Chapter 17

Jasmine's body trembled as the haze of alcohol mixed with the intense emotions she had been suppressing since the moment she arrived in this world. The passion she felt with Abhiraj was overwhelming, and she let herself drown in the moment, in his touch, in his whispers. But as the night progressed, her mind started to clear, and with it came the rush of reality.

She had crossed a line.

Lying next to him, wrapped in his strong arms, she could still feel the heat of his body against hers. His possessive words echoed in her head: "You're mine, Jasmine. Don't forget that." But what did that even mean in this twisted world they were living in? Was he claiming her because he cared or because he needed control? And why had she given in so easily?

A wave of confusion and guilt washed over her. She was supposed to be surviving in this bizarre reality, not giving in to its most dangerous character. This was the eldest of the Rajput brothers—the cold and commanding Abhiraj—someone she should be wary of, not entangled with.

She turned her head slightly to glance at Abhiraj, who was now fast asleep, his face relaxed in the dim light. In sleep, he looked almost peaceful, his usual stern expression softened. Her heart clenched at the sight. She couldn't deny that she was attracted to him, but it was also terrifying. This world wasn't real—it was a world created in a novel she had read. But her emotions were real, and that's what scared her the most.

Gingerly, she shifted in his arms, careful not to wake him, and gazed at the ceiling, her mind spinning. She needed to think. This wasn't part of her plan. She was supposed to find the evil fiancée and stop her from destroying the Rajput family, not get involved in a passionate affair with one of the brothers.

Jasmine sighed softly, her chest rising and falling with the weight of her conflicted feelings. She was caught between the world she knew and the world she had been thrust into, with no clear way out. The heat of the moment had pulled her in, but now, in the quiet aftermath, all she could feel was the weight of the consequences.

Could she still focus on her mission? Could she still find the fiancée who intended to ruin everything? And what would happen when Abhiraj woke up? Would things be different between them, or would he return to his cold, detached self, pretending like nothing had happened?

Jasmine's thoughts were interrupted by the soft sound of breathing beside her. She glanced at Abhiraj again, noticing how calm and serene he looked. Her heart skipped a beat. She wasn't supposed to feel this way—she wasn't supposed to care.

She closed her eyes, trying to push the emotions aside. For now, she needed rest. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, and she would need all her strength to navigate the dangerous waters she found herself in.

As sleep began to claim her, Jasmine made a silent promise to herself. No matter what had just happened between them, she couldn't let it cloud her judgment. She had to stay focused. She had to stop the evil lurking in the shadows.

But as she drifted off, the lingering touch of Abhiraj's lips on hers and the way he had held her close haunted her dreams, blurring the line between desire and survival.