"I was sold in the name of duty," she whispered. "Every time, they called it love." He clenched his fists. "Who taught you that pain is the price of belonging?" "Life," she laughed bitterly. "And people I trusted." Her voice broke. "I learned to survive without dreaming." He stepped closer. "And I will teach you how to live again." She looked away. "What if I'm already ruined?" "Then I'll love every broken piece," he said softly. Tears fell. "I'm tired of being strong." "Then rest," he murmured. "I'll carry you now." For the first time, darkness felt afraid of hope. TROPES: • Arranged Marriage by Him • Forced Marriage • Childhood Sweethearts • Slow-Burn Romance • She Fell First, He Fell Harder • Forced Proximity • Wounded Heroine • Protective / Calm Hero • Hidden Past / Secrets "She's been broken, betrayed, and sacrificed... until he became the sunshine in her storm. Will love finally heal her scars, or will the shadows of the past win? Dive into this slow-burn, heart-wrenching romance and find out!"

THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US AARAV X ZIVA whose 2 hearts with old wounds covered with forced smiles and whispered glances. One with a new flame, the other with a heart still burning quietly. And how their life unfolded, love, jealousy, and betrayal when they face other again.

"Marry me", Shaurya Singh Shekhawat muttered with pure hatred in his eyes holding her arms in his vile grip "You hate me", Akansha Dixit said with fear and determination in her eyes "I do, and Retribution is my right", Shaurya said "And I have the right to a chance to justify myself", she said breaking with increasing hatred in his tone for her... "Like the hell, I will, you destroyed my sister and now it's your turn to get ruined", he spat... "You will marry me, or see your family die", he said "I will", she said losing the battle... "One last thing Mr. Shekhawat, the day you will know the truth, the rue will kill you", she said, he just scoffed walking away leaving her shattered at the same time making her stronger... If he thinks he could make her weak using her family, then he is in for a big surprise, thought Akansha with sheer determination... ************ 5 Years Later ************ "One chance is all I ask, Akansha", Shaurya begged sitting on his knees ignoring the fact that he is a Chief Minister, the most powerful man of the state... "You are 5 years too late CM sir", Akansha said with a cold face before walking away... "You are right... My rue is killing me every second", he whispered to himself Shaurya Singh Shekhawat, a man everyone in the state admired, people's favorite leader, a very well-educated Chief Minister, and the youngest person to take office in the country. Successful, that's what everyone think of him, but only he knew how much of a failure he is as a husband... Akansha Dixit, an aspirational student pursuing her Ph.D. in child psychology. She fell in love very easily but only when she realized his reality did she understand how much of a mess she is in, already... Amid selfish families, dirty politics, several misunderstandings, betrayals, and power-hungry wolves, will the innocent love survive, or will it succumb ??

Ayaan: If you think you're clever hiding inside my empire, you're wrong. You don't know me. I will tear down your façade and make you pay to expose the secret you're hiding. I will sink my claws into you and snatch every bit of that smile. Zara: When do I get to see the care in your eyes again, Ayaan...It's been years, but I still can't forget that night... the way you looked at me with so much of care and pain in your eyes like you felt my own. Zara: I love you, Ayaan... beyond you could even imagine... Ayaan: You've been tormenting me since the day you walked into my room for the first time. You're a beautiful sin I would never regret committing ***************************** Ayaan, a man shattered by the loss of his first love, meets a woman who shares her name 'Zara' -and is connected to the man responsible for that tragedy. Consumed by revenge, he sets out to destroy her, but the past has secrets of its own. Zara, who shares the name of Ayaan's first love, has secretly loved him for years. Caught in his web of revenge, she faces his wrath. As long-hidden truths come to light, she must choose between forgiving him or walking away forever. Secrets spill, betrayals surface, passion ignites, hearts break, and longing consumes in the twisted tale of love and vengeance. When a decade old betrayal resurfaces and a three-decade enemy rises to challenge the Rey family, what will Ayaan and Zara do to protect not just their legacy, but everything and everyone they hold dear? Billionaire Series - Book 3 - Billionaire's Ruthless Heart Book 2 - The Billionaire's Promise Book 1 - Billionaire's Angel