His Bleeding Rose

RACETRACK

I came back late from the drive with Bhabhi and went to sleep as I was really tired. I woke up late in the morning.

The house was silent, so silent that the ticking clock felt louder than it should. Adhiraj hadn't come home since I told him what happened that day.

I expected him to storm in by now, full of rage, accusing me of everything wrong in his life, like he always did. But there was nothing. No anger. No calls. No messages. It felt strange, wrong even.

I knew he must have found out about the deleted data of his company. I was sure of it. Yet, there was no blame. No reaction. It wasn't like him, and that made the waiting unbearable.

I decided to stop thinking about it. I needed to get to my meeting. I grabbed my purse and was about to leave when the door creaked open. I froze, turning sharply.

Adhiraj stood there.

He looked... broken. His hair was messy, his eyes red and tired, as if he hadn't slept all night. His steps were slow, heavy, and then, to my shock, he stopped in front of me and fell to his knees.

I stood still, staring at him. My heart raced, but I didn't move. I didn't rush to help him or tell him to stand. No, he deserved this. He deserved to kneel and beg.

His hand shook as he reached for something at his side. My eyes widened when I saw the gun.

He held it out to me.

"Kill me,Rani saa" he said, his voice cracking. "Kill me for everything I've done to you. For what I've done to your image. For being a bastard who didn't trust you. Who thought you betrayed me."

I didn't respond, my eyes fixed on him as he continued.

"I was wrong. So wrong. I thought you cheated on me, that you betrayed me with Anirudh. But you... you killed him. And I—like a fool—I searched for him like a madman, thinking he was alive. I should have never left you. I should have trusted you. Instead, I let my doubts win. I brought that day back into your life I let you face Mahima. I made you relive your pain."

His voice cracked, tears falling freely down his face. "I'm not asking for forgiveness. I don't deserve it. I don't deserve you. Destroy me. Ruin my life, take everything I have—my name, my company—but don't leave me. Please, don't leave me. Even when I thought you betrayed me, I couldn't let go of you. I love you, Rani Sa. I've always loved you."

I laughed bitterly, the sound harsh in the quiet room.

"Rani Sa?" I said, my voice cold. "Now I'm Rani Sa? Where was this respect when I wasn't even allowed to attend your coronation? While that woman—Sarah—stood beside you, pretending to be your wife? The world thought she was your queen, and I was just... a mistress. And now, suddenly, I'm Rani Sa?"

I snatched the gun from his hands, the weight of it heavy and cold in my grip. I raised it, pointing it straight at his head.

He didn't flinch.