Part 3 We talked until dawn.

Part 3 We talked until dawn.

Part 3

We talked until dawn.

Arnav told me the full truth — the assassination attempt in Mexico City, the years of physical therapy in secret, the constant threats from powerful enemies. He showed me the scars on his back.

I told him about my stepmother’s pressure, my father’s debts, how I felt like property being traded.

By morning, the ice between us had cracked.

“I won’t force you to stay,” he said. “This marriage can be on paper only. I’ll pay off every debt and give you freedom. You deserve better than being trapped.”

I looked at this man — handsome, powerful, carrying the weight of his family’s empire while pretending to be broken.

“I don’t want to run,” I whispered. “Not yet. Show me the real you first.”

A small, real smile touched his lips for the first time.