He moved toward her, unhurried, deliberate—a predator savoring the moment before the kill. As he undid the buttons of his kurta, his gaze roamed over her, slow and consuming, like he was memorizing every inch of her.

There was something feral in his eyes, something dark and knowing, like he had already decided exactly what he was going to do to her. And that realization sent a sharp, burning heat curling through her chest, a fire that spread deep into places she didn't want to acknowledge.

A wicked smirk tugged at his lips—one that promised trouble, temptation, and torment. It wasn't the smirk of a man with innocent intentions.

Oh, God. I am his wife now. Her heart slammed against her ribs as panic coiled inside her. He used to make my life miserable when I was just a girl he knew—now that I belong to him legally, what will he do?

Why does he look like he's already devouring me with his eyes?

For the first time, she felt scared of Karthik. She had fought him, argued with him, called him every name in the book—but this? This side of him was not something she had ever prepared for.

She stumbled back as he advanced. "W-What are you doing?" she stammered, her voice betraying her.

Karthick's smirk deepened. "You said you wanted to see me in another mode," he murmured. His voice was a low, sinful drawl, thick with sarcasm. "So here I am... showing you my husband mode."

"Shut up, Karthick!" she snapped, hating the way her breath hitched.

He chuckled, darkly. "Oh, sweetheart, my mouth has far better things to do tonight." His gaze dropped to her lips, and something hot and unholy flared in his eyes. "And one of them is making you scream my name."

Her stomach plummeted. The air between them changed—charged, electric, suffocating. She tried to move away, but he was faster. He caught her wrist, his grip firm, possessive, inescapable, and before she could react, pinned her against the wall, holding her hands firmly above her head.

She gasped, her hands coming up to push him away, but he was already there—tall, broad, overpowering. He seized both her wrists in one large hand, pinning them above her head, his body pressing closer, stealing every inch of space she had left.

For the first time in her life, Hridhaya realized just how massive he was.

She had always known he was tall, but now, trapped beneath him, she understood just how vast the difference was.

Her brother Abhishek was six feet tall, she noticed Karthick was a full few inches taller—at least 6'4, maybe even more, she thought. And she? A mere 5'2. He towered over her, his presence utterly domineering.

Her throat went dry. He undid the remaining buttons with his free hand, revealing the sharp ridges of his muscles, the taut skin stretched over raw power. His body was carved with hard muscle and dominance, his shoulders broad enough to cage her in, his arms thick with strength she had no hope of fighting against.

If he wanted to, he could lift her effortlessly. Throw her over his shoulder like she weighed nothing. Trap her beneath him and make her surrender.

And fuck, he was enjoying it. She could see it—the triumph in his eyes, the heat that burned beneath them, the thrill of control. Karthick had always been a man who demanded power over everything around him.

And now, he had it over her.

Physically.

Legally.

In every possible way.

A shiver ran down her spine.

Her mind screamed at her to fight, to push him away, to say something sharp and cutting—but her body... her body betrayed her.

Because the heat of him was seeping into her skin. She had never been physically close to any guy like this. The scent of him—masculine, heady, intoxicating—was wrapping around her, messing with her senses, making her forget why she even hated him for a moment. She snapped back to reality. He was definitely attractive but not attractive enough to give the rights over her body. She cannot let him play with her like a toy. She didn't want to allow that.

Her breath hitched when his grip on her wrists tightened just slightly. Not painful—just enough to remind her that he was stronger. That he was in control. That there was nowhere to run.

Karthick smirked, leaning in so close that she could feel the heat of his breath against her ear,  "So, I've stepped into husband mode... why don't you be a good wife get undressed and and step into wife mode?"

Hridhaya's eyes widened in fury. "Excuse me?" she snapped.

His smirk only widened. "You heard me, wifey."

Hridhaya let out a sharp laugh, pure outrage laced in her voice. "Wife? You don't get to call me that. This marriage is nothing but a family conspiracy. A joke. A punishment. You are not my husband, and I am not your wife. My fate was so bad i ended up with a malfunctioning, oversized toddler pretending to be a man! If you think I'll ever submit to this marriage, if you think I'll stand beside you like some obedient, helpless woman, then you're even dumber than I thought."

Karthick tilted his head, mock curiosity flashing in his dark eyes. "Oh? So we're only married in name, huh?"

Hridhaya folded her arms tightly, refusing to back down. "Damn right. I don't acknowledge this marriage. I don't acknowledge you. Your presence doesn't make any fucking difference to me. You are nothing but a luxury-branded curse—costly, flashy, and completely useless"

Karthick let out a low, taunting chuckle, stepping closer until she had to tilt her head up to meet his gaze. "Go on, baby. Keep running that pretty little mouth. I don't argue. I don't explain. I show. And tonight, you'll learn exactly what that means."

She was genuinely scared now. She tried to to move back. But the wall offered resistance. "That's funny," he murmured. "The Hridhaya who never backs down in my presence, the one who fights me like a feral cat, is suddenly trying to merge herself into the wall?"

Hridhaya's jaw clenched. She didn't want to show that she was scared, and make him even more delighted. She cannot let him take control of the situation. "That's because you're invading my personal space, you overgrown gorilla."

He cut her off, voice smooth, teasing, dangerous. "Your personal space?" He raised an eyebrow. "Sweetheart, you lost that the second you walked around the fire with me."

"You're unbelievable. , you are nothing but a walking trash bin full of arrogance."," she muttered, turning her head away. She tried to loosen her hand but he still held her in place.

She whirled back, glaring. "Let. Go my hand."

He tilted his head. "What's the rush, wifey?"

"Don't call me that," she hissed.

"But that's what you are," he murmured, pulling her just a fraction closer. His thumb brushed her pulse, slow and deliberate. "And you'll be hearing it for a long, long time."

Hridhaya swallowed hard. "You are a  rotting potato in designer clothes. You want me to be your wife and undress? Try it. I'll will not be the one who bleeds on first night. It will be you and i will make sure you end up in the hospital."

"Feisty. I like it when women are like that."

She turned her head to her side and said, "i will tell everyone what you are trying to do... "

Karthick hummed, his grip loosening just slightly. "Really? You think our families will sit and hear you? The same families that has decorated the room for our first night and sent you to me?"

Her stomach dropped.

His gaze dipped, lazy, dark, and knowing. "You're mine now, Hridhaya. Legally." He leaned in, his lips ghosting over her ear. "Soon... intimately."

She jerked away. "Get over yourself, Karthick! I'd rather die than let you touch me."