The clock on the tablet ticked mercilessly toward four.

Aisha spent the intervening hours in a state of brittle tension, pacing the perimeter of the suite.

She tried to open the windows-locked. She tried the phones-intercom only.

She tried to disable the tablet-a futile gesture against Raichand's empire.

Every attempt was a reminder of her complete lack of agency.

​At precisely 4:00 PM, a chime sounded at the main door.

​The attendant from the previous night escorted in two new figures a statuesque, impeccably dressed woman who introduced herself as Lena, the stylist, and a thin, severe-looking man holding a leather case-the jeweler.

​"Mr. Raichand's instructions are precise," Lena said, her voice cool and professional, her eyes taking in Aisha's simple white shirt with a brief, clinical judgment. "A gown from the Autumn collection. Dark sapphire. Minimalist, yet striking."

( Listen dil ibadat )

​Aisha didn't argue. The energy for rebellion had been momentarily drained by the medical report-Diya was safe, for now. That was her one lever, the single reason she was enduring this farce.

​The dressing process was humiliatingly thorough. Lena worked with ruthless efficiency, transforming Aisha from a defiant prisoner into a polished masterpiece.

The gown was a sheath of heavy, dark blue silk that clung to her like a second skin, exposing a clean line of her collarbone and shoulders. It was stunning, and it made her feel utterly exposed.

​The jeweler opened his case, revealing a single, breathtaking piece: a diamond necklace, each stone flawless, set in a design that seemed to imitate ice melting.

​"The Chandra-Kiran," the jeweler murmured, holding it up. "An ancient piece, rarely seen."

​As Lena settled the heavy, cold diamonds around Aisha's neck, the gravity of the transformation hit her.

She no longer looked like Aisha Sharma, the tired, tenacious part time worker fighting for her sister.

She looked like an extension of Siddharth Raichand's wealth-a carefully chosen ornament. A warning to his rivals.

​A few minutes later, the main doors of the penthouse slid open to reveal Siddharth.

He had changed again, into a black tuxedo so perfectly cut it seemed painted onto his body.

The formal attire amplified his unsettling beauty and his predatory grace.

​He stopped just inside the room, his eyes scanning the entire tableau-the silent attendants, the gleaming diamonds-before settling on Aisha.

​A new kind of stillness descended.

​His eyes lingered on the sapphire silk, the curve of her throat, and finally, the fierce, contained anger in her gaze. He approached slowly, dismissing the attendants with a subtle flick of his hand.

​"Perfect," he pronounced, the word a deep breath against the quiet. He didn't look at the gown or the diamonds.

He was looking at her. "You wear my color well, Jaana."

​He came to stand directly in front of her. She could feel the familiar, overwhelming chill emanating from him, a coldness that was now deeply associated with his power.

​He lifted a single, gloved finger-he wore thin black gloves tonight-and touched the large central diamond resting just above the hollow of her throat.

​"The Chandra-Kiran," he murmured, his voice a low vibration. "It means 'moonbeam.' It is cold, hard, beautiful, and utterly inescapable. Much like your new situation."

​He didn't wait for her reply. He let his gaze drop, studying her face with unnerving focus. "You look like a fire struggling to stay lit in a snowstorm. That is the look I want them to see."

​He lowered his head slightly, his mouth coming close to her ear, the black silk of his glove brushing the sensitive skin of her shoulder.

"Tonight, you will lean into me. You will act as if I am the only source of warmth in your cold world. And you will hate every second of it-but you will do it perfectly, because Diya is watching from my care."

She glared him in anger.

​His words were a dark, intimate instruction, delivered with the certainty of absolute power.

​A tremor ran through her, not just of fear, but of a deep, visceral reaction to his closeness , the intoxicating scent of something like ozone and expensive leather.

​He pulled back, his cold blue eyes capturing hers.

He then extended his bare left arm to her, the silk cuff of his tuxedo sharp and immaculate.

​"Take my arm, Aisha. And do not let go. Not for a minute. Your defiance is a fire, but tonight, it is my fire, and it burns only for me."

​She hesitated for only a second, the image of Diya's stable vitals flashing in her mind.

With a deep, controlled breath, she laid her hand on the silk of his forearm.

The lack of direct skin contact didn't diminish the sudden, electric awareness between them.

​Siddharth smiled-a flash of cold, triumphant victory. He placed his other hand over hers, a proprietary gesture.

​"Good girl," he said, the sound utterly satisfied.

He began to lead her toward the lift, which was waiting, doors open, leading down into the heart of the city, and into his empire. "Now, let the world see who I have claimed."
-
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Inside an immaculately luxurious car, A custom Rolls-Royce Phantom moving smoothly through the city lights. The interior glows softly from ambient lighting.

The car glides, silent except for the low hum of the engine and the city outside. Aisha stares out the window, jaw subtly clenched and anger on her nose.

Siddharth watches her, a playful smirk on his face.

He Leans slightly closer, voice a low purr You know, little bird, if looks could kill, this evening would be a short one. Good thing I thrive on danger.

Aisha arches an eyebrow, unimpressed
"Aap Mr.Raichand Kam or ye baat bolte hue saste,"Akshay kumar" zyada lag rahe hai." "Bade aaye khatron ke khiladi."

Siddharth tilts his head, eyes gleaming faintly,
"Akshay Kumar? Please. I don't do stunts... I prefer leaving marks that don't fade."

What do you mean by that ? Aisha said with wide eyes.
She thought "Is he talking about love bites".

He leaned just slightly closer, a faint glint in his eyes.
"You think a little too loudly, Jaana ... I must admit, it's entertaining."

Huh....she saw him In confusion

Siddharth's lips curved into a knowing smile.
"Someday we'll try that too". By the way
"Curiosity suits you... though sometimes, it leads to conclusions far from the truth."
My dear little bird the marks I gave.....I prefer them to be a mystery".

Mr. Raichand aap baat ko jalebi ki tarah ghumana band kariye. She said with irritated voice.

Jalebi?? He said with making a annoy face.
That's not jalebi that's diabetes. And stop comparing my words with that bl**dy diabetes

He thought, I have to manipulate you and your words ,"little bird "
"You will know everything at the right time."

Ugh.....you.. she was about to say something but cut off by Siddharth.

Now, Silence...he said in his commanding tone
Exactly 30 min from here and we'll be there.

He moved his hand towards Aisha, and said , Give me your hand...remember little bird never leave my hand there.
Stay confident.

To be continued cuties

Chapter 11, 12, 13 ,14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 are already uploaded on Wattpad for free

In stck, This Novel be for free hope you enjoy reading.

Your Emily 💖