UNWILLINGLY HIS

Silent games

Chapter: Silent Games

The air in the mansion carried a rare warmth, a stark contrast to the icy walls Samaira had grown accustomed to. Sitting across from Advait's mother, she felt a sense of ease that she hadn’t experienced since stepping into this house.

Advait’s mother, with her soft eyes and nurturing demeanor, felt like a fragile ember in a dark room—offering a warmth Samaira didn’t realize she had been craving here. It wasn’t about seeking maternal affection; it was about finding something human amidst the cold, calculated control Advait wielded.

“You look thinner than before,” his mother commented, a slight frown creasing her brows. “Is he not feeding you properly?”

Samaira forced a laugh, the question striking a chord. “I’ve been a little distracted lately, Ma. It’s nothing serious.”

The word "Ma" felt foreign yet oddly comforting. Advait's mother reached for her hand and held it between her own, her touch light yet firm.

“Well, no more excuses. I’ll personally ensure you eat well while I’m here. A bride needs to take care of herself, doesn’t she?”

The word “bride” hung heavy in the air, and Samaira’s smile faltered for a moment. But before his mother could notice, she excused herself.

“I’ll just freshen up,” she said, rising from the sofa.

“Take your time, dear,” Advait’s mother replied, her face glowing with affection.

Samaira turned to leave, only to find Advait standing in the doorway, leaning casually against the frame. His presence was a shadow she could never outrun.

As she approached, he tilted his head slightly, his lips curving into the faintest smirk.

“Still thinking about escaping?” he murmured, his voice a low whisper meant only for her.

Her steps faltered for a fraction of a second before she quickly masked her reaction. Without acknowledging his words, she brushed past him, her pulse racing.

She rushed to her room, shutting the door firmly behind her. The silence that followed was deafening, amplifying her thoughts.

Samaira’s POV

It all makes sense now.

The realization hit her like a cold wave, leaving her breathless.

He hadn’t called his mother here out of some sudden desire for familial bonding. No, this was his move—a meticulously calculated one.

He knew. He knew how much I loved her. How I had always seen her as my second mom. And he knew she loved me just as deeply.

Her presence wasn’t an accident. She was his trump card, his insurance.

In her presence, I couldn’t risk anything. Not escaping, not exposing the truth, not even standing up to him. Because she was fragile—a heart patient. And the last time she had heard about Advait’s betrayal, it had nearly broken her.

And now, if she found out the reality of this so-called marriage…

God knows what would happen.

A bitter laugh escaped my lips. He had me cornered, and he knew it. But what he didn’t know was that I wasn’t the same naïve girl he had left behind.

If he wanted to play games, I was more than ready.

This time, I wouldn’t run. This time, I’d fight.

Let’s see who traps whom, Advait.

I straightened, my resolve hardening. Wiping the traces of my turmoil from my face, I stepped out of the room, ready to face whatever lay ahead.

Advait’s POV

I watched her leave, my smirk fading as soon as she was out of sight.

Her reaction was exactly as I expected—quiet, controlled, but her eyes betrayed her. Samaira could never hide the fire in her eyes, no matter how much she tried.

She thought she was planning something, and I couldn’t decide whether to feel amused or irritated.

A part of me felt the faintest pang of guilt for dragging my mother into this. She didn’t deserve to be a pawn in this game. But it wasn’t like I had a choice.

Samaira was reckless, impulsive, and determined to escape the moment she saw an opening. She needed to be tethered, and my mother was the only way to do that.

And I wasn’t doing anything wrong.

They both loved each other, didn’t they? My mother treated her like a daughter, and Samaira practically worshipped her. Keeping them together was a kindness, wasn’t it?

That’s what I told myself as I leaned back against the wall.

But deep down, I knew this wasn’t about kindness. It was about control. Samaira needed to stay. I couldn’t let her leave. Not now, not ever.

________

Samaira rejoined Advait’s mother in the living room, her steps steady and her face carefully composed.

“There you are, dear,” his mother said, her face lighting up at her return. “I was just thinking how nice it is to have you here. This house feels alive again.”

Samaira forced a smile, sitting beside her. “I’m glad I can help.”

Across the room, Advait watched the two of them, his eyes narrowing slightly. He knew Samaira well enough to sense the shift in her demeanor. She wasn’t defeated; she was plotting something.

And for the first time, he felt the faintest flicker of unease.

But if she thought she could outmaneuver him, she was in for a rude awakening.

This was his game.

And he always played to win.