Aayna's POV
The morning after the function, the Rathore mansion was unnaturally quiet. Almost like it knew. Like the walls were holding their breath.
I was still at the top of the stairs, gripping the railing, too scared to go down. Last night had been overwhelming Maan bhaiya had smiled at me like always, but Rudra... Rudra Rathore had looked right through me.
His eyes were like fire. I didn’t even dare to glance at him twice.
Aarzoo di had hugged me tightly before she left for her room. “Tu meri chhoti behen jaisi hai, Aayna,” she'd whispered. “Yahan sab ke beech mein tu hi meri saans hai.”
She had looked tired though. Pale. Her feet slightly swollen. I offered to stay the night, but she insisted, “Nahi baby, tu rest kar. Kal milte hain.”
But now now everything was silent.
Suddenly, I heard hurried footsteps on the marble floor.
Thak! Thak! Thak!
Aarzoo di’s scream cut through the silence like a knife.
“AAHHH—AAH!”
I froze.
The world slowed down. I rushed forward, nearly tripping down the stairs as Rudra sir, Maan bhaiya, and two house staff ran toward the end of the hall.
Her body was there.
At the bottom of the stairs.
Crimson spreading around her head like a halo.
“AARZOO!” Rudra’s voice was raw. Broken.
I reached the edge of the staircase, my hands shaking. I couldn't move any further.
Everything blurred.
The next thing I knew, there were people. Screaming. Crying. The family doctor yelling instructions. The baby… he was crying too. Loudly.
But Aarzoo di wasn’t moving.
Not even a little.
Maan bhaiya picked up the baby, tears streaming down his face. “Di… wake up… please…”
I covered my mouth.
No.
No no no.
This isn’t happening.
Then came the whispers.
“She fell?”
“Was she pushed?”
“There was poison found in her tea”
My knees gave out.
I didn’t even realize I had started crying until someone grabbed my arm and yanked me up.
Rudra Rathore.
His face was a mask of rage and betrayal.
“You did this.” His voice was low. Cold. Deadly.
I couldn’t even breathe. “N-no… I didn’t”
SLAP.
My face burned. My ears rang.
“Maan trusted you. Aarzoo loved you,” he growled. “And you killed her?”
I stumbled back. My tears choked me. “I swear I didn’t please…”
“LOCK HER UP,” Rudra thundered.
Two guards dragged me away as I screamed for someone anyone to believe me.
But no one did.
Not even Maan.
---
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Only His✔️
RomanceI thought monsters lived in nightmares. Then I met him. Rudra is powerful, feared, and impossible to defy. When he took me into his mansion, I thought it was to save me. I was wrong. His kindness hides chains. His touch burns like fire and freezes l...
