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                               IRA's - POV

I was lost in my thoughts when my eyes met Vivaan's-sharp, questioning, impossible to ignore eyes. My chest tightened. Swallowing my emotions and the tears threatening to fall, I stepped closer.

"How... how are you, Vivaan?" I asked, forcing a smile that felt like it cracked the moment it appeared.

His gaze didn't soften. "That's not important," he said, his voice cold, distant. "Tell me... what did Grandpa ask you?"

Not important? My heart thudded. Of course it was important-he was important. I drew a shaky breath and met his eyes. He had a right to know. After all, we were supposed to spend our lives together.

"Grandpa asked me... to marry you," I whispered, my voice trembling as I studied his reaction.

For a long moment, he palmed his face, then lifted his head with a frustrated groan. And as he stood there... so impossibly close, I couldn't help noticing the subtle movements that should have been meaningless-his Adam's apple rising and falling. A surge of heat rolled through me, unbidden, unmanageable.

I had never imagined feeling this way about him. My love had always been pure, gentle, untouchable. And yet, even with him fully clothed, standing before me, my body betrayed me. My stomach fluttered, my skin tingled, and I suddenly felt achingly warm.

My eyes drifted to his hands-strong, tense, veins pulsing. Anger. Desire. Frustration. I couldn't stop the flutter in my chest. How was I this lucky-to witness such perfection every day?

Shaking off my thoughts, I chided myself silently. Stop it, Ira. Stop thinking like this. This is wrong... inappropriate.

"What did you reply to Grandpa?" His voice pulled me back, grounding me-but that voice, so deep, so commanding, made it impossible to ignore the longing it stirred in me.

"He... gave me time to decide," I said softly. "So I haven't said anything yet." My gaze clung to his, though I had to lift my chin to meet his eyes. He was six feet tall; I barely reached his shoulders.

"Say no to Grandpa," he said firmly. "Tell him you won't marry me. Okay?"

My heart refused to obey his command. How could I? Grandpa's request wasn't just a question-it was a lifetime's wish, something sacred. And... Vivaan. The man standing in front of me. My heart ached just thinking of a life without him.

I lowered my gaze to steady myself. "Why do you think I do what you say, Vivaan? This is the first time Grandpa asked for something... how can I deny him?" My voice broke on the last word.

He hesitated, then spoke, his words slicing through me like ice: "Ira... my past... destroyed my future. You deserve someone whole-someone who will love you fiercely, worship you, be by your side through everything. You don't deserve me-a broken man who can't let go, who can't love properly. I can't... I can't love you. I can't fulfill this marriage."

My chest tightened. Every word was a dagger. I knew the truth already-he wouldn't love me-but hearing it, feeling it, crushed something inside.

"I know, Vivaan..." I whispered, fighting the tears that stung my eyes. "I know about your past. I'm not asking you to love me. I'm not asking for promises... just for Grandpa. I can't deny him. For his sake, for our families... think of him. You love him, I know it. And we can... we can try to make this work, at least in front of everyone. We can... be friends in this marriage. And if nothing works... six months, one year, whatever... we can choose to leave. Divorce is always an option."

I forced a smile, but my heart screamed in protest. Every word was agony.

He shook his head, frustration etched on his face. "No, Ira. I can't. If Grandpa asks me to marry anyone else... I will. But I can't marry you. You're my family... my best friend's sister. This marriage will hurt you. I won't let that happen. You don't deserve pain-say no to him."

My heart fluttered at his words. Did he really... care? A tiny spark of hope ignited in my chest-but it was followed by a stab of agony when he admitted he could marry anyone but me. I forced my expression into blankness.

"I... I can't, Vivaan," I whispered. "I can't say no. It's not just about us... it's about Grandpa, about our families. Think about the consequences of saying no. Please... say yes. We can try... even as friends. I won't invade your space... I know the limits. Please... just for now."

He rubbed his temple, frustration visible in every movement. "I need... time to think," he replied.

I nodded. "Okay."

And then he left. Driving away, leaving behind only the lingering scent of his cologne, warm and intoxicating. I sank into the chair he had vacated, my body still humming with his presence.

Fear gripped me. What if he still said no? What if our marriage failed? The thought of him with someone else... someone who wasn't me... it was unbearable. My heart thudded violently, my body ached, and all I could do was sit there, trembling, hoping... praying... that fate would let me have him, even if only in front of the world.

VIVAAN's - POV

I walked out of the hospital garden, trying to think. Ira's words kept echoing in my mind-the way she had looked at me, the tremor in her voice, the helpless hope in her eyes. She's not asking me to love her. She's asking me to marry me... for Grandpa.

My chest tightened. How could I say no to that? And yet... my past, my mistakes, my broken heart... they weren't something I could just hide or fix overnight. I couldn't give her what she deserved. I couldn't love her the way she deserved to be loved.

And still... my mind kept replaying her. Her tiny smile that tried to mask her fear. Her eyes brimming with tears she refused to shed. The way she spoke so gently, so convincingly, trying to reason with me... as if my refusal would crush not just her heart, but someone else's too.

I took a deep breath, closing my eyes for a moment. I knew the truth-I would never be able to stay away from her completely. But I also knew my limits. My past had taught me one thing: I could ruin someone's life without even meaning to. I couldn't let that happen to her.

When I saw her sitting in the chair I had just vacated, her small frame trembling slightly, her gaze lost in thought, I felt a pang in my chest. I hated it. I hated how much she affected me. And yet, I knew I had to make a decision.

"Ira," I said softly, stepping closer. She looked up, startled, hope flickering in her eyes. My throat felt tight. I couldn't say what I truly felt... not yet. Not without destroying everything.

"I will marry you..." I said, my voice low, careful. Her eyes widened, disbelief and hope mixing in a dangerous cocktail. I continued, my tone firm, leaving no room for misunderstanding.

"But there are conditions," I said, watching her carefully. "We won't invade each other's personal space. We won't share a bed. We will only pretend in front of the world... just like you said. And if this doesn't work out-if we can't... coexist... then divorce will be an option. No exceptions."

Her shoulders sagged, relief softening her expression, but I could still see the fear lingering behind her smile. I wanted to reach out, to pull her into my arms and tell her it would be okay, but I didn't. I couldn't.

"I can't give you love, Ira. But I will protect you, respect you, and... keep my word. You asked me to think of Grandpa... and I can't deny him that. But know this," I added, my voice dropping, raw and dangerous with emotion I wouldn't let her see, "if anyone hurts you... if anyone ever crosses your boundaries... I won't forgive them. And I won't forgive myself if I fail you."

Her small hand trembled slightly as she clasped it together, and I realized-she trusted me. She believed I would honor my promise, even if my heart refused to let me feel fully.

I exhaled slowly, forcing my mind to stay clear. This was the only way to protect her... and maybe, in time, protect myself from what I was beginning to feel for her.

"Ira," I said quietly, "we'll do this. But remember... this is only for Grandpa, for our families, and for ourselves... under my rules. Cross them... and everything ends. Understood?"

She nodded, swallowing her emotions, trying to hide the relief and the glimmer of hope in her eyes. I turned away, forcing myself to leave before my restraint broke completely, before the heat in my chest, the ache in my heart, and the longing in my veins became impossible to control.

As I drove away, I couldn't help but think... I said yes. But at what cost to myself?

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