Aisha stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection with wide, unsure eyes.
Meera, the housekeeper, gently fixed the final pin in Aisha's hair and stepped back with a warm smile.
"You look beautiful, Madam."
Aisha blinked.
Madam.
She still wasn't used to hearing that.
The simple peach-colored dress fit her perfectly. Her hair was tied neatly, and a light touch of makeup made her look fresh and elegant—very different from the tired, broken girl from last night.
"I… I don't know if I should really dress like this," Aisha whispered. "This is too much."
"It's not too much," Meera said kindly. "You're going to register your marriage with Sir. You should look presentable."
Aisha's heart thumped loudly.
Marriage.
To Arjun Malhotra.
Today.
Her hands trembled slightly as she touched the smooth fabric of her dress.
Everything was happening so fast.
"Are you nervous?" Meera asked softly.
Aisha nodded faintly. "A little."
She didn't say the truth.
She was terrified.
She didn't know Arjun. She didn't know his reasons. The contract felt unreal, like a story from someone else's life.
But she reminded herself that she had chosen this.
This was her only chance to stand again… even if it meant stepping into the unknown.
Entering the Living Room
Aisha walked out of her room slowly.
The Malhotra mansion was huge, bright, and filled with quiet elegance. Expensive paintings hung on the walls. Soft carpets covered the floors. Everything looked polished and perfect.
She felt tiny walking through it.
When she reached the living room, her steps stopped automatically.
Arjun was standing near the staircase.
He wore a dark grey suit today, perfectly fitted. His posture was straight, confident. His rich black hair was neatly styled, and his eyes were sharp, observing everything without emotion.
But when his gaze fell on her… he paused.
For a brief second, Aisha felt his eyes soften—just a little.
"You're ready," he said.
His voice was calm, but something in his tone felt… approving.
Aisha nodded. "Yes."
"Good." He adjusted his cufflinks. "We leave in five minutes."
She nodded again, her heart racing.
He looked at her face one more time.
"You look fine," he said simply.
Not beautiful.
Not pretty.
Just fine.
But coming from him, even those words felt heavy.
Aisha lowered her eyes.
"Thank you."
Before she could say anything else, Arjun turned and walked toward the entrance.
"Follow me," he said.
And she did.
Inside the Car
The car ride was silent—very silent.
Aisha sat beside Arjun, hands folded tightly on her lap, staring outside nervously.
Arjun typed something on his phone, his eyebrows knitted together in concentration.
He looked serious.
Distant.
Like he lived in a different world.
A world Aisha had no idea how to understand.
After a few minutes, he spoke without looking at her.
"You don't have to be afraid."
She blinked in surprise.
"Huh?"
"This marriage is a contract," he said. "I'm not expecting anything else from you."
Aisha's cheeks warmed.
She didn't know what he meant, but she understood the message.
He wasn't going to expect romance.
Or closeness.
Or anything intimate.
Secretly, she felt relieved.
"I'm not afraid of you," she whispered.
Though she wasn't even sure if that was true.
Arjun looked at her for a second.
His eyes were unreadable.
"Good," he replied.
Silence filled the car again.
Finally, Aisha gathered the courage to ask:
"Will… will your family accept this marriage?"
Arjun's jaw tightened instantly.
His eyes turned colder.
"I don't have a family," he said flatly.
Aisha's lips parted.
"Oh… I'm sorry."
"Don't be," he said. "It's better that way."
There was something in his tone—pain, anger, or maybe both.
Aisha wanted to ask more, but she sensed he didn't want to talk about it.
So she stayed quiet.
At the Marriage Registrar Office
The car stopped in front of the government marriage office.
Aisha's stomach twisted.
This was it.
This was the moment where her life would officially change.
Arjun stepped out first and then held the door open for her.
Aisha blinked at him.
He didn't look like the type of man who opened doors for anyone.
"Come," he said.
She stepped out carefully, and they walked inside together.
Everyone in the building stared.
Whispers filled the room:
"Is that… Arjun Malhotra?"
"Oh my god, he's getting married?"
"Who's that girl with him?"
"She's so simple… how did she catch him?"
Aisha's cheeks burned with embarrassment.
Arjun ignored everyone.
He walked straight to the registration counter and placed the papers there.
"Malhotra," he said. "We have an appointment."
The officer's eyes widened.
"Y-Yes sir! Right away!"
They were taken to a quiet room with chairs and a table.
Aisha's hands shook slightly as she sat down.
The officer spoke calmly, "Please sign here, Mrs. Rao—"
Arjun interrupted.
"It's Mrs. Malhotra now."
Aisha's heart jumped at the sound of that name.
Mrs. Malhotra.
His wife.
Even if just for a year… the title felt heavy.
The officer smiled at her. "Please sign, Ma'am."
Her fingers trembled as she picked up the pen.
She signed.
Her old life ended.
Arjun then signed his name with smooth, elegant strokes.
The officer stamped the papers loudly.
"Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Malhotra. You are now legally married."
Aisha froze.
It finally happened.
She turned her head slowly toward Arjun.
He looked at her with calm, steady eyes.
No smile.
No expression.
But something in his gaze felt like a promise.
"Come," he said softly. "Let's go home."
Back in the Car
Aisha sat quietly, staring at her hands.
She was married.
Legally married.
To Arjun Malhotra.
Her heart felt heavy, confused, scared… but also a little safe.
Arjun spoke suddenly.
"From today, you don't need to worry about money."
Aisha looked up at him.
"I will open a bank account in your name," he said. "I will also arrange a phone, clothes, and anything else you need."
She nodded slowly.
"And," he added, "if anyone from your old life tries to contact you—tell me immediately."
Her chest tightened.
"Why… why would they contact me now?"
Arjun looked straight ahead.
"People who throw you away often come back when they need something," he said coldly.
Aisha swallowed hard.
He was right.
And she knew it.
After a few seconds, Arjun turned his head slightly toward her.
"You are my wife now," he said. "I will protect what is mine."
Aisha's breath caught.
His voice was deep.
Serious.
Possessive.
And for the first time in her life…
Aisha felt like someone powerful was standing beside her.