Devil's Bride

Grandfather's intervention

From the hallway, Ayaan’s grandfather stood quietly, his cane tapping lightly against the floor as he observed the scene. He’d heard the commotion earlier and had come to check on Maya, but seeing her with Ayaan gave him pause.

Watching the way Ayaan tended to her, the grandfather couldn’t deny that there was something genuine in his actions. Yet, deep down, a knot of unease tightened in his chest.

Can Ayaan ever truly protect her from his world?

He leaned against the wall, his brows furrowed in thought.

Ayaan, his grandson, was a complicated man—a blend of charm and danger, power and arrogance. He had built an empire on ruthlessness, becoming a figure feared and revered in equal measure. But Maya? She was the opposite. Innocent, kind, and full of life.

As Ayaan helped Maya adjust on the bed, his grandfather quietly stepped away, retreating to his study. He sat down heavily in his chair, his cane resting against the table.

He thought of Maya—the bright, lively girl who had brought warmth to their home. She deserved happiness, a future free of complications and pain. And Ayaan…

The grandfather sighed deeply. He had seen the darker side of his grandson’s life. Ayaan’s world was one of danger, betrayal, and violence. Could someone as pure as Maya truly thrive in such a place?

The idea of pushing Maya into Ayaan’s world felt like a betrayal of the trust she had unknowingly placed in him.

That night, Ayaan’s grandfather stood on the balcony, staring out at the moonlit estate. He couldn’t ignore what he had seen—Ayaan’s devotion to Maya, the way his eyes softened when he looked at her.

But devotion wasn’t enough.

Ayaan’s world was a labyrinth of shadows, and the grandfather feared it would swallow Maya whole if she wasn’t careful.

“I have to protect her,” he murmured to himself. “Even if it means protecting her from him.”Maya doesn’t belong in a world of danger and shadows, he thought. I have to protect her before it’s too late.

The next morning, Maya woke up to the soft chirping of birds outside the window. Her ankle throbbed faintly, but it was far less painful than the night before. She glanced around, realizing she was still in Ayaan’s room.

The events of the previous evening flooded her mind, and her cheeks flushed once more. She swung her legs over the side of the bed, intending to hobble back to her own room, when the door opened.

Ayaan entered, carrying a tray of breakfast.

“You’re awake,” he said, his voice warm. “Good. I brought you something to eat.”

Maya frowned slightly, unused to this level of attention. “You didn’t have to do that. I can manage.”

Ayaan placed the tray on the table beside her, ignoring her protest. “You shouldn’t push yourself. And besides, I wanted to.”

Before she could respond, his grandfather appeared in the doorway, leaning on his cane.

“Maya,” the older man said with a smile, “how are you feeling this morning?”

“Better, grandfather,” Maya replied. “Thank you for checking on me.”

The grandfather’s gaze briefly flicked to Ayaan, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. “Good. But you should rest properly. Come to my room after breakfast. I have something I’d like you to help me with.”