The first light of dawn filtered through the large windows of the Singhaniya mansion, casting a soft glow over the lavish interiors. The grand chandelier, which had witnessed countless celebrations, now hung silently, reflecting the remnants of last night's festivities. The wedding had been a whirlwind—an unexpected and hurried affair that left everyone reeling from the suddenness of it all.

Anaya stirred awake in her new room, the reality of her situation weighing heavily on her. As she opened her eyes, the unfamiliar surroundings reminded her that she was no longer Anaya Malhotra, but Anaya Singhaniya, Rudra's wife. The thought was both comforting and unsettling.

She slowly got up from the bed, her mind still clouded with the events of the past few days. The wedding, the secrets, Rudra's cold demeanor—it was all too much to process. Yet, she knew she had to face the day and the family she was now a part of.

Anaya took a deep breath and went about her morning routine, trying to find some semblance of normalcy. The room was exquisitely decorated, a blend of traditional elegance and modern luxury. It was clear that the Singhaniyas valued their heritage while embracing the contemporary. The walls were adorned with paintings, and the furniture was a mix of antique and modern designs.

As she finished getting ready, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. The reflection staring back at her was that of a woman who had been thrust into a world she barely understood. There was a determination in her eyes, though—a resolve to find her place in this family, to understand the reasons behind her sudden marriage, and to stand strong despite the uncertainties.

With a final adjustment her Indian Dupatta and kurti , Anaya made her way downstairs. The mansion was quiet, the silence almost eerie after the noise and excitement of the previous night. She descended the grand staircase, her footsteps echoing in the vastness of the space. As she approached the living area, she could hear the faint murmur of voices.

The living room was a picture of quiet activity. Komal Singhaniya, the matriarch of the family, was seated on the plush sofa, her posture regal and composed. Next to her was Dev Singhaniya, her son, engaged in a soft conversation with her. The remnants of the previous night's celebrations were still evident in the room—the floral arrangements, the decorations, and the faint scent of incense lingering in the air.

Anaya hesitated for a moment at the entrance, unsure of how to proceed. She was still trying to navigate the dynamics of the Singhaniya family, and she didn't want to intrude. But just as she was about to turn away, she felt a gentle hand on hers. Startled, she turned to see Ria standing beside her, a reassuring smile on her face.

"Good morning," Ria greeted her warmly, her eyes sparkling with the remnants of exhaustion from the previous night.

"Good morning, Ria," Anaya replied, her voice soft.

"Come on, let's go meet everyone," Ria said, gently pulling Anaya into the room.

As they approached, Komal looked up and smiled, her eyes warm and inviting. "Anaya, my dear, good morning. How did you sleep?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine concern.

Anaya returned the smile, feeling a little more at ease. "Good morning, Grandmom. I slept well, thank you."

Komal's smile deepened at the title. It was clear she was pleased that Anaya had addressed her as such. "That's good to hear, dear. Please, sit down," she said, gesturing to the sofa beside her.

Anaya took a seat, Ria sitting down beside her. The atmosphere in the room was calm, but there was an underlying tension that Anaya couldn't quite place. It was as if everyone was waiting for something, or someone.

Just as the thought crossed her mind, the sound of footsteps echoed from the hallway. The tension in the room seemed to heighten as Rudra appeared, holding a newspaper in his hand. His face was unreadable, his eyes focused on the headlines.

"Good morning, Rudra," Dev greeted his son, his voice steady.

Rudra nodded, acknowledging the greeting, but his attention remained on the newspaper. Anaya noticed the headline he was reading: "Nisha and Raj: A Marriage of

Convenience? " .

• " Rudra Singhaniya's Marriage to Nisha Ahuja Falls Apart—Nisha's Secret Union with Raj Chauhan Revealed!"

• "Nisha and Raj's Marriage - Rudra Singhaniya Single Again?"

The article went on to discuss the speculations about the couple's relationship, hinting at secrets and lies beneath the surface.

Rudra's expression hardened as he folded the newspaper and placed it on the coffee table. His gaze swept over the room, taking in each family member before finally settling on Anaya. There was a moment of silence, a charged atmosphere that everyone seemed to feel.

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"I assume you've all seen the headlines," komal said, her voice is tensed and detached. "It's clear that not everyone was aware of last night's events. The media is already spinning stories about my 'bachelor' status, which only complicates things further."

Anaya's heart sank at his words. The secrecy of their marriage, the lack of communication—it was all becoming too much. She wanted to speak up, to ask him why he had kept their marriage a secret, but she couldn't find the words.

"We'll handle the media," Rudra continued, his tone firm. "For now, I need everyone to be discreet. No one outside this family is to know about the marriage until we're ready to announce it. Is that clear?"

It's good for Anaya," Rakhi singhaniya Said with concern voice. Anaya is still 20 years old and according to highcourt's law the correct age for girls marriage is 21.

Komal also agreed with Rakhi. It's important to keep this marriage secret from public and those guests who are not present in last night at Rudra and Anaya's wedding night.

There were murmurs of agreement from the family, but the tension remained palpable. Anaya felt Ria's hand squeeze hers reassuringly, a small gesture of comfort in the midst of the unease.

"Anaya," Rudra said, his gaze finally meeting hers, "I'll need you to accompany me to the office later. We have some matters to discuss."

Anaya nodded, her throat tight. "Of course."

Rudra's expression softened slightly, but the coldness in his eyes remained. He turned to Dev, his father, who had been quietly observing the exchange. "I'll be in my room getting ready for the office. We'll talk more later."

With that, Rudra turned and left the room, leaving a heavy silence in his wake. Anaya could feel the eyes of the family on her, but she kept her gaze fixed on the floor, unsure of what to say or do.

Komal was the first to break the silence. "He's under a lot of pressure," she said softly, her voice tinged with concern. "But that's no excuse for keeping you in the dark, Anaya. We'll talk to him together, as a family."

Anaya looked up, grateful for Komal's support. "Thank you, Grandmom. I just… I just want to understand what's going on."

"We all do," Dev added, his voice kind. "We'll figure this out together." You guys enjoy your breakfast I'm going I have a meetings. Atleast eat your breakfast with us," Rakhi saying to her husband.

No I'm getting late i can have my breakfast at office," Dev singhaniya replied. And my daughter's enjoy your day and please take care of Anaya," Dev singhaniya said. In his voice There is a father's love and care for his daughter's.

I will take care of her dad," Ria said. Cyya at night dad. Ria and Anaya both smiles to Dev singhaniya.

Ria stood up, her expression determined. "Let's go to the dining area. I'm sure you haven't had breakfast yet, Anaya."

Anaya shook her head, realizing she hadn't even thought about food in the midst of everything. "No, I haven't."

"Come on, then," Ria said, her tone lightening. "Let's eat something. You'll need your strength for whatever comes next."

Anaya managed a small smile and stood up, following Ria and the others to the dining area. The large table was set with an array of breakfast dishes, the aroma of fresh coffee and baked goods filling the air. But despite the comforting scene, Anaya's appetite was nowhere to be found.

As they sat down to eat, Anaya's thoughts were consumed by the uncertainty of her situation. She could feel the weight of her new role pressing down on her, the expectations of the Singhaniya family and the secrets that lay hidden beneath the surface.

She glanced around the table, taking in the faces of her new family members—Komal's wisdom, Dev's quiet strength, Rakhi's gentle warmth, Ria's determined support, Aarav's youthful curiosity, and Misha's thoughtful concern. They were all here, but the one person who mattered most, the one whose thoughts and feelings she desperately wanted to understand, was absent.

Rudra remained in his room, the door closed, the barriers between them as solid as ever. Anaya could feel the distance growing, the coldness of his demeanor a constant reminder that she was still an outsider in his world. But she was determined to find a way in, to understand the reasons behind his actions, and to carve out her place in the Singhaniya family.

As breakfast continued, the conversation flowed around her, the family members trying to keep things light and normal. But beneath the surface, the tension remained, an undercurrent of uncertainty that threatened to pull them all under.

After breakfast, Anaya excused herself, needing a moment to collect her thoughts. She wandered through the mansion, the quiet halls echoing with her footsteps. The grandeur of the place was overwhelming, the sheer size and opulence a stark contrast to the simplicity of her previous life.

She found herself back in the garden, the same place where she and Rudra had shared their tense conversation the night before. The morning sun cast a warm glow over the flowers, the air filled with the scent of blooming roses. It was a peaceful scene, but Anaya's mind was anything but at peace.

She sat down on a bench, her thoughts swirling. She knew she needed to talk to Rudra, to find out the truth behind their marriage and the reasons for his coldness. But she didn't know where to start. How could she break through the walls he had built around himself? How could she make him see that she wasn't just a pawn in his plans or a burden he had to bear?

As Anaya sat in the garden, lost in her thoughts, she was unaware of the figure approaching her. It wasn't until the sound of footsteps on the gravel path reached her ears that she looked up. Rudra stood a few feet away, his expression unreadable, his hands tucked into the pockets of his tailored suit.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The silence between them was thick, charged with unspoken words and unresolved tension. Anaya searched his face, hoping to find some hint of the man she had married, but all she could see was the same cold detachment he had shown since the day they met.

Finally, it was Rudra who broke the silence. "You're needed at the office," he said, his tone devoid of warmth. "There are matters that require your attention."

Anaya's heart sank at his words. She had hoped for something more—a conversation, a chance to connect, even a glimpse of the man behind the icy exterior. But all she got was another command, another reminder of the distance between them.

Still, she knew she couldn't refuse. She stood up, smoothing the fabric of her saree, and nodded. "I'll get my things," she said quietly, turning to leave the garden.

But before she could take more than a few steps, Rudra's voice stopped her. "Anaya," he called, his tone softer than before. She turned back to face him, her heart skipping a beat at the change in his voice. "There are things you don't understand yet," he continued, his gaze locking onto hers. "Things that I can't explain right now. But I need you to trust me."

Anaya's breath caught in her throat. She wanted to trust him, to believe that there was more to their relationship than what she had seen so far. But the secrets, the lies, the coldness—it was all too much. "How can I trust you when you won't even talk to me?" she asked, her voice trembling with emotion.

Rudra's expression softened, a flicker of something—regret, perhaps?—passing through his eyes. But it was gone as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by the same unreadable mask he always wore. "Just trust me," he repeated, his voice firm but not unkind. "That's all I'm asking."

Anaya wanted to argue, to demand answers, to break through the walls he had built around himself. But she could see that he wasn't ready to let her in, not yet. So she swallowed her questions, her doubts, and simply nodded. "Alright," she said softly. "I'll trust you."

Rudra's shoulders relaxed slightly at her words, but the distance between them remained. "Let's go," he said, his tone reverting back to its usual coolness. "We have a lot to do today."

As they walked back to the mansion together, side by side but worlds apart, Anaya couldn't help but wonder what the future held for them. She had trusted him, just as he had asked. But in the shadows of the morning, with the weight of unspoken truths and hidden motives hanging between them, she couldn't shake the feeling that the road ahead was going to be anything but easy.

**To be continue...**