The night sky above the city was bright with lights.
A grand wedding reception had just ended at the most luxurious hotel in the city. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, and the scent of expensive roses filled the air. Guests had slowly started leaving, but whispers about the unexpected marriage were still everywhere.
Everyone was talking about it.
Because tonight, the powerful billionaire CEO Ryan Chowdhury had married a woman almost no one knew.
Ayesha Rahman.
For the guests, it looked like a perfect fairy-tale wedding.
But for Ayesha, it felt like she had stepped into a life she never truly chose.
The Wedding Night
Ayesha sat quietly on the edge of the large bed inside the luxurious master bedroom of Ryan's mansion.
The room was huge.
Soft golden lights glowed from the elegant lamps on both sides of the bed. The walls were decorated with modern paintings, and the white curtains moved gently with the cool night breeze.
Everything in the room looked expensive.
Too expensive.
Ayesha slowly looked down at her hands.
Her fingers were slightly trembling.
A beautiful diamond ring sparkled on her finger.
It felt strange.
Only a few hours ago, she had become the wife of one of the richest men in the city.
But the truth was—
This marriage had nothing to do with love.
It was only a contract.
Ayesha took a deep breath.
Her mind was filled with thoughts.
How did my life suddenly become like this…?
Just a few months ago, she had been living a simple life, working quietly and trying to forget the painful memories of the past.
The past she had tried so hard to bury.
But fate had other plans.
Her father's company had suddenly faced serious financial problems.
Debts.
Legal threats.
Bank pressure.
Everything had collapsed so quickly that her family had almost lost everything.
And that was when Ryan Chowdhury appeared.
Cold.
Powerful.
Untouchable.
He offered a solution.
He would save her father's company.
But in return—
Ayesha had to marry him for one year.
A contract marriage.
After one year, they would divorce peacefully, and their lives would go separate ways.
No love.
No emotions.
Just a deal.
Ayesha closed her eyes slowly.
She had agreed because she had no other choice.
Her family needed her.
But deep inside her heart, there was another reason she never told anyone.
She had already lost the man she once loved.
Five years ago.
A Painful Memory
A sudden memory flashed in her mind.
A warm smile.
Gentle eyes.
A voice that once meant everything to her.
Arian Khan.
The man who had once promised to stay by her side forever.
The man who suddenly disappeared without any explanation.
Five years ago, he had vanished from her life like a dream that ended too quickly.
No goodbye.
No message.
No reason.
Just silence.
That silence had broken her heart completely.
For months she had waited.
For years she had wondered.
Why did he leave?
But the answer never came.
Eventually, she forced herself to move on.
Or at least… she tried.
The Door Opens
Suddenly—
Click.
The sound of the bedroom door opening pulled Ayesha back to reality.
She slowly lifted her head.
Ryan Chowdhury walked into the room.
He was tall and composed, still wearing his black suit from the wedding.
His expression was calm.
Cold.
Unreadable.
Ryan walked inside quietly and closed the door behind him.
For a moment, the room became completely silent.
Ayesha felt nervous under his sharp gaze.
Ryan loosened his tie slowly and walked toward the table near the window.
Then he placed a thin file on the table.
His voice was calm but distant.
"Let's make something clear."
Ayesha's heartbeat became faster.
Ryan looked directly at her.
"This marriage is only a contract."
His words sounded colder than ice.
"I believe you already understand the terms."
Ayesha nodded slowly.
"Yes…"
Ryan continued speaking without emotion.
"You will live in this house as my wife for one year. During that time, you must attend important events with me and maintain the image of a perfect marriage."
He paused for a moment.
"But outside of that, we live separate lives."
Ayesha lowered her eyes.
Ryan's voice remained steady.
"No love. No personal interference. No unnecessary questions."
He looked at her again.
"After one year, we divorce peacefully. You get your freedom, and I keep my reputation."
His tone was almost like discussing a business agreement.
Which, technically, it was.
Ryan pushed the file slightly toward her.
"The full terms are written here."
Ayesha looked at the file but didn't open it.
She already knew what was inside.
Silence filled the room again.
Ryan turned and walked toward the large window.
The city lights reflected in the glass.
Without looking back, he said,
"Follow the rules, and there will be no problems."
Ayesha wanted to say something.
But the words stayed trapped in her throat.
Just as she was about to speak—
A Knock on the Door
Knock.
Knock.
Someone knocked on the door.
Ryan frowned slightly.
"At this hour?"
It was already late.
Almost midnight.
Ryan walked toward the door.
Ayesha felt a strange uneasiness inside her chest.
Something felt… wrong.
Ryan opened the door.
The moment the door opened—
Ayesha froze.
Her breathing stopped.
Standing outside the door…
Was a man she thought she would never see again.
Arian Khan.
Her ex-boyfriend.
The man who had broken her heart five years ago.
Arian looked exactly the same.
Maybe even more handsome.
But his eyes were filled with something different now.
Pain.
Shock.
Regret.
His gaze slowly moved from Ryan… to Ayesha.
And then to the wedding dress she was still wearing.
His jaw tightened.
For a few seconds, no one spoke.
The air between them became heavy.
Ryan's voice finally broke the silence.
"Yes?"
Arian ignored him.
His eyes stayed fixed on Ayesha.
When he finally spoke, his voice was low and emotional.
"Ayesha… we need to talk."
Ayesha's heart started pounding violently.
Her past had returned.
On the very first night of her marriage.
And suddenly—
Nothing in her life felt simple anymore.🔥
Cliffhanger
In the next chapter:
Why did Arian suddenly return after five years?
How will Ryan react to seeing Ayesha's ex-lover?
And what secret truth is Arian hiding?