The next morning, the first rays of sunlight filtered through the heavy silk curtains, casting a warm glow on the lavish bedroom. Aanya stirred, her body aching from the tension that had taken root deep in her muscles. Her mind was a storm of confusion and shame, haunted by the intensity of the night before. She opened her eyes to find the room eerily quiet, save for the rhythmic ticking of an ornate clock on the wall.

Her gaze shifted to the bed beside her. Raghav’s side was empty, the sheets neatly arranged, as if he hadn’t slept there at all. She exhaled shakily, both relieved and unsettled by his absence. For a moment, she allowed herself to hope that he had left her alone, but the fleeting thought was quickly crushed by the realization that she was still trapped in his world.

Just as she swung her legs over the side of the bed, a soft knock at the door startled her. It creaked open, revealing a maid with a tray of steaming tea and a silver cloche.

“Good morning, ma’am,” the woman said politely, her eyes lowered as she entered the room. “Sir asked me to bring this for you.”

Aanya’s lips pressed into a thin line as she watched the maid set the tray down on the small table near the window.

“Where is he?” she asked softly, her voice trembling despite her best efforts to remain composed.

The maid hesitated, glancing at her cautiously. “Sir is in his study, ma’am. He said he’d like to speak with you when you’re ready.”

Aanya’s stomach churned at the thought of facing him again, but she nodded, dismissing the maid with a weak smile. As soon as the door closed, she sank back onto the bed, her hands trembling in her lap. The tea sat untouched on the tray as she tried to gather her strength.

Half an hour later, Aanya found herself standing outside Raghav’s study, her fingers curling into fists at her sides. The polished wood door loomed before her, a barrier between her and the man who had upended her life. She took a deep breath, steeling herself, before raising her hand to knock.

“Come in,” his voice called from within, deep and commanding.

She pushed the door open, stepping inside to find him seated at a massive mahogany desk. He was dressed impeccably, his dark suit tailored to perfection, exuding power and control. Papers and files were spread out before him, but his attention shifted to her the moment she entered.

“Aanya,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “Good morning.”

She hesitated, her pulse quickening under his intense gaze. “Good morning,” she replied quietly, her voice barely audible.

He gestured to the chair across from him. “Sit.”

She obeyed reluctantly, lowering herself onto the plush seat. Her hands fidgeted in her lap, betraying her nerves. Raghav’s piercing eyes locked onto her, dragging over her body with a slow, deliberate intensity. His gaze burned a trail from her face to the curve of her neck, down to the dip of her waist, and lower still, lingering shamelessly on every inch of her. The way her outfit clung to her form seemed to captivate him, and his scrutiny was anything but subtle.

Her skin prickled under the weight of his stare, heat rising to her cheeks. His expression was maddeningly unreadable, but his dark eyes told a different story—one of possession, desire, and a dangerous restraint that only made her pulse race harder.

“How are you feeling?” he asked, his tone deceptively gentle.

Aanya blinked, caught off guard by the question. “I… I’m fine,” she said, though the quiver in her voice betrayed her.

His lips curved into a faint smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “Good. Because I need you to understand something, Aanya. Last night was just the beginning. You’re my wife now, and that means certain expectations and duties come with the title.”

Her heart sank, the weight of his words pressing down on her like a physical force. She opened her mouth to respond, but he cut her off, leaning forward with an intensity that made her breath hitch.

“You’re mine,” he said, his voice low and firm. “Every part of you. Your thoughts, your desires, your fears—they all belong to me. The sooner you accept that, the easier this will be for both of us.”

Aanya’s hands clenched into fists, her nails digging into her palms. Anger flared within her, battling against the fear that had kept her compliant until now.

“And what about what I want?” she demanded, surprising even herself with the strength in her voice. “Do my feelings mean nothing to you?”

Raghav’s eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint flashing in their depths. He rose from his chair, circling the desk until he stood before her. Towering over her, he exuded an aura of dominance that made her shrink back instinctively.

“Your feelings matter,” he said, his tone deceptively soft as he reached out to tilt her chin up. “But they don’t change the fact that you’re mine and you have fullfill your duties as my wife. You can fight me, Aanya, but it won’t change anything.”

Her breath came in shallow gasps as she met his gaze, her defiance flickering like a candle in the wind. He leaned closer, his hand sliding from her chin to the back of her neck, pulling her toward him.

“You’ll learn to trust me,” he murmured, his lips brushing against her ear. “And when you do, you’ll realize that being mine isn’t a punishment. It’s a privilege.”

Aanya’s resolve wavered, her body betraying her as a shiver ran down her spine. She hated the way his touch affected her, the way his presence seemed to consume her entirely. But deep down, a part of her couldn’t deny the magnetic pull he had over her.

Raghav pulled back slightly, his eyes searching hers. For a moment, his expression softened, as if he was letting her see a glimpse of the man beneath the ruthless exterior. But the moment was fleeting, and his dominant demeanor returned.

“I’ll give you time to adjust,” he said, releasing her and stepping back. “But don’t mistake my patience for weakness. You belong to me, Aanya. And I always get what I want.”

Her heart pounded as she watched him return to his desk, his words repeatedly ringing in her ears, the air between them thick with tension. She wanted to scream, to fight, to break free from the chains he had wrapped around her. But as she sat there, her body trembling and her mind racing, she realized that escaping Raghav Raaj would be far more complicated than she had ever imagined.