Mumbai
Jannat Villa
Haya stormed into her room, her anger toward Rudraksh intensifying with every passing moment. She clenched her fists, resisting the strong urge to grab him and beat him up. The way he had humiliated her today was beyond anything she could tolerate. And to make matters worse, he didn't even let her take the dress. Now, how was she supposed to face his family? What would she tell them? His family, who already placed such a high value on their reputation, would be expecting her to show up in the perfect attire. How could she possibly explain this mess to them?
Frustrated, she sat on the bed with an innocent yet exhausted expression. She hadn't even eaten breakfast, yet her devilish husband didn't think it was necessary to ask her if she was hungry. Instead, he had simply walked away, leaving her behind as if she didn't matter. Had she not eaten a little bit of pasta in front of him, she would have spent the entire day starving.
A while later, as she was lost in her thoughts, there was a knock on the door. She barely had time to react when, all of a sudden, Arina walked in with an excited smile.
"Oh wow! You have such great taste, Haya. This dress is absolutely stunning! And you even selected it according to the theme. We were thinking of making red the theme for the evening, and now, your dress perfectly matches that idea!" Arina exclaimed with admiration.
Haya, confused, frowned slightly. "Really?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
It was only then that she noticed the dress in Arina's handsâthe very dress that Rudraksh had chosen for her. Haya stared at it for a moment, processing the situation, before she slowly muttered, "Thank you..." Then, realizing her manners, she added, "Come in, please."
But Arina quickly shook her head. "No, no, you should rest for a while. After all, everyone is going to meet you tonight, and you need to look fresh and well-rested. Only then will you be able to greet everyone properly." She flashed Haya a warm smile before walking away, leaving her alone with her thoughts.
Haya let out a sigh, her gaze falling back on the dress in her hands. "Oh, I'll definitely look fresh tonight..." she muttered under her breath, her tone laced with sarcasm. She clutched the fabric tightly and scoffed, her frustration returning.
"That man has completely messed with my mind! If he was in such a hurry to meet that witch, why didn't he just go to her in the first place? What was the need to pretend as if he was doing me some kind of favor?" she mumbled to herself, shaking her head in irritation.
With a sigh, she sat back down on the bed, lost in thought.
By this time, it was already late afternoon. Lunch had been served, and the preparations for the evening were in full swing in the garden. The entire house buzzed with excitement, but Haya remained disconnected from it all.
After a few moments of contemplation, she made a decision. "I should just eat something. There's no way I'll be able to sleep on an empty stomach," she reasoned aloud.
Without wasting any more time, she picked up the intercom and called for food to be sent to her room.
Construction Site
Rudraksh sat with one leg casually crossed over the other, his posture relaxed yet commanding. In front of him sat a few men, their faces tense. One of them, clearly angry, finally broke the silence.
"Can I know the reason why Goldie was killed?" he demanded, his voice laced with frustration.
Without a flicker of emotion, Rudraksh replied in his deep, composed voice, "I don't kill people with explanations, nor do I believe in justifying my actions after the job is done."
He then shifted his piercing gaze toward the man who had spoken. The man clenched his fists in rage and growled, "He was my brother, Rudraksh Shekhawat! And you're telling me you don't even know why you killed him?"
Rudraksh leaned forward slightly, his expression unchanging. "Did your brother consult you before making a deal with me? Did he ask for your permission before betraying me?" His voice was calm, yet it sent a shiver down the spines of those present.
But the man, consumed by fury, roared again, "Answer what I asked, Rudraksh Shekhawat!"
Before he could say another word, a bullet whizzed past his ear, so close that the sound itself left his ears ringing. A deafening silence followed. For a brief moment, the world around him seemed to fade as his senses dulled.
Rudraksh's men immediately stepped forward, prepared for any retaliation, while the opposition also moved into a defensive stance. But as soon as they saw the terrifying transformation in Rudraksh's eyesâhis usual icy-blue gaze now darkened with unrestrained furyâthey froze. No one dared to make a move.
Then, with an eerily blank expression, Rudraksh spoke, his voice low and menacing.
"I don't even tolerate my father's raised voice. What makes you think I'll tolerate yours?"
The man opened his mouth to retaliate, but before he could get a word out, Rudraksh's voice thundered through the air.
"I told you to lower your voice! I've listened to your nonsense long enough, but it seems getting more than what you're worth has made you forget who you're standing in front of."
His words sent an unmistakable chill through the man's spine. The power Rudraksh exuded was suffocating. Taking a deep breath, Rudraksh leaned back slightly before continuing in an almost casual tone.
"I took my diamonds back from your brother, but there are still some weapons in his possession. I want them back, no matter what. You have two days. If you return them with respect, then fine. If not..." His voice darkened. "Then you'll witness a side of Rudraksh Shekhawat that I truly don't want to show you."
With that, he fixed the man with a deadly stare. But instead of cowering, the man suddenly let out a sarcastic laugh.
"Rudraksh Shekhawat acts like such a respectable businessman, doesn't he?" he taunted. "What if I rip off that mask of yours? What if the world finds out about your dirty secrets?"
Rudraksh didn't react immediately. He simply studied the man in silence, his gaze cold and unreadable. Then, in a blink, he was no longer seated.
The next second, he was standing directly in front of the man, his presence suffocatingly close.
Rudraksh's voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.
"If you put as much effort into thinking as you do running your mouth, it would actually impress me. But in your eagerness to come after me, you're losing sight of your own goals. And trust me... once you realize what kind of fire you're playing with, it'll be too late."
With those final words, Rudraksh turned and walked away with firm, purposeful strides. His trusted right-hand man, Max, followed closely behind.
As they approached the car, Max opened the door for him but hesitated before speaking.
"Don't you think you're being too lenient with them?" Max asked carefully. "He directly warned us. And if he actually follows through with his threatâ"
Before he could finish, Rudraksh shot him a sharp look, scanning him with those intense eyes. Then, with an unsettling calmness, he stated, "I think I made a mistake appointing you as my manager."
Max's head snapped up in alarm. But before he could respond, Rudraksh's voice lashed out with cold authority.
"I despise people who fear others. And I especially hate it when my own chosen men turn out to be cowards. Start looking for a new manager. You don't deserve this position anymore."
He took a step forward, but Max suddenly muttered, "Sorry... I only said it because I'm worried about you."
He hesitated before adding, "He won't hand over the weapons easily. And honestly, I think you should handle this now instead of waiting for two days."
Rudraksh paused. Then, for the first time, a flicker of somethingâperhaps amusement, perhaps approvalâcrossed his face. Placing a firm hand on Max's shoulder, he said, "Just calm down, Max. You still don't know Rudraksh Shekhawat well enough."
With that, he got into the back seat and leaned his head against the car's interior.
"Take me to the office," he ordered, his voice final.
And with that, the car sped off, disappearing into the night.
Shekhawat Industries
Sofia had been pacing around Rudraksh's cabin for what felt like an eternity. Her patience finally snapped, and there he wasâRudraksh's handsome face in her sight. She quickly walked toward him, frustration evident in her voice.
"Rudraksh, you said you'd meet me in the morning. Look at the time now! It's already five in the evening! And I heard there's a reception tonight tooâthat girl, again, so close to you? I can't tolerate this anymore! Why don't you understand?"
Rudraksh pushed Sofia away slightly and said, "Behave yourself, Sofia. I'm a workaholic. I don't wander around freely. So stop this nonsense right now, it's better for you. And how many times have I told you? Don't come into my cabin, especially when I'm not here. Don't."
Sofia, frustrated, snapped back, "Tell me clearly what I should do and what I shouldn't. Ever since that forced wife of yours entered the picture, your attitude has been getting worse! And you..."
She didn't finish her sentence as Rudraksh, now visibly angry, glared at her. "My mind is already messed up enough, Sofia. So don't push me further. I will be much worse if you do. I was about to leave for home, but I came here because of you."
Saying this, Rudraksh shot a final glare at her and turned to leave.
Jannat Villa
Haya was in the middle of a peaceful sleep when suddenly the door to her room swung open with a loud noise. Yet, her slumber remained undisturbed. Rudraksh walked straight into the bathroom. After a while, he came out, but Haya was still asleep. He sighed deeply, muttering under his breath, "I don't know what Dadu is trying to get back at me for. He put this on my head."
Rudraksh sat on the couch, staring at Haya intensely, as though scanning her. Noticing someone's gaze on her, Haya quickly opened her eyes and was met by Rudraksh's piercing blue stare.
Haya adjusted her clothes and asked, "When did you come?"
Rudraksh continued to scrutinize her, his voice low and dangerous, "Why, can't I come?"
Haya, irritated, said, "Stop this nonsense. What, did you meet your Sofia and then come here?"
At her words, Rudraksh took a few steps toward her and asked, "What's wrong? Are you jealous? Does it hurt to see your husband in someone else's arms?"
Rudraksh slowly closed the distance between them, and Haya's breath became uneven as his presence overwhelmed her.
What does Rudraksh want? What is the relationship between him and Sofia? Does he really love Sofia, or is there something more to it? To find out, read "The Devil's Sweet Sin."