The moment Zain pushed open the heavy doors of his mansion, a wave of cold, luxurious air brushed against Aanya's face. But instead of comfort, the glittering beauty of the house reflected as fear in her eyes.
The living room was wrapped in an eerie calm. Xuyan (Zain's mother) sat casually on the sofa watching television. Zhenyu (Zain's father) was deeply engrossed in a business deal on his laptop. Fengning (Zain's sister) lay sprawled lazily, scrolling through her phone without a care.
The moment Zain stepped inside, everyone's faces lit up.
Fengning jumped to her feet.
"Bhai! You're here so suddenly? And why did you call me back from the café so urgently?"
Zain didn't reply. He simply took a deep breath, turned back, and gestured.
"Aanya… come inside."
As Aanya stepped in hesitantly, the entire room fell into silence.
Fengning's eyes widened in shock.
"Aanya? You're here?!"
Xuyan asked sharply, her tone strict,
"Zain, who is this girl? And why have you brought her home at this hour?"
A precise smile curved Zain's lips. He stepped forward and gripped Aanya's hand so tightly that red marks bloomed on her delicate wrist.
"Mom, didn't you say I should find a partner before the 26th? Well… I've found her. This is my wife. I've chosen Aanya."
Aanya's heart began to pound violently. She looked at Zain. His face was completely expressionless, as if he were announcing a business merger.
He lies so smoothly, she thought bitterly. He should've been a top-class actor, not a CEO.
Xuyan rose from the sofa and approached Aanya, her gaze scanning her face carefully.
"Child, is this true? Did you both decide this together? Or did my son force you? Aanya, tell me the truth."
Aanya gathered her courage.
"Ma'am, actually—"
Before she could finish, Zain yanked her sharply and pulled her against his chest. His arm wrapped tightly around her waist, locking her in place. He lowered his face, staring straight into her eyes—his gaze cold, threatening.
Try refusing… and your brother will suffer, his silent warning screamed.
Aanya swallowed hard. She forced her trembling lips into a fake smile.
"Yes, Ma'am… we decided to marry by our own will. Zain loves me very much."
They smiled at each other like the happiest couple alive, but inside, Aanya felt suffocated.
Xuyan's expression softened.
"If you say so… then I accept."
Tea and the Hidden Truth
To lighten the mood, Fengning grabbed Aanya's hand excitedly.
"I can't believe it! You're my sister-in-law now? This is going to be fun! We'll watch dramas together and torture my grumpy brother every day!"
Xuyan laughed and tugged Fengning's ear playfully.
"You only think about troubling people!"
Aanya laughed openly—her laughter innocent and bright, echoing through the room.
Zain froze for a moment, staring at her. Perhaps for the first time, he saw her laugh without fear.
But the peace didn't last.
Zhenyu, who had remained silent all this time, suddenly stood up. He grabbed Zain's arm harshly and dragged him toward the study room. They needed to talk.
Aanya watched them go, dread tightening in her chest.
Xuyan squeezed her hand gently.
"Don't be afraid. This is their daily routine. Give them some time—they'll be laughing again soon."
Aanya forced a smile. Xuyan guided her to the sofa.
As Aanya sat down, she said innocently,
"Wow… this sofa is so soft."
But Fengning sat close, practically surrounding her.
Aanya's palms were sweating—lying was exhausting.
Xuyan smiled warmly.
"Aanya beta, now that you're part of this family… tell me, how did you two meet? My stubborn son falling in love—this is nothing short of a miracle!"
Aanya glanced at Zain standing at a distance. Fear surged inside her.
Should I tell them this is a one-year contract? No… if I speak the truth, that wolf will destroy my brother.
She inhaled deeply and awakened the actress within her.
"Oh Ma—sorry, Mom! The first time we met, I was in a hurry. I accidentally bumped into him, and he said, very arrogantly—'This isn't a marathon race, watch where you're going!'"
Fengning burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! Totally Bhai's style! 'Marathon race'? Seriously?!"
(Fengning's thoughts)
Something's off. These two couldn't even stand looking at each other before—and now love? My brother definitely has an agenda. Whatever… I only care about my Lu Wei.
Xuyan smiled.
"So… after your first collision, you both felt you were meant for each other?"
Aanya exaggerated dramatically.
"Yes! And at the office? Oh Mom, don't even ask. He kept targeting me—throwing files, making me work late. I thought he hated me. But who knew? Behind that grumpy face hid 'love'. Even his way of loving is crooked—just like his face!"
She mimicked Zain's angry eyebrows.
Xuyan and Fengning burst into uncontrollable laughter.
Xuyan laughed,
"But Zain is so stern. How did he say 'I love you' the first time?"
Aanya waved her hand.
"No Mom… he didn't say 'I love you'. He grabbed my hand and said, 'You're going to become the biggest headache of my life.' I assumed that was his confession."
Fengning laughed loudly.
"That's exactly Bhai! Aanya, don't worry—I'm on your side. Together, we'll break his arrogance!"
Suddenly, Xuyan's eyes filled with moisture. She squeezed Aanya's hand gently.
"You think he's cold? The truth is… Zain is exactly like his father—hard outside, broken inside. He saw things in childhood no child should ever see. His childhood was like a dark room with very little light. Maybe that's why… he forgot how to express emotions."
Aanya's smile faded. She looked toward the study room.
I never imagined there could be a wounded child behind that ruthless CEO.
Fengning quickly clapped her hands.
"Mom, stop with the sad stories! Now Aanya bhabhi is here! We'll annoy Bhai so much that he'll forget all his childhood trauma!"
Aanya forced a smile, but her heart was tangled in confusion.
Inside the Study Room
The moment the door shut, Zhenyu roared,
"Have you lost your mind, Zain?! You married the niece of the man who drove your mother to death and killed your sister? Lu Kang's blood in our house?!"
Zain's loving mask shattered instantly.
"Calm down, Dad. I don't love her. This is a game. I want Lu Kang to see that his most precious bird is now trapped in my cage. I'll torture him until he kneels before me."
Zhenyu exhaled in relief.
"And where is Lu Kang?"
"He knows I'm hunting him. He'll surface soon," Zain replied coldly.
Zhenyu placed a hand on Zain's shoulder.
"But marriage isn't a joke. I'll accept that girl only after I test her."
They came downstairs.
Aanya vs Zhenyu
Zhenyu descended with the same stern expression.
Everyone stood up.
"Aanya, come with me. I need to talk to you privately."
Zain panicked.
"Dad, talk here. Why take her alone?"
"I'm the elder of this house," Zhenyu snapped.
"Aanya, come."
Ignoring Zain's pleading eyes, Aanya followed him.
Inside the cabin, Zhenyu stared coldly.
"How much money do you want? I know this is a drama. Zain bought you to fulfill my condition."
Aanya pretended fear—then suddenly smiled confidently.
"Sir… money? If I wanted money, why would I marry your son? I'd blackmail you directly. Your rivals would love to know that a great CEO had to force his son into marriage."
Zhenyu was stunned.
"And drama? Sir, the world itself is a stage. The only difference is—I can act better than your son. Accept me as your daughter-in-law, and I'll protect this family's reputation. Reject me… and imagine the headlines when they learn Zain's wife was thrown out."
Silence.
Then—Zhenyu smiled.
He clapped.
"You're different. I accept you as my daughter-in-law."
Aanya smiled confidently.
"Thank you, Sir… can I call you Papa?"
He nodded.
"Thank you, Papa. I'll be the perfect wife for Zain."
(In her heart) For one year… then I'll be free.
Outside: Total Shock
Zhenyu emerged laughing, his hand on Aanya's shoulder.
"Zain! Your choice is explosive—small firecracker, big blast!"
Xuyan and Fengning were stunned.
Zain stood frozen.
Later, Zain pulled Aanya aside.
"What did you tell him?! Did you reveal the truth?"
Aanya smiled smugly.
"Not everything should be told,my dear Husband It's a secret between me and my father-in-law."
She winked and walked away.
That night, for the first time… Zain Yan realized—Aanya was not what she appeared to be.