Chapter 3: A Stormy Start

The tension in the Suthar mansion was thick enough to cut with a knife.

Ashnoor sat stiffly in the grand dining hall, across from Arav. The long mahogany table stretched between them, filled with expensive dishes she had no appetite for.

Arav, as expected, barely acknowledged her. He sat, dressed in his signature black suit, stirring his soup with an air of disinterest. His sharp, dark eyes flickered to her every now and then, as if trying to read her mind.

It had only been a few hours since she entered this house, and she already felt suffocated.

"Why are you staring?" Arav's voice was deep, laced with irritation.

Ashnoor blinked, realizing she had been caught. She quickly picked up a spoon, pretending to focus on her food. "I wasn't staring. I was just… thinking."

He raised an eyebrow. "Thinking about what?"

How to get out of this mess.

"Nothing," she said instead.

Arav let out a small, humorless chuckle. "I don't believe in small talk, so let's get one thing straight," he said, setting his spoon down. His gaze was sharp, pinning her in place. "This is a contract marriage. I don't expect anything from you, and you shouldn't expect anything from me. We will act as a couple in front of my grandmother. That's it."

Ashnoor clenched her fists under the table. So cold. So detached.

"Understood," she replied, forcing her voice to stay steady.

Arav leaned back in his chair, watching her carefully. "Good. As long as you follow the rules, we won't have a problem."

Rules?

Before she could ask, a soft voice interrupted them.

"My dear, you're finally here!"

Ashnoor turned to see an elderly woman walking toward her—a warm smile on her face, her frail hands outstretched.

Arav's grandmother.

Unlike her grandson, she looked genuinely happy to see her.

Ashnoor quickly stood up, plastering a smile on her face. "Yes, Dadi," she said, carefully using the affectionate term Shalvi would have used.

The old woman held her hands, eyes filled with affection. "I was so worried when Arav told me you were delaying the wedding. But now you're here, and that's all that matters."

Ashnoor forced herself to smile wider. "Yes, of course. I wouldn't miss it for anything."

From the corner of her eye, she caught Arav watching her, his expression unreadable.

She was playing with fire.