She became his wife by tradition. He vowed she'd never touch his heart. Layla never imagined her marriage would begin with silence... and cold hatred. Ayan, her husband, is bound to her by family, not by choice-and he makes that painfully clear every day. But fate doesn't ask permission. And love? It has a habit of blooming in places it shouldn't. In a house filled with unspoken words, stolen glances, and simmering tension... Will duty keep them apart, or will destiny pull them closer? Her POV (Layla): They say love can grow, even in the cold. But Ayan's eyes hold nothing but resentment. He didn't want this marriage, and he never lets me forget it. Tonight, he steps in close, trapping me between him and the wall. I flinch, heart pounding. "Don't think wearing my ring means you matter," he says, voice sharp. I nod, swallowing my tears. "Yes," I whisper. But something in me refuses to believe this is all we'll ever be. His POV (Ayan): This marriage was forced. So was she. Layla's presence is too quiet, too soft-and it gets under my skin. "You mean nothing to me," I snap, leaning in, watching her eyes flicker with fear. "Do you understand?" She nods. But that silence? It lingers. I walk away, but I can still feel her eyes. And I hate that part of me cares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- New chapter everyday at 7PM IST. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- !! Mature content from Chapter 19 !!