The first week of marriage between Rohini and Shivansh was exactly as they had agreed—cold, efficient, and strictly business.
They shared a penthouse but lived as if invisible to each other. She left early for the office; he stayed late, working in his private study.
But in the business world, appearances were everything.
And appearances meant acting like they were deeply, hopelessly in love.
Rohini handled it like a queen on stage—her hand resting lightly on his arm at press events, her laugh timed perfectly to his jokes, her gaze warm enough to fool even the sharpest gossip columnist.
Shivansh, however, was more difficult. His natural reserve made him look more like her bodyguard than her husband. That changed at the Kothari Group's annual gala.
The ballroom was buzzing with politicians, investors, and media. Rohini stood by his side in an emerald silk gown, dazzling and dangerous. Across the room, Vikrant watched them with a smile too thin to be genuine.
"Smile like you actually want to be here," she murmured without turning her head.
"I don't," he replied, his voice low. "But for the next two years, I'll pretend."
Then, to her surprise, he placed a hand on her waist—not too low, not too intimate, but enough to make it look real. Cameras flashed instantly. The gesture felt strangely protective, and for the first time, Rohini found herself momentarily unsettled.
Later that night, as they left the gala, a sharp crack shattered the air.
Glass from the car window exploded inward.
Shivansh reacted instantly—pulling her down, shielding her with his body.
The driver sped off, and by the time security arrived, the shooter was gone.
In the silence that followed, Rohini's pulse was hammering.
"This wasn't random," she said, her voice cold but her hands trembling. "Vikrant's making his move."
Shivansh didn't answer right away. He was looking at her in a way she couldn't quite read. Not pity. Not anger. Something closer to… concern.
"You're not fighting him alone anymore," he said finally.
It wasn't part of the deal. It wasn't even smart. But in that moment, Rohini realized Shivansh was no longer just a shield for public image—he was a player in her war.
And somewhere deep inside, she wondered if this fake marriage was about to become the most dangerous decision of her life.