The Announcement
717 Words
The morning sun glared too brightly against the polished marble of Lakshya's office. Shanaya sat on a low leather chair, feeling small and exposed as he dictated instructions to his assistants with the same cool authority he used to dismantle lives.
Ananya, with her flawless hair and crisp navy suit, stood by the desk taking notes. Siddharth, tall and sharp-eyed, waited by the door with a tablet in hand. Neither of them looked at her directly, but Shanaya knew they were all aware of exactly what had just happened.
She was no longer free.
Lakshya finished signing a document and dismissed them with a flick of his hand. The door clicked shut behind them, sealing her in with him and the suffocating tension she couldn't escape.
When he finally lifted his gaze to her, his expression was unreadable.
"You need to go home and pack your belongings," he said. "A car will take you to my penthouse this evening."
Her throat tightened. "You're not even giving me time to think."
"You've had plenty of time," he said evenly. "You signed the contract. That makes you mine in every way that matters."
She dug her nails into her palms. "And you think owning me will make you happy?"
"I don't believe in happiness," he murmured, rising to his full height. "I believe in possession."
He circled the desk and stopped in front of her, close enough she could smell his cologne-dark, expensive, masculine.
"I don't want to hurt you, Shanaya," he said softly. "But I will never let you go."
Her voice came out small. "Why me?"
He stared down at her for a long moment, something fierce flickering in his eyes. "Because you were the only beautiful thing in my life before it all went to hell."
Her heart tripped over itself. "What are you talking about?"
His jaw tightened, but he didn't answer.
Instead, he reached into his jacket and pulled out a slim, black velvet box.
She flinched as he snapped it open to reveal a diamond ring, the stone so large it seemed absurd.
"You'll wear this," he said quietly. "Starting tonight."
Her mouth went dry. "You expect me to parade around with this like we're some fairytale couple?"
His dark brows lifted. "No, Shanaya. I expect you to wear it because you are my fiancée. And by tomorrow, the entire city will know."
Before she could respond, he slipped the ring onto her finger, the cold metal biting into her skin.
She stared down at it, feeling as though her life had been stolen and replaced with a stranger's.
His thumb brushed over her knuckles, a strangely tender gesture that made her chest ache.
"You'll attend a dinner with me tonight," he continued in that calm, implacable tone. "Our engagement will be announced to my associates and to the press."
"I'm not ready-"
"You will be."
"Lakshya," she tried again, her voice shaking, "please...give me time to accept this."
His hand came up, cupping her cheek. The warmth of his palm only made her feel more trapped.
"I don't intend to wait," he murmured. "You've belonged to me for far longer than you realize."
He let his fingers trail slowly down her neck, leaving her breathless and furious all at once.
"Go home," he ordered gently. "Pack your things. And remember-whatever you feel about me, you agreed to this."
Tears blurred her vision as she rose unsteadily to her feet. She wanted to scream at him, to claw at the perfect veneer of his control.
But instead, she turned and walked out of his office, each step feeling like she was leaving her old life behind forever.
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When she reached the lobby, she nearly collided with Ananya.
The other woman finally looked her in the eye, her voice careful.
"He's not an easy man," Ananya said quietly.
Shanaya swallowed. "You think I don't know that?"
Ananya's gaze softened almost imperceptibly. "Just...be careful. There are things about him you don't understand."
Shanaya held her chin high even as her heart thudded with dread. "I'll survive."
Ananya didn't contradict her. But in her eyes, Shanaya saw the truth:
This was only the beginning.
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⚠️ Content Warning:
This novel contains mature themes, possessive relationships, and dark romance intended for readers 18+. Reader discretion advised.
- Writer
