Devil's Bride

Return to the Rathore Mansion

After a blissful honeymoon, Ayaan and Maya returned to the grand Rathore Mansion in Mumbai. As their car pulled into the driveway, Maya’s nerves resurfaced. The mansion loomed before her, a majestic structure that exuded power and authority, yet carried the weight of expectations and unspoken rules.

Ayaan stepped out first, adjusting his blazer, and quickly rounded the car to open Maya’s door. He extended his hand with a warm smile.

"Come on, Mrs. Rathore. The lioness belongs in the lion’s den," he teased, his tone light but his eyes soft.

Maya hesitated before taking his hand. "Ayaan, what if—"

"No ‘what ifs,’" he interrupted gently, squeezing her fingers. "I’m here. Always. You’re my queen, remember?"

She gave a small nod, her heart pounding, and stepped out of the car.

Inside, the atmosphere was as intimidating as Maya had feared. Ayaan’s father, Mr. Rathore, stood at the base of the sweeping staircase, his expression unreadable but his disapproval evident in the stiff set of his jaw. Ayaan’s brother, Arjun, was nearby with his wife, Priya, who gave Maya an encouraging smile. Their four-year-old son ran excitedly toward Ayaan, breaking the tension for a moment as Ayaan scooped him up with a grin.

"Uncle Ayaan, did you bring me chocolates?" the boy asked, his small hands tugging at Ayaan’s jacket.

"Of course, champ! But only if you promise to share with your aunt Maya," Ayaan replied, winking at Maya.

The boy nodded enthusiastically, and Ayaan set him down, his gaze flicking back to his father. "Dad."

"Ayaan," Mr. Rathore replied curtly. His eyes shifted to Maya, lingering for a moment before he turned and walked away.

Maya felt the sting of his cold reception, but before she could dwell on it, Priya approached her.

"Don’t let him intimidate you, Maya," Priya whispered, placing a reassuring hand on her arm. "He’s always like this. Give it time."

Maya nodded, grateful for Priya’s kindness.

As they settled back into the mansion, Ayaan took Maya on a brief tour of the areas she hadn’t yet explored. He pointed out the grand library, the indoor pool, and the sprawling gardens, all the while holding her hand protectively.

"Where’s your favorite place in the house?" Maya asked curiously.

Ayaan smirked. "Wherever you are."

She rolled her eyes, but her heart fluttered at his words.

That evening, dinner was served in the lavish dining hall. The tension was palpable, especially with Mr. Rathore’s stern glances. But Ayaan, ever the master of deflection, kept the conversation light, teasing Maya about her mango obsession from their honeymoon.

Priya chuckled, joining in. "Maya, you’re lucky. Ayaan never cared for these little indulgences before. It’s nice to see him this way."

"She brings out the best in me," Ayaan said, his voice firm, as he reached for Maya’s hand under the table.

Later that night, in their bedroom, Ayaan noticed Maya sitting by the window, her face thoughtful as she looked out at the city lights.

"Hey," he said softly, walking up behind her. "What’s on your mind?"

She turned to him, her eyes a mix of emotions. "Your father... he doesn’t like me, does he?"

Ayaan sighed, crouching down to meet her gaze. "It doesn’t matter what he thinks, Maya. What matters is us."

"But I don’t want to cause a rift in your family," she said quietly.

Ayaan cupped her face gently. "Maya, my family has always been fractured. You didn’t cause that. If anything, you’ve brought a light into my life that I didn’t know I needed."

Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and she leaned into his touch.

"And besides," he added with a smirk, "if my father has a problem, he can take it up with me. I don’t bend to anyone, remember?"

Maya signed, and hugged him tight as if her life depends on him.

Next day

Maya adjusted her dupatta as she stepped into Ayaan’s sleek black SUV, excited for their planned shopping trip. She had been looking forward to a day of carefree exploration with her husband, away from the tension of the Rathore mansion.

Ayaan, dressed casually yet impeccably in a navy shirt and tailored pants, smiled as he started the car. "Ready to splurge, Mrs. Rathore?" he teased.

Maya grinned, her cheeks flushing. "Just don’t regret giving me the card later."

He chuckled, his eyes softening as he glanced at her. "I could never regret anything that makes you happy."

As they drove, Maya's excitement dimmed when she leaned forward to adjust her seatbelt and caught sight of something metallic under the seat. Her heart raced as realization dawned—it was a gun.

"Ayaan..." she began, her voice trembling.

He glanced at her, noticing the shift in her tone. "What’s wrong?"

She pointed at the gun, her eyes wide with panic. "Why is there a gun in your car?"

Ayaan’s expression hardened for a moment before softening into a reassuring smile. "Maya, it’s just for protection. Nothing to worry about."

"Protection?" she echoed, her voice rising. "Why do you need protection? Are we in danger?"

"No, no," he said quickly, pulling the car to a stop on the side of the road. He turned to face her, his hand reaching for hers. "Maya, listen to me. It’s just a precaution. My work sometimes... attracts unnecessary attention. But I promise you, I’ll never let anything happen to you."

Maya pulled her hand away, her breathing uneven. "I... I can’t. Guns, blood, violence... I’ve feared these things all my life. I don’t understand how you can just... carry one like it’s normal."

Ayaan’s chest tightened at her words. She was so pure, so untouched by the dark world he inhabited. A part of him had always known this moment would come, the moment she’d catch a glimpse of the shadows he tried so hard to keep from her.

"You don’t have to be afraid," he said, his voice firm but gentle. "I’ll handle everything. You’ll never have to see or deal with anything like that."

"But what if something happens?" she whispered, tears pooling in her eyes. "What if one day you don’t come back?"

Ayaan exhaled, his jaw tightening as he looked away. How could he tell her the truth? That the gun wasn’t just a precaution, but a necessity? That his world was built on a foundation of danger, power, and bloodshed?

He reached out and cupped her face, forcing her to look at him. "Maya, I need you to trust me. Trust that I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe. I’m your husband—it’s my job to protect you."

She nodded hesitantly, but the fear in her eyes didn’t fade.

As they resumed their drive, Ayaan’s mind raced. She doesn’t know. She doesn’t know the truth about me, about the empire I run, about the enemies I face. He clenched the steering wheel, the weight of his double life pressing down on him.

When they reached the mall, Maya tried to shake off her unease, but it lingered. Ayaan, sensing her discomfort, stayed closer to her than usual, his protective instincts heightened. He guided her through the stores, offering his opinions on her choices and cracking jokes to lighten the mood.

But in the back of his mind, Ayaan couldn’t stop thinking about the day she’d learn the full truth. Would she still look at him with those trusting eyes? Or would the fear that flickered in her gaze today consume her completely?

For now, he pushed those thoughts aside and focused on the present. If this was the last time she’d see him as just her loving husband, then he’d make sure she remembered this day as one filled with joy, not fear.