📖 **CHAPTER SEVEN — "The Bridal Ultimatum"**
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### 💌 Author Note — From Aish L'Inarrestabile:
> *"Miei amanti del disastro (my disaster lovers)... This isn't a love confession. It's a final warning. In this chapter, the obsession doesn't knock — it breaks the door, lifts the bride, and says 'You're mine. Fight me later.' Tie your hair, grab your heart, and remember: he doesn't take no. Not when it comes to her."*
> — *Aish L'Inarrestabile*
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### 🔄 **Recap from Chapter 6 — "The Enemy's Daughter":**
Aira walked into Yuvraj's world wearing black silk and silent fury.
He introduced her to his family, his empire, his future — as his.
And when she asked, *Why me?*, he whispered,
> "Because you're the only girl who wants to kiss me and kill me in the same second."
> Now, the countdown is over.
> She has to choose.
> But kings don't wait.
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**AIRA**
I woke up to silence.
Not peace.
The kind of silence that rings like a warning.
There was no sunlight. Just grey skies pouring over Rome like the world knew what was coming.
My wedding was tomorrow.
The one I never said yes to.
The one no one was giving me a choice in.
And still… the black lehenga waited in my closet.
Custom-stitched in Naples. Embroidered with hand-threaded roses. Sleeves sheer. Backless. Weightless but heavy with meaning.
My father hadn't spoken to me in two days.
My brother had loaded a gun last night.
And me?
I was lying on my bed, staring at the ceiling like answers would fall out of it.
They didn't.
But a message did.
My phone buzzed.
> **Yuvraj:** "24 hours, amore. I'll take you gently if you walk down that aisle.
> If you make me come get you... I won't be gentle."
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**YUVRAJ**
She didn't reply.
I didn't expect her to.
She wanted control. I respected that.
But love isn't always a democracy.
Not when her safety hangs in the balance.
Not when my enemies are watching.
Not when I've already started a war for her.
And not when she already has my ring — even if she refuses to wear it.
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**AIRA**
I didn't go to university that day.
Instead, I walked to the old cathedral near the edge of the city — hidden behind ivy and gates no one opened anymore.
I needed silence.
I needed time.
I needed to hear myself think without the weight of mafia rules, marriage threats, and that damn look in his eyes every time he whispered *"amore."*
But I wasn't alone.
The church doors creaked open behind me.
I didn't have to turn.
> "You followed me."
> "I gave you time," Yuvraj said, voice low. "Now I'm taking what's mine."
I turned.
And he was there.
Black shirt, sleeves rolled, eyes burning.
His jaw was tense. His hands curled like he was holding back from grabbing me.
> "You don't own me."
> "Yet."
> "You can't just decide to marry me."
> "I didn't decide, Aira. I *knew.*"
> "And if I say no?"
He stepped forward.
Closer.
> "Then I'll still put the ring on your finger. And kiss your 'no' into a breathless yes."
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**YUVRAJ**
She hit me.
Right across the chest.
Small fists. Big anger.
It only made me fall deeper.
I grabbed her wrists.
Not hard. Just enough.
> "Get mad. Scream. Fight me.
> But tomorrow, you'll be mine."
She was breathing hard now.
Eyes wild. Lips parted.
And I did the thing I shouldn't have.
I leaned down.
Kissed her.
Not soft.
Not cruel.
Just real.
Real enough to silence the storm between us for half a second.
She pulled back first.
Wiped her lips with the back of her hand.
> "I hate you."
> "You kissed me back."
> "That was survival."
> "No, amore. That was surrender."
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**AIRA**
I should've slapped him.
I should've run.
But I didn't.
I stood there, heat crawling up my spine, lips still burning.
And then he whispered it.
> "Tomorrow at 6, you become my bride.
> Walk in heels… or I'll carry you barefoot. Your choice."
And he left.
Left me standing in a sacred place…
With a kiss on my mouth and a war in my chest.
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**The next morning, Aira opened her eyes to two things:**
A wedding lehenga laid across her bed.
And two guards outside her door.
Armed.
Waiting.
She wasn't being asked anymore.
She was being claimed.
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### 💌 Author Note — From Aish L'Inarrestabile:
> *"The dress is ready. The guards are waiting. And the bride? She's about to walk into a wedding dripping in sin, power, and a king who doesn't ask for love — he takes it. Chapter 8: The Wedding Date is Set is about to blow the doors off your heart."*
> — *Aish L'Inarrestabile* 💍🔥
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