Wicked Desires

chapter 25

Hey everyone, I'm back with the weekend update!  Apologies for missing the last three weekends—I was out of town, but I'm excited to be back with something special! 

This chapter is a soft, sweet read, and I think a lot of you who enjoy rom-coms will absolutely love it.  I'd really love to hear your thoughts, so don't forget to leave a vote and comment below!

Let me know how you're feeling about the story so far, and I'll see you all next weekend for another update. 

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Kriya glanced at her reflection as the beauticians stepped aside, giving her room to examine her look. The pastel pink gown cascaded elegantly, its fabric flowing softly with every movement, while delicate curls framed her face, brushing her shoulders with a touch of grace. Her lips, adorned in the softest shade of nude brown, added an understated charm to her appearance, exuding a quiet femininity she rarely embraced.

"You look stunning, darling," Ana, Master's girlfriend, chimed from the corner, her tone light but sincere. Kriya forced a faint smile in response, her nerves betraying her.

She felt a lump forming in her throat. The longer she stared at her reflection, the more ridiculous this entire charade seemed. What was supposed to be a quick, harmless favour had spiralled into something far beyond her control. Now, standing here, dressed for an engagement she didn't want and playing a part she despised, she felt utterly humiliated.

What a mess she had made of her life. What a fool she had allowed herself to become.

Kriya's fingers lightly brushed over the intricate beading on her gown as she exhaled deeply, trying to settle the storm brewing inside her. The pastel pink fabric that once seemed soft and comforting now felt like chains, binding her to a fate she didn't choose. Her soft curls bounced with each uneasy step she took toward the mirror, her reflection mocking her silent rebellion.

"You're an absolute vision," Ana added, her voice almost too cheerful as she sipped on her champagne. The compliment sounded genuine, but Kriya couldn't find the energy to reply, let alone believe it.

Her gaze lingered on her painted lips and the way the gown clung perfectly to her frame. It was a look that screamed elegance, perfection even—but none of it felt like her. Behind the carefully applied makeup and the tailored dress was a woman falling apart, piece by piece.

This wasn't her.

This wasn't the life she dreamed of.

She ran her fingers nervously over her gown again, her pulse racing. The drama she once thought would fizzle out in a day had exploded into an inescapable spectacle. How had she let herself get dragged this far into Reyansh's chaos? Her lips twitched into a bitter smile.

"Do you need to change anything?" one of the beauticians asked hesitantly, noticing Kriya's silence.

Change? She wanted to change everything. The dress, the engagement, this ridiculous farce of a relationship—her entire life right now. But instead, she shook her head. "No, it's fine," she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ana stood up and walked over, looping her arm around Kriya's shoulder. "Come on, girl. This is your big night. Cheer up. Do you have any idea how jealous people will be when they see you walk in with Reyansh?"

Jealous? The thought almost made her laugh. If only they knew the truth. If only they knew how much she wanted to disappear into thin air.

"Yeah," she muttered, forcing a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I'm sure they will."

Her feet felt heavy as she turned toward the door, bracing herself for what lay ahead. The fake engagement, the prying eyes, the inevitable taunts from Don—it was all too much. But no matter how much she wanted to run, there was no way out. Not tonight.