The mansion was silent.
It was past midnight.
The city lights glowed through the massive glass windows of Aarav's bedroom.
Kiara stood on the balcony, the cool night wind brushing against her face.
She had changed out of the heavy bridal clothes and into a simple black satin nightdress the house staff had arranged for her.
But sleep?
That was impossible.
Behind her, inside the room, Aarav sat on the couch with his laptop open, reviewing documents.
Or at least pretending to.
Because every few seconds, his eyes drifted toward the balcony.
Toward her.
Toward the woman who had just turned his life into a battlefield.
Finally, he closed the laptop.
The silence was getting irritating.
He walked toward the balcony doors.
"You always stare at the city like that?" he asked.
Kiara didn't turn around.
"I like high places."
"Why?"
She finally looked at him.
"Because from up here… people look small."
Aarav leaned against the doorframe, studying her carefully.
"You're dangerous."
Kiara smirked slightly.
"You noticed late."
A moment of silence passed.
Then Aarav spoke again.
"You knew who I was before the wedding."
"Yes."
"And you still agreed."
Kiara looked back at the skyline.
"I had my reasons."
Aarav stepped closer.
"Revenge?"
Kiara didn't answer.
Instead she asked quietly,
"Why do you hate my family so much?"
Aarav's expression hardened instantly.
"That's none of your business."
Kiara turned around fully.
"But it became my business the moment you decided to marry me for revenge."
Aarav moved closer.
The distance between them slowly disappeared.
"You really want to know?" he asked.
Kiara didn't step back.
"Yes."
For a moment, Aarav just stared at her.
Their faces were only inches apart now.
The tension between them felt electric.
"You're brave," he said quietly.
"Or stupid."
Kiara tilted her head slightly.
"And you're angry."
Her voice dropped.
"But not as much as you pretend to be."
Aarav's jaw tightened.
"You don't know me."
Kiara's eyes locked onto his.
"Neither do you."
The silence between them thickened.
Then suddenly—
Aarav grabbed her wrist and pulled her slightly closer.
Not violently.
But firmly.
"You like pushing people," he murmured.
Kiara didn't flinch.
"Only the ones who deserve it."
They were so close now that Kiara could feel his breath against her face.
The air between them changed.
Dangerous.
Confusing.
Aarav's eyes briefly flickered toward her lips.
Then back to her eyes.
"Careful," he said quietly.
"With what?"
"Me."
Kiara laughed softly.
"You married me to destroy me."
Her voice was calm.
"And now you're warning me?"
Aarav didn't answer immediately.
His grip on her wrist loosened slowly.
Because something was wrong.
This wasn't supposed to happen.
He was supposed to hate her.
Completely.
But standing this close…
That hatred felt different.
Darker.
More complicated.
Kiara gently pulled her hand back.
"You should sleep," she said.
Aarav stepped back slightly.
"You first."
Kiara turned and walked toward the bed.
But just before lying down, she glanced at him.
"You know something strange, Aarav?"
"What?"
Kiara's eyes held his for a moment.
"For someone who hates me…"
Her lips curved faintly.
"You stand very close."
Aarav froze.
Kiara turned off the lamp beside the bed.
Darkness filled the room.
But neither of them slept easily that night.
Because hate—
When mixed with curiosity and tension—
Had a dangerous way of turning into something neither of them was ready for.