The morning sun never brought warmth to the attic of the Mehra mansion; it only brought the realization that another day of torture had begun.
Sia clutched her torn shawl tighter around her shivering frame. Her fingers were red and raw from scrubbing the floors since 4 AM. To the world, she was a niece. To the Mehras, she was a ghost they kept in the basement—a servant who didn't even have a surname to defend herself.
"Sia! You worthless girl! Where is my tea?"
Bindu Mehra’s voice pierced through the air like a jagged blade. Before Sia could even stand up, the door to the small, damp room burst open. Her aunt stood there, eyes burning with a strange, wicked triumph.
"I’m coming, Chachi... I was just—" Sia’s voice was a mere whisper, trembling with a fear that had been ingrained in her soul for years.
"Stop stuttering!" Bindu hissed, grabbing Sia’s hair and pulling her head back with a brutal jerk. "Look at that face. So innocent. So pure. It’s a pity it’s going to be wasted on a monster. But then again, a nameless trash like you deserves nothing better."
Sia gasped, tears pricking her eyes. "What... what do you mean?"
"Your Uncle made a deal," Bindu laughed, a cold, dry sound. "We are finally throwing you out. You are being married off tonight."
Sia’s heart skipped a beat. A sliver of hope flickered in her chest—could she finally be free from this hell? But the hope died the moment she saw Vicky standing at the doorway.
Vicky Mehra leaned against the frame, his eyes crawling over Sia’s body with a sickening hunger. He walked toward her, and Sia instinctively backed away until her spine hit the cold, damp wall.
"Don't be too happy, Sia," Vicky whispered, leaning close enough for her to smell the stale alcohol on his breath. "I wanted to keep you for myself. But the man who bought you... he’s a devil. They say Rudransh Raichand doesn't have a heart. He’ll break you before the night is over."
He reached out, his dirty fingers grazing her cheek. Sia flinched, a sob escaping her throat.
"Tonight, you leave this house as a bride," Vicky smirked, his voice dropping to a dangerous level. "But remember, if you ever try to run, I’ll find you before the police do. Now, go get dressed. The monster is coming to claim his prize."
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