Chapter 1 — The Proposal

The hospital corridor smelled of antiseptic, medicines, and fear.

Aarav Sharma sat alone on a hard plastic chair outside the cardiac ward, his elbows resting on his knees and his hands tightly clasped together.

He had been sitting there for nearly three hours.

Yet it felt like an eternity.

Through the glass doors ahead, he could see nurses moving quickly between rooms. Doctors spoke in hushed voices. Families waited anxiously, some praying, some crying, some staring at their phones as if a miracle might appear on the screen.

Aarav looked down at the folded piece of paper in his hand.

The estimate.

₹18,40,000.

His father's surgery couldn't wait much longer.

Eighteen lakh forty thousand rupees.

For someone like Aarav, it might as well have been eighteen crores.

He swallowed hard.

His father had spent thirty years working to give his children a decent life. He had never complained about money. Never bought expensive clothes. Never took a vacation.

And now Aarav couldn't even afford to save him.

"Aarav."

He looked up.

His mother stood a few steps away, holding two paper cups of tea. Her face looked exhausted, but she still tried to smile.

"Drink something."

"I'm not hungry, Ma."

"You haven't eaten since morning."

"I'm fine."

She sat beside him and placed the cup in his hand.

For a few seconds, neither spoke.

Then she quietly said, "I spoke to your uncle."

Aarav's jaw tightened.

"What did he say?"

"He can lend us two lakh."

"Only two?"

She nodded.

"And your aunt said she might be able to arrange another lakh."

Aarav closed his eyes.

Three lakh.

They still needed more than fifteen.

His mother suddenly removed the thin gold chain around her neck.

"Sell this."

Aarav immediately caught her wrist.

"No."

"But—"

"No, Ma."

"It's only jewellery."

"It's yours."

"What use is it if your father—"

Her voice broke.

Aarav looked away.

He couldn't let himself cry.

Not here.

Not now.

His phone vibrated.

Another rejection.

Loan application declined.

He stared at the screen until the words blurred.

Then another message arrived.

Credit card limit exceeded.

Aarav locked his phone.

He had tried everything.

Loans.

Friends.

Relatives.

Banks.

Even his small savings were gone.

His mother gently touched his shoulder.

"Beta..."

"I'm going to arrange it."

"How?"

"I don't know yet."

He stood up.

"But I will."

He walked toward the hospital's vending machine, pretending he needed water because he couldn't let his mother see his face.

His phone vibrated again.

This time, it wasn't a bank.

An unknown number.

Unknown: Mr. Aarav Sharma?

He frowned.

Aarav: Yes. Who is this?

The reply came almost immediately.

Unknown: I would like to meet you.

Aarav stared at the screen.

Aarav: Who are you?

Three dots appeared.

Then disappeared.

Then appeared again.

Finally:

Unknown: Someone who can solve your problem.

Aarav's heart skipped.

He looked around the corridor.

Was someone watching him?

Before he could reply, another message arrived.

Unknown: Come outside.

Aarav hesitated.

He looked toward his father's room.

Then toward his mother.

He couldn't afford to ignore an opportunity.

Even a strange one.

He stepped outside the hospital.

The evening sky was dark with approaching rain.

Cars moved through the street, headlights cutting through the gathering darkness.

Aarav stood beneath the hospital's entrance canopy.

Then he saw it.

A black Mercedes slowly pulled up beside the curb.

The rear window lowered.

And a woman looked at him.

She was dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit.

Her dark hair was tied neatly behind her head. A delicate watch rested on her wrist, and her expression was calm—almost frighteningly calm.

She looked like she belonged in a boardroom.

Not outside a hospital.

Her eyes met his.

"Mr. Aarav Sharma?"

Aarav nodded cautiously.

"Yes."

The woman opened the car door.

"I need to speak with you."

"Who are you?"

She stepped out.

The rain began falling softly around them.

"I'm Riya Rajvansh."

Aarav froze.

Everyone knew that name.

Riya Rajvansh.

The youngest executive in Rajvansh Global.

The daughter of billionaire industrialist Devendra Rajvansh.

The woman newspapers called ruthless.

The woman who had reportedly forced three senior executives to resign within a single week.

The woman who never smiled in photographs.

Aarav stared at her.

"What do you want from me?"

Riya looked at him for several seconds.

Then she said calmly—

"I want you to marry me."

Aarav blinked.

Once.

Twice.

"I'm sorry?"

Riya didn't react.

"I said, I want you to marry me."

The rain grew heavier.

Aarav stared at her as though she'd lost her mind.

"Do I know you?"

"No."

"Have we ever met?"

"No."

"Then why would you want to marry me?"

Riya reached into her handbag.

She pulled out a white envelope.

And handed it to him.

"Because you need eighteen lakh rupees."

Aarav's face went pale.

He didn't take the envelope.

"How do you know about my father's surgery?"

"I know everything I need to know."

His expression hardened.

"Are you spying on me?"

"No."

"Then what is this?"

"A proposal."

"You've already made that very clear."

Riya's eyes remained fixed on his.

"This isn't a normal marriage proposal, Aarav."

She paused.

"It's a business arrangement."

Aarav finally took the envelope.Inside was a single sheet of paper.His eyes moved across the first few lines.

His breathing stopped.

Marriage Agreement.

He looked up at her.

"What is this?"

"A contract."

"And what exactly do you want me to do?"

Riya's voice remained emotionless.

"Become my husband."

---

Aarav stared at the contract.He read the first page again.Then the second.

Then the first again.

None of it made sense.

"This is insane."

Riya leaned against the car.

"Probably."

"You expect me to marry a complete stranger?"

"Yes."

"For money?"

"Yes."

Aarav let out a disbelieving laugh.

"You don't even know me."

"I know enough."

"You don't know anything about me."

Riya raised an eyebrow.

"I know your name is Aarav Sharma. You're twenty-four. You graduated with a degree in commerce. You currently manage accounts at a small trading company. Your father is Mahesh Sharma, a retired Sanskrit teacher. Your mother is a homemaker."

Aarav's smile disappeared.

"I know your younger sister is studying in Pune. I know your family has approximately three lakh rupees in savings, most of which you've already spent on your father's treatment."

She paused.

"And I know that you have exactly seventy-two hours to arrange the remaining money."

Aarav's fingers tightened around the papers.

"Why?"

"Because I need a husband."

"That's not an answer."

"It is the only answer you need."

"No."

His voice was firmer now.

"I won't marry someone just because she has money."

Something flickered across Riya's expression.

Perhaps surprise.

Most people didn't say no to her.

"You haven't heard the offer."

"I don't care."

"You should."

She stepped closer.

"The marriage will last one year."Aarav remained silent.

"After one year, we'll divorce."

His eyes narrowed.

"Why one year?"

"My father."

"What about him?"

"He intends to transfer control of Rajvansh Global to me."

"Then what does marriage have to do with it?"

"He believes I'm too focused on my career."

Riya's lips curved bitterly.

"He thinks a married woman will be more responsible."

Aarav almost laughed.

"And you think pretending to be married will convince him?"

"It doesn't have to be convincing to everyone."

She looked directly into his eyes.

"Only to my family and the board."

Aarav looked back at the contract.

"And what do I get?"

"Eighteen lakh for your father's surgery."

His head snapped up.

"Immediately?"

"Tomorrow morning."

Aarav's heart pounded.

Riya continued.

"Your father's medical expenses will be paid directly. Your family will receive additional financial security. You will also receive a fixed amount every month for the duration of the contract."

Aarav looked away.

For the first time, the temptation felt real.His father's face appeared in his mind.The way his father smiled whenever Aarav came home.

The way he always said, Don't worry about tomorrow. God will take care of it.

But God hadn't paid the hospital bill.

Aarav closed his eyes.

"I have conditions."

Riya's eyebrows lifted.

"Go on."

"My family must never know this is a contract."

"Agreed."

"My parents must be treated with respect."

"Obviously."

"And you don't interfere with my relationship with them."

"I have no interest in doing so."

Aarav took a breath.

"After one year, I walk away with no complications."

"Agreed."

"And..."

He hesitated.

"No one gets hurt."

For the first time, Riya looked genuinely curious.

"What do you mean?"

"I don't want this to become some cruel game."Her expression softened for half a second.Then the wall returned.

"It won't."

Aarav looked down at the contract.

There was one final question.

"Why me?"

Riya didn't answer immediately.

Instead, she looked toward the hospital entrance.

"Because you're not interested in my money."

Aarav frowned.

"And that's important because?"

"Because I need someone my father won't suspect."

She paused.

"Someone respectable. Someone with a good family background. Someone who won't embarrass me."

Aarav gave her a dry look.

"So I'm basically a suitable candidate."

"Exactly."

He shook his head.

"This is ridiculous."

"Probably."

"You really don't believe in love, do you?"

Riya's expression changed.

Only slightly.

But Aarav noticed.

"No."

She looked away.

"Love makes people weak."

Aarav studied her.

"And marriage without love doesn't?"

"No."

She looked back at him.

"Marriage without love is simple."

Aarav didn't know why, but those words stayed with him.

Simple.

Nothing about this felt simple.Yet his father's life was on the other side of that contract.

He looked at the hospital.

Then at the papers.

Finally, he whispered—

"I'll do it."

Riya's eyes remained on him.

"Are you sure?"

"No."

A tiny smile appeared on her lips.

"Good."

Aarav frowned.

"Good?"

"If you were completely sure, I'd question your intelligence."

Despite himself, Aarav almost smiled.

Riya held out her hand.

"Welcome to the deal, Mr. Sharma."

He looked at her hand.

Then shook it.

Her fingers were cold.

His were warm.

Neither of them knew that this simple handshake would become the beginning of the greatest complication of their lives.

Riya released his hand.

"The wedding is in seven days."

Aarav's eyes widened.

"Seven days?"

"Yes."

"You already planned it?"

"I plan everything."

He looked at her in disbelief.

"And what if I change my mind?"

Riya opened the car door.

"Then your father's surgery remains unpaid."

Aarav went silent.

She looked back at him.

"Think carefully, Aarav."

Then she stepped into the car.

The window rolled down one last time.

"Tomorrow morning, someone from my office will bring the money."

The Mercedes pulled away.

Aarav stood beneath the rain, still holding the contract.

He looked down at the signature line.

His hand trembled.

One signature.

One year One stranger.

One marriage.

He had no idea that the woman he had just agreed to marry would eventually become the person he couldn't imagine living without.

And Riya?

She had no idea that the simple man she had chosen for convenience would become the only man capable of breaking every wall she had spent her entire life building.

The contract had begun.

Neither of them knew that love had already started rewriting the rules.

___

The next morning, Aarav woke up wondering if everything that had happened the previous evening had been a dream.

Then he saw the black folder lying on his desk.

RAJ...

He stopped himself before reading the name.

His hands felt cold.

He opened the folder.

The contract was still there.

The marriage agreement.

His signature at the bottom.

He had spent most of the night staring at it.

He had barely slept.

How could he?

Yesterday, he had been an ordinary man worrying about his father's hospital bill.

Today, he was apparently engaged to one of the most powerful women in Mumbai.

A knock came at the door.

"Aarav?"

His mother's voice.

He quickly closed the folder.

"Yes, Ma."

She entered carrying a cup of tea.

"You didn't sleep properly."

"I'm fine."

She studied him.

"You look worried."

Aarav forced a smile.

"There's just a lot happening."

Before she could ask anything else, his phone rang.

An unknown number.

He answered.

"Hello?"

"Mr. Sharma, this is Meera from Rajvansh Group."

Aarav's stomach tightened.

"Yes?"

"I've been asked to deliver something to you."

Twenty minutes later, a black sedan stopped outside his modest apartment building.A woman in a formal suit stepped out carrying a leather briefcase.

She handed Aarav a document.

"Please verify the details."

He opened it.

His eyes widened.

The hospital payment had already been transferred.

Not promised.

Not arranged.

Paid.

The entire amount.

Aarav's throat tightened.

"She actually did it."

The woman nodded.

"Ms. Rajvansh keeps her word."

Aarav stared at the receipt.

For the first time since his father had been admitted, he felt like he could breathe.

"Thank you."

The woman gave him another envelope.

"These are the wedding arrangements."

Aarav looked at it.

"Already?"

"Ms. Rajvansh prefers efficiency."

Of course she did.

After she left, Aarav returned inside.

His mother was waiting.

"Who was that?"

"Someone from the hospital."

He hated lying to her.

But the contract required secrecy.

His mother smiled when she saw his expression.

"The surgery?"

Aarav nodded.

"It's been arranged."

She immediately folded her hands.

"God has listened to us."

Aarav looked away.

He wasn't sure whether God had listened.

Or whether a woman he'd met only once had decided to save his family for a price.

--

That afternoon, Aarav arrived at Rajvansh Group.The building seemed to rise endlessly into the sky.

Glass.

Steel.

Luxury.

Employees moved through the lobby with tablets and laptops, dressed in expensive suits.

Aarav looked down at his simple blue shirt.He suddenly felt painfully out of place.

"Mr. Sharma?"

He turned.

A young woman approached him.

"I'm Meera. We spoke earlier."

She smiled politely.

"Ms. Rajvansh is expecting you."

Aarav followed her into the elevator.The doors opened on the executive floor.

Everything was silent.

Too silent.

Then he saw her.

Riya stood beside the enormous glass window overlooking Mumbai.

She wore a white shirt tucked into black trousers, her hair loose around her shoulders.

She was reading a report.

She didn't look up.

"You're late."

Aarav glanced at the clock.

"I'm three minutes early."

Riya finally looked at him.

"Then I'm early by six."

He stared at her.

She stared back.

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then, unexpectedly, the corner of her mouth lifted.

"You'll have to get used to me."

"I don't think that's possible."

"We'll see."

She walked toward the conference table.

"Sit."

Aarav sat opposite her.Riya pushed another folder across the table.

"These are the final terms."

Aarav opened it.

"Why does it say we have to live together?"

"Because we're getting married."

"That's obvious."

"It needs to look real."

Aarav looked at the contract.

"Sleeping arrangements?"

"Separate rooms."

He visibly relaxed.

Riya noticed.

"Don't look so relieved."

"I am."

"Good."

She turned another page.

"Public appearances together. Family dinners. Corporate events. No unnecessary arguments in front of my father."

Aarav nodded.

"Anything else?"

Riya looked directly at him.

"One important rule."

"What?"

"Don't fall in love with me."

Aarav went completely still.

Riya's expression remained serious.

"I'm not joking."

He gave a quiet laugh.

"Don't worry.""Why?"

"Because I don't think someone like you would let me."Something unreadable crossed her face.Then she looked away.

"Good."

Aarav closed the folder.

"Then we're clear."

Riya extended a pen.

"Sign."

He took it.

His fingers paused over the paper.

He remembered his father's face.

Then he signed.

Riya signed immediately after him.

Two signatures.

One contract.And a marriage neither of them believed would become real.

---

The moment Aarav signed the final page, Riya stood.

"Your wedding clothes will be delivered tomorrow."

Aarav blinked.

"You've already chosen them?"

"Yes."

"Do I get a choice?"

"No."

He stared at her.She raised an eyebrow.

"Something wrong?"

"You're controlling."

"I've been told."

"Often?"

"Daily."

Aarav smiled despite himself.

Riya noticed.

For some reason, she found herself looking at his smile longer than she should have.

It wasn't polished.

It wasn't calculated.

It was simply... warm.

She quickly looked back at the documents.

"Your family?"

"They think I'm marrying someone."

"Good."

Aarav frowned.

"They're going to meet you."

"I know."

"My mother is very traditional."

"So is my grandmother."

"She might ask uncomfortable questions."

"I can handle it."

"She's very observant."

"So am I."

Aarav sighed.

"You're not nervous at all?"

Riya looked at him.

"No."

"You're getting married to a stranger."

"Technically, you're the stranger."

He stared.

"You really don't get nervous, do you?"

"Never."

Aarav smiled.

"I don't believe you."

Her expression hardened slightly.

"You don't know me well enough to make that judgment."

He immediately regretted it.

"Sorry."

Riya looked away.

"No need."

Silence filled the room.

Then she said quietly, "You should know something."

Aarav waited.

"My father doesn't like people who marry into the family for money."

Aarav's expression changed.

"So if he suspects—"

"He won't."

"And if he does?"

Riya's eyes met his.

"Then I'll handle it."

Aarav nodded.

For some reason, the certainty in her voice made him feel safer.

---

That evening, Riya returned to the Rajvansh mansion.Her father was waiting in the living room.

"Where were you?"

"Work."

"You've been working too much."

"I have a company to run."

"You have a life to live."Riya removed her coat.Her father looked at her carefully.

"Have you made a decision?"

She paused.

"Yes."

His expression changed.

"You're getting married?"

"Yes."

"Who?"

"Aarav Sharma."

"Who is he?"

"He's from a respectable family."

Her father studied her.

"How long have you known him?"

Riya hesitated.

"Long enough."

It was the first lie she had told him.

And somehow, it bothered her more than expected.

---

Meanwhile, Aarav sat beside his father's hospital bed.

His father was awake now.

"Beta."

Aarav looked up.

"Yes, Baba?"

"I heard your mother talking about a girl."

Aarav froze.

"What girl?"

His father smiled.

"The one you're marrying."

Aarav looked down.

"Yes."

"Do you love her?"

The question struck harder than expected.

Aarav didn't answer.

His father smiled gently.

"You don't have to marry someone just because you feel responsible for us."

"It's not like that."

"Then what is it?"

Aarav looked at him.

For a moment, he considered telling him everything.

The contract.

The money.

The arrangement.

But then he remembered the agreement.

No one could know.

So he smiled.

"She's... different."

His father chuckled.

"That's usually how love begins."

Aarav looked away.

Love.

The word felt impossible.

He barely knew Riya.

She was cold.

Controlling.

Difficult.

And yet...

He couldn't stop thinking about the way she had kept her promise.

She had paid the hospital bill before he had even signed the contract.

Why?

Was she really as heartless as everyone claimed?

---

Three days later, Aarav stood outside the Rajvansh mansion.

His wedding was four days away.

Riya had insisted that he stay there until the ceremony so they could "practice being married."

He still couldn't believe he'd agreed.

The massive gates opened.Aarav walked inside with a small suitcase.The mansion was beautiful.

But intimidating.

A housekeeper approached him.

"Mr. Sharma, Ms. Rajvansh is waiting upstairs."

Aarav nodded.

He climbed the stairs.When he reached the bedroom corridor, he heard a familiar voice.

"You're late."

He turned.

Riya stood at the end of the hallway.

She wore a simple black dress.

No jewellery.

No makeup except dark eyeliner.

For the first time, Aarav saw her outside the boardroom.

She looked less like a CEO.More like a woman.Their eyes met.Neither moved.

Then Riya said—

"Welcome home, husband."

Aarav's heart beat unexpectedly skipped.

He quickly looked away.

"Don't call me that."

"Why?"

"It sounds strange."

A small smile appeared on her lips.

"You'll get used to it."

She walked past him.

Then stopped.

"Come."

"Where?"

"Your room."

Aarav followed.

She opened a door.

His room was enormous.

A king-sized bed.

A private balcony.

A wardrobe larger than his entire bedroom at home.

He stared.

"This is my room?"

"Yes."

"And yours?"

She pointed toward the door opposite.

"Right there."

Aarav nodded.

"Good."

Riya turned to leave.

Then she paused.

"One more thing."

"What?"

She looked at him.

"From tomorrow, we start acting like we're in love."

Aarav's eyes widened.

"Why?"

"Because my father is coming to dinner."

She smiled faintly.

"And he notices everything."

Then she walked away.Aarav stood alone in the doorway.He looked at the enormous bed.

Then at the closed door opposite him.His marriage hadn't even begun yet.And already, he had a feeling—This was going to be much harder than he expected.

____

So how's the chapter. I hope you will enjoy the story 🩷