Bound by Fortune

Chapter Seven: Scattered Trust

The gala hall was still humming with tension as Ava stormed down the hallway, her heels echoing in the silence. The blackout had thrown everything into chaos, leaving her hard work hanging by a thread. She had worked her entire life for this showcase, and now it felt like it was all slipping through her fingers. She clenched her fists, still reeling from Raj’s words: "Looks like someone didn’t want you to succeed tonight."

What did he mean? Was he behind this? And if so, why?

The anger bubbled up inside her, but she shoved it down. She couldn’t afford to crumble. Not yet. She needed answers. And the first place to start was Karan.

As Ava burst through the double doors of the private lounge, Karan was already waiting, pacing the room. He looked up, startled to see her so soon. His face was a mask of concern, but there was something else—a flicker of guilt in his eyes.

"Did you know about this?" she demanded, not even bothering with pleasantries.

Karan looked at her, startled. “What? Of course not.”

She glared at him, her voice a sharp edge. “Your father...he was behind this, wasn’t he? He sabotaged my show.”

Karan’s jaw tightened. He had suspected as much, but hearing it out loud made his blood boil. “I don’t know for sure, but it wouldn’t surprise me,” he admitted, his voice heavy with frustration. “Raj has always been controlling, but this...this is different.”

Ava’s eyes narrowed. “Then why didn’t you stop him? You knew he didn’t want me in this world, but you said nothing!”

“I didn’t know he’d go this far, Ava!” Karan ran a hand through his hair, his own temper rising. “Do you think I’m okay with this? I’m just as blindsided as you are.”

Ava shook her head, stepping back. “You’re his son. You had to have known something was coming. Your family has been nothing but an obstacle since the moment we got married.”

The sting of her words hit Karan harder than he expected, and for a second, he was speechless. Ava was right, in a way. His father had been overbearing, ruthless even, but he had never thought Raj would go to such lengths. And now, it was tearing everything apart.

But before Karan could respond, the door swung open again, and in walked someone he hadn’t expected to see.

“Arjun?” Karan's voice was filled with disbelief.

His estranged brother strode into the room, exuding his usual confidence, as if he had every right to be there. Arjun, the black sheep of the family, had stayed away from the family business and all its politics for years, focusing on his art and leading a quieter life. So why was he here, now?

“Ava,” Arjun greeted her first, giving her a nod. “I saw the mess your show turned into. That blackout wasn’t an accident.”

Ava glanced at Karan, then back at Arjun. “Do you know something about it?”

“I know a lot of things,” Arjun said, leaning casually against the doorframe. “But more importantly, I know Dad’s involved in something bigger than just sabotaging a fashion show. And trust me, it’s about to get worse.”

Karan stepped forward, his temper flaring. “What the hell are you talking about, Arjun? What’s going on?”

Arjun crossed his arms, meeting Karan’s gaze with a steady look. “I’ve been keeping an eye on things from the outside. Dad’s been making some shady deals. He’s been controlling everything behind the scenes, including your marriage to Ava.”

Karan stiffened. “What do you mean, ‘controlling’?”

Arjun’s expression darkened. “The arranged marriage? It wasn’t just about merging families. Dad saw Ava’s potential long before you did, and he knew he could use her career to his advantage. He’s been pulling the strings, making sure you two stayed together so he could gain leverage in the fashion industry.”

Ava’s breath caught in her throat. The room spun for a moment as Arjun’s words sank in. “He...what? He’s been manipulating me from the start?”

Arjun nodded grimly. “Yes. And sabotaging your show tonight? It was all part of his plan to keep you under control. He’s banking on you failing so he can swoop in and ‘rescue’ you, making you dependent on him.”

Karan’s fists clenched. “Why didn’t you tell me any of this before?”

Arjun shrugged. “I thought you’d figure it out. But you were too wrapped up in the family business, just like Dad wanted.”

Ava felt a sickening twist in her stomach. This was worse than she’d imagined. Not only had Raj sabotaged her career, but he had orchestrated her entire marriage as a business move. Every moment of her life with Karan suddenly felt like a lie.

“I need to get out of here,” she muttered, turning toward the door.

Karan stepped forward. “Ava, wait—”

She spun back around, eyes flashing. “For what? More lies? More manipulation? You knew something was off this whole time, Karan. You had to. And you did nothing.”

“I didn’t know the full extent of it,” Karan said, his voice desperate. “I swear, I didn’t know he’d go this far.”

Ava shook her head, tears stinging her eyes. “I can’t trust you. I can’t trust any of this.”

And with that, she walked out of the room, leaving Karan standing there, stunned.

---

Outside the hotel, Ava’s world felt like it was crumbling. She had always known the Mehra family had their secrets, but this? This was beyond anything she could’ve prepared for. She hailed a cab and collapsed into the back seat, her heart pounding in her chest. She needed to get away from Karan, from Raj, from everything.

Her phone buzzed. Sophie’s name flashed across the screen. For a moment, she considered ignoring it, but then she answered.

“Ava? Where are you? Are you okay?”

“No,” Ava whispered, her voice breaking. “I’m not. Sophie, Raj was behind everything. My career, my marriage, all of it. He’s been manipulating me from the start.”

There was a pause on the other end. “What are you going to do?”

Ava wiped away a tear. “I don’t know yet. But I’m not going to let him win.”

---

Back at the hotel, Karan stood frozen in place as Arjun moved toward the door.

“This isn’t over,” Karan said, his voice low but firm.

Arjun smirked. “No, it’s not. But you better decide whose side you’re on before it all falls apart.”

Karan watched his brother leave, his mind spinning. He had to make things right, but how? Raj had been controlling everything from the shadows, and now Ava was gone, betrayed by the very people she thought she could trust.

As he stood there, his phone buzzed again—a message from Raj.

“We need to talk. Tomorrow.”

Karan’s grip tightened around the phone. Whatever was coming next, he knew it would be a fight. But this time, he wasn’t going to let his father win.