chapter 55 - A beautiful illusion
Morning
The sun rose gently, casting a warm glow over the Malhotra mansion. Ira stretched lazily, a soft smile playing on her lips as she lay in bed. Her heart felt lighter today, the weight of reality momentarily forgotten.
She blushed at the thought, biting her lip as she sat up. A dinner. Just the two of them. Away from the family, away from the contract, away from the expectations that constantly loomed over them.
Aarav had told her last night. Whispered it, really.
"Tomorrow night, you’re mine. Just you and me, alone."
She had felt breathless when he said it, his voice thick with something unspoken.
Now, hours later, she could still hear those words in her mind, could still feel the weight of his gaze on her.
She placed her hand on her racing heart and exhaled. God, what was he doing to her?
Downstairs, the house bustled with activity. Nandini was arguing with the house staff, Anika was annoying Vihaan, and Kabir—well, Kabir was being Kabir.
But Ira was in her own world.
She found herself humming as she made her way to the kitchen, smiling at the maids, checking on breakfast. Every few minutes, she glanced at the clock.
Is he in office already?
Has he eaten?
Will he text first, or should I?
Her fingers itched to pick up her phone, but she shook her head. No. Let him miss me first.
She busied herself with her day, but there was a restless excitement in her, a giddy anticipation that refused to go away.
Tonight, she was going on a date with her husband.
And she was terrified of how much she wanted it.
Meanwhile, at Malhotra Industries…
Aarav sat in his office, staring at his laptop screen.
Or at least, pretending to.
Because in reality, his mind was a thousand miles away.
More specifically, it was in that goddamn mansion.
With her.
His jaw clenched as he tapped his pen against the desk, scowling at the fact that he was supposed to be reviewing reports. Supposed to be making important decisions.
Instead, all he could think about was Ira.
His wife. His problem. His inevitable downfall.
He was losing control.
Aarav had never looked forward to things like this. Never felt this kind of restless energy before a simple dinner.
And yet, here he was. Smirking at his own reflection like some lovesick fool because he knew that in a few hours, she would be sitting across from him, blushing, avoiding his gaze, looking breathtaking without even trying.
He exhaled sharply, raking a hand through his hair.
This is dangerous.
This feeling. This attachment. This madness.
She wasn’t his to keep.
The contract. The six months. The end.
It was all still hanging over them like an inevitable storm, one he refused to acknowledge.
But tonight…
Tonight, he was giving himself one night to pretend.
To pretend that she was his.
To pretend that this was real.
To pretend that he wasn’t already completely ruined by her.
—
Evening – Getting Ready
Ira sat in front of the mirror, a soft sigh escaping her lips as she carefully applied kajal to her eyes.
She should have been excited.
She was excited.
But it wasn’t just excitement.
It was something heavier. Something warmer. Something dangerous.
Because all she could think about was him.
His deep, intoxicating eyes that always found hers in a crowded room.
The way they softened, just for her.
His lips, brushing against hers in the dead of night, stealing her breath, making her forget—forget everything except the way he felt against her.
The warmth of his touch.
The way he smiled—not the practiced, charming one he showed the world, but the real one. The one he only gave to her.
The thought sent a shiver down her spine.
Ira bit her lip, shaking her head. Get a grip, Ira.
She reached for her earring, but her fingers met nothing but air.
Frowning, she glanced around the dresser. Where did it go?
Sighing, she walked toward the closet, opening the drawer to search for it.
And that’s when she saw it.
The neatly stacked papers. Crisp. Cold. Unforgiving.
The contract.
The reality of their marriage, staring her right in the face.
Her heart clenched painfully, her fingers tightening around the edge of the drawer.
She hadn’t thought about it in weeks. Hadn’t allowed herself to.
Because with every kiss, every stolen moment, every time he touched her like she was his—it was easy to forget.
Easy to believe in the lie.
But it wasn’t real.
This wasn’t real.
A sudden hollowness settled in her chest, suffocating her. She wanted to tear the contract apart, to burn it until there was nothing left.
But what was the point?
It wouldn’t change anything.
It wouldn’t change him.
Her throat felt tight, but she forced herself to breathe. Not now.
She shut the drawer, shut away the reality, and turned back to the mirror.
The girl staring back at her wasn’t glowing anymore.
But still, she smiled.
Because he would be here soon.
And she still wanted this night.
Even if it was a lie.
Aarav stood at the entrance of her room, watching her silently.
God.
She looked like a dream.
His dream.
The soft golden hue of her saree, the way her loose curls framed her delicate face. The way she was struggling to force a smile, unaware that he could see right through her.
But the moment she looked up at him
Her breath hitched.
Because there he was, in all his devastating beauty.
Dressed in a fitted black suit, the top button undone, his sleeves rolled up just enough to show the veins on his forearms.
Tall, sharp, breathtaking.
But it wasn’t just his looks.
It was him.
The way his dark eyes softened as they roamed over her, like she was the most precious thing he had ever laid eyes on.
And then—
He smiled.
That rare, boyish, completely unguarded smile. The kind that made her heart stutter, made her forget how to breathe.
Like she was the only thing that existed in his world.
Like she was his.
Her fingers curled into her saree, the weight of the contract still pressing against her mind.
He didn’t know that she had seen it.
Didn’t know that her heart was breaking in real-time.
Because right now, he was looking at her like she was forever.
And she wanted to believe it so badly that it hurt.
Aarav walked toward her, reaching for her hand, pulling her into his embrace without hesitation.
His warmth, his scent, the steady rhythm of his heart against her cheek
Ira shut her eyes, just for a moment.
Just long enough to let herself pretend.
The Restaurant – A Silence That Screams
The entire place was empty.
Dim lights. Slow music. A table for two, candles flickering between them.
It was perfect.
But Ira barely noticed.
Because the war inside her mind was drowning out everything else.
Aarav pulled out her chair, his fingers brushing against hers as he helped her sit. His touch lingered, just for a second longer than necessary.
Normally, it would have sent shivers down her spine.
Tonight, it made her stomach twist.
Because she couldn’t stop thinking about that contract.
Couldn’t stop thinking about the expiration date hanging over them like a ticking bomb.
Aarav sat across from her, his eyes never leaving her face.
“Ira,” he murmured, tilting his head. “What’s wrong?”
She blinked, startled. “W-What?”
“You’re quiet.” His gaze darkened, sharp with concern. “Talk to me.”
She forced a smile, shaking her head. “Nothing’s wrong.”
He didn’t believe her.
But he let it go.
For now.
Ira is staring at him, knowing that this moment—this beautiful illusion—would shatter soon.
And neither of them would be able to escape the wreckage.