The Weight of Contract

Author's Note: 3600

Hey lovely readers! 🌸

This chapter is one of the most emotional and significant ones in Anaya's journey. Through her flashback, we explore the complex layers of her and Rudra's relationship—their unspoken words, stubborn compromises, and the silent promises hidden beneath the surface of their contract.

I hope this glimpse into Anaya's memories adds depth to their story and brings you closer to understanding the connection they share. It's not just a deal; it's something much more meaningful. What do you think of Rudra's soft moments and Anaya's resilience? Let me know in the comments! 💬

Thank you for your endless love and support. Don't forget to share your thoughts and tag me on social media! I love hearing from you! 💖

With love,

PENOLA.S🌷

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✨ New Chapter Alert! ✨

💫 Flashback: Anaya's Memories Resurface 💫

This Saturday, we dive deep into Anaya's past—her struggles, fiery arguments with Rudra, and the tender moments that made their relationship so much more than just a contract. 💍

🔥 Will the weight of memories pull them apart, or will it bring them closer? Find out in this emotional and heartwarming chapter! 🖤

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Let's talk about love, life, and all the emotions in between. 💕 See you in the comments!

#MineYes! #ForcedToBeYoursMrDevil #Romance #Fiction #Mondayreads

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The quiet warmth between them lingered as they stood in the soft glow of the moonlight spilling through the windows. Anaya felt a sense of peace she hadn't known in a long time, as though the heavy weight of uncertainty she carried was beginning to lift. Rudra, too, looked different—softer, almost hesitant, but there was something unspoken in his gaze, something deeper than words.

"You should get some rest," he murmured after a moment, his voice low and tender, though he didn't release her from his hold.

Anaya smiled faintly, her hands still resting on his chest. "And you? Will you rest, or are you going to keep drowning yourself in work?"

A shadow of a smirk appeared on his lips. "Old habits die hard."

She arched an eyebrow, teasing, "Well, I think it's time to break a few of those habits. Starting with overworking."

Rudra chuckled softly, an unfamiliar sound that sent warmth coursing through her. "You're quite persistent, aren't you?"

"Someone has to be," she quipped, her smile growing. "You can't keep running on empty, Rudra."

For a moment, he just stared at her, his dark eyes scanning her face as though memorizing every detail. "You're different, Anaya," he said softly, almost to himself.

Her brows knitted in slight confusion. "Different how?"

He shook his head, a small, rueful smile playing on his lips. "Different in a way that makes me want to be better. For you."

Her breath caught at his admission. The vulnerability in his words was so unexpected, so raw, that she felt her heart ache in the best possible way. She reached up, brushing her fingers lightly against his cheek. "You don't have to change for me, Rudra. You just have to let me in."

He exhaled deeply, leaning into her touch. "I'm trying," he admitted. "It's not easy, but… I'm trying."

Anaya felt her chest swell with emotion. This was the man she had glimpsed beneath the cold, calculating exterior—the man who carried so much weight on his shoulders yet yearned for connection. And now, for the first time, he was letting her see him, truly see him.

"Baby steps," she said gently, her lips curling into a reassuring smile. "We'll take it one step at a time."

Rudra nodded, his hand moving to rest over hers on his cheek. "One step at a time," he echoed, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at his lips.

The moment stretched, neither of them wanting to break the fragile spell between them. But eventually, Anaya gave him a playful nudge. "Now, come on. At least sit down and drink some water before you go back to your reports."

Rudra raised an eyebrow. "You're bossy."

"Only because someone needs to look out for you," she shot back, grinning. "And since I'm your wife, I think I'm qualified for the job."

The word "wife" lingered in the air, a quiet reminder of the bond they shared, even if it had started under complicated circumstances. Rudra's expression softened further, and for a moment, Anaya thought she saw a flicker of something more—something akin to hope.

"Alright, Mrs. Singhaniya," he said, his tone lighter than before. "I'll listen. For tonight."

Anaya laughed, her heart fluttering at his rare, teasing demeanor. "Good. That's a start."

She led him to the couch in his study, handing him a glass of water from the nearby table. They sat together in comfortable silence, the tension that had always seemed to hang between them now replaced by something gentler. For the first time, the walls that had kept them apart seemed to crumble, brick by brick.

And as the night wore on, they stayed there—sharing quiet moments, stolen glances, and the tentative beginnings of something neither of them could quite put into words yet. But one thing was clear: whatever it was, it was theirs. And it was only just beginning.

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Rudra's fingers lightly brushed against the bracelet on Anaya's wrist, the one adorned with the small letters "RD." His touch was careful, almost reverent, as if the piece of jewelry held a world of meaning. His dark eyes softened as he looked at her, his voice low and steady, carrying the weight of unspoken feelings.

"You know," he began, his thumb gently tracing the delicate chain, "this bracelet... it's not just a piece of jewelry, Anaya. It's a reminder. A reminder of something you're too stubborn to admit."

Anaya blinked, taken aback by the intensity in his tone. "What are you talking about, Rudra?"

He tilted his head slightly, a small, knowing smirk playing on his lips. "You wear it every day, even when you don't realize it. You could've taken it off, ignored it, but you don't. Do you know why?"

She opened her mouth to respond, but no words came. She wasn't sure if she wanted to answer, or if she even could.

"Because deep down," he continued, his voice dropping to a whisper, "it reminds you of me. Of us. And you don't hate that—no matter how much you try to deny it."

Her heart thudded against her chest as she stared at him, her breath catching in her throat. "Rudra, I—"

"You're in love, Anaya," he interrupted gently, his fingers still lightly holding the bracelet. "Even if you're afraid to say it. Even if you're afraid to feel it. But this"—he lifted her wrist slightly, the bracelet catching the light—"this is proof that your heart already knows what your mind is too scared to admit."

Anaya felt her cheeks flush as her gaze dropped to the bracelet, her thoughts swirling. She wanted to argue, to push back, but his words hit too close to the truth. 

He leaned in slightly, his voice softer now but no less firm. "You're in love, Anaya. You just need to stop running from it." 

And with that, he let go of her wrist, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer before stepping back. The warmth of his touch lingered, and his words echoed in her mind, leaving her heart in turmoil as she realized he might just be right.

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Rudra's fingers lingered on the bracelet for a moment longer, his eyes locking with hers, a flicker of something unreadable in his gaze. His voice deepened, taking on a firm, almost commanding tone, yet it carried an undeniable warmth that made her breath hitch.

"And don't forget, Anaya," he said, his fingers gently tracing the "RD" on the bracelet, "you're married to a Singhaniya. To me." 

Her eyes widened, and she opened her mouth to speak, but he continued, his words cutting through her unspoken thoughts.

"This bracelet isn't just a reminder of your feelings," he murmured, his voice low and deliberate. "It's a symbol of what you mean to me. Of the fact that no matter how much you try to run from it, you're mine, Anaya. Mine in every sense of the word."

Her heart pounded in her chest as she stared at him, her emotions a whirlwind of confusion, surprise, and something dangerously close to hope. 

He tilted his head slightly, a small smirk tugging at his lips, but his dark eyes betrayed the seriousness of his words. "You're Mrs. Singhaniya now, and that's not something you can take lightly. Not something I'll ever let you forget."

Her breath hitched as his thumb brushed against her wrist one last time before he stepped back, his presence still overwhelming even as the distance between them grew. 

"You're in love, Anaya," he said softly, almost as if it were a fact rather than a statement. His gaze bore into hers, steady and unyielding. "And whether you admit it today, tomorrow, or ten years from now, I'll remind you every single day… because you're my wife." 

With those words, Rudra turned and walked away, leaving Anaya standing there, her emotions swirling, her hand still cradling the bracelet as if it suddenly weighed a thousand pounds. His words echoed in her mind, refusing to be ignored, and for the first time, she felt the undeniable truth settling in her heart.

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As the door clicked shut behind Rudra, Anaya remained frozen in place, her fingers brushing the bracelet on her wrist as if it had suddenly become the most precious thing she owned. His words played on a loop in her mind: You're in love, Anaya. You're mine. My wife.

The way he said it—so confident, so unwavering—made her chest tighten with emotions she didn't want to name. She sank onto the edge of the bed, her gaze still fixed on the door, as if half expecting him to return.

Her thoughts were a chaotic mix of confusion and longing. She had spent so long trying to keep her distance from Rudra, telling herself that their marriage was nothing more than a necessity, a bond forged out of circumstances. And yet, here he was, breaking through every wall she'd carefully built, piece by piece, word by word.

The soft glow of the moonlight spilled into the room, and Anaya turned her gaze to the window. The garden looked serene, the flowers swaying gently in the cool night breeze. But her mind was anything but calm.

She let out a shaky breath, her hand subconsciously tightening around the bracelet. Was he right? Was she in love with him?

Her heart whispered yes, but her mind screamed no. How could she be? Rudra Singhaniya was cold, aloof, and infuriatingly difficult to read. But then, there were those moments—those rare, fleeting moments when he looked at her with an intensity that made her heart race, moments when his touch was unexpectedly gentle, moments when his words, though sharp, carried an unspoken care.

She closed her eyes, willing herself to stop thinking about him. But even in the silence of the night, his voice echoed in her mind.

"You're my wife, Anaya. That's not something I'll ever let you forget."

Her cheeks flushed, and she bit her lip, cursing herself for letting him get under her skin. But deep down, she knew it was too late. He was already there, firmly etched into her heart.

Meanwhile, in his study, Rudra sat at his desk, his fingers drumming against the surface as he stared blankly at the stack of papers in front of him. His mind was far from work, his thoughts consumed by the woman who was now his wife.

He leaned back in his chair, letting out a sigh as he ran a hand through his hair. Anaya's face filled his thoughts—her surprised expression when he touched the bracelet, the way her cheeks flushed when he reminded her of their bond. She was stubborn, hesitant, and far too guarded for his liking. But she was also kind, thoughtful, and maddeningly captivating.

Rudra smirked to himself, a rare, genuine smile tugging at his lips. She'll realize it soon enough, he thought. She's already mine—even if she doesn't know it yet.

His gaze shifted to the window, where the moon hung high in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the mansion grounds. He didn't know when or how, but somewhere along the way, Anaya Malhotra had become more than just a name, more than just his wife in name. She had become someone he wanted to protect, someone he couldn't ignore, someone who had started to chip away at the icy walls he had built around his heart.

Rudra reached into his drawer, pulling out a small velvet box. Inside was a necklace—a simple yet elegant design, something he had chosen for her but hadn't yet found the right moment to give. He turned it over in his hands, the cool metal catching the light.

"Soon," he murmured to himself, closing the box and setting it aside. "Soon, you'll see, Anaya. You're not just in love—you're mine. And I'll make sure you never forget it."

For the first time that night, Rudra felt a sense of calm wash over him, a quiet determination settling in his heart. He had made up his mind. If Anaya needed time to accept her feelings, he would give her that. But he wasn't going to let her go—not now, not even

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Flashback: Anaya's Memories Resurface

Anaya stood by the window, staring at the city lights that twinkled like fireflies against the night sky. The weight of everything was pressing against her chest—the contract, the promises, the compromises. Her fingers absentmindedly traced the ring on her finger, the delicate design catching the faint glow of the moonlight. The bracelet on her wrist, engraved with "RD," felt heavier than ever, almost as if it carried all the unspoken words between them.

Lost in her thoughts, her mind began to replay the past—moments she had buried deep inside but could no longer keep hidden.

It was the first time Rudra had laid the contract in front of her. His voice had been calm, measured, but every word carried a desperation he couldn't hide.

"I need you to be my wife, Anaya. In front of the public, my family… everyone."

She had laughed bitterly, throwing the contract on the table. "And why would I agree to this nonsense? Marriage isn't some business deal, Rudra!"

He had stepped closer then, his gaze piercing. "It can be. You need me just as much as I need you."

She had flinched at the accuracy of his words but didn't back down. "And what exactly do you think I need?"

He had leaned in, his voice soft yet firm. "Answers. Stability. A way out of the mess you're in. I can give you all of that, Anaya. I'll pay your bills, cover your expenses, and help you find the person you've been searching for."

Her heart had skipped a beat at his last words, but she masked her reaction with a glare. "And all I have to do is marry you and save your reputation, right? Pretend to be the perfect wife in front of everyone while we remain strangers behind closed doors?"

"If that's what you want," he had replied without hesitation.

Anaya closed her eyes, gripping the windowsill as the memory shifted to the night she had revised the contract, her anger and defiance burning like a fire inside her.

"I have my terms," she had declared, her voice steady despite the chaos in her heart.

Rudra had raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair with an amused smirk. "Go on. Let's hear them."

She had scribbled furiously on the paper, reading out each demand:

"I won't give dowry."

"Maine manga kya?" he had replied, his tone almost teasing.

"If you come home drunk, I won't open the door."

"I'll cut down on drinking," he had agreed without argument.

"I'm stubborn."

"I'll handle that."

"You'll go out with your friends only one day a week."

"Fine, one day," he had conceded with a dramatic sigh.

"And if I gain weight after marriage?" she had asked, her voice laced with sarcasm.

He had smiled softly, his gaze warm for the first time. "We'll go to the gym together."

The memory shifted again, this time to the moment she had signed the contract. He had leaned forward, his fingers brushing hers as he slid the pen toward her. "Congratulations, Mrs. Singhaniya. Looks like we've just made the deal of a lifetime."

She had rolled her eyes at his smugness, but deep down, she had felt the gravity of what she was agreeing to.

"Anaya?"

Rudra's deep voice pulled her out of her thoughts, and she realized he was standing behind her. His arms slid around her waist, pulling her back against his chest. The warmth of his embrace grounded her, and for a moment, the weight of her memories didn't feel so heavy.

"You're thinking about the contract, aren't you?" he murmured, his lips brushing against her temple.

She didn't reply, her fingers still tracing the ring on her finger.

He tightened his hold on her, resting his chin on her shoulder. "It wasn't just a deal for me, Anaya. It never was."

She turned her head slightly, her eyes meeting his. "You didn't say that back then."

"Maybe because I didn't know how to say it," he admitted, his voice softer now. "But I think you always knew."

Her breath hitched, and she felt the familiar sting of tears at the back of her eyes. He reached for her hand, his thumb gently caressing the ring she wore.

"This isn't just a symbol of the contract," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's a promise. One I intend to keep."

Anaya closed her eyes, leaning into his embrace as the weight of her memories and emotions finally began to lift.

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Anaya stayed still in Rudra's arms, her heart pounding against her chest. His words echoed in her mind like a soothing melody. She tightened her grip on the ring, her fingers trembling slightly as emotions surged through her. 

"You're confusing me, Rudra," she finally whispered, her voice breaking. "You say things that make me want to believe there's more to us, but then you go back to being distant… cold." 

He exhaled deeply, his breath brushing against her neck. "I know I've made it difficult for you, Anaya. I thought keeping my distance would protect you... protect us. But I was wrong." 

She turned in his arms to face him, her eyes searching his for answers. "Protect me from what? From you? Or from the feelings you're afraid to admit you have?" 

Rudra hesitated, his jaw tightening as he looked down at her. His hands slowly moved to cradle her face, his touch firm yet gentle. "From the weight of my world. From the mess that comes with being tied to me. But it seems no matter how hard I try, I can't stay away from you." 

Anaya felt her defenses crumbling. The vulnerability in his eyes, the way he held her as if she was his anchor, all of it chipped away at the walls she had built around her heart. 

"You never asked me what I wanted, Rudra," she said softly, her voice trembling. "You made decisions for both of us without thinking about how I felt." 

"I know," he admitted, his voice thick with regret. "And I'm trying to make up for that, Anaya. I'm trying to be better… for you." 

She shook her head, tears slipping down her cheeks. "Then show me, Rudra. Show me that this isn't just a contract for you anymore. That I'm not just a part of some deal." 

Rudra wiped her tears with his thumb, his gaze never leaving hers. "I'll show you every day, Anaya. I'll remind you every moment that you're mine—not because of some contract, but because I can't imagine my life without you." 

Her heart skipped a beat at his words, and for the first time, she allowed herself to believe in the possibility of something real between them. 

He reached for her hand again, gently turning it over to look at the ring on her finger. His thumb traced the band as he whispered, "This ring isn't just a mark of our agreement. It's a promise that I'll do whatever it takes to make you feel loved and cherished." 

Anaya's breath caught in her throat, and before she could respond, Rudra leaned in, pressing his forehead against hers. 

"You're in love, Anaya," he murmured, his voice low and tender. "You just don't want to admit it yet. And that's okay because I'll wait. But don't forget…" 

He pulled back slightly, his intense gaze locking with hers. "You're married to Singhaniya. You're mine, Anaya. And I'll prove to you that I'm yours too." 

The words hung in the air between them, heavy with meaning and unspoken promises. Anaya felt a warmth spread through her chest, a glimmer of hope that perhaps, just perhaps, they could find their way to something real. 

As the night stretched on, Rudra pulled her back into his arms, holding her close as if he was afraid to let her go. And for the first time, Anaya allowed herself to lean into him fully, letting the barriers between them begin to crumble.