Prologue
Meera Sharma (24)
Daughter of Rajesh and Sunita Sharma.
Once upon a time, Meera Sharma was the heartbeat of the Sharma family.
Loud laughter, endless mischief, harmless pranks, and playful arguments with her elder brother were a part of her daily life. She was the family's sunshine—the daughter who could brighten even the darkest days with her smile.
She believed in love.
She believed in forever.
And most importantly, she believed that the people she loved would never leave.
Until they did.
A heartbreak she never saw coming changed everything.
The girl who once filled every room with laughter slowly became quiet. The mischievous sparkle in her eyes faded into calm acceptance. Though she still carried kindness in her heart, a part of her had learned to be cautious with her dreams.
Now, standing at the threshold of an arranged marriage, Meera hopes for only one thing—a new beginning.
Not a fairy tale.
Not a grand romance.
Just peace.
Just a chance to start over.
Little does she know that fate has other plans.
Raghav Malhotra (28)
Eldest son of Vikram and Naina Malhotra.
Successful, disciplined, and dependable.
As the heir to the prestigious Malhotra family, responsibility has followed Raghav his entire life. Whether it was his family, their business, or the expectations placed upon his shoulders, he never failed to do what was required of him.
But the heart rarely follows duty.
Despite agreeing to an arranged marriage, Raghav carries emotions he has never truly left behind. His mind may accept the marriage, but his heart remains trapped in a past he refuses to let go of.
Marriage was supposed to be another responsibility.
A commitment.
An obligation.
Nothing more.
At least, that's what he believes.
For now.
Tropes
✦ Arranged Marriage
✦ Husband Falls First (Eventually)
✦ Slow Burn Romance
✦ Angst & Emotional Healing
✦ Groveling Hero
✦ Family Drama
✦ Found Love After Heartbreak
✦ She Loved, Lost, and Learned to Hope Again
✦ He Realized Her Worth Too Late
One entered the marriage hoping to heal.
The other entered it unable to love.
Bound by seven sacred vows, family expectations, and a destiny neither of them anticipated, Meera and Raghav are about to discover that some relationships are not built on love at first sight.
Sometimes, love arrives after heartbreak.
Sometimes, it arrives after regret.
And sometimes, it arrives after becoming the quietest kind of ruin.
