter 1: The silent Oath

The soft rustle of silk against marble floors was the only sound filling the grand hall. Aisha stood still, her heart racing as she adjusted the heavy folds of her bridal saree. Every inch of the lavish mansion spoke of wealth - the chandeliers, the gilded walls, the polished floors - and yet, despite all its grandeur, it felt empty.

She was marrying a man she barely knew, a man whose reputation preceded him. Kabir Malhotra. Billionaire. Powerful. Cold.

The whispers about him had reached her long before the marriage proposal came. Everyone in the business world knew Kabir. He had built an empire from the ground up, known for his ruthlessness in business and his ability to stay emotionally detached from anything - or anyone - that might tie him down.

When her parents had announced her engagement to him, Aisha had been too stunned to speak. She came from a traditional but humble background, her family nowhere near the circles of high society that Kabir moved in. It was clear the marriage was an arrangement, a merger between two powerful families - hers representing legacy, and his, raw financial strength.

Aisha had never dreamed of a fairytale romance, but she had hoped for a partner who would at least try to know her. Kabir had barely acknowledged her presence during the brief meetings arranged between them. He was always distant, his dark, intense eyes scanning her as though she was just another task to be handled.

Now, as she waited in the bridal suite for her cue to enter the hall, Aisha felt a wave of doubt wash over her. This was it - the moment her life would change forever. She was about to marry a man who had shown her nothing but indifference, and she had no idea what kind of future awaited her.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts. The door opened, revealing one of Kabir's assistants, dressed in a sharp black suit. "It's time," he said, his tone polite but brisk.

Aisha took a deep breath, smoothing her saree one last time. With each step she took, her heart pounded louder, the weight of her fate sinking in.

The grand ballroom was packed with guests, their murmurs falling to a hush as she made her way down the aisle. Kabir stood at the altar, tall and commanding in a tailored suit, his expression unreadable. His sharp jawline and deep-set eyes gave him a look of quiet authority, and even though she had seen him only a handful of times, Aisha couldn't help but feel the power he radiated.

When their eyes met, there was no warmth, no flicker of emotion. He looked at her the way he might look at an acquisition - something to be handled, not cherished. A knot tightened in her stomach.

The ceremony proceeded with the usual formalities. Vows were exchanged, though Kabir's voice was distant, almost mechanical. When he slipped the ring onto her finger, Aisha felt a coldness seep through her, as if she had just signed her soul away.

As the priest announced them husband and wife, Kabir turned to her with the same emotionless expression. There was no soft smile, no reassuring glance. He simply nodded once, as if to acknowledge what had just happened, then led her out of the hall as cameras flashed around them.

The car ride to Kabir's estate was filled with silence. Aisha sat beside him, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her dupatta, unsure of what to say or do. Kabir stared out of the window, his face impassive, as though the events of the day hadn't affected him in the slightest.

She stole glances at him, wondering what kind of man she had just married. His presence was imposing, his demeanor cold and controlled. There was a part of her that wanted to break through that icy exterior, to understand who he really was beneath the mask. But another part of her, the part that had seen his indifference, told her that she might be fighting a losing battle.

When they finally arrived at the mansion - his mansion - Aisha was awestruck by the sheer size of it. The sprawling estate was like something out of a dream, with lush gardens and pristine fountains. But it felt more like a palace than a home, vast and empty, just like its owner.

Kabir didn't offer her a tour or any words of comfort. Instead, he led her through the grand entrance and up the winding staircase.

"I'll have the staff bring you anything you need," he said abruptly, stopping in front of a door. "This is your room."

Aisha blinked, taken aback. "My room?"

Kabir's dark eyes flickered over her, emotionless. "Yes. You'll have your own space. I think it's for the best."

She opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out. He didn't wait for a response. Without another glance, he turned and disappeared down the hallway, leaving her standing alone.

Aisha pushed open the door to her room, stepping inside to find yet another luxurious space - beautifully furnished, with a king-sized bed, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a view of the estate's gardens. But despite its beauty, it felt cold, just like everything else in her new life.

She sat on the edge of the bed, staring at her reflection in the large mirror across the room. The bride in the mirror looked back at her with wide, uncertain eyes. She had married a billionaire, a man with more power and influence than she had ever imagined. But what did that matter if he didn't even see her? If he didn't care?

Tears pricked the corners of her eyes, but she blinked them back. She couldn't afford to break down now. This was her life now - an arranged marriage with a man who might never care for her, a man whose heart seemed frozen beyond reach.

But deep down, as she stared at her reflection, Aisha made a silent vow to herself. She wasn't going to give up that easily. There had to be more to Kabir Malhotra than the cold, distant man he showed the world. And if there was even the smallest chance that she could thaw the ice around his heart, she was going to try.

No matter how impossible it seemed.

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End of Chapter 1