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"Beneath the stars, a tale begins,

Of hidden truths and secret sins.

Love and chaos, side by side,

Where hearts must choose or run and hide"

RITVIK's POV:

Bhai was getting married.

To the world, this was just another powerful alliance, another deal written in stone. But for me, this wasn't just about a wedding-this was about who we were dealing with.

And the man we were about to get entangled with? Rakshit Saksena?

He was anything but trustworthy.

I had been skeptical from the very beginning. Something about this entire arrangement smelled off. Bhai might not have said it out loud, but I knew him better than anyone. He loved Saisha. This wasn't just business for him.

And that made it all the more dangerous. Because love makes you vulnerable. It makes you blind to threats that are right in front of you.

So I did what I do best-I dug deeper. I had my men watching Rakshit, tracking his movements, monitoring every business deal he was making and-more importantly-the ones he was losing.

I needed to know if we were walking into a mess.

Or worse-a trap.

Just as that thought crossed my mind, my phone buzzed on the desk. The number flashing on the screen was one of my most trusted men.

I picked up, my voice sharp and commanding. "Speak."

"Sir, we have an update on Rakshit Saksena's recent financial losses."

I leaned forward, fingers tapping against the wooden surface. "Go on."

"The major deal he lost last month? It wasn't just a market failure. Someone hacked into his system and leaked crucial information about the project."

I stilled.

Hacked?

I narrowed my eyes. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, sir. The breach was well-planned. Whoever did it was an expert, and they knew exactly where to hit. This wasn't just a random attack-it was calculated."

My grip on the phone tightened.

First the threat texts to Bhai.

Now Rakshit's system getting hacked?

This wasn't a coincidence. Someone was watching-tracking every move in this so-called business deal. And they weren't just playing around.

They were sending a message.

And the worst part?

I had no damn clue who it was.

"Trace it back," I ordered, my voice cold. "I want every possible lead on who hacked that system."

"Yes, sir."

I ended the call and leaned back, my mind running through every possible scenario.

Who the hell was behind this?

It wasn't just about the business anymore. Someone was interfering. Someone was keeping an eye on everything. And that meant we were exposed.

I exhaled sharply before pulling up my phone again. There was only one person who needed to know about this immediately.

Vihan.

I knew he wouldn't like this. He had already been on edge ever since Saisha had come into the picture. This was personal for him in ways I hadn't seen before. And while I trusted Bhai with my life, I also knew one thing-his emotions would always be his weakness.

And Saisha?

She was his biggest weakness.

I quickly forwarded all the details, attaching the reports, the logs, and everything my team had uncovered about the breach.

Then I texted him-

Me: Bhai, we need to talk. Now. Check your mail. It's important.

A few minutes later, my phone lit up.

Vihan: What the hell is this?

Me: It's exactly what it looks like. Someone is playing a bigger game, and we need to figure out who before it's too late.

There was a long pause before his next message came in.

Vihan: I won't let anything touch her. You know that, right?

I exhaled. Of course, I knew.

He would burn the whole damn world down before letting anything happen to Saisha.

But right now, the problem wasn't just protecting her.

The problem was figuring out who we were up against.

And why they were so damn interested in this marriage.

VIHAN's POV:

The morning sun painted the sky in soft hues of orange as our convoy reached Raipur. The city was already buzzing with life, but my mind was elsewhere. Ritvik delivered updates about the hacking and the suspicious deal concerning Rakshit Saksena's company yesterday. My jaw clenched. Someone wanted to play games with me? Fine. I'd give them a game they wouldn't forget.

I had already instructed my men to track down whoever was behind this. There was no room for mistakes, especially now. Tomorrow was my wedding-something I still struggled to believe. The thought of finally calling Saisha mine filled my heart with an emotion I couldn't quite name. Happiness? Possessiveness? Whatever it was, I liked it.

I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling sharply as the weight of the situation settled over me. I had always been careful, always played my cards right. But this time, someone was trying to outplay me. And I wasn't about to let that happen. Not when everything I had built, everything I cherished, was at stake.

My phone rang, snapping me out of my thoughts. It was Khushal.

"Vihan, the hacking... there's something bigger going on," he said, his voice laced with concern. "We found connections leading to Mumbai too."

My grip on the phone tightened. "Mumbai?" I repeated, my mind racing. "That means people from both sides are involved?"

"Exactly," Khushal confirmed. "This is bigger than we thought. You need to be careful, buddy."

I exhaled slowly, piecing the puzzle together. After that accident, I had suspected that a particular family might be targeting me. But now, someone from Mumbai was involved too? This wasn't just a business rivalry-it was personal. I needed to protect Saisha at all costs. No matter what.

I immediately sent out orders to gather intel on every possible suspect. I wouldn't let anyone harm her. Not now. Not ever.

A familiar voice called out, interrupting my thoughts.

"Beta, everyone has settled into their hotel rooms," Maa informed me, standing at the doorway. "We have to leave for the temple soon to seek Mata's blessings. Get ready fast. The Saksena family will be coming too."

My heart leaped at the mention of their name. The Saksena family meant one

thing-Saisha.

Arohi, my ever-so-perceptive sister, noticed my excitement and smirked. "Bhai, don't get too excited. The family will be coming, not bhabhi. The bride isn't allowed to leave her house before the wedding, remember?"

I tried to mask my disappointment, but the grin that tugged at my lips betrayed me. Maa and Arohi exchanged knowing glances and burst into laughter, making my ears and cheeks burn.

"Shut up," I muttered, rubbing the back of my neck, but they only laughed harder.

I shook my head and picked up my phone, my fingers itching to text Saisha. I wanted to tell her I missed her already. But I knew she'd be busy with pre-wedding rituals and guests. Instead, I texted her as Masked Man .

I will be off for some work for few days. congratulations on your wedding in advance, take things positively gummy bear.

I stared at the screen, waiting for a reply, but none came immediately. I sighed, pocketing my phone, and turned to get ready for the temple visit.

By the time we reached the temple, the sun had fully risen, casting golden light over the towering structure. The air was thick with the scent of incense and marigolds. Inside, the rhythmic chants of the priests echoed through the sacred hall, filling me with a rare sense of peace.

As I folded my hands in prayer, a silent promise formed in my heart. I would protect my family. I would protect Saisha. No matter what.

Maa placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Beta, everything will be fine. Trust Mata Rani."

I nodded, but deep down, I knew that faith alone wouldn't be enough. I had to act. And I would. Soon.

SAISHA's POV:

The day arrived faster than I had expected.

My wedding day.

The house was filled with laughter, chatter, and the sounds of wedding preparations. Yet, none of it felt real to me. To me, everything was a blur-dark and suffocating, like a nightmare I couldn't wake up from.

I sat in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. The red lehenga draped around me was breathtaking, and my makeup made my face glow. But what was the use? None of it mattered. It couldn't slow down the rapid beating of my heart or erase the dread settling in my chest.

A familiar presence broke through my thoughts.

"Saisha..."

I turned to see Vaishnavi walking toward me, her eyes moist. She looked beautiful in her attire, but before I could tell her that, she pulled me into a tight hug.

"I'm so sorry," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I couldn't help you, I couldn't get you out of this."

I pulled back and held her face gently. "It's not your fault, Vaish. I held on as long as I could. It's all because of you that I'm still standing." I forced a bitter smile. "By the way, you look amazing."

She sniffled and smiled through her tears, then reached for her kajal and rubbed a tiny smudge behind my ear. "To protect you from the evil eye," she murmured.

My chest tightened at the gesture. It was something a mother would do. But my family was too busy pleasing guests, sealing deals, and ensuring that the 'transaction' was perfect.

I took a deep breath. "Rivan?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Vaishnavi sighed. "He's helping uncle welcome the guests."

A sad smile played on my lips. Of course. The men of the house handled guest receptions, and my father had none. He only had a daughter to bet on.

Before I could dwell on the bitterness consuming me, a loud voice rang through the house.

"They'll be here any minute! The baraat is arriving!"

My heart pounded violently in my chest. The moment was here. There was no turning back now.

The nightmare was about to become real.

VIHAN's POV:

The day I had been waiting for was finally here-our wedding day. The moment my entire being had been yearning for. My heart pounded wildly in my chest, an unfamiliar nervousness creeping up on me. It was strange-me, Vihan khurana, always in control, always a step ahead, now restless, waiting to catch a glimpse of her. My bride. My Saisha. My Gummy Bear.

I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the cuffs of my crisp white shirt, but my hands stilled as I caught my reflection. There was something different in my eyes today-a gleam, an eagerness I had never known before. A slow smirk tugged at my lips. Who would have thought that the same man who once swore never to be tied down would be standing here, impatiently waiting for the moment that would bind him forever?

A knock on the door broke my thoughts. One of my men entered, his expression hesitant. "Sir, do you want me to send her pictures?"

The offer was tempting. Damn, I wanted to see her. I wanted to drown in those eyes, to take in her beauty, to memorize every detail before she even stepped down the aisle. But no-I had to control myself.

I exhaled sharply, shaking my head. "No. Not this time."

This was a moment I wanted to experience live. I wanted to see her in real-time, to watch her take those slow, hesitant steps toward me, her eyes filled with emotions she wouldn't dare say out loud. I wanted to burn the image into my mind, to live in it for as long as I could.

My fingers curled into fists as anticipation ran through me. What if this was all a trap? What if someone was playing games with me? The thought should have bothered me-it would have, once. But now? I didn't care. If this was a game, I was more than willing to walk right into it.

Because my heart had already surrendered.

To her.

To my soon-to-be wife.

To the woman who had unknowingly become the very center of my existence.

A soft chuckle left my lips as I picked up my watch and fastened it around my wrist. The world saw me as ruthless, untouchable, but when it came to her, I was nothing more than a man hopelessly in love.

"vihan come on beta everyone is waiting!!" maa informed me.

A slow, deep breath filled my lungs. Time to face the moment I had been waiting for.

Time to claim what was mine.

VAISHNAVI'S POV:

I stood at the entrance, helping aunty as the baraat arrived. The air buzzed with excitement, laughter, and the rhythmic beats of the dhol. Everyone looked happy, celebrating the occasion with unbridled joy. But my gut twisted for Saisha. Was she okay in there? Was she ready for this?

The pleats of my saree were proving to be a challenge, and as I fumbled with them, I felt it-an intense gaze burning into me. I ignored it. The last thing I wanted was to make a scene here.

My mind, however, refused to stay calm. The only thing running through my head was whether I could still help Saisha out of this mess. But how? Rivan was too busy, too distracted to talk to. I huffed in frustration.

There had to be a way.

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