### Chapter 2: The Contract Bride
402 Words
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### Chapter 2: The Contract Bride
The silence in the bedroom was deafening.
Anjali sat on the edge of the enormous bed, her bridal jewelry still clinging to her body like shackles. Her red bangles jingled softly as she fidgeted with her fingers, but Aaryan remained cold and distant, standing near the window, staring into the night like he had a hundred battles to fight inside his mind.
Finally, he turned around.
“I’ll be leaving for Singapore tomorrow morning,” he said, without looking at her.
Anjali blinked. “Tomorrow? But…”
“This isn’t a real marriage, Anjali. You were told that, I assume.”
She nodded hesitantly.
Aaryan sighed and walked over to a drawer, pulling out a crisp envelope. “This is our marriage contract. It states that we will remain legally married for one year. You’ll stay here, in this house, play your part in front of my family and the media. In return, your father’s debts are cleared, and you'll be paid ₹1 lakh per month.”
Anjali’s heart sank. She felt the paper’s weight even before touching it.
“You’re buying me?” she whispered, her voice trembling.
“No,” he replied, his tone flat. “I’m buying peace. I needed a wife urgently to satisfy my board of directors. You were the simplest solution.”
She bit her lip, holding back tears. “Do I at least have the freedom to leave this house?”
“No. Not for the first six months. After that, we’ll discuss.”
Anjali felt like a prisoner in silk. The mansion, the wealth, the luxury — none of it meant anything. She had dreamed of love, laughter, and a partner who cared. What she got instead was a deal.
He turned to leave the room. “You’ll move into the guest room tomorrow. Until then, rest.”
Just before exiting, he paused.
“One more thing… Stay away from the west wing of this house. No questions.”
Then he walked out.
Alone now, Anjali’s eyes scanned the room — a golden cage dressed as a palace. Her future was uncertain, her heart already aching. But one thing was clear.
She wasn’t going to be just a contract bride.
She was going to find out who Aaryan Mehra really was… and why the west wing held a truth no one dared to mention.
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- Writer
