"Sometimes fate doesn't ask for your permission. It simply places a deadline on your happiness."

Three days had passed since that evening at the café.

Three days since Anaya had confessed that her father wanted her to marry.

Three days during which life had silently begun shifting beneath their feet.

Neither of them knew...

that destiny had already started counting backwards.

The Khanna Mansion awakened before sunrise.

Servants moved hurriedly through the corridors.

Fresh orchids replaced yesterday's lilies.

Imported crystal vases decorated the drawing room.

The dining table was laid out with silver cutlery polished to perfection.

Everything looked festive.

Everything looked...

planned.

Anaya stood on the balcony outside her bedroom, wrapped in a white cotton kurta, watching the gardeners trim the hedges below.

The house looked beautiful.

Yet...

it felt unfamiliar.

Homes are built with bricks.

Peace is built with freedom.

Today...

she possessed the first.

Not the second.

Behind her—

"Anaya."

Her father's voice was calm.

She turned.

Rajeev Khanna entered with his usual dignified composure.

His expression betrayed nothing.

He closed the balcony door behind him.

"We need to talk."

She nodded slowly.

"I've made a decision."

The sentence alone made her stomach tighten.

"There is a family coming this Sunday."

She lowered her eyes.

"I know."

Rajeev continued.

"They're not coming merely to meet you."

"They're coming because I've almost finalized the alliance."

Her breathing faltered.

"...Papa?"

"The wedding will take place next week."

For a brief second...

time ceased to exist.

Her ears rang.

She looked at him as though she hadn't heard correctly.

"...Next week?"

"Yes."

"No..."

"No, Papa..."

"This is impossible."

Rajeev remained composed.

"Nothing is impossible."

"You've completed your studies."

"The family is respectable."

"The boy is capable."

"The decision benefits everyone."

Tears welled in her eyes.

"But what about me?"

He looked directly at her.

"This decision is for you."

"No..."

"It is about me."

"It isn't mine."

Her voice trembled.

"I love someone."

The confession finally escaped.

Silence engulfed the room.

Rajeev wasn't surprised.

Instead...

he sighed.

"I know."

Anaya froze.

"You..."

"You knew?"

"For almost two years."

Every ounce of colour drained from her face.

"You knew..."

"...and you still..."

Rajeev interrupted quietly.

"I also know who he is."

"Ayaan Malhotra."

"He is well-mannered."

"Respectful."

"Hardworking."

"And I genuinely admire him."

Hope flickered inside her.

Then—

"But admiration is not enough to entrust someone with my daughter's future."

The hope died instantly.

"He has no stability."

"No established career."

"No financial foundation."

"He cannot give you the life you've always lived."

Anaya shook her head desperately.

"I don't want luxury."

"I want him."

Rajeev's expression softened for the first time.

"No."

"You want him today."

"My responsibility is ensuring you don't regret that choice ten years from now."

She stepped closer.

"Please..."

"Give him time."

"He's trying."

"I know he is."

"He has interviews."

"He'll get a job."

Rajeev looked away toward the rain outside.

"Life doesn't pause while people prepare themselves."

"The Mathur family wants an answer."

"They will have it."

Across the city...

Ayaan adjusted the sleeves of his navy-blue blazer outside the headquarters of Asterion Global Technologies.

He stood before the towering glass building.

His appointment folder rested securely beneath his arm.

Months of rejection had exhausted him.

But not defeated him.

He whispered beneath his breath—

"Ya Allah... bas ek mauka."

(O God... just one opportunity.)

Then he walked inside.

Back at the mansion...

Anaya fell to her knees before her father.

"Papa..."

"I've never asked you for anything."

"Not once."

"I'm asking today."

"Please don't do this."

Rajeev immediately stepped back.

He hated seeing her cry.

Yet...

he believed he was protecting her.

"A father's heart is often mistaken for cruelty."

He spoke quietly.

"But every difficult decision I make..."

"...I make because I won't always be alive to protect you."

She cried harder.

"I don't need protection."

"I need Ayaan."

Sunday arrived.

The mansion shimmered beneath golden lights.

Luxury cars lined the driveway.

The Mathur family entered with effortless elegance.

Mr. and Mrs. Mathur greeted everyone warmly.

Behind them walked their only son.

Armaan Mathur.

He was impeccably dressed.

Confident without appearing arrogant.

His smile was measured.

His posture flawless.

The sort of man society instinctively admired.

When he greeted Rajeev, he bent slightly in respect.

"Namaste, Uncle."

When he greeted Nandini—

"Namaste, Aunty."

His voice was calm.

Polished.

Almost...

perfect.

Then...

his eyes met Anaya's.

Only for a fleeting second.

He smiled courteously.

Nothing more.

No inappropriate staring.

No unnecessary charm.

He looked like every parent's dream son-in-law.

"Would you both like to speak privately?" Mrs. Mathur asked with a warm smile.

Rajeev nodded.

"Of course."

The two of them walked toward the garden.

A respectful distance separated them.

After several moments...

Armaan spoke.

"I hope you're not uncomfortable."

Anaya answered honestly.

"I am."

He nodded.

"I expected that."

She looked at him, surprised.

"I don't believe marriages should begin with pressure."

His words sounded reassuring.

Almost comforting.

"If at any point you wish to decline this proposal..."

"I'll respect your decision."

For the first time that day...

Anaya felt a fraction of relief.

Perhaps he truly was kind.

Perhaps...

he would refuse on his own.

Little did she know...

some people mastered kindness so convincingly...

that no one noticed the mask.

Meanwhile...

Inside the interview room...

one question after another was directed at Ayaan.

Technical knowledge.

Leadership.

Problem-solving.

Integrity.

When the interview concluded, the senior recruiter smiled.

"We're impressed, Mr. Malhotra."

"We'll inform you very soon."

Ayaan thanked everyone politely.

The moment he stepped outside—

his phone rang.

An unknown number.

"This is Asterion Global Technologies."

"We're delighted to offer you the position."

For several seconds...

Ayaan forgot how to breathe.

He had done it.

He had finally earned the opportunity he had prayed for.

The first person he wanted to tell...

was Anaya.

He dialed her number immediately.

The call rang.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

No answer.

Because at that exact moment...

inside the Khanna mansion...

Rajeev Khanna looked at both families and calmly declared—

"If everyone agrees..."

"I'd like the engagement to take place in three days..."

"...and the wedding by the end of next week."

Anaya's heartbeat stopped.

Her phone vibrated silently inside her handbag.

Ayaan Calling...

She looked at the s

creen.

Then at her father.

Then at the smiling guests surrounding her.

With trembling fingers...

she declined the call.

Without realizing...

she had just rejected the happiest moment of the man she loved.

End of Chapter Three

"Sometimes destiny doesn't separate two lovers with distance. It separates them with timing—one receives the best news of his life, while the other is left with no choice but to break the heart she had spent nine years protecting."