Chapter-2:A deal sealed in chains

A Visit to the Past

The moment Zoya step out of the Airport, the cold London air greeted her. It felt different- too familiar yet distant at the same time. A black luxury car was parked at entrance, and beside it stood Mr. Buxton, her father's {Vikram}long time manager.

"Miss Zoya," he greeted with a polite nod. "Your father asked me to bring you home."

She barely acknowledged him and slid into backseat and set her focus on the outside.

As the car pulled away, Mr. Buxton cleared his throat. "Your parents are expecting you."

Zoya didn't react. Instead she looked at him through rearview mirror and spoke in a tone that left no room for argument.

"Take me to Swastik Textiles first." The manager hesitated. "But___" "That wasn't a request."

Understanding that she wasn't in mood to be persuaded, Mr. Buxton gave a small nod and instructed the driver to change the route.

Returning to the Empire

Zoya stepped into the grand headquarters of Swatik Textiles, her family's empire, for the first time in the years.

The moment she stepped in she was hit by the smell of freshly woven fabric. Sound of machines, employees working efficiently and samples of luxurious textiles were displayed like trophies of success.

She walked through the main showroom, running her fingers over the fabric. Despite being the only heirs, she had never been part of this word. Her father has always kept her away, treating her like a distant relative rather than a successor.

She exchanged few words with the employees, asking about operations and sales. Some of them recognized her from years ago; others only knew her as a daughter who had chosen a different path.

After a while, she exhaled and checked the time and it was time to go back home.

A House That Never Felt Like Home

The mansion was exactly as she remembered- grand yet suffocating. The same crystal chandeliers, the same polished floors, the same feeling of emptiness.

As she stepped inside, a familiar rustling sound caught her attention.

Her mother, Grace, stood in the hallway, her hand clasped together. Her eyes softened as she saw Zoya's face.

"You're home," she said with a small, hopeful smile.

Zoya forced an emotionless nod."Mother."

The silence between them was deafening. They both knew this wasn't home for her- it never had been.

When dinner came, the family sat together for the first time in the years. The atmosphere was thick with silence. Grace tried to break the silence.

"How does it feel to be back in your real home, close to your family?"

Zoya sat down her fork, her gaze sharp. "Oh! It feels amazing. Leaving behind the place where I grew up, where every memory of my life exists, to be here with the people who claim to be my real family?" she let out a mocking laugh.

Vikram's jaw tightened. "Enough."

A Shocking Announcement

Zoya took a deep breath and changed the subject. "When can I go to Russia? I need the company's data to prepare."

Vikram leaned back, his expressions unreadable.

"You don't need to worry about business." He paused before delivering the final blow. "Star preparing for your marriage."

The air in the room shifted.

Zoya's fingers curled into fists. "What?"

Vikram's voice remained calm. "Your marriage is fixed. You'll marrying Kalix Volkov. He rules the business industry in Russia- no one can match his intelligence or power. Having him as son-in-law will make Swastik textiles untouchable."

"I'm not."

Her chair scraped against the wall as she stood. "I'm not marrying a stranger for your business"

Vikram's eyes darkened. "You are my daughter i will decide what's best for you.

Zoya's breath was shaky with rage.

"Who do you think you are? A God?"

Her voice cracked as she spoke the next words. "Just for the sake of your company's image, you erased my brother's existence. You hid Aniket's death like he never mattered. You weren't there when he was alive. You didn't come to his funeral. And now for a business you want to sell me off for a business deal?"

Vikram's jaw tightened. "Enough." He turned to the staff. Lock her in the room."

Zoya stumbled back, her heart pounding. "You wouldn't dare."

Grace who had been silent finally spoke. "She is just a child who came back home after years, Vikram. She needs time to adjust."

Vikram shot her cold look. "No time for that. The marriage is fixed, and Kalix is coming from Russia for it."

Grace took a deep breath and nodded. "She's smart. She'll understand how important this is- for her family, and our business. I'll talk to her."

Zoya let out a bitter laugh. "You already made your choice, Mother."

The moment the gaurs stepped forward, Zoya's instincts kicked in. She wasn't a hopeless girl.

The first guard reached for her, but she twisted his arms and slammed him against wall. The second, lunged, only to receive a sharp kick on his ribs that sent him stumbling back.

Silence fell over the dinning hall.

Vikram watched unimpressed.

"Enough, Zoya. You maybe strong, but you're still just one person."

More guards appeared. She could fight them-but then what? She couldn't take on an entire house of security alone.

With clenched fists, she stepped back, her voice low. "You'll regret this."

"Lock her up," Vikram odered

Zoya didn't resisted as the guards escorted her upstairs. But as the doors locked behind her, her mind was already working.

She wouldn't break. She wouldn't surrender.

This wasn't over.

Meanwhile in Russia…..

Viktor Volkov sat across from his older brother, Kalix sipping whiskey.

"Brother you are incredibly talented. If you wanted, you enter the textile industry independently . So why are you marrying some textile owner's daughter?"

Kalix smirked. "You have a lot to learn Viktor"

He leaned back, his expressions calm and calculating. "Swastik Textiles is powerhouse in the UK market. They want to expand to Russia . I want to establish presence in textiles. Our experience and connections will benefit each other."

He swirled the whiskey in his glass. "And to guarantee their loyalty, I'm marrying their only heir .When she inherits everything, it will come under The Volkov Group."

Viktor let out a short laugh. " so that's how you plan to make Swastik Tesxtiles immortal under Volkov Group.

Kalix smirked; you can say that.

Viktor asked curiously. " Do you know what kind of person you are marrying? Is she good or rich spoiled daughter? Did you do background check on her ?

Kalix's eyes gleamed with amusement. "She's no threat. Raised in the USA with Indian roots, far from family and business. But she's smart. A black belt in martial arts. Built her own name as famous fashion designer in America. She'll be useful in textile industry."

Viktor exhaled. "I really have a long way to go."

Kalix smired. "Yes, you do."

Zoya's Silent Vow

Locked in her room, Zoya paced. She ran her fingers along edges of window, analyzing every possible escape route.

She wouldn't let them dictate her life.

She wouldn't be a pawn.

And Kalix Volkov thought he could control her___

He had no idea what kind of storm was coming.