The wedding hall glittered with golden lights, chandeliers shining like fallen stars. Guests whispered, laughed, and exchanged pleasantries, their eyes stealing curious glances at the bride who sat quietly in the corner.

Prisha

Dressed in a red bridal lehenga, her face was covered with a thin veil, her hands heavy with bangles, her heart heavier with fear. This was supposed to be the most beautiful day of her life. For her, it felt like a prison sentences.

She wasn't marrying for love. she was marrying for survival. Her mother's fragile health and her family's struggles had left with no choice.

Her hands trembled as she adjusted the dupatta over her head. She whispered under her breath, a prayer she wasn't sure God would hear. please, Maa ki izzat bana lena, bas itna hi chahiye.

The murmurs in the hall shifted suddenly. Heads turned. The sound of expensive leather shoes clicking against the marble floor echoed loudly. He had arrived.

Riaan Kapoor.

The heir of the Kapoor empire. A man born into wealth, with arrogance stitched into his every step. His black tailored suit fit him perfectly, His sharp jawline visible beneath the golden lights, his eyes cold and piercing. He looked every bit the powerful billionaire son.. and every bit the nightmare that the Prisha feared.

He walked straight down the aisle, his presence so commanding that people moved aside without a word. When he stopped in front of Prisha, the silence was deafening.

He looked down at her, his lips curling into a smirk that wasn't sweet - it was cruel.

"So, this is my wife," he drawled slowly, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Middle- class dulhan..."

Prisha's chest tightened. His words felt heavier than the jewelry she wore.

Riaan bent down slightly, his face close enough for only her to hear. "Don't even think about love, Prisha. Tum meri zindagi mein ek galati ho, And I don't forgive mistakes."

Her throat dried. Her fingers clutched the edge of her lehenga as his words struck her harder than anything else could. she wanted to speak, to defend herself, but her voice betrayed her.

The priest cleared the throat, announcing the start of the rituals. Riaan straightened, his face expressionless as if nothing had been said. But his words kept ringing in her ears like chains tightening around har.

The wedding happened. Vows were spoken, rituals completed, photographs taken. on the outside, it was perfect grand wedding. on the inside, Prisha felt herself drowning.

Every smile on the guests' faces cut deeper. did they not see the cruelty in his eyes? Did they not see how unwanted she was in his world?

When the garland exchange came, Riaan didn't even bother to hide his irritation. he leaned close again, his whisper sharp, "You should feel lucky, Prisha. middle class ladkiyon ke liye toh yeh sapna hota hai. A billionaire's wife. But remember one thing - This is just a deal. nothing more."

Her eyes filled with tears, but she forced herself to remain calm. if she broke now, in front of everyone, she would never forgive herself.

Hours later, after the celebration ended, the car ride to his mansion was silent. Riaan sat beside her, his gaze fixed out of the window, ignoring her completely. Prisha's hands rested on her lap, her heart thundering in her chest.

Finally, he spoke. His tone was cutting, his words brutal.

"Let's get one thing clear . Tum meri wife ho sirf naam ki. don't except anything else. No love. No care. No respect. You don't deserve it."

Prisha swallowed hard, fighting the urge to cry. But she said nothing. She had promised herself - no matter he threw at her, she wouldn't let him see her week.

When the car stopped in front of the grand Kapoor mansion, Prisha started in awe. The place was enormous - larger than anything she had ever imagined. it screamed wealth, status, and power. but to her, it felt like a cage, a golden prison she was being locked into.

Inside the family welcomed them. surprisingly, Riaan's mother, Meera Kapoor, walked toward Prisha with warmth in her eyes. she cupped Prisha's face gently and whispered, "Welcome home, beta.

For a brief second, Prisha's heart softened. A small ray of hope flickered. Maybe not everyone in this house would hate her.

But when her eyes shifted back to Riaan, who stood with his arms crossed, glaring at her with disdain, that hope dimmed again.

That night Prisha entered their bedroom - lavish, cold, and decorated in shades of black and grey - she stood nervousely near the door. Riaan was loosening his tie, his movements sharp and impatient.

"Take off that veil," he ordered without looking at her.

She hesitated, then slowly removed it. His eyes traveled over her, not with admiration, but with judgment.

"You think this changes anything?" he said bitterly. " You might have fooled my family, but not me. Tum gold - digger ho, Prisha. Aur tumhe meri zindagi mein ek second ke liye bhi importance nahi milagi."

Her lips trembled. Riaan.. I didn't marry you for money."

"Liar," he spat, stepping closer, his presence suffocating her. "Girls like you... always after money, after status. don't act innocent."

Tears slipped down her cheeks, but she quickly turned her face away.

That night, she sat on the corner of the bed, staring out of the window, her heart breaking into pieces. She thought about her mother, about the promise she had made. and she reminded herself --- Main ro dungi... lekin tootungi nahi.

Outside the city lights glittered, but inside that room, darkness wrapped itself around her.

And somewhere in the silence, She knew - this was just the beginning of her crual journey as Riaan Kapoor's unwanted wife.