In a world where power is everything, the Shekhawat men rule from the shadows-ruthless, untouchable, and hidden behind the façade of billion-dollar empires. Their secrets are buried deep, their sins masked behind tailored suits and cold stares. No one dares to cross them. Until they do. Yashika, Meher, Trisha, and Tanishka-four women bound to the Shekhawat brothers by fate, deception, and secrets too dangerous to unveil. Each step they take, each vow they make, pulls them deeper into a world where love is a weapon and loyalty is a curse. Yashika fights against a marriage that was never meant to be hers. Meher walks a thin line between silence and rebellion. Trisha plays a game even she isn't sure she can win. Tanishka, the wildcard, is the one threat they never saw coming. But in a world where betrayal is inevitable and love is a dangerous illusion-who will survive, and who will burn?

"Love is the opus of fallacies and beauty" Smryna Roy is everything a teenager shouldn't be-eccentric, harsh, and yet, she has soft edges. She didn't think that moving into a new school would be hard-how bad could it be, after all? She also didn't think much about the bus rides she shared with a single person of her age. Arin Vaidya is everything a teenager should be-sporty, cocky, strange in a charismatic manner, and yet, he has a soft, unguarded surface beneath. He didn't mind changing schools-it would be an adventure. However, he was quite disappointed when he saw his bus mates: an eccentric girl, and a few unremarkable kids. He didn't think much of it. They never planned to become friends-really, they planned never to talk at all. But boredom is said to be the mother of procreation. Slowly, but surely, a strange bond bloomed between them. Smryna never anticipated that this year, she would get a boyfriend. This year, she would get her heart broken. Arin never thought he would enjoy the company of a certain girl, but when he loses her, something feels unmistakably wrong. BOOK ONE IN THE BALLAD OF HEARTS SERIES ALSO AVAILABLE ON PENANA Started-11 Jan, 2026 Completed-???