- AUTHOR'S POV -

Chaya adjusted the pleats of her wine and gold saree for what felt like the hundredth time, her fingers moving with practiced perfection as the rich fabric hugged her frame elegantly, the golden embroidery catching the soft light of the room and making her look nothing short of breathtaking. She stood before the mirror, her reflection staring back at her—a woman adorned like a queen, every detail flawless, from the delicate jewelry resting against her skin to the subtle kohl lining her eyes, enhancing their quiet depth. Anyone who saw her tonight would call her beautiful… stunning, even. And she was. But as her gaze lingered on her own reflection, there was something painfully absent—something no amount of makeup or silk could conceal. Happiness. It simply wasn’t there.