The sacred fire burned between them, its flames rising and falling with the rhythm of the priest’s chants.

“Rudraveer, hold her hand.”

For a brief second, RUDRAVEER AGNIHOTRI didn’t move.

Then, as if forced by the moment rather than willing, he reached for her.

His fingers touched hers—firm, controlled, completely devoid of warmth.

It wasn’t a touch.

It was an obligation.

SHIVANGI BHARDWAJ felt it instantly.

The coldness. The distance. The silent rejection.

But she didn’t react.

Didn’t pull her hand away. Didn’t look up at him.

As if his indifference meant nothing.

Around them, voices murmured in happiness. Smiles, laughter, blessings filled the air.

But between them—

There was nothing.

No warmth. No connection.

Only silence.

Heavy. Unspoken.

Real.

Rudraveer’s jaw tightened slightly as the rituals continued. He avoided looking at her, his gaze fixed anywhere but her face.

Until—

For a fleeting second, their eyes met.

His were sharp. Suspicious. Almost accusing.

As if he already knew something…

or thought he did.

Shivangi held his gaze.

Calm. Steady. Unreadable.

And that… irritated him.

Because she didn’t look guilty.

If anything—she looked composed.

Too composed.

If only he knew…

She wasn’t his enemy.

________________________________

Hours later, the noise faded.

The wedding ended.

And Shivangi found herself standing inside a room that now belonged to both of them.

Their room.

She stood near the window, her fingers lightly clasped, her expression as calm as it had been the entire day.

The door opened.

Rudraveer walked in.

Slow. Controlled. Distant.

For a moment, he said nothing.

His gaze swept across the room before finally landing on her.

The same coldness returned instantly.

“Listen carefully, Shivangi.”

His voice was low. Firm. Unemotional.

“Don’t expect anything from this marriage.”

There it was.

Clear. Direct. Final.

Shivangi turned to face him fully.

No shock. No hurt.

Just quiet understanding.

“Good,” she replied softly.

“I wasn’t expecting anything either.”

Something flickered in his eyes.

Brief. Unexpected.

Gone in a second.

He let out a faint, humorless scoff.

“Stay out of my life,” he added. “And I’ll stay out of yours.”

A deal.

Simple.

Detached.

As if this marriage meant nothing more than an arrangement.

Shivangi watched him for a moment.

Really watched him.

The anger in his eyes.

The walls he had built so carefully.

Then she spoke—

“That might be difficult.”

His gaze snapped back to hers, irritation flashing instantly.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

For a second, Shivangi said nothing.

Then, meeting his eyes without hesitation, she answered quietly—

“You’ll find out.”

Silence fell between them.

Heavy. Tense.

And for the first time that night—

Rudraveer frowned.

Because something about her…

didn’t feel as simple as he had assumed.