Bound to the Devil Billionaire

The wedding hall was filled with light, music, and people pretending to be happy. But Anaya felt like she was standing in the middle of a lie. Her hands trembled slightly as she adjusted the heavy red dupatta on her head. The gold jewelry around her neck felt more like chains than ornaments. Every step she took felt slow… forced… unreal. “Smile,” her aunt whispered sharply beside her. “Everyone is watching.” Anaya forced her lips to curve. A perfect bride. That’s what they saw. Not the truth. Not the fear. Not the fact that this marriage had nothing to do with love. Her eyes slowly lifted toward the man standing at the mandap. Arjun Malhotra. The billionaire everyone respected… and feared. He stood tall, dressed in black and gold, looking like a man who owned everything he saw. His face was calm, unreadable. His eyes didn’t search for her. Didn’t soften. He didn’t look like a groom. He looked like a man signing a deal. Anaya’s chest tightened. This wasn’t how she imagined her wedding. There were no dreams here. No happiness. No warmth. Only silence… and something darker she couldn’t explain. The priest’s voice broke through her thoughts. “Bring the bride forward.” Her legs moved before her mind could. Step by step, she walked toward a life she didn’t choose. A life she couldn’t escape. She stopped beside him. For a brief second, she felt his presence—cold, distant, powerful. But he still didn’t look at her. Not even once. “Do you accept this marriage?” the priest asked. The question echoed louder than it should have. Anaya’s throat went dry. Accept? Did she have a choice? Her father’s hospital bills flashed in her mind. The endless debts. Her mother’s tired eyes. The fear of losing everything. This marriage was the price. “I… accept,” she said softly. The words felt heavy as they left her lips. Arjun spoke immediately after. “I accept.” His voice was steady. Emotionless. Like this meant nothing to him. The rituals continued. Sacred fire burned between them. Promises were made. Vows were taken. But Anaya felt none of it. Because deep inside, she knew— This wasn’t a beginning. It was the start of something she didn’t understand yet. Something dangerous. As the ceremony ended, applause filled the hall. Cameras flashed. People smiled. But Anaya’s heart didn’t move. Not until— Arjun finally looked at her. For the first time. His gaze met hers. Sharp. Intense. And for a brief second… something flickered in his eyes. Not warmth. Not kindness. Something darker. Something that made her breath stop. He leaned slightly closer, just enough for only her to hear. “You should be careful, Anaya,” he said quietly. Her heart skipped. “Careful… of what?” she asked, her voice barely steady. A faint smile touched his lips. But it wasn’t comforting. It was dangerous. “Of the truth,” he whispered. And just like that— Anaya realized something terrifying. This marriage was not just forced. It was planned.