Chapter 10

The night was quiet.

Too quiet.

Poornima sat by the window of her apartment, a book open in her lap—but the words hadn’t moved in the last ten minutes.

Her mind wasn’t there.

It had gone back.

To the staff room.

To him.

Her fingers tightened slightly over the page as the moment replayed, uninvited but vivid.

The way he had stepped closer.

Not hesitantly. Not unsure.

Deliberate.

Controlled.

As if distance was something he chose—not something he followed.

Her breath slowed unconsciously.

“I like it.”

His voice echoed in her mind—low, certain.

Her gaze dropped for a second, then lifted again, as if even in memory she refused to yield.

“You could have said that from your seat.”

She remembered her own voice. Steady. Unshaken.

But what lingered wasn’t the words.

It was what came after.

That single line.

You’re my prey now.

Her jaw tightened slightly.

“Prey…” she murmured under her breath, almost in disbelief.

There had been no hesitation in him when he said it.

No doubt.

No playfulness.

It wasn’t a tease.

It was a statement.

Her fingers slowly closed the book, setting it aside.

And then—

That moment.

Her breath stilled just slightly.

The way his hand had reached her.

Firm.

Unapologetic.

Holding her chin, lifting her face as if he had every right to meet her eyes without barriers.

Not rough.

But not gentle either.

Controlled strength.

Her eyes narrowed faintly at the memory.

He hadn’t asked.

He hadn’t waited.

And yet—

She hadn’t stepped back.

That thought lingered longer than she liked.

Her gaze shifted away, as if dismissing it.

Then his voice again.

You will fall… for our marriage trap.

Her expression stilled.

Marriage.

Not attraction.

Not interest.

Marriage.

Her mind replayed the next words, slower this time.

The parting in your hair… will carry my name in sindoor.
Around your neck… those black beads will bear my name.
Your toes… will carry my ring.

Her breath deepened.

There was something about the way he said it.

Not like a dream.

Not like a proposal.

Like a certainty.

Like something already decided.

“Control,” she whispered softly.

That’s what it was.

Not just dominance.

Not just confidence.

Control over the future.

Over outcomes.

Over her.

Her fingers curled slightly against the armrest.

“Mr. Raj…” she said under her breath, her tone calm but firm, even in solitude.

“I don’t belong to anyone.”

The room remained silent.

But her thoughts didn’t settle.

Because beneath her resistance—

Beneath her clarity—

There was something else she couldn’t ignore.

He hadn’t spoken like the men she had known.

Not like those who tried to impress.

Not like those who tried to persuade.

He had spoken like someone who… expected.

And expectation—

Was dangerous.

Especially when it came from someone who didn’t seem to doubt himself.

Poornima stood up slowly, walking toward the window.

The city lights reflected faintly in her eyes.

“I won’t fall into your trap,” she said quietly.

But her voice, though steady—

Carried awareness now.

Because this wasn’t simple.

This wasn’t predictable.

And Veeresh Raj—

Was not someone she could dismiss.

Not yet.

Not easily.

Not when his words still lingered—

Clear.

Unshaken.

And far too certain.