Amir

“Listen,” she said firmly, “I’m not Sanya. She’s my twin sister. How do you even know her? Apnd why are you behaving as if you have a right to claim her?”

Her words hit like a blow.

Twin sister?

I stared at her, my mind racing. My pulse thundered. Twin sister? No. Impossible.

She was lying. She had to be lying.

“You’re her twin sister?” I repeated slowly, my voice a low growl.

“Yes,” she said, steady despite the tension between us. “I’m Suhana. Now tell me—how do you know her?”

I watched her carefully—every flicker of emotion, every subtle shift. Her confusion looked genuine. Too genuine.

For a moment—just a heartbeat—I doubted myself. But no.

No, this was her game. Her lie. Her way to escape me again.

My jaw tightened. “We… knew each other well,” I said quietly. Too well.

Something flickered in her eyes then—hurt, shock, something she couldn’t hide.

For a brief instant, guilt touched the edge of my fury. And then it vanished, consumed by something darker.

"You said you both had something... When? Where? " She asked me.

"In my country," I said still looking at her. Could not decide whether she was lying or not.

"She didn't tell you about me?" She asked when she saw that I was confused.

She was good at pretending. She had always been good at pretending.

" You are lying, there is no twin sister," I said.

" Ask anyone here."

“Then where is she?” I demanded, stepping closer. “Where is Sanya?”

She blinked rapidly, almost taken aback by the force of my words. “I really don’t know. She was supposed to come to the engagement, but she didn’t turn up. Please, enjoy the evening. I have nothing else to say.”

She turned to leave, graceful even in retreat.

But I couldn’t move. Her scent clung to me, her voice echoed in my head. My heart pounded in a rhythm that didn’t belong to logic, or reason, or control.

But the storm inside me refused to die. Her words, her beauty, her audacity—it was more than I could bear.

My obsession, my hunger, my claim.

Her words—her calm, her denial—fueled something wild inside me.

Jealousy. Possession. Rage. Desire.

Everything I had buried for years came crashing back to life.

She could walk away now.

But this time, I wouldn’t let her disappear again.

Not until I knew the truth.

Not until I had claimed what still haunted me.

I walked toward the corner of the palace where Dr. Vikram Singh Rathore was speaking with some of his guests. The energy around him was calm, almost regal, unlike the storm boiling inside me, my mind still reeling from what I had seen moments ago. I needed clarity. I needed answers.

I couldn’t let this go. That girl—she had stirred something I couldn’t ignore. I had to know who she was, and whether she had any connection to Dr Vikram Singh Rathore.

Dr. Vikram noticed me approaching and raised an eyebrow, his polite smile in place.

“Dr. Rathore, heartiest congratulations to you and your family!!” I began, keeping my tone measured, polite.

“Sheik Amir,” he greeted, bowing slightly. “It’s an honor that you came despite your busy schedule.”

“The honor is mine,” I said smoothly, my tone calm, but my eyes never left the crowd. “May I have a word with you, privately?"

He looked at me with his usual calm, almost regal composure. “Of course, Sheik Amir. What can I do for you?”

We moved to a quieter alcove near the courtyard. I kept my gaze steady, but my thoughts were racing. 'She was here. Dancing, laughing, untouched by my presence, as if I didn’t exist. And yet, I couldn’t get her out of my mind.'

I gestured subtly toward the crowd. She was right there dancing with that tall handsome man who was looking at her as if he owned her. “That girl... there. Do you know her?”

Vikram’s eyebrows lifted slightly. His voice was measured, polite, but his curiosity was clear. “I do… but may I ask why you want to know?”

“I think... I know her, I think I have seen her somewhere before. Is she a photographer? I believe she came to our country. My sister and she had become good friends, but after her wedding and Zayden’s death, we… we cut off from the world. Now, as we attempt to return to normalcy, I would like to reconnect. She is blessed with a baby girl, and I think my sister would be delighted to get in touch with her.” I said, choosing my words carefully, softening the edge of authority that often made people wary. “Is this girl a photographer?"

Vikram studied me for a long moment, then nodded slowly, as if considering my intentions. “Ah… yes. I believe I know who you mean. But the girl you are speaking of is not exactly who you think."

I tilted my head, wary. “Not who I think?”

He nodded, his voice calm and careful. “You must be talking about Sanya. The girl you just saw—she is her sister, Suhana.”

I blinked. “Are you sure? She seemed… familiar, somehow. But the resemblance was striking. She looks exactly like that photographer girl.” I asked, my heart thudding.

Dr Vikram gave me a small, assured smile. “Of course. I am sure. She is my niece. Her mother is my first cousin. And both the sisters are mirror images of each other, they are identical twins."

"She is your niece?? Then you must be knowing her well... I was worried about her friendship with..."

" Oh, if your sister was friends with her and you are worried about her intentions, let me assure you, the girls are really very good. They are family, Amir. You needn’t worry about her intentions or character.”

I nodded slowly, masking the storm of relief, suspicion, and desire inside me. “Her parents?” I asked, needing confirmation.

Vikram smiled gently. “They are well-respected, filthy rich, and honorable. She is no gold digger, as you might suspect. In fact, her dad is the real estate king of Rajasthan, and also active in politics, her mother, my cousin, is a Royal princess. They are as rich as I am."