The afternoon sun filtered through the sheer curtains of their bedroom, casting golden rectangles across the bed where Devika sat, carefully applying kohl to her eyes. Today was special. Today was his day.

She had spent hours preparing. The deep blue net saree lay draped across the chair beside her, shimmering like midnight water, practically transparent in the right light. The blouse that accompanied it was a work of sin backless, plunging, held together by the barest strings that would crisscross her spine and leave her skin bare to the waist. The neckline dipped dangerously low, designed to showcase what she knew he loved most.