Ayaan, couldn’t leave her alone so he sat outside the bedroom, leaning on the wall and stayed awake through the night listening to Zara’s muffled sobs that only faded after hours. With every sob that escaped her, his heart clenched painfully, breaking a little more each time. In the morning he stood by the threshold, the weight of guilt pressing heavily on his chest. Closing his eyes, he drew a long, unsteady breath before forcing himself to face the reality he had created.
When he entered the room, his heart sank. Zara sat slumped against the wall, her head resting lifelessly to one side. Her hair was disheveled, her lips swollen and her cheeks stained with dried tears, a haunting reflection of the pain he had inflicted.
He froze, unable to move for a moment, the sight of her broke something deep inside him. Every instinct in him screamed to go to her, to pull her into his arms, to whisper apologies he didn’t know how to say. But he knew nothing would ever be the same again.
He couldn’t bear to watch her remain in that state. So, gathering what was left of his resolve, Ayaan decided to handle her in his own way and took a slow step toward her.
“I hope you slept well,” Ayaan said softly, kneeling before her with a faint, almost forced smile. He brushed his knuckles gently against her cheek but she flinched, instinctively turning her face away from his touch.
Ayaan froze and his heart shattered seeing her avoid him though he knew he deserved it. His hand moved to her chin, forcing her to look at him.
“Don’t… don’t ever do that, Zara ” he said in a low and rough voice.
For the first time, Zara met his eyes. The raw pain in them pierced straight through him, shattering every fragments of calm he had left.
“Don’t call me that,” she whispered, her voice trembled as she looked away.
Ayaan leaned closer and pressed a lingering kiss on her tear-streaked cheek. “Alright, Mrs. Ayaan, now let me help you. I’m sure you need it after last night.” he murmured and when he reached out to lift her, Zara scrambled back in fear, clutching the sheet closer to herself.
“No… don’t touch me. Please, just leave,” she pleaded, her voice breaking as fresh tears streamed down her face.
Ayaan’s jaw clenched. He trapped her against the wall, caging her between his arms, his breath brushing against her neck.
“Didn’t you confess last night that you love me? Why do you run from the man you claim to love? Or was it all a lie? what changed in a few hours, wifey ? ” he asked and his voice dropped to a whisper near her ear.
“Whatever it is, remember — I made it clear last night that once we started there would be no going back. And you gave me your consent. Now, let me take care of my wife ” he said and without giving her a chance to react, Ayaan scooped her into his arms.
Zara writhed in his arms, her sobs tearing through the silence as she pleaded, “Please… let me go, Ayaan. I can’t take this anymore.”
Ayaan leaned closer, pressing a soft kiss to her wet lashes. “Calm down, Whatever happens, don’t forget that we’re married, Mrs. Ayaan. There’s no going back now. We’ll play the happy, loving couple… and I’ll be the good husband who takes care of his wife.” he said and set her down carefully.
He walked to the jacuzzi and adjusted the water temperature, letting the warm stream fill the tub with gentle ripples.
“Finish your chores and I’ll be back in a while to help you bathe. Don’t even think about locking the door, this entire villa is under my control.” With that, he turned and walked out, closing the door gently behind him.
Outside, his gaze fell on the soiled sheets lying on the bed, and a sharp pain twisted his chest.
“Calm down, Ayaan. You need to take care of her and you can’t lose your mind. You need to find the people behind the blast “, he reminded himself, running a hand through his hair.
A few minutes later, when he tried to open the door, it was locked. He shook his head and with the master key he unlocked the door.
Zara startled as the door opened and clutched the sheet tightly around her trembling body.
“Too late, Mrs. Ayaan, I’ve already seen and worshipped every inch of you. If you test my memory, I’d pass with flying colors and sure I would deserve a reward ” he drawled, stepping inside
Ignoring her desperate protests, Ayaan swept her into his arms once again and carried her toward the jacuzzi. Without hesitation, he pulled the sheet away, leaving her bare before carefully lowering her into the warm water.
Zara shut her eyes tight, her hands clasped together in helpless surrender, “Please, I beg you… just leave me alone.” she whispered brokenly, her voice was barely audible.
” You are my wife……. Mrs. Ayaan. You shouldn’t be pleading with anyone, not even with me ” he said and wiped her tears.
” Scream at me or even hit me but don’t cry please ” he thought and quickly wiped the tears and forced a smile towards her.
” Now relax and I will leave you on your own…. only for a while ” Ayaan’s voice was deceptively soft as he pressed a firm kiss to her cheek and then walked out, leaving her alone.
He gathered the soiled sheets, stuffed them into a laundry bag and retreated to the guest room to change. Within minutes he returned to their bedroom dressed casually in a T-shirt and track pants. He glanced at the poster on the wall and stood in front of it.
“I won’t stop until I find and kill the last person involved in your death. I still have your photo, to provoke her. I hope she lashes out and picks a fight with me.” The words died on his lips the moment the closet door opened.
Zara stepped out, wrapped in a yellow saree. The pallu was pinned in a single neat pleat, her hair was still damp from the bath. For a fraction of a second she looked fragile and luminous. He moved to her quickly and she flinched but Ayaan caught her wrist and drew her close. Their bodies brushed and he rested his hands lightly on her shoulders.
“Wow, you look beautiful, Mrs. Ayaan. Makes me wonder if we should ever leave this room. No — I’ll let you rest a while. Tonight, though… I’ll devour you. For now, remember that the staff would have returned to their work. Be the happy, shy bride.” he said with a slow smile curving his mouth.
He interlaced their fingers and they walked out together. Ayaan tightened his hold on her hand and Zara, forcing herself into the role, gave him a small, practiced smile.
He pulled out a chair and sat beside her. The maids served the breakfast and Ayaan fed her the first bite. He leaned close, teasing, “Won’t you feed me, Mrs. Ayaan?”
Zara forced a smile and offered him a spoonful, acutely aware of the watching eyes. “You’re too good at acting and I love it,” He murmured into her ear and left a quick kiss at the shell of her ear.
They returned to the living room hand in hand and Ayaan noticed that a servant from the manor had arrived with Zara’s personal belongings from before the marriage. Zara instinctively stepped forward to take her things, but Ayaan’s hand tightened around her waist, stopping her.
He instructed the servant to place the boxes in their room and followed him upstairs. Zara’s pulse quickened, fear crawled up her spine. Her body began to tremble as silent prayers filled her mind.
“God, please… don’t let him open that box. I can’t let things get any worse between us. If he sees what’s inside, he might lose control again. Please, not now… I haven’t even recovered from last night.” She thought..
But fate was merciless. As soon as the servant left, Ayaan closed the door behind him and sat on the couch, his gaze fixed on the box like a predator eyeing its prey.
“Ayaan, please… they’re just my clothes and certificates, nothing else,” Zara pleaded, stepping closer.
Ayaan smiled and pulled her down beside him. “Calm down, wifey. Didn’t I tell you you wouldn’t get to keep a single thing of yours? Now don’t interrupt me, let’s see what you have. “
He opened the box and tossed her outfits one by one. Zara’s heart pounded in dread when his face turned into shock but she sighed in relief, when he picked up a black bra and twirled it on his finger with a teasing smirk. Her face flushed as she tried to snatch it from him, but Ayaan only winked and slipped it into his pocket before continuing.
When the first box was empty, he opened the next one and pulled out a few neatly arranged files.
“Good, Mrs. Ayaan. You were quite the good student.” he mumbled looking at her certificates.
He set the files carefully on the couch, then picked up her laptop and placed it beside him. Finally, he spotted a small box containing her handbag and mobile, the last remnants of the life she once called her own. Zara knelt on the floor, reaching for her handbag, but before her fingers could touch it, Ayaan snatched it from the box.
“Ayaan, that’s my handbag. Please give it back, It’s indecent to go through a woman’s personal things. You already have my laptop and mobile—please, just let me keep this one.” she said and her voice trembled.
She clutched the strap, trying to pull it from his grip, but Ayaan held firm. With a calm yet dangerous expression, he unzipped the bag and overturned it, spilling its contents across the tea table. Zara froze and her breath hitched, her heartbeat quickened, her palms grew cold as a small velvet pouch tumbled out.
“Ayaan, please… don’t open that…” she begged, her voice barely audible. Ayaan’s eyes narrowed as he picked up the pouch, ignoring Zara’s desperate whispers.
He loosened the drawstring and peered inside, his expression shifting instantly from curiosity to shock.
There, resting in his palm, was a familiar chain, the one he had lost years ago, on the night he saved a girl.
Zara shut her eyes tightly, then opened them again, terrified of what she might see. Ayaan’s eyes blazed red, fury burning in every vein as he examined the pendant and the diamond embedded within it.
“This… this is mine, how did you get this? Wait…..” his tone hardened, realization striking him like lightning. “Were you the girl I saved that night years ago?” he asked and his voice was low and dangerous.
Zara’s lips parted, but no words came. Her silence was answer enough.
In an instant, Ayaan’s rage erupted. He grabbed her by the throat and yanked her closer, his frustration seething beneath his skin.
“You’re the same girl I saved that night, now everything makes sense. It was all part of your plan to trap me, wasn’t it? You fooled me and stole my chain. Why did you take it? What’s your real motive? Answer me, damn it ” he growled.
Zara gasped, her fingers clawing weakly at his hand. Fear clouded her mind, but she forced herself to speak through trembling lips.
“I didn’t steal it… I swear, when I woke up that night, it was already in my hand. Please, Ayaan, believe me.” she pleaded, her voice breaking.
“Liar, I don’t believe a single word. Who’s behind you, Zara? What’s your real plan? Is it to kill me or someone else? Who is your target?” he roared.
His voice thundered through the room, his face twisted with fury, he looked nothing like the man she loved, but a monster consumed by rage.
Ayaan shoved her to the floor and stormed out, grabbing her mobile and laptop. He entered his study, his jaw tight and immediately called his CSO.
“Send someone to collect Zara’s laptop and mobile for investigation,” he ordered coldly before ending the call.
He poured himself a drink and standing by the window, he stared into the distance, lost in the storm of his own thoughts.
Moments later, one of the CSO’s men arrived. Ayaan handed over the devices to him, “I want the findings at the earliest,” he commanded, his tone sharp and unyielding.
The man nodded and left, leaving Ayaan alone again with his suspicions, his anger, and the haunting memory of the girl he once saved.
Zara sat on the bedroom floor, tears streaming down her face as she hit her forehead in despair.
“This is all my fault, I should’ve told him everything… maybe then he would’ve believed me. But I was so scared of losing him that I hid the truth. Why did he have to play with my heart for his revenge? Why did he have to destroy my peace? He took away the last bit of calm I had managed to hold on to.” she whispered brokenly.
Her gaze fell on her scattered clothes, the symbols of the chaos her life had become.
“He’ll hate me even more now, he must’ve already decided that everything was part of my plan to ruin him and his family… and I have no way to prove otherwise.” she thought miserably.
Her body trembled with exhaustion after a sleepless night. Finally, she curled up on the carpeted floor, her sobs fading into silence as weariness pulled her into a restless slumber.
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A/N:
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