PROLOGUE

The café sat tucked away on a quiet corner of the street, its glass windows glowing warmly against the world outside. The soft chime of the bell above the wooden door welcomed every guest like an old friend. Inside, the air was rich with the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm vanilla, mingling with the faint sweetness of pastries cooling behind the counter.

At one corner, a girl sat gracefully, dressed in a beautiful purple churidar, her long hair cascading down her waist. Nervous yet excited, she waited for the man who was soon to be her husband.

And then he entered—tall, striking, and dangerously magnetic. A handsome man in a perfectly tailored three-piece suit, his muscular frame carrying an aura of quiet power. His piercing blue eyes scanned the room, sharp and commanding, while a small stud in his right ear added a touch of rebellious charm to his otherwise regal presence.

He approached the receptionist with calm authority, asking about the person he had come to meet. With a polite smile, the receptionist gestured toward the corner—toward the girl who was already watching him with a heart that refused to stay still.

He approached her with calm, deliberate steps, his hands tucked casually into the pockets of his suit trousers. “Hi,” he said in a low, composed voice. “My name is Vedansh Suryavanshi.”

Her lips curved into a smile as her heartbeat raced, betraying the effect this man had on her. Gathering her composure, she stood up gracefully. “Hi, my name is Aditi Chauhan,” she introduced, extending her hand for a handshake.

Vedansh’s piercing blue eyes dropped briefly to her outstretched hand, then rose to meet her gaze. He didn’t respond—only sat down silently.

Aditi’s smile faltered. She muttered under her breath, “Rude,” her face showing irritation before she plastered on a fake smile for him.

“What do you want?” he asked plainly.

“Anything… not cold. I’m sensitive to cold,” she replied softly.

He gave a curt nod and placed the order—one cappuccino for her. She assumed he wouldn’t drink anything from a small café like this; his aura screamed high standards, so she let it be.

The silence between them grew heavier until his calm voice broke it. “We both know why we are meeting today, right?”

She nodded, her heart pounding with anticipation.

“Jaise ki aapko pata hai, hum dono ki shaadi ki discuss karne hum log mile hai,” he continued firmly. “Shaadi ka decision lene se pehle main aapko bata dun—I am not at all interested in this marriage. If you marry me, you will only get hurt, because I cannot give you love. So why destroy your life? You’re still so young, you can find someone else. Please… deny this proposal.”

His words hit her like a storm. Shock painted her face; this wasn’t how she imagined her first meeting with him. Her chest ached with a pang she wasn’t prepared for.

“Why?” she asked, her voice trembling. “Do you have any other girl in your life?”

The question made him visibly uncomfortable. His jaw tightened, but he quickly composed himself. “No. There is no other girl in my life. And you don’t need to know anything more. Just deny this marriage, that’s all I wanted to say. I have an urgent meeting, so I’ll leave now. I’ve already paid for your coffee—so enjoy. Goodbye.”

Without a backward glance, Vedansh rose and walked out of the café, leaving Aditi staring after him in disbelief.

For the first time in her life, someone had rejected her. But instead of breaking, something fierce ignited inside her. Her lips curved into a smirk as her eyes darkened with determination.

“Apne mana kiya mujhse shaadi karne ke liye, Mr. Handsome… lekin main harne wali ladki me se nahi hoon. I will get you. You are mine from now onwards. Shaadi to sirf aapse hi hogi.”

Placing money on the table, she whispered with pride, “Aditi Chauhan kisi ki udhaari nahi rakhti.” Her gaze lingered on the door through which he had left, her smirk widening.

“The moment I laid my eyes on you, you became mine, Mr. Vedansh Suryavanshi. Jis cheez par Aditi Chauhan nazar rakhti hai… woh uski hi hoti hai.”

With that vow burning in her heart, Aditi walked out of the café—no longer just a girl with a crush, but a woman with a mission.