To his right stood Anjana, Advika's stepmother. Beautiful in a cold, brittle way, she wore her designer sari like armor and her disdain for Advika like a crown. Her lips curved into something that wasn't quite a smile.
Abhishek leaned against the bookshelf, arms crossed. At twenty-five, he was a carbon copy of their father—same ruthless eyes, same cruel mouth. He smirked when their gazes met, and Advika's hands clenched into fists.
Rahul, at least, had the decency to look uncomfortable. Her younger half-brother stood near the window, his hands shoved deep in his pockets, refusing to meet her eyes. At twenty, he was still finding his place in this world. Still deciding what kind of man he'd become.
"Sit," Yash commanded, gesturing to the chair across from his desk.
Advika remained standing. "What's this about? I have work tomorrow."
"Your bakery can wait." Anjana's voice was silk over steel. "This is about family."
The word 'family' coming from her stepmother's mouth was laughable. Advika bit her tongue to keep from saying so.
"There's been a situation," Yash began, his fingers steepled before him. "A conflict with the Singhania family that has escalated beyond acceptable parameters."
The Singhanias. Even Advika, removed as she was from her father's world, knew that name. Sidharth Singhania—the businessman the public adored and the mafia king the underworld feared. The war between the Pradhans and Singhanias had been brewing for years, a powder keg waiting for a match.
"What does that have to do with me?" But even as she asked, dread pooled in her stomach.
Abhishek laughed, the sound cruel and mocking. "Oh, this is going to be good."
"Sidharth Singhania has agreed to a truce," Yash continued, ignoring his son. "An alliance that will end the bloodshed and unite our families."
Advika's heartbeat thundered in her ears.No. No, no, no.
"Through marriage," Yash finished, his eyes finally meeting hers. "You will marry Sidharth Singhania. The wedding is in two weeks."
The world tilted sideways. For a moment, Advika couldn't breathe, couldn't think, couldn't process what she'd just heard.
"You can't be serious." Her voice came out strangled.
"Deadly serious." Yash's expression didn't change. "The arrangements are already being made."
"I won't do it." Advika's hands trembled, rage and fear warring inside her. "You can't force me to—"
"Can't I?" Yash leaned back in his chair, utterly calm. "You live in this city under my protection, whether you acknowledge it or not. Your bakery operates because I allow it. Everything you have exists because I permit it."
"I built Sinfully Sweet myself!" The words exploded from her. "You've never given me anything except a last name I didn't ask for!"
"And yet here you are." His smile was cold. "The illegitimate daughter, so desperate to prove herself. To make something of the scraps she was given."
Each word was a blade, expertly wielded. Advika felt them cut deep, reopening wounds that had never fully healed.
"There are other options," she said, fighting to keep her voice steady. "Surely someone else—"
"Sidharth isn’t into men, darling. And fortunately or unfortunately, this family has only one daughter.” Anjana's laugh was sharp enough to draw blood. "Be happy. You've finally found your purpose."
Advika turned to Rahul, searching for an ally, for anything. "You can't agree with this."
Rahul finally met her gaze, and what she saw there broke something inside her. Pity. Guilt. But not enough to speak up.
He looked away.
"The decision is made," Yash said with finality. "You will marry Sidharth Singhania in two months. You will be the bridge between our families. You will finally be useful."
Useful.That's all she'd ever been to him. Not a daughter. Not a person. A tool to be used when needed and ignored the rest of the time.
"And if I refuse?" She knew the answer before she asked.
