𝐆𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐬

The back garden of the venue buzzed with energy as fireworks lit up the sky, marking the culmination of the Diwali celebration. The crisp night air was filled with the sharp scent of burning crackers, the crackling of phuljhadis, and the hum of laughter and cheer from those gathered.

Aisha, standing in the center of the chaos, was thoroughly enjoying circling the phuljhadi only. Neha couldn't help but laugh at the irony-here was a woman who handled bombs and weapons without hesitation, yet the sight of fireworks had her visibly on edge.

As another cracker went off, Aisha flinched, her hands instinctively covering her ears.

"Are you really afraid of these?" Divyansh asked, amusement in his voice.

Aisha shot him a glare, her cheeks tinged pink. "I'm not afraid," she muttered under her breath, though her posture spoke otherwise. "I just prefer... more control over things."

Manvi chuckled softly. "Control, huh?" she teased, raising an eyebrow.

Aisha rolled her eyes, focusing back on her phuljhadi, trying to ignore the surrounding noise. But just then, a cracker burst behind her-courtesy of Ayush.

She yelled in surprise, making everyone laugh. The playful teasing only added to her frustration. Glaring at everyone, she stormed off, clearly mad, and marched into the venue, leaving a trail of laughter behind her.

Aisha stormed into the venue, arms crossed tightly across her chest as she stood between Veer and Rivaan. The two men exchanged a curious glance before Veer spoke up with a soft chuckle.

"Hey, sunshine, what happened?" he asked, his tone gentle, sensing her frustration.

Aisha pouted, her annoyance evident as she began to rant, recounting everything that had happened in the garden. As she spoke, the laughter of both Veer and Rivaan filled the air, the sound light and teasing.

She shot them both a glare, her eyes narrowing, making them instantly stop. The playful smirks they wore faded as they saw the seriousness in her expression.

Aisha, still a little fuming, shifted her gaze away from them, her eyes scanning the room. Everywhere she looked, couples were lost in the music, dancing together. It was a beautiful sight, but something caught her attention, pulling her away from the moment.

She turned to look at Rajendra, who stood off to the side, his face clouded with sadness. She didn't like seeing him like that-so distant, so lost.

On the other side of the room, Rajendra stood alone, his eyes fixed on the couples dancing gracefully to the music.

He watched them move in sync, their smiles reflecting a happiness he once knew. The song, a familiar one, brought a rush of memories flooding back. His sweet love-her laughter, the way she would insist on dancing with him, just the two of them, lost in their own world. She had always loved to dance with him, and he had cherished every moment of it.

But that was before everything had changed. Before betrayal had ripped apart the love they once shared. The joy of those moments vanished, replaced by a hollow ache in his chest. The woman he had trusted, the one he had once thought was his forever, had turned her back on him.

Rivaan noticed Aisha lost in thought, her mood visibly off, and decided to lighten it. "Baby, would you love to dance with this boyfriend of yours?" he teased with a smirk. Veer rolled his eyes.

Aisha, unfazed, replied bluntly, "I'll dance, but not with you," making Rivaan scowl while Veer chuckled.

A sly smile crossed Aisha's lips as an idea struck her. Without another word, she moved toward Rajendra. Rivaan and Veer exchanged knowing smiles, realizing her intent.

Standing before Rajendra, Aisha extended her hand in a playful, British manner. "Would you like to dance with your princess, handsome?"

Rajendra chuckled at her charm and placed his hand in hers. "Why not, princess?"

She led him to the dance floor, and they began to sway to the music. Slowly, others gathered around, watching with admiration. The Oberoi brothers, in particular, were struck by the sight of their father, radiating happiness after so long.

"You're a pro at dancing, Uncle," Aisha said with a bright smile.

Rajendra softened, leaning down to kiss her forehead. Somewhere deep in his heart, he couldn't help but see her as his own. How could he not, when her eyes mirrored those of his father and son, her kindness reminiscent of his once-beloved wife, and her loyalty undeniably Oberoi?

Aisha, basking in the warmth of the moment she'd always yearned for, felt a fleeting sense of belonging. For her even Rajendra wasn't her father, but he was no less.

Yet, her smile quickly faded, her face paling as her gaze locked onto someone approaching them.

Rajendra, noticing her shift, turned. His expression darkened as his eyes recognized the figure.

"Would I have my daughter to myself now?"

Aisha's grip on Rajendra tightened instinctively, her fingers trembling slightly. Rajendra, sensing her unease, glanced down at her before lifting a sharp glare toward Mr. Joshi, whose expression held nothing but cold authority.

Mr. Joshi's gaze flickered to Aisha, then back to Rajendra. "Mr. Oberoi, let her father have her," he said, his tone laced with subtle menace. His warning glare made Aisha tense even more, and she quickly stepped back, her posture rigid, knowing what he was capable of.

Rajendra hesitated, reluctant to leave her side, but finally stepped away from the dance floor, his jaw tightening in silent frustration. Across the room, the Oberoi brothers had noticed the interaction.

Arjun reached his father first, concern etched on his face. "What happened, Dad?"

Rajendra exhaled heavily. "He wants his daughter."

The distaste in his voice was unmistakable, and Arjun's eyes narrowed in understanding. It was clear Rajendra didn't agree with the way Joshi claimed her.

Meanwhile, Mr. Joshi pulled Aisha onto the dance floor. Her demeanor shifted instantly, masking her emotions with a cold, unreadable expression.

He leaned closer as they swayed to the music, his voice low and sneering. "I see someone enjoys running away from home," he taunted.

Aisha turned her head, refusing to meet his gaze, her jaw clenched tightly.

His smirk widened. "I know Meet helped you. Consider this your warning-behave yourself tonight, or I'll ship her to boarding school for the rest of her life and strip her of the Joshi name entirely."

Aisha stiffened, the threat piercing through her, but she remained silent, her expression betraying no hint of the turmoil inside.

Satisfied with her silence, Mr. Joshi led her off the floor, stopping in a quiet corner. "Now, obey your father and stand here," he ordered before gesturing to someone nearby. "With her."

Aisha blinked in confusion until a familiar voice chimed in, dripping with mock sweetness. "Me, sis."

Chandra stepped forward, her presence as unwelcome as ever.

Internally, Aisha rolled her eyes, her thoughts dripping with sarcasm. Great. The biggest bitch is here.

As Mr. Joshi walked away, Aisha's gaze shifted, her stomach sinking when she realized it wasn't just Chandra standing before her. Her old "Golden Circle" mates surrounded her, their familiar sneers and judgmental glares pinning her in place.

Bhawna was the first to speak, her voice dripping with disdain. "I can't believe she's your sister, Chandra."

Chandra smirked, flipping her hair dramatically. "I know, right?"

Shivangi chimed in, her eyes raking over Aisha condescendingly. "I mean, just look at her, then look at you. It's a complete mismatch."

Chandra laughed mockingly. "She's a taint on our name."

Dev added with a cruel grin, "The biggest slut."

Aisha clenched her fists, forcing herself to look away. She wanted to scream, to tell everyone that Mr. Joshi wasn't her father, that she wasn't related to Chandra. But she couldn't-not yet. Not until she uncovered the truth about her real family.

Before she could respond, Manvi stepped in, her fiery temper flaring as she spat at the group. "Shut up, you jerks. Get a life for once!"

Aisha smiled at Manvi, grateful for her support. Radhika joined in, crossing her arms as she leveled a sharp glare at Chandra. "Chandra, you're calling Aisha a taint? Seriously? Everyone knows you're the real whore here."

Chandra's smirk vanished as she snapped, "Shut up!"

Before the tension could escalate, Rivaan appeared, his presence immediately grounding Aisha as he gently took her hand. "C'mon, baby," he said softly. "Let's get out of here."

Aisha wanted to leave, but she couldn't-not with Joshi still looming in the background.

Chandra's eyes roamed over Rivaan with a lustful gaze as she grabbed his hand, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. "I'm sorry, handsome, but my sis can't go. Her father needs her," she purred.

Aisha's glare was sharp enough to cut glass, mirrored by Rivaan's icy expression.

From behind, Naman entered with his fiancée and quipped loudly, "Once again, Chandra starts being the slut," drawing a chorus of laughter from the onlookers.

Chandra turned to glare at Naman, her cheeks flushed with anger, but quickly redirected her focus back to Rivaan. "He's just mad because he broke up with me," she said with a feigned pout. Her tone shifted as she added, "But you, Rivaan-you deserve better. Let's have a drink. Trust me, I'm way more fun than Aisha."

Rivaan stepped back, his face contorted in disgust. Turning to Aisha, he asked loudly enough for everyone to hear, "Is she that slutty cousin of yours?"

Chandra's face turned beet red, her embarrassment palpable as everyone erupted into laughter. Aisha was the loudest, leaning against Rivaan as she clutched her stomach, her laughter unrestrained.

Rivaan, his hand now resting on her waist, smiled softly, clearly pleased to see her so carefree amidst the chaos.

Chandra's glare bore into Aisha, who was still laughing, her joy lighting up the room. Seeing a glass of red wine on a nearby table, Chandra's lips curled into a wicked smirk. The idea of staining Aisha's lehenga with it brought a twisted satisfaction to her mind.

However, Chandra's movements didn't go unnoticed. Someone nearby caught the dangerous glint in her eyes. Before Chandra could reach for the glass, the table suddenly shook, and the wine glass tipped over, spilling its contents all over Chandra's pristine white gown.

A sharp gasp escaped her lips as she stared down at the bright red stain spreading across the fabric. The room went silent for a moment before muffled giggles turned into full-blown laughter.

Chandra's furious glare shifted to Anaya, who innocently said, "Oops! My legs slipped. I was just trying to steady myself on the table, and then, well... you know."

Chandra's glare intensified, clearly aware that Anaya had done it on purpose. Shivangi chimed in with a scoff, "Great, now the other bitch is here."

Anaya smirked, unfazed. "Well, of course. Aren't I the biggest bitch?" She winked at Aisha, whose jaw dropped in shock. The others exchanged bewildered glances, stunned by Anaya's unexpected support.

Before anyone could process the scene further, Mr. Joshi's sharp voice cut through the air, "Aisha."

Aisha stiffened immediately, and Rivaan instinctively tightened his hold around her. Joshi's piercing glare landed on Rivaan, but the younger man met it head-on with a cold, devilish smirk that made Joshi falter momentarily.

"Mr. Malhotra," Mr. Joshi began, his voice measured, "I think you should release my daughter."

Rivaan's smirk only deepened. "Well, I don't feel like letting go of my girlfriend."

Mr. Joshi's lips twisted into a sly smile as he countered, "Oh? Then I suppose Aisha's fiancé wouldn't appreciate seeing his woman in someone else's arms."

The words landed like a thunderbolt. Aisha's eyes widened in disbelief, while Rivaan froze, his grip loosening slightly as he processed the revelation. Shock rippled through them, leaving everyone momentarily stunned.

Aisha's voice barely escaped as a whisper, trembling with disbelief. "What?"

Before anyone could answer, a sharp tap of the mic echoed through the venue. All heads turned to Mr. Rastogi, standing with a broad smile. His voice filled the room.

"Good evening, everyone! First of all, Happy Diwali! On this auspicious night, I am delighted to share some wonderful news with you all," he declared, his tone warm but calculated.

Aisha barely registered what was happening when Mr. Joshi's iron grip encircled her wrist, dragging her away from Rivaan. Rivaan, paralyzed by shock, couldn't react as Aisha's hand slipped from his.

She stumbled along, her body moving while her mind reeled. Before she realized it, she was on the stage, the spotlight blinding her, the sea of curious eyes weighing her down.

"And the announcement is..." Rastogi paused dramatically, ensuring everyone was hanging on his words. "Tonight, my only son will be getting engaged to the eldest daughter of Mr. Joshi."

A wave of applause rippled through the room, a cruel symphony to Aisha's growing horror. She jerked her head toward Joshi, who stood clapping and smiling, his mask of pride firmly in place.

The Oberois froze in their seats, their expressions a mixture of confusion and disbelief. Rivaan, however, couldn't move, couldn't breathe. His chest tightened painfully as he processed the words. Engaged. Aisha. Someone else.

Joshi pushed Aisha to the center of the stage, her heart racing as she stood there, trapped in the spotlight. She froze when her eyes met her supposed fiancé, the man who was meant to marry her. He was a senior from her college days, someone she hadn't seen in years.

He stood there, stunned for a moment, clearly taken aback by the transformation in front of him. The last time he saw her, she was just an orphan-someone without a family, living a life of hardship. But now, standing before him, she was the eldest daughter of Joshi, a woman surrounded by wealth and power.

The realization hit him like a wave, but he quickly masked his shock, replacing it with a neutral expression. He couldn't afford to show his surprise or discomfort, not with so many watching.

Her so-called fiancé waited, his hand extended, expecting her to place her own hand into his, as was customary. But when Aisha didn't respond, he didn't hesitate. With a firm grip, he took her hand and forcefully slipped the ring onto her finger, ignoring her resistance.

The sound of clapping echoed around the room, deafening in its mockery, and Aisha's heart cracked at the thought of what had just happened.

In the crowd, Rivaan's expression was one of pure anguish. His eyes, locked on Aisha, were filled with pain-every second of it tearing at him as he watched her, the woman he loved, being claimed by someone else. His chest tightened as the realization of their fate-one they could never escape from-took root.

Aisha felt the ring settle on her finger, its coldness almost symbolic of how disconnected she felt from everything around her. Her eyes swept the crowd desperately, searching for a familiar face. She prayed, hoped, that Saad would be there, that someone would intervene, stop this nightmare from becoming her reality. But Saad wasn't there, and her hopes were shattered like glass.

Mr. Joshi, leaned in close to her ear, his voice a venomous whisper that sent a chill down her spine. "Make him wear the ring fast, or Meet will suffer," he threatened.

Tears burned in her eyes, but Aisha held them back, her body fighting to stay composed. She glanced up at her fiancé-his face was unreadable, detached. She didn't see him, not really. She was alone in that moment.

With a trembling hand, she turned to face him. She could feel Rivaan's gaze from across the room, could feel the pain in his eyes as he watched her, helpless. Aisha made herself do it, made herself take her fiancé's in hers. His fingers, cold and uncaring, she was slidding the ring onto his finger, sealing her fate in front of a room full of people.

Her eyes locked with Rivaan's, and in that moment, both of them knew the truth. Their love-everything they had dreamed of-was slipping through their fingers. They had vowed to be together forever, yet fate had twisted everything into a cruel joke, tearing them apart in the most public way possible.

The tears that filled Aisha's eyes were not just for the life she was losing, but for the life she never got to have with the one person who truly understood her.

The sound of applause and cheers faded into the background as Aisha felt the firm, unwelcome grip of her fiancé's , Kartik's hand settle over her waist.

Her stomach churned with disgust, and without thinking, she snarled, "Keep your hands away from me."

Kartik, however, only tightened his hold, his smile tight and forced. "Shut up, media is here. Just pretend, stop being a rebel for a minute," he hissed, his voice dripping with mock sweetness.

Aisha's body tensed in revolt, but she could feel the press of his hold, the weight of expectations bearing down on her. With a flicker of defiance, she grasped his finger, twisting it with all the strength she had.

Kartik's face contorted in pain, and he gasped, barely controlling himself. His teeth gritted together as he whispered through clenched lips, "Fuck, fuck, it hurts."

Before he could do anything more, Aisha watched his face twist in frustration. He jerked her away from the crowd, pulling her into a quiet room away from prying eyes, his hand still clutching his finger, which was now throbbing with pain. He slammed the door shut behind them, the silence amplifying the tension between them.

Once inside, he released her, clutching his hand and cursing under his breath. "You may look small, but damn, you have some strength," he spat, glaring at her as though she was the problem, not his own actions.

Aisha was beyond angry now. Her rage was boiling over, her heart aching with betrayal, her soul screaming in fury. Without a second thought, she reached down, grabbed her sandal, and threw it with force, hitting him squarely in the forehead.

"You dare get engaged to me, you bastard?" she shouted, her voice raw with emotion. She could feel the intensity of her words vibrating through her body, the power of her anger almost fueling her.

Kartik blinked, his eyes widening as the realization hit him. Oh no, not this again. The tigress was back, and no matter how confident he tried to appear, he couldn't help the slight chill that crept down his spine.

"Hold up, girl, I was also forced into this. I was just as shocked seeing orphan Aisha turn into Aisha Joshi," he said, his words coming out in a rush, trying to explain himself, his voice taking on a softer, more apologetic tone.

Aisha's glare softened just slightly, but she wasn't about to let him off the hook. Not when she could see how easily he was willing to play along with whatever fate had handed him.

Her eyes narrowed, and she watched him, the smirk forming on his lips as he added, "But I don't have a problem getting married to a girl I admired for so long."

The words stung, but they only ignited her anger further. Without warning, she grabbed her other sandal and threw it at his face, watching as it hit him with a satisfying thud.

"How's that for admiration?" she snapped, her voice dripping with contempt.

✨

Natasha placed a comforting hand on Rivaan's shoulder, her voice soft yet firm. "Bro, are you okay?" she asked, concern laced in every word.

Rivaan nodded absently, his eyes distant, lost in the chaos of his thoughts. His mother cupped his face gently, her touch warm against his cold, clammy skin.

"Everything's going to be okay, Rivaan," she assured him, though her own voice trembled with worry.

Divyansh paced the floor, his frustration evident as he ran a hand through his hair. "I can't believe Joshi could stoop so low," he muttered angrily.

"Exactly," Aditya chimed in, his voice filled with disbelief. "She's his daughter, for God's sake, not some toy."

Neha, standing at a distance, bit her lip to hold back the truth clawing at her insides. No, she isn't his daughter. She isn't a Joshi. But she couldn't say it. Not now.

Instead, she forced herself to speak up. "I'll go find Aisha, make sure she's okay."

Veer nodded immediately, his protective instincts flaring. "Yeah, go. I'll stay here with Rivaan."

Kavya added, her voice steady but worried, "Arjun already went to look for her after that guy dragged her off."

Neha nodded and hurried out, her heart pounding.

Rajendra, who had been silent until now, clenched his fists, his mind replaying the shattered expression on Aisha's face as she stood on that stage. The pain in his chest was unbearable. Unable to hold back any longer, he stepped toward Rivaan and grabbed his shoulders firmly.

"Will you leave her just like that?" he asked, his voice cracking. "Is that what your love means?"

Rivaan's eyes filled with fire as he shook his head vehemently. "No. Never. I love her, and she's mine. Just because I'm quiet doesn't mean I'm letting her go." His voice dropped, quieter but filled with raw determination. "I know what I'll do if I act now... it will be violent. And I can't let them hurt her because of me."

Rajendra's gaze softened. He pulled Rivaan into a tight embrace, his voice low but full of support. "Then don't let her fight alone. Stand by her."

Meanwhile, Manvi and Radhika quietly slipped away to meet their parents, who had summoned them after the shocking revelation of Aisha being a Joshi.

Ayush, standing near the edge of the crowd, kept his eyes fixed on the chaos, his heart aching for Aisha. He prayed silently for her to be okay, his mind racing with worry.

As he scanned the room, something felt off. Saad was nowhere to be seen. Ayush was about to pull out his phone to call him when his parents approached.

"Ayush," his father began, his tone laced with greed, "isn't Aisha your friend from school?"

Ayush nodded tersely, uninterested in the conversation.

His father smirked. "Tsk, tsk. What a shame. We just lost a gem. It would've been great if you and her had gotten closer. Imagine the connections with the Joshis. So profitable."

Disgust flashed across Ayush's face. His voice was sharp and unwavering as he snapped, "She's like a sister to me. Stop being so damn greedy."

Without another word, Ayush stormed out, his fists clenched, unable to stomach his father's words.

Aisha coming into the hallway, leaving Kartik behind, her heart pounding and tears streaming down her face. She spotted Rivaan and the others standing in the hall.

Her eyes filled with hope, an overwhelming desire to collapse into someone's arms and let it all out consuming her. She wanted someone to hold her, to tell her everything would be okay.

Just as she stepped forward, a firm hand grabbed her arm, yanking her back with force. She turned and froze-it was Mr. Joshi, his face twisted with fury.

"Let me go! Just leave me the fuck alone!" she screamed, struggling against his grip.

"Shut up," he snarled, his voice low and threatening. "Remember what will happen to Meet if you don't comply."

Her body stiffened at his words, and helplessly, she stopped resisting. He dragged her toward the back gate, his grip like iron. When they reached the waiting car, he shoved her into the back seat.

Aisha fell into the seat, her glare immediately meeting Chandra's smug smirk.

Her ears perked up as a voice barked from the front seat. "Stop glaring at my daughter, bitch!"

Her head snapped forward, and her heart sank further when she saw Chandra's father in the passenger seat, glaring at her with open hostility.

Aisha rolled her eyes and looked away, her anger boiling over as she crossed her arms and gazed out the window

As they neared the main gate, her eyes caught a familiar figure-Ayush, standing a little a afar the entrance, his phone pressed to his ear. Their eyes met for a brief second, and Aisha's tears fell harder.

Ayush's expression shifted to shock and alarm as he realized what was happening. Ayush sprinted after the car, his legs burning as he pushed himself harder. But the vehicle was too fast, disappearing through the gate just moments before he could reach it.

Desperation clawed at him as he stumbled to the gate, swiping his access card against the panel.

The screen blinked red. Nothing.

"What the hell?!" Ayush shouted, slamming his fist against the unyielding control panel. He swiped the card again, his movements frantic. Still nothing.

The guard flinched at Ayush's outburst; his voice shaky. " I'm sorry, sir. I... I don't know what's wrong. This is confusing. The systems never failed before."

Ayush glared at him, his frustration boiling over. "Then FIX IT! Call someone! Get the tech team here NOW!"

"Yes, sir!" The guard stammered, reaching for his walkie-talkie.

"FUCK!" Ayush shouted, running his hands through his hair. He spun on his heels and sprinted back into the venue, run in where everyone was gathered.

He tells, "Guys, Joshi took Aisha away!"

Arjun, who had just come, froze mid-step. "What?" he barked, his voice sharp and commanding.

Rivaan was already moving toward the door. "Then why the hell are we still standing here? Let's go after them!"

Ayush blocked his path, his face grim. "We can't. The gate system-the device to open it-it's not working. It's broken or something."

Divyansh's brows furrowed in disbelief. "That's impossible. The system is digital, and it's built by our company!"

Neha chimed in, her voice tense but steady. "It's possible if someone hacked it intentionally. Joshi clearly planned this."

Rivaan's father growled; his fists clenched. "Of course he did. He knew we'd come after her. This was all part of his plan."

Ayush ran a hand through his hair again, his frustration mounting. "Saad and Vikram are only out. We need to call them now."

Veer pulled out his phone. "I'll call Vikram."

Ayush turned to Divyansh. "Give me your phone. Saad's not answering mine." Divyansh didn't hesitate, handing it over immediately and Ayush quickly dialed Saad's number.

As soon as Saad picked up the call, his tone was clipped. "What, Divyansh?"

"It's me, Ayush," Ayush began, but Saad cut him off, irritation clear in his voice.

"I don't want to talk right now, Ayush, not-"

Ayush's voice rose, cutting him off mid-sentence, sharp and commanding. "It's about Aisha! Joshi's taken her! Get your ass moving and find her-NOW!"

The words hit Saad like a punch, his eyes widening in alarm. Panic surged through him as he whispered, "Fuck." His breath hitched for a second before he demanded, "What exactly happened?"

✨

Aisha, unable to bear it any longer, broke the silence. She turned her glare toward Mr. Joshi, her voice sharp and demanding. "Why now? You never gave me your damn name, Joshi, and now, all of a sudden, you're declaring it to the world?"

Chandra rolled her eyes, her expression dripping with disdain. "Oh, shut your drama. Be glad it's a rich man who wants you, not some poor filth that you actually deserve."

Aisha's glare intensified, her body trembling with restrained fury. Chandra smirked, leaning closer. "And don't worry about Rivaan. I'm here for him. I'll take care of all his needs."

That was the final straw. Before anyone could react, Aisha lunged at Chandra, her hands clawing tightly around her throat. Chandra gasped, her smirk vanishing as panic flooded her face. She struggled, coughing and clawing at Aisha's hands, but Aisha's grip was relentless.

Mr. Joshi and Chandra's father scrambled to intervene, shouting at Aisha and trying to pry her off, but their positions in the front seat left them helpless. The car screeched to a halt in front of a lavish hotel, and both men rushed out, throwing open the back door.

They dragged Aisha off Chandra, her grip finally loosening. Chandra collapsed against her father, coughing violently as she clutched her throat. Meanwhile, Aisha stood tall, her expression cold and victorious, a smug smirk playing on her lips as she watched Chandra struggle.

Mr. Joshi's rage boiled over. Without warning, his hand shot out, slapping Aisha hard across the face. The force sent her sprawling to the ground, her cheek stinging with fiery pain.

He bent down, grabbing her jaw roughly, his eyes dark with fury. "You want to know why I announced it today? Because you brought profit to me" he snarled. "Guess what? I sold you. It was a deal-I sold you to them. You should be glad someone wanted to buy you. If I had my way, I'd have killed you long ago and thrown you in the gutter where you belong."

Aisha's eyes burned with tears, but her defiance didn't waver. Her silence was louder than any words, her hatred radiating as she glared up at him.

Meanwhile, in a separate building of the same hotel, Vikram was exiting a room after meeting his business partner, his expression unreadable as always. He reached for his phone, only to find it had switched off.

As he moved through the hallway lined with glass walls, something outside caught his attention. Down near the main entrance. His sharp eyes zeroed in on the scene.

Vikram's gaze sharpened, his breath hitching when his eyes landed on the outfit she was wearing. A flicker of realization struck him like a lightning bolt. That was Aisha.

Without wasting another second, Vikram broke into a sprint. He tore through the hallway, ignoring startled glances from staff and other guests.

As the Joshis dragged Aisha into their suite, they didn't bother shutting the door, their arrogance fed by the knowledge that the entire floor was vacant.

Aisha stood in front of them, her posture rigid and defiant, her glare as sharp as daggers.

Mr. Joshi leaned back in his seat, smirking at her. "Eyes down," he ordered, his tone laced with mock authority. "Respect me. I am your father."

Aisha scoffed, the disdain in her expression unfiltered. "Father? My foot."

His face twisted with rage, and he shot up from his seat, delivering a hard slap across her face. The force sent her head snapping to the side, her cheek stinging, but she refused to cower.

"How dare you disrespect me!" he bellowed, his voice reverberating in the room. "You ran away like a bitch, not once, but twice. And now you stand here, glaring at me like you own the world? Did you forget your place? Did you forget what you are?"

His words hit like knives, but Aisha kept her glare steady, her fists clenched at her sides.

"You're a murderer," he spat venomously. "Do you remember that? Do you remember how you killed that maid? How you killed that little boy?"

Her breath caught, the old memories crashing over her like a tidal wave. Her chest burned with guilt-guilt she carried every single day, guilt she blamed herself for relentlessly.

Mr. Joshi saw her falter and pressed on, his tone growing crueler. "And you think you deserve happiness? Did you seriously think that Malhotra would want someone like you-a filthy, damaged girl who's been used? Tsk Tsk"

Aisha's eyes shut tightly as she swallowed back the pain, repeating to herself silently, I'm strong. I'm strong. But the words felt hollow, and the cracks in her resolve deepened.

Satisfied by her silence, Mr. Joshi sneered. "Now, it's time for punishment."

Her eyes snapped open in alarm, her chest tightening with fear. "Punishment?"

He nodded, stepping back to make way for his brother, Chandra's father. "And also you'll take it in Meet's punishment," he declared coldly.

Chandra's father stepped forward, his face twisted with a sickening grin. "You used my little daughter to escape, then today humiliated my princess at the party, and now you dare to hurt her in the car?"

She instinctively took a step back, her heart hammering wildly in her chest.

"Turn around," he ordered, his voice low and threatening. "And get on your knees."

Aisha shook her head, her breathing growing rapid.

"Obey my father!" Chandra snapped, stepping forward to grab Aisha by the hair. She yanked hard, forcing Aisha to her knees before throwing her onto the floor.

The pain in Aisha's scalp was sharp, but the fear in her heart was sharper. Tears blurred her vision as she struggled to catch her breath. She heard the sound of a belt buckle being undone and froze, her entire body trembling.

The first strike landed hard on her back, the pain searing and immediate. Aisha squeezed her eyes shut, biting her lip until it bled to keep from screaming. It had been years since she'd endured such hits, and her body wasn't ready for it.

But she refused to cry. Refused to scream. Refused to give them the satisfaction.

While, Vikram stormed into the hotel's main building, his face dark with rage. After prying the room details from the terrified receptionist, he rushed to the floor, dread twisting in his gut.

Taking the elevator up, his stomach churned with unease. Something about this felt wrong, dread pooling in his chest. As he reached the floor, the sound of muffled voices reached his ears. His pace slowed, his instincts sharpening.

From a distance, he noticed the door to the suite was slightly ajar. His brows furrowed, and his breathing became shallow as he approached silently, careful not to alert those inside.

Peeking through the gap, the sight inside made his blood run cold. His face paled, and his eyes widened in disbelief.

There she was-Aisha-on her knees, her frame trembling as a belt came down on her back. The sound of the strike echoed in the room. Her face was hidden, but the agony in her posture was unmistakable. The men around her jeered, while a woman stood smugly in the corner.

His heart clenched painfully, a storm of emotions overtaking him-disbelief, rage, guilt, and a protective fury he hadn't felt in years.

The rage consumed him, burning through his veins. Without a second thought, Vikram kicked the door open with a deafening crash, bursting into the room like a tempest.

"What the fuck is going on here?!" he roared, his voice thunderous and filled with menace.

Target 🎯 - 70 votes & 20 comments

✴✴✴✴✴✴✴

Hey guys!!

How was this chapter ?

Hope you all like it.

Tell me your favourite part of the chapter?

Do tell me if you prefer something in upcoming chapters.

Don't forget to vote and comment on it 🩷

Next chapter after Target 🎯

Till then do check out my Instagram ishi.066 for Spoilers and Updates🎀

Thank you readers❤️