Chapter 1
"A signature can change a life. But whose life—mine or theirs?"
The air inside the classroom was thick, carrying the scent of ink, dust, and something else—something Shruti couldn't quite place. A strange heaviness pressed against her chest as she sat at her desk, staring at the document before her.
The ink on her signature was still fresh.
Why does it feel like I've done something irreversible?
A sudden gust of wind from the window ruffled the papers on the desk. The whispers of students around her faded into a distant hum as unease settled in her gut.
She didn't belong here. She felt it in her bones.
But it was too late now.
"Shruti Sekhawat… sweet. I love this name."
A voice sliced through the air, smooth yet chilling, each word stretched as if testing how her name felt on his tongue.
Her fingers stiffened around her pen.
Slowly, she turned toward the doorway.
A tall figure leaned against the frame, dressed in casual confidence, his lips curved in an almost-smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. His gaze locked onto hers, dark and unreadable, like a predator sizing up its prey.
Something about him was off. Not just unsettling—dangerous.
Sanju, standing beside him, chuckled, his usual carefree expression in place. "Shruti, meet Rohit. He's one of the best students in this program."
Best? Then why did his presence feel like a threat?
Rohit tilted his head slightly, his stare never wavering. "Aren't you going to say hello?"
Shruti swallowed, forcing her lips to part. "Hi."
A small flicker of amusement flashed in his eyes. As if he knew something she didn't.
Something cold slithered down her spine.
She didn't know why, but in that moment, she was sure of one thing—she had just walked into a game she didn't even know existed.