Past Continues...

Nandini stepped out of her house, her heart pounding as her eyes darted nervously around the quiet street. At the end of the lane, near a large tree, she spotted him — Manik, leaning casually against the bonnet of his car, partially hidden in the shadows. His presence was imposing, almost predatory.

She swallowed hard, feeling his gaze sweep over her from head to toe. A shiver ran down her spine. Taking hesitant, small steps, she approached him. Suddenly, before she could react, Manik spun her around, pinning her firmly against the car. His weight pressed into her, crushing her into the cold metal, making her skin crawl with discomfort.

Nandini's eyes darted anxiously as she tried to break free, but Manik didn't budge. Instead, he pressed closer, as if asserting his dominance with every inch.

Manik's voice was low, casual, yet dripping with control. "Why waste my energy or my car's petrol taking you anywhere else? We're just going to the registrar's office to get married, right? And if I'm not mistaken, your house is just down this lane," he said, gesturing toward the street with a smirk.

Nandini's eyes widened in shock. She swallowed hard as he released her and started walking toward her home. She stood frozen, numb, unable to move, watching him disappear down the lane.

Suddenly, Manik stopped and turned, his smirk deepening. "What are you waiting for, soon-to-be Mrs. Malhotra? Aren't you going to show me your house? After all, I'm the future son-in-law."

A wave of disgust and fear flooded Nandini. What if someone saw them together like this? What would they think? More terrifying — what if her father saw her with Manik? How could she explain this marriage? That she was forced to spend nights with a stranger, a powerful businessman she barely knew? That she had sold herself, legally, to save her father?

Lost in her spiraling thoughts, she barely noticed Manik snapping his fingers right in front of her face.

"Kya hua? Aren't you going to show me your house?" he taunted. "I suppose your father doesn't even know about me, right? How could he? His daughter marrying just to save him... What would he think? Wouldn't he be ashamed that he couldn't protect his own daughter?"

Manik's voice was cold and mocking.

"But whatever," he said, turning his attention to the house. "Look at this place properly. You've got a lifetime of memories here, haven't you? Your childhood, your teenage years... everything."

He gave her a hard look. "Look at it well — because from today onwards, you're not going to live here anymore."

His voice softened slightly, but carried the weight of finality. "We're getting married soon. This week, in fact. You follow my rules, and I'll follow your conditions."

Nandini could only whisper, "What?"

Manik stepped closer again and bent down, biting her lower lip with enough force to make her hiss in pain.

"Listen carefully, baby. When a girl marries, she leaves her family behind. You will too. I don't want my future wife having any relationship with him — your father."

He stared at her, eyes fierce. "Am I clear?"

Before she could reply, Manik grabbed her roughly and pushed her into the car. Sliding into the driver's seat, he ordered his driver, "Let's go."

As the car pulled away, Nandini's heart broke with the cruel realization — she was about to leave everything she had ever known behind.

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