Part 10: A Love Tested
481 Words
Aarushi stared at the newspaper, her hands trembling. The words blurred before her eyes, but the picture remained clear—Vivaan, standing beside Naina Malhotra, his supposed fiancée.
Her heart clenched painfully.
Meera (softly): “Aarushi, say something.”
Aarushi took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm. “If this is what he wants… then I have to accept it.”
Meera (angrily): “What?! You really think Vivaan would agree to this?”
Aarushi’s voice cracked. “He did agree, Meera. That’s what matters.”
Meera shook her head. “Or maybe his family forced him.”
Aarushi let out a bitter laugh. “And what difference does that make? Either way, he’s going to marry someone else.”
Meera wanted to argue, but Aarushi had already turned away, locking herself in her room.
She had made her choice.
And now… Vivaan had made his.
---
Vivaan’s Prison
At the Mehra mansion, Vivaan sat in his father’s office, his fists clenched.
Vivaan (furious): “You had no right to announce my engagement!”
Mr. Mehra leaned back in his chair, unfazed. “I had every right. You’re my son, and this is what’s best for our family.”
Vivaan slammed his hands on the desk. “Best for the family? What about me? What about what I want?”
His mother spoke up, her voice calm. “Vivaan, love is fleeting. But power? Status? These things matter. Naina is from a respectable family. Aarushi… is not.”
His father nodded. “If you refuse this engagement, you’ll lose everything. No inheritance. No business. Nothing.”
Vivaan let out a bitter chuckle. “So that’s how far you’ll go to control me?”
Mr. Mehra’s expression didn’t change. “You have until the engagement party to decide. Choose wisely, son.”
Vivaan stormed out of the office, rage boiling inside him.
If they thought they could force him into this… they had no idea who they were dealing with.
---
The Engagement Party
The Mehra estate was glowing with golden lights, the grand ballroom filled with the city’s elite. Guests whispered about the “perfect match” between Vivaan and Naina.
Aarushi had no intention of going—until Meera practically dragged her there.
Meera: “You need to see for yourself. If Vivaan really moved on, fine. But don’t you dare walk away without knowing the truth.”
Reluctantly, Aarushi entered, keeping to the shadows. But her eyes searched for one person—Vivaan.
And when she finally saw him, her breath hitched.
He was dressed in a black tuxedo, looking as devastatingly handsome as ever. But his eyes… they were empty.
Then, as if sensing her, his gaze met hers across the room.
And in that single moment, Aarushi knew.
Vivaan hadn’t moved on.
But was he willing to fight for her?
---
End of Part 10.
- Writer
