chapter 18

Jasmine woke up the next morning with a throbbing headache, the consequences of last night's alcohol and the emotional whirlwind that came with it. The warm rays of the morning sun filtered through the large windows, casting a golden glow across the room. For a moment, everything seemed peaceful, almost normal.

Then the memories of last night came rushing back.

Her heart skipped a beat as she felt the weight of Abhiraj's arm draped across her waist. His presence next to her, so close, felt surreal. Her body tensed, and she cautiously glanced at him. He was still asleep, his features softened in slumber. His face, always so rigid and intense, now seemed almost… gentle. For a fleeting moment, he looked like a different man.

She had never seen him like this before—vulnerable and unguarded. A strange warmth flickered inside her, but she pushed it away. There was no room for such feelings, not when her reality was so warped. This wasn't her life. Abhiraj wasn't supposed to be part of her story.

With careful movements, Jasmine gently lifted his arm and slid out of bed, holding her breath as she did so. She needed space—needed to think. The passionate encounter between them wasn't something she had planned or expected. It had just… happened. But she couldn't afford to let that cloud her judgment. She had a mission here. She had to stop the evil fiancée, not get swept up in a dangerous romance.

Pulling on her clothes quickly, Jasmine tiptoed out of the room, her heart pounding. She cast one last glance at Abhiraj, relieved to see he was still deep in slumber. The events of last night weighed heavily on her, making her mind race in all directions.

This wasn't supposed to happen. She wasn't supposed to get involved with Abhiraj, and now, it had only complicated things.

As soon as she stepped into the hallway, the weight of her situation hit her all over again. This wasn't her world. She wasn't supposed to be here. She wasn't supposed to feel anything for anyone in this novel. The luxurious mansion, the strange, twisted dynamics of the Rajput family, the looming presence of the fiancées… none of it belonged to her. And yet, here she was, stuck in a role she hadn't chosen, wrapped in feelings she hadn't expected.

She needed air. Wandering through the grand corridors of the Rajput mansion, she eventually found herself in the garden, a quiet sanctuary. It was one of the few places she felt she could breathe freely. The garden was stunning, with vibrant flowers blooming in every corner and the scent of jasmine hanging thick in the air. Birds chirped merrily in the trees above, as if mocking her internal turmoil.

Sitting down on a stone bench, Jasmine buried her face in her hands. What the hell was she doing? This was no longer just about surviving in a world that wasn't hers. She had been sucked into the story in ways she hadn't imagined.

"I'm just… confused," Jasmine muttered to herself.

She thought back to last night—Abhiraj's lips on hers, his hands on her skin, the intensity of it all. The memory sent a shiver down her spine. But she couldn't afford to let herself get distracted by him. Her mission was clear: stop the evil fiancée from destroying the Rajput family.

That thought brought her back to the other fiancées in the house. She had started observing them closely, trying to piece together who could be the villain. There was Tara, Abhiraj's fiancée. She was beautiful, charming, and had everyone wrapped around her finger. But something about her was off. Jasmine had seen flashes of it—moments when Tara's mask slipped, and a cold, calculating look crossed her face. It was fleeting but enough to make Jasmine suspicious.

Then there was Naira, Ranbir's fiancée. She was more of a mystery, keeping to herself most of the time. Naira didn't interact with the family much, and her aloofness made it hard to get a read on her. But that could easily be a strategy—a way to stay under the radar until the right moment to strike.

Tara and Naira. Jasmine's mind spun with the possibilities. Could one of them be the evil fiancée? Her instincts leaned toward Tara, but she couldn't jump to conclusions. She needed more proof before making any accusations. If she was wrong, it could ruin everything, not just for her, but for the entire family.

As she sat there in the garden, her thoughts a tangled mess, a sudden wave of determination filled her. She wasn't just a maid in this world—she was a woman on a mission. She had to figure out who the evil fiancée was and stop her from destroying the Rajput family. There was no room for mistakes.

But as her resolve strengthened, her thoughts inevitably drifted back to Abhiraj. The lines between the story and her reality were blurring in ways that left her feeling untethered. Last night had changed things, even if she didn't want to admit it. She had crossed a line with Abhiraj, and now, she didn't know how to move forward.

She had to ignore him. That was the only way. She couldn't afford to get tangled in his world any more than she already had. But how was she supposed to do that when they lived under the same roof? The Rajput mansion was large, but their paths would inevitably cross, especially with the engagements moving forward.

And worse, what if Abhiraj remembered? Jasmine's heart raced at the thought. What if he remembered every detail of last night—the intensity of their kiss, the passion between them? What would he say? What would he do?

Jasmine shook her head, willing herself to focus. Abhiraj couldn't matter. Not now. She had to stay focused on her mission. The evil fiancée was her target, not Abhiraj's heart.

But deep down, Jasmine knew it wouldn't be that easy. She had already crossed a line, and there was no going back now. The game was no longer just about survival. And Jasmine wasn't sure she could win without losing hers in the process.

With a deep breath, Jasmine stood up, her gaze fixed on the path ahead. She needed to be cautious. The Rajput family was powerful, and their world was full of secrets. One wrong move, and she could find herself in more danger than she had ever anticipated.

She just hoped she could unravel the truth before it was too late.