✧ Prologue ✧

Rivan Malhotra
Three Years Ago

They say revenge is a slow poison.

But I've been drinking it for years—and I'm still breathing.

Still waiting.
Still watching.

I stood at the edge of the balcony, city lights flickering below like dying stars. Somewhere beneath the concrete and neon was the man who destroyed everything I once had.

And now... he had a daughter.

I hadn't planned for her—not until I saw her. 

Soft eyes, soft voice, innocence dripping from every inch of her like perfume.
She looked untouched by darkness.

And I hated her father even more for it.

Because men like him shouldn't be allowed to keep something so pure.
He didn't deserve her.

So, I would take her.

Not just to break him.
But because the moment I saw her, something unhinged snapped inside me.

She was beautiful.
Fragile.
A perfect ruin waiting to happen.

And I—
I was born to ruin things.

So I'll put a ring on her finger.
I'll smile as she says my name like a prayer.
I'll kiss her like she's mine.

And I'll own her like a curse.

She'll never know it was all a lie.
Not until it's far too late.

Because this isn't a love story.

This is a war.

And she just became my favorite weapon.