Chapter 1

When Vows Collide

Akash Shekhawat lay on the hospital bed, pale under the white lights, machines beeping around him. Blood stained the edge of the sheet near his shoulder. The accident had been brutal. Time was slipping.

He turned his head slightly and looked at his assistant.

“Rayan…” his voice was weak but firm. “Call Veeresh Raisinghania.”

Rayan froze. “Sir… your rival?”

Akash closed his eyes for a second, gathering strength. “Call him. Immediately.”

Without arguing further, Rayan stepped outside the ICU and dialed the number.

Inside the boardroom of , the atmosphere was tense. Charts glowed on the screen. Executives waited for their chairman to speak.

Veeresh Raisinghania stood at the head of the table — calm, cold, unreadable.

His phone vibrated.

He glanced at the screen. Unknown number.

He answered. “Tell me the matter.”

“Sir… this is Rayan. Assistant of Akash Shekhawat. Akash sir is calling you. Please come soon. I’ve sent you the location.”

There was a brief silence.

Veeresh’s jaw tightened. “Why?”

“Sir… it’s urgent.”

The message notification popped up. Location received.

Veeresh looked at it.

Hospital.

For a second, something flickered in his eyes — irritation? Suspicion? Or something deeper?

“Alright,” he said and disconnected.

He turned to the board members. “Emergency. The meeting will be continued by Ritwik, my assistant.”

Ritwik immediately nodded. “Yes, sir.”

Without another word, Veeresh picked up his coat and walked out of the room.

His footsteps echoed through the corridor.

Minutes later, he slid into his black BMW. The engine roared to life as he drove toward the hospital.

He didn’t know why his rival was calling him.

But something told him…

This night would change everything.