𝐑𝐚𝐚𝐳 : 𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐕𝐨𝐰𝐬 [𝟏𝟖+]

The mandap shimmered with the golden light of sacred fire, its crackling blending with the priest's chants. Aaradhya sat stiff beside him, her bangles trembling against her wrist as if echoing the storm inside her.

Her lips parted, calm but sharp.
"Let's just get over with this... this so-called love marriage. We both know it's nothing more than an alliance crafted by our families. I'm not interested in this at all. And I'm certain you aren't either."

For a moment, silence lingered. Then, he smirked, his voice low, deliberate, almost sinful in its certainty.
"Oh, I am more than interested in this wedding... because for me, this is no alliance-it is heaven itself. And it's not marriage that excites me, it's love. You... you are that love for me. I've waited years for this very day."

Her gaze snapped to him, startled, but he leaned closer, letting the fire's glow catch the shadows in his eyes.
"And no, Aaradhya, our families didn't choose this alliance... I did. They don't even know any of this nor are they here."

~~~~~

What she thought was a cage of duty was his carefully laid obsession. A choice stolen long before she even realized it.

To him, she was not a bride. She was destiny. His vow. His secret.
And the fire that bound them wasn't sacred-it was dangerous.

Not just one secret.
Not just one betrayal.
Every vow they took hid another lie.

Because behind every smile lies a secret.
Behind every touch, a threat.
And under every vow-there's a RAAZ waiting to explode.