Her dupatta lay discarded on the couch. And her back... her delicate back was covered in angry red welts, deep wounds crisscrossing her skin. The thin strings of her blouse had bitten into her flesh, cutting through like a cruel punishment. "Pakhi!" His voice broke as he rushed forward. He knelt beside her and gently shook her shoulder. No response. He tried again, louder this time. Still nothing. A cold dread gripped him. She wasn't asleep-she was unconscious. Adhrit didn't waste another second. He unknotted the strings of her blouse with trembling fingers, loosening the cruel garment. His hand brushed against her burning skin-it was scorching hot. His palm shot to her forehead-fever. High, raging fever. ------------------------------------------------------------------- "When fate hands her life to the unknown man, she must decide if he's her savior-or her downfall." He didn't believe in love-until his grandfather's last wish left him with one. She never imagined marriage was in her cards-until life refused to let her stay alone forever. When a heartbroken man and a hopeful but guarded woman are brought together by family promises and a twist of fate, sparks fly in the most unexpected ways. Awkward dinners, clashing worlds, and a growing warmth neither saw coming... Can two strangers tied by duty end up writing a love story of their own?" Tropes CEO x Fashion Designer Cold x Soft © 2025 Maple. All Rights Reserved. Do not copy, reproduce, or distribute without permission.