NOTE:

Hello dear readers! Before proceeding, I would like to inform you that the content is really very dark. This is not a fairy tale fantasy where you will encounter princess treatments and the like.

Therefore, please read at your own risk. Any hate directed towards the book characters or the author will not be tolerated. I will not hesitate to block you.

I am proud to share that this novel has reached the #1 spot in the Dark Romance, forced marriage, obsession and mafia category on Wattpad.

I hope you understand that 'dark' refers to mature themes and intense emotions. Please understand that these scenes are not meant to glorify violence but are an integral part of the narrative.

Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions, but please be respectful in your feedback.

This is my first ever book, so I understand there might be some mistakes. I kindly request your understanding and hope you enjoy the journey.

Now let the nightmare begin.

SOFIA'S POV:

I could feel the sunlight on my face coming across the window,the glimpse of sunlight filled my heart with relief when I realised that morning had made her presence known and now the darkness will be over. I savor the light's embrace, savoring the faint promise of a new beginning and hoping that it's not just another illusion.

Ever since I married this monster, I've been trapped in a rentless darkness. For a month now ,my life feels like a never ending nightmare, Each day sinking deeper into despair. It's as if every moment of joy has been caged away , leaving only shadows to haunt my soul.

I'm confined within his mansion, rarely permitted to cross the threshold of my own room, and communication with the outside world is cruelly forbidden. I feel utterly isolated, a prisoner in a life that should have been filled with love and freedom.

I sat up on the bed as the closet door creaked open. His footsteps echoed through the room, and I could feel his presence before I even saw him.

The scent of his cologne filled the air, a sharp, intoxicating reminder of his power. A shiver ran down my spine.

His aura was dominating. He walked toward me with deliberate steps, he was in his formals. He held his blazer in one hand, but as he reached the bed, he tossed it aside.

Without saying a word, he leaned down and kissed my cheek, his lips cold against my skin. The touch was brief but enough to leave an impression. He then sat in front of me on the bed, his gaze never leaving mine.

"Good morning." he whispered, his voice low and deliberate.

I didn't respond. I couldn't. I couldn't hold his gaze.

"Silence again?" he asked, his voice thick with disappointment. "How fucking predictable."

My eyes darted to the floor, my hands gripping the blanket tightly.

I could feel his eyes narrowed at me, with a flicker of irritation. "Eyes on me when I'm talking to you." His voice dropped even lower, a dark command.

Still, I didn't look at him.

His patience thinned. "Look.At.Me."

A shiver ran down my spine as the command echoed in the air, but I kept my gaze fixed on the floor.

Without a word, his hand gripped my chin, jerking my head up.

His grip tightened-just enough to make my breath hitch. "Try that again."

Slowly, I lifted my eyes to his.

His lips curled into a smirk. But his eyes? Dark. Void of emotion.

"Much better." He leaned closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "Now, tell me, little wife... what's going on in that fragile mind of yours?"

I stayed silent, his presence alone was enough to strike fear in me, and I couldn't find the strength to speak.

A cold chuckle escaped him as he leaned closer, his breath ghosting over my ear. "Will you speak, or should I make you?"

I swallowed. "Nothing."

His brows lifted slightly. "Nothing?" He repeated mockingly

Then, his grip loosened.

I thought he would let go.

I was wrong.

His fingers traced along my jaw, slow, featherlight. Then-he grabbed the back of my neck, pulling me inches from his face.

I gasped. My heart slammed against my ribs.

"Lie to me again." His voice was barely audible, yet it carried more weight than a gun to my head. "I dare you."

I froze.

His eyes roamed my face, scanning every flicker of fear, every hesitation. He was enjoying this.

"T-trust me.." I stammered. "I-please, I wasn't thinking about anything bad."

"Bad?" he echoed, his smirk returning. "Now that's interesting. What would be 'bad,' exactly? Something you're hiding from me?"

I shook my head desperately.

"Are you plotting something, little wife?"

"No, I swear-"

"No?" His hand found my wrist, circling it with ease. "Because last time, you weren't so innocent, were you?"

The weight of his words pressed into me like a blade against my throat.

He leaned in, his breath warm against my skin. "Shall I remind you what happens to liars?"

A whimper escaped before I could swallow it down.

His lips curled. "That's what I thought."

He finally let go, his fingers lingering just long enough to send a message.

And then-for the first time in days-I spoke not to answer but to protest for myself. "Ansh..." My voice cracked. "Please... I-"

He laughed. The sound was cruel, unbothered.

"Please?" He dragged the word out, as if testing how it felt in his mouth. "Please what?"

I hesitated. His eyes flickered with amusement. "Say it properly, wife. Use your words."

"I... I just..." I couldn't form words.

His smirk deepened.

"You just what?...Want me to be kind?..Gentle?" His voice dipped lower, dangerously soft. "Want me to hold your hand and tell you everything will be okay?"

I shook my head quickly.

He leaned in closer, his voice mocking.

"Then...You want mercy?" He asked. "Sweetheart, I don't even know what that word means."

His fingers trailed up my wrist, barely a touch, yet it sent ice through my veins.

"You're trying so hard to speak now." He exhaled a laugh, cruel and knowing. "Where was this little voice of yours when I asked for it?"

I opened my mouth, but he cut me off.

"No, no-too late." He tsked, feigning disappointment. "I gave you a chance. You wasted it."

"You don't get to decide when I speak," I whispered.

The moment the words left my mouth, I knew I had made a mistake.

His expression didn't change-if anything, his smirk returned, slow and taunting.

"Oh?" His voice was almost amused. "I don't?"

Before I could react, his fingers tightened around my throat, not enough to choke-just enough to remind me exactly who did decide.

"That," he murmured, tilting my chin up, "was a very bad idea, wife."

I wanted to speak, to push him away, but my throat was dry. My lips trembled as I forced out the words.

"Why... why are you doing this?" I finally asked.

His thumb traced my jaw, his touch deceptively gentle. "Why?" He repeated, tilting his head. "You walked into my world uninvited.... Did you really think you'd leave untouched?"

"You knew what I was." His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "And still, you walked right into my hands."

A slow smirk spread across his face. "But I've been merciful, haven't I?"

Something cold pressed against my spine.

"If you want to see what real cruelty looks like... take a walk to my basement."

My blood ran cold.

I nodded, my breath catching in my throat as the fear tightened its grip around me.

He paused for a moment, studying me one last time. Then he stood, picking up his blazer from the bed. The fabric settled over his shoulder as he gave one final glance toward me.

"Be a good girl," he said, his voice thick with cold promise.

But just as he reached the door, he paused. "One last thing...."

I held my breath.

He looked over his shoulder, eyes cold as steel.

"You tried to run before." A smirk. "Don't try it again."

"Last time, the punishment wasn't enough" he continued, his lips curling into a cruel smirk. "This time... your pretty little ankles will be the first thing I break... if you even think about trying to escape."

With a final, deliberate look, he turned and walked out, the door closing behind him with a heavy thud.

I woke up, tension still gripping my body. After a quick shower, I made my way to the kitchen. Anna, the head of staff and my only semblance of a friend here, handed me breakfast with her usual politeness.

I stared at the food, lost in my thoughts, when Anna's soft voice broke the silence.

"Was he too harsh on you last night?"

The question triggered a flashback, and suddenly, I was back on that first day-the day I met him. The day my world had turned into a nightmare.

FLASHBACK STARTS:

The grand office of Reliance, the most prestigious corporation in the city, was a masterpiece of wealth and power. Yet, no amount of luxury could mask the chilling aura that came with the man who owned it.

I had heard his name whispered like a warning.

Ansh Oberoi.

A man whose ruthlessness was legendary.

A man who didn't just deal with betrayal, he annihilated it.

I wasn't supposed to meet him directly. The secretary should have been the one conducting this interview. But fate had other plans.

He wanted to meet me himself.

My fingers trembled slightly as I stood outside his office.

The weight of his reputation made the air feel heavy, suffocating.

I forced myself to breathe.

Knocking once, I pushed the door open. "Sir... may I enter?"

A low, commanding voice answered from inside. "Come in."

The sound alone made my stomach twist.

I stepped inside.

He stood near the massive window, his back to me, holding a cup of coffee with effortless ease. Even without seeing his face, the sheer presence of him was overwhelming. The way he stood-still, yet utterly in control-sent a silent warning.

He turned.

My breath hitched.

Everything about him radiated power. His sharp jawline, his dark blue ocean eyes, the cold calculation in his piercing dark eyes, the way his tailored suit hugged his form-there was an effortless danger to him. The kind that didn't need to be spoken.

He sat behind his desk with an air of ownership, gesturing for me to sit across from him.

I obeyed.

The silence stretched between us, thick and oppressive.

Without a word, he picked up my file, flipping through the pages like they were of little consequence. His eyes, sharp as a scalpel, never once lifted to meet mine.

The room was so silent that I could hear the faint rustling of paper.

Then, with an abrupt motion, he shut the file and tossed a separate bundle of documents onto the desk between us.

"Find the errors," he said, not even glancing at me once.

Within moments, I identified each error with precision. "There's an error in the GST calculations" I pointed out, "And discrepancies in the SGST figures."

He nodded, seemingly satisfied.

"Numbers are easy to spot. Loyalty isn't." He paused, letting the words sink in.

He rose from his chair, his movements slow and deliberate, a predator sizing up its prey. He stood behind the chair, his arms resting casually on the back of it, but his posture was anything but relaxed. There was a dangerous stillness about him now.

Finally, our eyes met. His gaze was cold, calculating-like he was dissecting every inch of my soul.

I felt my breath catch in my throat, his stare intense, unyielding. "Tell me... what's your price?"

My stomach dropped.

"Price?" I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper.

He chuckled-a dark, humorless sound.

"Yes. The price at which you'll betray me."

I stared at him, stunned. "I-I'm not for sale."

His smirk deepened.

"No?" His voice was dangerously smooth, laced with something unreadable. "That's what they all say."

He leaned in closer, his eyes dark and calculating. "Everyone has a price. Some are just better at hiding it. What's yours?"

I met his cold, calculating gaze without flinching, my voice steady and unwavering.

"My loyalty isn't for sale." I said, my words firm, cutting through the tension in the room like a blade. "No amount of money will make me betray what I stand for. I'm not some pawn you can buy."

I held his stare, unshaken. "I'm here because I believe in my worth, not because I'm looking for a price."

His smirk didn't falter, though his eyes darkened with something far more dangerous.

"People like to think they're loyal, but loyalty has a breaking point." he murmured, his voice like ice.

"Everyone has a price." His breath ghosted against my skin. "Some are just better at hiding it."

"Maybe," I replied coolly, meeting his gaze without hesitation, "But some things are worth more than money. Loyalty, trust-they aren't for sale."

I held his stare, a slight edge in my voice. "If you want someone who can be bought, I'm not that persorn. MR Oberoi."

His eyes narrowed, assessing me with a new level of interest.

"Brave words," he murmured. "But bravery and stupidity often walk the same line."

Before I could react, he started taking his deliberate steps towards me, he gripped the armrests of my chair.

Trapping me.

I sucked in a sharp breath, my pulse hammering in my ears.

His scent-dark, rich, dangerously intoxicating-filled the air around me.

"Let's test your theory, shall we?"

I stiffened.

"If you had to choose," he mused, his fingers trailing along the wooden armrest, "between your survival and betraying me... what would it be?"

I didn't answer.

I couldn't.

His fingers suddenly curled around my wrist. Not tight. Not painful. Just enough.

"Would you bleed for your loyalty?" His voice dipped lower, a soft, venomous promise.

My heart pounded against my ribs.

"Or would you beg me for mercy?"

I swallowed, forcing myself to meet his gaze.

"Neither." My voice was quieter now, but firm.

His eyes gleamed, as if entertained by my defiance. "Interesting."

And just as quickly, the intensity disappeared.

He pulled back, walking back to his desk as if nothing had happened. As if he hadn't just toyed with me like a predator testing his prey.

Settling back into his chair, he steepled his fingers. "Prove it, then."

I blinked. "Prove what?"

"That you aren't for sale." His smirk returned, colder than before. "Because if you lie to me..."

He took a pause then, in a voice that sent ice through my veins- "You won't live long enough to regret it."

The air left my lungs.

Without another word, he turned his attention back to his desk, dismissing me entirely.

But the weight of his warning lingered, wrapping around me like invisible chains.

I had entered the lion's den.

And I wasn't sure I would ever leave.