A girl lay on a king-size bed, her body heavy and unmoving.

A few minutes later, she stirred, a faint crease forming between her brows. Slowly, she opened her eyes—

—and froze.

Memories crashed into her mind all at once.

Her breath hitched as she remembered what had happened before she lost consciousness.

Ifra sat up abruptly and jumped off the bed. Her heart pounded as she rushed to the door and tried to unlock it.

Locked.

She knocked. Pulled. Tried again.

Nothing.

After a few minutes, the door opened on its own.

Zayan Sheikh stepped inside with unnerving calmness, as if nothing extraordinary had occurred. His face was emotionless, his movements unhurried—like a man entering territory he already owned.

“Get ready,” he said casually. “You’re going to marry me.”

Before Ifra could react, a few servants entered behind him, carrying bridal attire.

Fear crept into her veins. Her hands trembled; her throat went dry—but she forced herself to stand tall.

“I will not marry you,” she said, her voice shaking yet firm.

“Chahe jo ho jaye.”

( No matter what happens. )

Zayan looked at her calmly.

“But you have to.”

She clenched her fists. “I would rather die than marry a man like you.”

For the first time, something dark and unreadable flickered in his eyes—but his voice remained disturbingly composed.

“I think,” he said softly, “you should see this before saying anything more.”

He gestured toward the guards.

They stepped forward, holding a tablet.

“Ifra,” he said quietly—her name heavy on his tongue—

“ghaur se dekhna.”

( Look carefully. )

The screen lit up.

Her breath stopped.

Her home.

Her mother sat on the prayer mat, tasbeeh clutched tightly in her trembling fingers, lips moving in silent dua. Her father paced the room, phone pressed to his ear, his voice breaking with panic.

Then the screen shifted.

Her college.

Her friends laughing, unaware.

Her everyday life—ordinary, fragile, exposed.

Her legs gave way, and she staggered back.

“What is this?” she whispered. “Yeh sab kya hai…?”

( What is all this…? )

Zayan walked closer, his presence closing in on her like a cage.

“Your life,” he said calmly. “Aur jo log tumhari zindagi hain.”

( And the people who are your life. )

She shook her head, tears blurring her vision.

“You kidnapped me. You can’t force me like this.”

“I’m not forcing you,” he replied evenly.

“I’m warning you.”

He tapped the screen once.

“Agar tumne shaadi se inkaar kiya,”

( If you refuse to marry me, )

he said quietly, dangerously,

“toh kal subah tumhare walid ka business band ho jayega.”

( then by tomorrow morning, your father’s business will be shut down. )

Her heart stopped.

“Parson tumhari maa hospital mein hongi—sirf tension ki wajah se,” he continued, his tone flat, merciless.

“Aur agar phir bhi tum nahi maani…”

( The day after tomorrow, your mother will be in the hospital—only because of stress. )

( And if you still don’t agree… )

He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper.

“Tumhari duniya ek ek karke tumse cheen li jayegi.”

( Your world will be taken away from you, piece by piece. )

She stared at him in horror.

“This is blackmail,” she cried. “Yeh zulm hai!”

( This is cruelty! )

His jaw tightened for a second.

“This is protection,” he said. “Is duniya se, jo nahi jaanti ke meri cheez ko chhoona kitna mehnga padta hai.”

( From this world, which doesn’t know how costly it is to touch what belongs to me. )

She flinched.

“I don’t belong to you!” she shouted, tears spilling freely now.

“Main koi cheez nahi hoon!”

( I am not an object! )

Silence swallowed the room.

Zayan looked at her—really looked at her. Those black eyes blazing with defiance, even as she broke apart.

“I know,” he said quietly.

“Isi liye tum khatarnaak ho.”

( That’s exactly why you are dangerous. )

She froze.

He turned away, signaling the servants.

“Get her ready.”

Ifra wrapped her arms around herself, her body shaking violently. She wasn’t weak—but at that moment, she was cornered, trapped between her freedom and the lives she loved.

At the door, Zayan paused.

Without turning back, he said,

“Tum mujhe nafrat karogi. Mujhe iska andaza hai.”

( You will hate me. I know that. )

Then, softer—almost to himself:

“Magar ek din tum samjhogi…

ke tumhein apna banane ke liye

maine poori duniya ke khilaaf jaane ka jurm kyun kiya.”

( But one day, you will understand…That to make you mine,why I committed the crime of going against the entire world. )

The door closed.

And Ifra stood there—

caught between fear, rage, and a fate she never chose.