Now, Kriti knew that the Thakur had been watching Sunil and her together since their wedding night and, as far as she understood, Sunil had given no protest. Whether the Thakur was present behind the mirror every time or not, on some level, her humiliation was already complete.

When Sunil came to their bedroom the next night, she did not go to him. Still, he called her to him, standing at the foot of their bed. She felt all too conscious of the ornate mirror looming over them. Upon touring their future chambers for the first time, she had raised a brow. Sunil had teased that once married, they could have that indulgence in the sanctity of their space. Sanctity indeed.