✨CHAPTER 6 – The Sudden Wedding✨

The next morning felt like a storm had settled inside the Rathore mansion.

Everyone gathered in the main hall—Poornima’s parents, Veeresh’s relatives, Rehan, and the elders. The tension in the air was so thick it felt hard to breathe.

Poornima stood beside Veeresh, eyes still red from last night.

Veeresh’s expression was unreadable, calm but cold, hiding everything he truly felt.

Her father cleared his throat.

“In order to save the family name and stop this embarrassment—” his eyes flicked toward Poornima sharply “—we have decided the solution.”

Poornima’s stomach dropped.

Her mother continued with a fake proud smile,

“Poornima will marry… Veeresh.”

The room went silent.

Like the world itself froze.

Poornima’s heart stopped.

Veeresh’s jaw tightened.

Neither of them saw this coming.

Rehan stiffened in shock.

The elders whispered.

Priya looked devastated.

And Poornima… felt like the ground had disappeared beneath her feet.

“No,” she whispered. “No, I—”

But before she could finish, Veeresh spoke.

“I agree.”

Poornima turned to him instantly, eyes wide.

“What…?”

He didn’t look at her.

He only stared straight ahead, calm, cold, accepting.

But she could tell—something in him was breaking too.

Her parents exchanged satisfied smiles.

And then her father added cruelly,

“Also, Poornima… effective immediately, you’re no longer CEO. We’re stripping your position. You will not be involved in the company.”

The words hit her like a slap.

Her career.

Her hard work.

Her only achievement.

Gone in one sentence.

She felt her throat burn, tears rising—but she refused to cry in front of them.

Veeresh’s fists clenched at his sides, but he said nothing yet.

He was calculating. Controlled. Silent support she didn’t fully understand.

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The Wedding

Everything happened too fast.

By nightfall, the house was decorated with red and gold.

Priests chanted.

Relatives gathered.

Poornima was dressed in a stunning red saree, her eyes reflecting pain but also a strange acceptance.

Veeresh wore a black tuxedo—calm, commanding, unreadable.

When they stood before each other, it didn’t feel like a fairy-tale wedding.

It felt like two warriors entering the battlefield of life.

Veeresh lifted the mangalsutra.

For a moment, he paused—just a second of hesitation—looking into her eyes.

Then he tied it around her neck firmly.

Claiming her.

Protecting her.

Next, he took the sindur and gently smeared it across her hairline.

A little too softly for someone who called her “enemy.”

And just like that…

they were husband and wife.

The hall clapped.

But Poornima heard none of it.

She only felt a strange wave of relief—because at least her life wasn’t in her parents’ hands anymore.

When the ceremony ended, she turned to Veeresh and whispered, voice shaking but sincere,

“Thank you. I owe you a lot… my enemy.”

Veeresh let out a soft, amused breath and tapped her forehead lightly.

“Now no crying, okay? Enough drama. Come, we’re going to my house.”

He said it like it was the most natural thing in the world.

They walked out together, photographers flashing, family whispering.

As they reached the entrance, Poornima suddenly stopped, lifted her chin, and said with a teasing smirk,

“I will not show you my face properly from now on. You’re stuck with me but you won’t see me.”

She walked ahead, swinging her pallu playfully—actually smiling.

Veeresh stared at her, stunned…

then burst out laughing.

For the first time in years.

Something warm filled his chest—something he didn’t want to name yet.

Because whether they accepted it or not…

Their story had just begun.