1. A New Day

"She was his serenity, and he, her wild chaos."

Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow on my face just as the alarm began to blare, its shrill sound grating on my nerves. I groggily turned off the alarm and sat up, stretching my arms with a smile as I said to myself, "New morning, new day." I took a moment to breathe in the possibilities, hoping that everything would go smoothly today.

After gathering my thoughts, I made my way to the bathroom for a refreshing shower, emerging thirty minutes later, feeling rejuvenated. I slipped into a vibrant yellow kurti paired with trousers and a matching dupatta, ready to embrace the day ahead.

I approached my dressing table and adorned myself with some elegant silver earrings and a sleek watch. After applying moisturizer, I carefully added a touch of mascara and a hint of tint to my cheeks, finishing off with a nude lipstick.

Today, I felt a surge of happiness because Ruhanika and I were finally going to hang out together after what felt like ages.

Once I was satisfied with my look, I took one last glance in the mirror before leaving the room. A wave of nervousness washed over me, as it often did each morning before stepping into the dining area. There was an unsettling feeling that something was about to happen, but I pushed the thoughts aside, whispering to myself, "Think positively, Ishita."

With a deep breath, I made my way to the dining room and settled into a chair, serving myself breakfast. Just as I was about to take a bite, my stepmother's voice sliced through the air.

"Looks like the princess is awake," she remarked, and my heart sank. This was exactly what I dreaded. "Why do you adorn yourself so much?" she continued, her tone dripping with disdain. I remained silent, hoping to avoid confrontation. "Looks like someone is going to hang out with boys," she added, a condescending tone lacing her words.

I quickly responded, "I'm just going to college, nothing else," and began to eat, though my appetite had vanished.

Moments later, she probed again, "Are you going out with your boyfriend?" I was about to respond when my father chimed in, "What do we expect from her? She's just like her mother." A sinister smirk curled on Seema's lips.

My heart shattered into a million pieces, and I fought back tears, not wanting to give her the satisfaction of seeing me upset. I was about to leave for college when she added, "Come home soon; my friends are coming over, and there's so much work to do." I merely nodded, feeling despondent that my plans with Ruhanika might have to be canceled due to my stepmother's whims.

I belonged to a wealthy family, surrounded by numerous servants, yet my stepmother made sure I was burdened with household chores. She always seemed to find a reason to scold me, relishing in my embarrassment.

As I was about to step outside, Reyansh Bhai called out, "I'll drop you at college. Wait for me outside." I felt a rush of relief and hurried outside, only to realize I had forgotten my bag in the dining room.

Just as I was heading back inside, I overheard Reyansh Bhai saying, "If you can't talk to her nicely, at least don't hurt her. Can't you see the sadness on her face? How much she's hurting?" I stood frozen, tears streaming down my cheeks as I absorbed his words.

When Reyansh saw me, he immediately enveloped me in a comforting hug, reassuring me that everything would be alright. After regaining my composure, I returned to grab my bag. Though Reyansh was my stepbrother, I never viewed him that way; he loved me like a true brother, perhaps even more than that. In this household, he was the only one I could speak to freely.

He dropped me off at college, and as I stepped onto the campus, a familiar presence enveloped me from behind, covering my eyes. I knew it was my best friend, Ruhanika. We shared a warm hug before heading to class together, grateful for the bond that made everything feel a little brighter.

The room was shrouded in a soft blue dim light, enveloped in an oppressive silence. The only sound breaking the stillness was a haunting voice, filled with desperation, that echoed throughout the space.

Suddenly, the creaking of a gate disrupted the silence, allowing a blinding white light to flood into the room. A figure stood in the doorway, tall and imposing at 6'3", with a stern expression and piercing brown eyes that seemed to radiate a chilling aura.

The air in the dimly lit room was thick with the scent of blood and fear. Bound in heavy iron chains, the man sat, a shattered husk of himself, marred with cuts and bruises, crimson streaks painting his skin. His breath came in shallow gasps as life threatened to abandon him, teetering on the brink of death.

Yuvraj Singh Yadhuvanshi stood before him, an imposing figure with eyes the colour of dark amber, their penetrating gaze seeming to pierce through flesh and bone to the very soul. His lips curled into a thin, cruel line as he spoke, his voice as cold and unforgiving as steel.

"You had the audacity to say 'no' to me?" The question sliced through the silence, his tone frigid and unyielding.

The prisoner's lips quivered as he summoned the last vestiges of defiance. "Do whatever you want. You'll gain nothing from me, and those diamonds will remain beyond your reach."

A smirk, sharp and calculating, danced on Yuvraj's lips. "So, you've chosen silence." He leaned in closer, the menace in his expression deepening. "Then there's no reason to keep a tongue that serves no purpose. Let's remove it."

The man's eyes widened, terror etching itself into every line of his battered face. A shudder rippled through him, breaking the thin veneer of bravery. "Please," he gasped, desperation cracking his voice. "Just kill me. Spare me this."

A dark gleam flashed in Yuvraj's eyes, and a sinister smile played on his lips. "Not so willing to speak, are we? Perhaps I should bring your son into this. Let him taste the suffering until he begs me for the sweet release of death."

The words pierced through the man like a dagger, breaking his resolve. Tears cascaded down his face as he choked out a sob, pleading silently for mercy. But Yuvraj was unmoved, the embodiment of cruelty itself, drawing satisfaction from the terror he inspired. He gestured to one of his men, who understood the silent command and stepped forward, a gleaming knife in hand.

The captive's breathing quickened, panic seizing him as the blade hovered close. Just as the knife touched his lips, he sputtered, "I'll... I'll tell you. Please, don't do this. I beg you."

Yuvraj said nothing, but a subtle nod signaled that he was listening. He pressed the blade against the man's throat, a silent threat.

"The diamonds... they're being sent to Russia," the prisoner stammered, each word laced with fear. "They're moving them to Bangalore tonight. Right now, they're hidden in the Royal Dragons Club. There's a hidden staircase behind a painting, leading to an underground chamber."

He paused, eyes pleading. "That's all I know. Please, spare my son. Let me go."

Yuvraj straightened, turning to his manager. "Ziven, prepare everything. We leave for the club tonight." His tone was devoid of emotion, cold as death itself.

With a casual flick, he dropped the knife to the floor, the clang echoing in the silence. He signaled again, and one of his men seized the knife, heating it until the metal glowed. Yuvraj sat with calculated composure on a wooden chair, one leg draped over the other, and spoke with chilling detachment. "Gouge out his eyes."

A collective gasp rippled through the room. The horror etched on the faces of those present only fueled Yuvraj's satisfaction. The man's screams filled the room as his eyes were taken, but Yuvraj didn't flinch, holding the same intense stare.

He rose to leave, pausing only to issue one final command. "Drench him in hot oil. Torture him until his soul can bear no more."

The prisoner's wails reverberated through the walls, a haunting testament to Yuvraj's merciless reign. And as he walked out, the room fell into a dark, suffocating silence, punctuated only by the anguished cries of the doomed man.

As the last bell rang, I was quietly packing up my bag when Ruhanika leaned over, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

"So," she said, "what's the plan? Where are we going to have some fun today?"

I hesitated, barely meeting her eyes, and whispered, "I can't go today."

Her face fell. "What? Why not? You were so excited about it yesterday. What changed?"

I paused, struggling with my response, knowing exactly what her reaction would be. Finally, I muttered, "Mom has some guests coming over, so I have to go home early."

I could feel her disappointment rising, like a storm about to break. She stared at me, her voice full of frustration.

"Wait, you're canceling for her? And why do you even call her 'mom'? She doesn't treat you like a daughter-she hardly even speaks to you like one."

Her words hit me hard because I knew there was truth in them. But I also knew there was no choice for me in this. If I didn't go, things would only get worse at home. She would start saying hurtful things about my real mother, and that was something I couldn't bear.

Lost in thought, I barely noticed when Ruhanika snapped her fingers in front of my face. "Hey, where did you go? You look so down."

I forced a small smile, but she saw right through me. "Fine, we'll reschedule. Don't look so sad."

A wave of gratitude washed over me. I hugged her, whispering, "I love you, Ruhi." She squeezed me back, planting a light kiss on my cheek, and I laughed a little, feeling a bit lighter.

We parted ways, and I headed home. As soon as I arrived, I went to my room to freshen up, then made my way downstairs to help with the house chores. The guests had already arrived and were seated in the living room.

I brought out a tray of snacks and drinks, carefully placing them on the table. One of my mother's friends looked at me and asked, "Is she your daughter?"

Without missing a beat, Seema replied, "No, she's not my daughter. She's my husband's ex-wife's child."

The woman raised an eyebrow, clearly curious. "What happened to her mother? Are they separated?"

Seema's face turned cold as she replied, "She's no longer with us. She left because of her own actions. She was unfaithful, even during the marriage. She was a selfish woman, only interested in money and fame."

Each word felt like a stab. I could barely breathe as I felt anger and pain well up inside me. Without thinking, I burst out, "That's not true! She wasn't like that, she was..."

But before I could finish, a sharp, loud slap echoed through the room. My cheek stung, and Seema's furious face filled my vision. I swallowed hard, fighting back tears, then turned and ran to my room, slamming the door behind me.

The silence that followed felt heavier than the slap, and all I could do was sit alone, feeling the weight of things left unsaid.

I was deeply engrossed in my work when Vedant stepped into my office, his face bearing the weight of significant news.

"Boss, the girl you're looking for...she's here. In India. She's never even been abroad."

My jaw tightened, and a fire ignited in my eyes. "I want that girl at any cost," I said, my voice cold and unyielding. "Find her. No matter what it takes."

Vedant hesitated, his frustration barely concealed. "We've searched through hundreds of thousands of records, boss. But we haven't found anyone with the mark on her back."

I clenched my fist, restraining my frustration. "We know she's here. Keep searching," I said, dismissing him with a nod.

Alone once more, I walked to the window, looking out over the city bustling beneath me. The lights glimmered in the distance, the people below living blissfully unaware. Yet here I stood, carrying a storm of rage and vengeance.

I whispered to myself, a dark promise burning through every word, "Once you're in my grasp, there will be no escape. I'll make you suffer so deeply, so endlessly, that you'll beg for death to release you. You'll scream for mercy just as I have, forced to endure years of agony, carrying scars unseen by the world."

For every tear I shed, you will pay. For every wound, every sleepless night, every shred of torment my family endured-you will pay.

I promised myself that this time, justice would be mine.

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Don't judge my book by reading few chapters, I'll suggest you all to read at least 10 to 15. Then you all can decide that you want to continue or not.