It was the last hour of the night, but Aysha could not sleep at all. She sat on the cold floor exactly where Awais had left her. The loud ticking of the big wall clock felt like it was competing with her racing heartbeat. She wiped her tears, stood up, and picked up the tragic photos from the bed again. She looked closely at them, trying to remember her father’s face. Her father was a kind, gentle man who could never even hurt an ant. Was he really responsible for someone's death?

"No. Something is missing here," Aysha whispered to herself. "Even if my father did this, I will find out the real truth."

When the morning sun rose, a soft light filled the room. Aysha went to the bathroom and washed her face. In the mirror, her face looked pale and exhausted, but her eyes showed a strong determination. She walked back into the room and took off her heavy wedding veil so she could move around easily.

At exactly eight o'clock, she heard the sound of the door unlocking. Aysha immediately stood up straight.

The door opened, but it was not Awais. An older woman walked inside. Her face had no expression, and she was holding a simple blue dress and a breakfast tray.

"My name is Amina. Sir told me to give you these clothes. Change your dress and eat your breakfast. You have to come downstairs in one hour," the woman said in a cold voice, placing the tray on the table.

"Where is Awais?" Aysha asked.

Amina stared at her angrily, as if Aysha had made a big mistake. "No one is allowed to take Sir's name in this house. Call him 'Sir'. He is waiting for you downstairs. Don't be late; he hates waiting." After saying this, she walked out and left the door open.

Aysha quickly changed into the dark blue dress. It was very simple with no design. She did not touch the breakfast. Her throat was dry from fear and curiosity. She took a deep breath and walked out of the room.

Awais’s house was huge, like a dark castle. Black-suited guards with big weapons were standing at every corner. As Aysha walked down the grand stairs, she saw a very large dining hall.

Awais was sitting alone at the long table, reading a newspaper and drinking coffee. Today, he was wearing a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, showing the dark tattoos on his strong arms.

Hearing her footsteps, he put the newspaper down and fixed his sharp, dark eyes on Aysha's face.

"Sit down," Awais commanded, pointing to the chair across from him.

Aysha sat down without saying a word. She refused to look down this time.

Awais took a sip of his coffee and spoke coldly, "Amina told me you didn't eat breakfast. If you are going on a hunger strike to get my sympathy, you are wasting your time. There is no place for weak people in my world."

"I am not here for your sympathy," Aysha said clearly and loudly. "And I am not scared of your threats anymore. I only want to know one thing. If my father killed your brother, why didn't you go to the police? Why did you kidnap me?"

A dangerous smile appeared on Awais's face. He stood up from his chair and walked slowly until he was standing right behind Aysha. He placed his heavy hand on her shoulder, making her whole body freeze.

"The police?" Awais laughed darkly near her ear. "Aysha, you are forgetting whose house you are in. I am Awais Sikhndar. I write the law in this city, and I erase it. A few years in jail is not enough punishment for what your father did."

He turned her face forcefully to look at him. "Your work starts today. Remember, you are not the queen of this house. Amina will tell you what to do. If you make even one mistake, your father will pay the price."

Awais turned around and began to walk out of the hall, but he stopped at the door. "And one more thing... some special guests are coming tonight. I want you to act like a perfect, loving wife in front of them. If anyone suspects that this marriage is forced, the next photo you find on your bed will be your father's dead body."

He walked away, leaving Aysha completely alone in the huge hall. She now faced a new challenge—acting like a loving wife to a monster, while secretly searching for the truth in this dangerous house.

The evening came very quickly, and the big mansion became extremely busy. Amina brought a beautiful, expensive black saree for Aysha.

"Wear this and get ready," Amina said coldly. "The guests are arriving in one hour. Remember Sir’s warning. Do not make any mistakes."

Aysha looked at the black saree. It felt like another trap, but she had no choice. She had to save her father’s life. She got ready, styling her long hair and putting on dark makeup. When she looked in the mirror, she looked beautiful, but her eyes were filled with silent determination. She was going into the enemy's territory, and she had to play her role perfectly.

When she walked down the grand stairs, she saw the main hall filled with wealthy and powerful people. Awais was standing in the middle of the room, talking to some men in suits. He looked incredibly handsome and commanding in his dark tuxedo.

As soon as Awais saw Aysha, his eyes locked onto her. He walked over to the stairs, took her delicate hand, and placed it on his arm. His grip was firm, which was a silent reminder of his power.

"Smile, my sweet wife," Awais whispered in a dangerously low voice, smiling for the crowd. "The world is watching us."

Aysha forced a beautiful smile onto her face. "I am playing my part, Awais. Just make sure you keep your promise about my father."

For the next two hours, Aysha acted like the happiest bride. She laughed at the guests' jokes and stood close to Awais. The guests whispered about how deeply in love the cold Mafia Don seemed to be with his new wife. Awais played along smoothly, occasionally brushing his fingers against her cheek or holding her waist closely. To the world, they were perfect. But between them, there was only pure ice.

Suddenly, the large double doors of the mansion flew open with a loud bang. A cold wind rushed into the hall, and the music stopped instantly.

A tall man stepped inside. He was wearing a grey suit, and he had a deep scar running down the side of his face. He had a cruel, mocking smile. As soon as this man entered, the guards in the room immediately reached for their guns. The atmosphere became deadly quiet.

Aysha felt Awais’s body go completely rigid. His hand gripped her arm so tightly that it bruised. His eyes turned red with pure fury.

The man with the scar walked slowly into the center of the room, looking directly at Awais.

"Awais Sikhndar," the man laughed darkly. "You threw a grand wedding party and you didn't even invite your old partner? That hurts my feelings."

Awais stepped in front of Aysha, shielding her behind his broad shoulders. His voice sounded like a growling beast. "Zayn. You are a brave man to walk into my house alive. You know what I do to traitors."

Zayn laughed out loud, completely unafraid of the weapons pointed at him. He looked past Awais's shoulder and fixed his eyes directly on Aysha. His smile grew wider, full of a terrible secret.

"Oh, I am no traitor, Awais. But I see you have married Aysha Khan," Zayn said, his voice dripping with malice. He then looked straight at Aysha and said, "Tell me, little bride... does your new husband know the real truth? Does he know that your 'gentle' father did not kill his brother alone? Does he know that your father was actually working for me five years ago?"

Aysha’s heart stopped. She gasped, staring at Zayn in absolute horror.

Awais slowly turned his head to look back at Aysha, his eyes full of dangerous suspicion and shock. The entire hall was dead silent, waiting for the storm to break.