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The temple stood silent beneath the weight of midnight.

The incense smoke curled through the air, and the only sounds were the chants of the priest and the pounding of Poornima’s broken heart.

She didn’t even know how she had reached here. One moment, Veeresh Deewan had stormed into her home; the next, she was standing before the holy fire — her wrists bound in ritual, her future bound to a stranger.

But not just any stranger.

The most dangerous man in India.

Veeresh tied the mangalsutra around her neck — the chain gleaming against her trembling skin. His fingers brushed her collarbone, firm and deliberate, and she felt the power in his touch. The temple bells rang as if marking her fate.

“It’s done,” the priest whispered.

“You are husband and wife.”

Poornima stepped back, eyes wide, voice shaking.

“I… I don’t want this. I don’t want you.”

Veeresh didn’t flinch. He only smirked — a dark, slow, dangerous curve of his lips.

“Don’t start crying, Ruby.”

His tone was calm, almost amused.

“You’ll get used to the fire soon enough.”

Her eyes snapped to his, startled.

“Ruby?” she breathed.

He took a step closer, close enough for her to feel the heat radiating off him.

“That’s what you are,” he murmured, voice low. “A jewel I found in the dirt. My obsession, my salvation, my undoing… all wrapped in one.”

Poornima’s eyes glistened.

“I’m not yours,” she whispered, her voice breaking.

“You forced me—”

Veeresh’s jaw tightened, but his voice stayed calm.

“The world doesn’t ask what you want, Poornima. It only takes. Simon tried to take you. I don’t share what’s mine.”

She turned away, silent tears falling down her cheeks. He didn’t move closer, didn’t console her — only watched, eyes dark with something unreadable.

Cry if you must,” he said softly. “But remember, Ruby… I didn’t choose this world. It chose me. And now it’s chosen you.”

Poornima didn’t reply. She stood frozen — heart torn, eyes hollow — until the last flame in the temple dimmed.

Inside, a single thought echoed like a vow of her own:

I will run. I will find my freedom, even if it means escaping the devil himself.

But outside, Veeresh was already one step ahead.

And devils rarely let angels fly away.