The sun had barely risen over the Pratapgarh Haveli, but for Riya, the nightmare was just shifting gears. Her body was a map of violence—her breasts were purple with her Sasur’s teeth marks, her inner thighs were sticky with dried, crusty seed, and her Choot was throbbing with a dull, persistent ache. She hadn't slept a wink.

​Suddenly, the heavy doors of the guest room swung open. It wasn't Dev. It was her Saas Sumitra, followed by three other mature women—the Chachi Sasurani (Aunt-in-law) and two elder Nanads (Sisters-in-law). They didn't look at her with sympathy; they looked at her like a piece of livestock.