But she didn’t know when Karan would return.
She didn’t know what the morning would bring.
And most importantly, she had no idea that the man she had married didn’t come into her life to love her.
He came to destroy her.
CHAPTER 1
Wadhwa Mansion
As the morning sun spilt through the sheer curtains, Mishti woke up from her sleep.
For the first time in weeks, she had actually slept. Maybe it was exhaustion. Maybe it was relief that the chaos of her wedding day was finally over. But as her eyes fluttered open, reality hit her.
She was inhishouse now asMrs Mishti Wadhwa.
A sudden knock on the door broke her thoughts, and she hurried to open the door.
Maria stood smiling politely. “Good morning, Ma’am,” she said warmly.
“Good morning.”
“Sorry to wake you up,” Maria continued gently. “But since you’re new here, I wanted to ask what you’d like for breakfast. I’ll inform the kitchen staff.”
“Oh, that’s all right, Maria. Anything is fine,” Mishti said quickly. “But… they don’t need to cook. I can do it myself. For both me and…Karan.”
Maria froze for a moment. “I’m sorry, Ma’am,” she said softly. “But you’re not allowed to enter the kitchen or cook. Those are strict orders from Sir.”
Mishti blinked. “Orders?” she repeated, half smiling in disbelief. “But I’m thebahuof this house. Shouldn’t I have the right to cook for my husband?”
“You surely do, Ma’am,” Maria said with a trace of pity. “But please… don’t ask us to go against Sir’s instructions. Just freshen up, and I’ll have breakfast sent here.”
Maria turned to leave, but Mishti called her again. “Maria… is he back home?”
“No, Ma’am. Not yet.”
She frowned. “He didn’t tell you where he went?”
Maria shook her head, looking almost nervous. “He never does, Ma’am. And… we don’t have the authority to ask.”
Her words made something twist inside Mishti’s chest. What kind of man vanished on his wedding night without a word?
As Maria left, Mishti turned back to the grand bed and began straightening the sheets, convincing herself there must be a reason. Maybe he had an emergency.
That’s when the faint sound of footsteps made her turn sharply toward the door.
Her heartbeat stumbled as the door opened, and there he was.
Karan Wadhwa.
Tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled to his forearms. His jaw was rough with stubble, his dark hair slightly dishevelled. Karan looked like he hadn’t slept at all, yet even exhaustion couldn’t dull his good looks.
The moment he saw her, his jaw flexed hard, and he turned his head angrily toward the hallway. “Maria!” he shouted.
The sound shook through the walls, echoing down the corridor, making even Mishti flinch.
Maria came rushing in, already pale. “Y-Yes, Sir?”
