Evening Time
Evening had settled in gently.
A soft golden glow filled the room.
Selene Sinclair was fast asleep on her bed when her eyelids slowly fluttered open.
She blinked once… twice… then turned her head toward the clock beside her.
7:00 PM.
She stretched lazily and sat up, running a hand through her hair.
For a few moments, she just sat there—
as if her heart and mind were locked in a silent battle of their own.
Finally, she got up and went to freshen herself.
When Selene stepped out of the bathroom a while later, she was wearing a long black frock—
simple, elegant… yet dangerously beautiful.
She had pinned her hair lightly at the back with two clips, leaving the rest loose, cascading down her back.
There was no makeup on her face,
yet her natural beauty made the entire room seem brighter.
Standing in front of the mirror, she whispered to herself,
"You do look beautiful…
but don't ever let this beauty get to your head, Selene.
This body isn't yours—
it belongs to the Selene whose life you're living now.
Remember that."
After grounding herself, she walked out of the room.
Downstairs – Living Hall
As Selene began descending the stairs, her eyes fell on Victor Sinclair, seated in the living hall.
He was engaged in conversation with a lady.
Selene couldn't see the woman's face—only her back—
yet it was enough to tell that she belonged to a wealthy and elite family.
Her hair was styled flawlessly,
a luxurious silk saree draped around her,
diamond bangles glittering on her wrists,
and branded sandals on her feet.
But what stood out the most was the way she sat—
graceful, poised, impossible to ignore. 🔥
The entire family was present.
Selene walked down slowly and stopped beside Victor.
Seeing her, Victor smiled warmly.
"You're awake, child?
Come here… let me introduce you to someone."
Selene stepped closer.
That was when she finally saw the woman's face.
Selene (thinking):
I've seen her before… in the novel.
Victor spoke,
"Child, this is Devika Sahni.
She's the daughter-in-law of an old friend of mine.
She arrived from London just yesterday and will be staying here.
And this— this is my granddaughter, Selene."
Selene smiled politely.
"Namaste, Aunty."
Devika returned the smile with affection.
"Namaste, dear.
You were so little the last time I saw you…
and now look at you, all grown up.
People are right—
time truly flies."
She smiled softly. ☺️
Grace Sinclair, who was seated nearby, continued the conversation.
"Your son came along too, didn't he?
He must be quite grown up now."
Devika was about to reply when her gaze suddenly shifted toward the stairs.
Daniel Raizada
had just returned from work and was heading straight toward his room.
Devika called out,
"Daniel, beta!"
Daniel stopped.
Annoyance was evident on his face, but he still walked over.
"Yes… what is it?" 🤨
Devika stood up, smiling warmly.
"Actually, we're hosting a small party at our place tomorrow.
It's our wedding anniversary.
You all must come…
and Daniel, you too."
Then, glancing at Selene, she added playfully,
"Selene, you must come as well.
Who knows… you might like my son,
and we might find ourselves such a beautiful daughter-in-law."
Smiles appeared on everyone's faces.
Everyone—
except Daniel.
His face darkened instantly with anger.
His eyes went to Selene.
She stood there with her gaze lowered, cheeks faintly flushed.
That was it.
Daniel's patience snapped.
Without saying a single word, he turned and walked away.
An awkward silence filled the hall.
Victor cleared his throat and said calmly,
"He just got back from work.
Must be tired.
Probably went to freshen up."
The explanation seemed reasonable to everyone.
Devika rose from her seat.
"Alright then, I should take my leave."
And with that, she left.
Daniel's Room
Daniel's room was a mess.
Books, files, cushions—everything lay scattered across the floor.
He paced back and forth, trying to calm the storm raging inside him.
Placing a hand on his neck, he rolled it to the right… then to the left.
At that moment, he looked nothing short of a psychopath.
His voice was low—dangerous.
"She's mine…
only mine."
"If anyone tries to take my life—
my child— away from me,
I'll destroy everything."
"Every person…
every thing
that dares to come between her and me."
"She is mine.
Only. Mine." 🔥😡
Night Time – Dinner Table
It was past 10 PM.
Everyone sat at the dinner table.
Selene ate quietly, lost in deep thought.
Victor asked gently,
"Selene, child… what are you thinking about?"
"Nothing, Grandpa," she replied softly, lowering her gaze.
But Daniel's obsessive eyes never left her—
not even for a second.
Mia noticed his gaze and followed it…
only to find it fixed on Selene.
Mia (thinking):
Why is Daniel sir looking at Selene like that?
She must have done something—
otherwise he doesn't even like hearing her name.
Convincing herself, Mia stayed silent.
After dinner, everyone retired to their rooms.
Selene's Room
Selene sat on her bed, her thoughts racing.
"When I read this novel…
Devika Sahni hosted a party,
and that was when Arth Sahni made his entry…"
She remembered everything—
How Arth fell in love with Mia after seeing her kindness.
How he hated Selene.
How he even tried to kill her.
"Everyone suspected me…
I kept saying I didn't do it—
but no one listened."
Her eyes grew moist.
"In the end, Selene died…
and the truth came out far too late."
Suddenly—
Click.
The sound of a lock echoed.
Selene stiffened.
"Who could it be at this hour—"
She opened the door.
Standing there—
Daniel Raizada.
Her heart skipped violently.
Selene (thinking):
Why is this devil here?
Is he going to kill me right now?
Oh God… what kind of trouble am I in?
Gathering courage, she asked,
"Did you… need something?"
Daniel's eyes glinted in the darkness.
"Yes."
"I need to talk to you."
He walked inside and sat down on the sofa.
Selene muttered to herself,
"Novel heroes are seriously problematic…
coming to talk to me this late at night.
Why doesn't he go to the heroine and say
'I love you' instead?"
Just then—
Daniel did something that made Selene's eyes widen in pure shock.