PROLOGUE - 1

Aarvi sat quietly on the bed, still trying to process the fact that she was finally home. Three months felt like a lifetime. She had barely settled down when the door opened. Before she could even look up, Ilya crossed the room and pulled her into his arms. The force of the hug almost made her lose balance.

"Ilya..."

she whispered in surprise, but he didn't answer. His arms only tightened around her as if he was afraid she would disappear again. Aarvi frowned when she felt his body trembling. Slowly, she wrapped her arms around him too.

"Hey... I'm okay," she said softly, trying to comfort him. Ilya buried his face into her shoulder and started speaking in Russian, his voice low and broken.

"Prosti menya, Dusha... prosti..."

(Forgive me, Soul... forgive me...)

He kept repeating the same words over and over again while holding her closer. Aarvi didn't understand what he was saying, but she could hear the pain in his voice.

"Ilya..." she murmured gently, running her hand through his hair. Suddenly, he pulled away only to drop to his knees in front of her and wrap his arms around her waist. Aarvi's eyes widened immediately.

"What are you doing?" she asked, completely caught off guard. Ilya rested his forehead against her stomach and closed his eyes.

"Ya iskhal tebya kazhdyy den..." he whispered hoarsely.

(I searched for you every day...)

"Ya ne spal... ne el... ya dumal chto poteryal tebya navsegda..."

(I didn't sleep... I didn't eat... I thought I lost you forever...)

Aarvi understood almost nothing except her name and the desperation in his voice. Her heart twisted painfully seeing him like this. This was Ilya Sokolov. The man everyone feared. Yet right now he looked like someone who had been carrying too much pain for too long.

She cupped his face and gently made him look at her. "I'm here," she said softly.

"I'm okay." His eyes immediately filled with tears again. Aarvi smiled sadly and wiped one away with her thumb. "I don't know what you're saying, but I'm here now."

PROLOGUE - 2

The church was filled with soft prayers and candlelight as Aarvi stood beside Ilya, her hands resting in his. It felt strange how much had changed in such a short time. Months ago they had been strangers brought together by an arranged marriage, unable to understand each other's language,

yet somehow understanding each other better than anyone else. Aarvi glanced at him and caught him staring again.

"Stop looking at me like that," she whispered. A small smile appeared on his face.

"You beautiful."

Aarvi immediately rolled her eyes. "That wasn't even proper English."

"I know enough English," he replied confidently.

"Clearly not."

His smile only widened. When it was finally time for the vows, Ilya's grip around her hands tightened slightly. He looked nervous, which was surprising considering this was the same man people feared across Russia.

"I promise protect you," he said slowly, carefully choosing every English word. "Always. Good day, bad day... all day."

Aarvi bit back a laugh. "All day?"

He frowned.

"You understand." "I do." His expression softened as he looked at her.

"You my family, Dusha. My home."

The teasing smile disappeared from her face. She squeezed his hands gently.

"And I promise I'll stay with you too. No matter what happens." For a moment neither of them looked away. They didn't need perfect words anymore.

They understood each other well enough. After exchanging rings and vows, the priest blessed them and their families applauded softly. As they walked out of the church together, Ilya leaned closer and quietly said,

"Now you cannot run away." Aarvi looked at him in disbelief.

"Excuse me? I was never running away."

"You talk too much. Very dangerous woman." She laughed and hit his arm while he looked entirely pleased with himself.

A few days later they were standing together again, but this time surrounded by colours, flowers, music and the beautiful chaos of an Indian wedding.

Aarvi's family had taken complete control of the celebrations while the Sokolovs watched everything with fascination. Ilya had spent the entire morning trying to understand what was happening.

"Why there is another ritual?" he whispered to Aarvi.

"Because that's how Indian weddings work." "How many rituals left?"

"A lot." Ilya sighed dramatically and earned a laugh from her.

During the ceremony they sat together before the sacred fire while priests recited prayers. Aarvi occasionally explained things to him in simple words and he listened carefully even when he understood only half of it. When it was time for the pheras, she held his hand and together they walked around the fire while both families watched with emotional smiles.

Viktor looked proud, Elena couldn't stop wiping her eyes, Sergei looked happier than anyone had seen him in years, and Aarvi's parents watched their daughter with nothing but love. Once the ceremony was finally complete, Aarvi turned towards him with a grin.

"So, Mr. Sokolov, how does it feel to get married twice?" Ilya looked at her for a few seconds before answering.

"Best decision of my life."

For once, Aarvi didn't have a comeback ready. She simply smiled. Surrounded by both families, blessings, laughter and love, they finally had the wedding they deserved.

Not one arranged by others, not one forced by circumstances, but one chosen by two people who had fallen in love despite every obstacle placed between them.

PROLOGUE - 3

A few months after their wedding, life had finally settled into something peaceful. For the first time in a long time, there were no enemies, no kidnappings, and no chaos surrounding them. Late that night, Aarvi walked through the mansion looking for Ilya, smiling to herself as she held the pregnancy test tightly in her hand. She eventually found him in one of the secure rooms near his office where several newly imported weapons had been brought in for inspection.

Ilya was standing with Anton and a few of his men, examining a gun before everyone quickly left the room when they saw Aarvi enter.

"Dusha?" Ilya looked at her curiously.

"What happened?" Aarvi walked toward him and held out the pregnancy test.

"I need to tell you something." Ilya took it from her hand and frowned at the small stick. He turned it around once, then twice.

"What is this?" Aarvi blinked.

"What?" "This."

He held it up.

"What is it?" She stared at him in disbelief.

"It's a pregnancy test."

Ilya looked at it again.

"Why?" Aarvi narrowed her eyes. "Because it's positive."

He remained silent for a few seconds.

"Positive?" Aarvi could already feel her patience disappearing.

"Ilya." He looked at her.

"I'm pregnant." The room went completely silent. For a moment, he simply stared at her as if his brain had stopped working. Then his eyes slowly widened. He looked at the test again. Then at her. Then back at the test. The gun slipped right out of his hand and hit the table with a loud sound.

"Pregnant?" Aarvi nodded.

"Yes, pregnant." The next thing she knew, he was in front of her. He grabbed her face and kissed her forehead, her cheeks, her nose, everywhere he could reach. Aarvi burst out laughing.

"Ilya!"

"Baby?" he asked, sounding almost shocked.

"Yes."

"Our baby?"

"No, the neighbour's," she deadpanned. Ilya stared at her before finally realizing she was joking.

A huge smile appeared on his face. Aarvi had never seen him look so happy.

"Baby," he repeated again, almost as if he couldn't believe it. Then without another word, he rushed toward the door.

"Where are you going?" Aarvi called after him.

"Tell family!" he shouted before disappearing. Aarvi laughed and shook her head. Within minutes, the entire mansion probably knew.

The next morning, Aarvi woke up expecting noise from somewhere in the mansion. Usually one of Ilya's brothers was causing trouble, Viktor would be arguing with someone, or Elena would be trying to keep everyone under control. Instead, the mansion felt strangely quiet.

Aarvi sat up and frowned. The space beside her was empty.

"Ilya?" she called softly, but there was no answer. Assuming everyone was downstairs, she got ready and walked out of her room.

Yet as she moved through the mansion, she couldn't find anyone. Not Ilya. Not Sergei. Not Viktor or Elena. Not even the two brothers who were usually impossible to miss.

Confused, she headed outside. The moment she stepped out of the mansion gates, a man she had never seen before approached her.

"For you," he said before handing her a large envelope and leaving before she could ask anything. Aarvi frowned and opened it. Several photographs fell into her hands.

Her heartbeat slowed. Then stopped. There were pictures of Ilya with another woman. Pictures of children. Pictures of him standing beside them. Family photographs.

Her fingers trembled as she pulled out a folded letter. The moment she recognized Ilya's handwriting, her stomach dropped. Slowly, she unfolded it.

"Dusha,"

By the time you read this, I will already be gone. There are things I never told you. Another family. Another life. I tried to leave it behind, but I can't. They need me. I am sorry for everything. I am sorry for hurting you. Please don't look for me.

- Ilya"

Aarvi stared at the words for a long time. Her vision blurred. She read it once. Then again. Then a third time, hoping the words would somehow change. They didn't.

The happiness from last night disappeared so quickly it felt unreal. Only hours ago, she had told him about their child.

Only hours ago, he had looked happier than she had ever seen him. Yet now all she could see were the photographs in her hands and the letter he had supposedly written.

Aarvi lowered herself onto a nearby bench because suddenly her legs didn't feel strong enough to hold her. She looked down at her stomach and closed her eyes.

The pain settled quietly in her chest, not loud, not dramatic, just heavy enough to make breathing difficult. After a long time, she stood up, walked back into the mansion, packed every belonging she had brought with her, and left without looking back.

═════════════════════

Prologue jyada bada hogya na? Wasn't it too long?

I wanted to give trauma to you'all... Because i love it..

How was it?

People who called my book ai... Don't read it, did i force you too? No, then leave.

Because got a lot of dm saying your book looks ai... Bro, what can i do if my grammar and english is that good? Sorry but no sorry. You can go and read any other book.

Anyway, to the readers. How was it?

Did you guys like it? How you're feeling after you finally got the most awaited book? Happy?!!

Bye!! Take care!!