The heavy teak doors of the inner chamber clicked shut behind them, the sound echoing like a prison gate. The rest of the family had been dismissed with a single sharp look from Rajesh. Lakshmi had glanced once at Priya with trembling pity before Suresh pulled her away. Aryan had smirked but stayed silent. Tonight belonged only to father and daughter.

Rajesh’s big hand clamped around Priya’s slender wrist like a vice, dragging her deeper into the dimly lit room. A single oil lamp flickered on the low table, casting long shadows across the old four-poster bed that had seen generations of the same sin. The air smelled of sandalwood, sweat, and the faint metallic tang of fear.