Chapter 4 : The Garden of No Escape

The Raichand mansion was a fortress. Walls of marble, guards at every entrance, eyes hidden in the shadows. But to Meher, it wasn’t a fortress. It was a prison.

The wedding was over. The sindoor still burned at her hairline, the mangalsutra weighed like a chain around her neck. Guests had gone home, the music had died down, but her chest still rattled with rage.

She refused to accept this cage.

The night was her only chance.

Her bare feet moved silently across the marble corridor as she crept out of her chamber. She had ditched the heavy bridal lehenga for a simple silk night-robe, pulling the veil tight over her head. Her heart pounded, but her steps didn’t falter.

She knew the mansion layout now. She had memorized the corridors, the staircases, the paths the guards patrolled. And she knew the garden at the back stretched toward the outer walls.

Freedom.

The moment she stepped into the garden, the air changed. The night was thick with the scent of jasmine and roses, shadows curling around the marble fountains. She moved quickly, her robe brushing against wet grass, her hands clutching the wall vines she’d planned to climb.

She almost tasted victory.

Until a voice froze her blood.

“You never learn, do you?”

Her body stiffened. Slowly, she turned.

Aarav Raichand stepped out of the shadows.

No guards. No guns. Just him. Hands in his pockets, sleeves rolled, his sherwani replaced by a black silk shirt that clung to his frame. His hair was undone, a strand falling across his forehead, but his eyes—God, his eyes burned like coals in the dark.

Meher’s throat went dry.

“How—”

“How did I know?” He smirked, tilting his head. “Because if I were you, I’d try to run again too.”

Her fists clenched. “Let me go, Aarav.”

“Hmm.” He stepped closer, his boots crunching against gravel. “No.”

Her nails dug into her palms. “You don’t own me.”

In two strides, he was in front of her, his hand snapping out to grip her jaw, forcing her to meet his gaze. His touch was rough, bruising, but his voice was low, dangerously intimate.

“Look at you. A Raichand bride sneaking out like a thief. Do you know what happens to thieves in my world?”

Her chest heaved. “Do you know what happens to monsters in mine?”

For a second, silence burned between them. Then his lips curved—dark, sinful.

“You’ll find out, sweetheart. But not tonight.”

His other hand gripped her waist, pulling her against him. She shoved, fought, but his hold was unyielding. His breath brushed her ear as he whispered:

“You’ll run a hundred times, and I’ll catch you a hundred more. That’s the game now.”

Meher trembled with rage. “I hate you.”

“Good.” His smile sharpened. “Hate ties deeper than love.”

Suddenly, a sound. A snap of a twig.

Aarav’s head whipped around. His body stilled, predator-sharp.

From the bushes near the outer wall, a figure crept—dressed in black, blade glinting under the moonlight. His steps were silent, but not silent enough for Aarav Raichand.

Meher’s eyes widened. “Someone’s there—”

“I know.” His voice was ice.

Before she could blink, Aarav shoved her behind him. One fluid motion, a gun drawn from the back of his waistband, cocked and aimed.

The intruder froze, caught in the barrel of Aarav’s weapon.

But Aarav didn’t look surprised. He almost looked amused.

“Bold of you to crawl into my garden.” His tone was smooth, deadly. “Tell me, who sent you?”

The man swallowed, knife trembling in his hand. “I—I don’t know what you—”

Aarav didn’t let him finish. The gun went off, the shot deafening, echoing across the silent night.

The man collapsed, screaming, clutching his leg as blood poured into the grass.

Meher gasped, stumbling back, her hand flying to her mouth. Her body shook as the metallic stench of blood filled the garden.

But Aarav didn’t flinch. He strode forward, crouching low, his gun pressing into the intruder’s forehead.

“Last chance,” he said softly. “Speak, or die.”

“I—Kabir—Kabir sent me—” the man stuttered.

Aarav’s lips twitched. A smile. Cold. Merciless.

“Good answer.”

The next second, a gunshot cracked.

The intruder went still. Blood spilled into the soil, staining the roses crimson.

Meher screamed, stumbling back until her spine hit the marble fountain. Her breath came ragged, her eyes wide with horror.

He had killed him. Just like that. No hesitation. No remorse.

Aarav stood, sliding the gun back into his waistband like it was nothing. He turned to her slowly, his shirt spattered with flecks of blood, his face calm as a king who had just swatted a fly.

Meher’s hands shook violently. “You… you murdered him.”

His brows arched faintly. “Murder?” His voice was calm, chilling. “That wasn’t murder. That was pest control.”

Her chest tightened, nausea crawling up her throat. “You’re insane.”

He walked toward her, slow, deliberate. She tried to push herself further back, but the fountain blocked her escape.

“You should thank me.” His voice dropped to a husky whisper as he caged her between his body and the cold marble. “If he had touched you… you’d be in pieces by now.”

Her eyes brimmed with tears, fury and fear mixing. “You’re no better than him.”

Aarav chuckled darkly, leaning in, his nose brushing her temple. “No, sweetheart. I’m worse. That’s why you’re still breathing.”

Her lips trembled. “You’re a monster.”

His hand lifted, fingers wrapping around her throat—not squeezing, just holding, feeling her frantic pulse against his palm. His eyes bored into hers, dark and unreadable.

“You keep calling me that.” His thumb stroked her pulse. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe I am the monster. But remember this, Meher—”

He leaned close, his breath fanning her lips, voice a vow wrapped in poison.

“—monsters don’t let go of their prey.”

🔥🦋🥀

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***