His Replaced Dhulhan || 18+ ✔

|36.| In forest

♡Double update today just because I'm feeling good & happy and because it's a short update.
BTW I have published my hook In love with beast. The blurb & trope are available. You can check them out.

Once we finish HRD, I will start publishing SS, and then shortly after that, I will publish ILWB. I will be working on both books together.

Now enjoy 😉

Vansh's pov

As I circled around the chair, my footsteps quiet on the forest floor, the dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy above cast eerie shadows on the trees. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and foliage, the sounds of the forest muted, as if nature itself was holding its breath in anticipation.

Arman sat rigid, his eyes fixed on me, his face pale and clammy. The trees seemed to close in around us, their branches tangling above, forming a natural amphitheater. The chair, a solitary sentinel, stood at the center of this clearing, a symbol of the reckoning that was to come.

The rustle of leaves and snapping of twigs underfoot served as a reminder that we were not alone, that the forest was a witness to the unfolding drama. The tension was palpable, the weight of Arman's karma manifest in the very atmosphere. I could feel the forest's energy aligning with mine, a symphony of consequence, as I continued my deliberate circling, the sound of my footsteps echoing off the trees.

As I spoke, my words dripped with a calm venom, each syllable precision-crafted to pierce Arman's soul. The forest seemed to grow quieter, the trees leaning in, as if to bear witness to the litany of his transgressions.

"So, let's see what you have done, okay," I began, my voice a low, even tone, devoid of emotion, yet laced with a hint of disdain. The words hung in the air like a challenge, a gauntlet thrown at Arman's feet.

His eyes darted wildly, as if searching for an escape route, but I continued, my words relentless, a slow-burning fire that threatened to consume him whole.

"First, you were about to be married to Kashvi, while you were so clear about continuing your habit of sleeping with other women when you were married to her." My gaze bore into his, the weight of his betrayal evident in the creases of my face.

Arman's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed hard, his eyes flashing with a mix of fear and guilt. The forest seemed to darken, as if the shadows themselves were closing in on him.

"Then, you came to our house and threatened her safety," I continued, my voice unwavering, the words dripping with disgust. "And then, you blackmailed her into divorcing me, and then...you brought her here, far from the safety of our home."

I paused, taking a deep breath, the silence between us a palpable thing, a living, breathing entity that pulsed with tension. The air seemed to vibrate with the weight of Arman's karma, the forest holding its breath in anticipation of the reckoning to come.

"That's enough to wipe off your existence from the world," I concluded, my voice a cold, calculated whisper, the words hanging in the air like a death sentence. The forest seemed to nod in agreement, the trees creaking softly, as if echoing the verdict.

Arman's words tumbled out in a desperate plea, his voice cracking as he uttered, "No, you can't kill your own brother." His body trembled, his eyes wide with terror, as if he knew he was staring into the abyss.

I smiled, a cold, calculated smile, my eyes glinting with a hint of malice. "True enough," I acknowledged, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "I can't kill my brother. Don't worry, I have my buddy to do that for me."

I raised my hand, and a low, piercing whistle cut through the air. The forest seemed to hold its breath as the sound of paws pounding against the earth grew louder. My leopard, a majestic creature with eyes blazing like embers, burst into the clearing, its fur rippling in the sunlight.

The leopard halted a few feet away, its gaze fixed on Arman with an unblinking stare, as if awaiting my command. Its tail twitched, a low growl rumbling in its throat, the sound sending a shiver down Arman's spine.

The leopard's presence seemed to amplify the tension, its eyes burning with a fierce intensity that made Arman's fear spike. He sat frozen, his eyes darting wildly between me and the leopard, his face pale and clammy.

I stood tall, my eyes never leaving Arman's, my voice dripping with menace. "You see, Arman, I have no qualms about getting my hands dirty. But sometimes, it's better to let others do the dirty work for me." The leopard's ears perked up, as if sensing its cue. Arman's eyes widened, his breath coming in short gasps, as he realized his fate was all but sealed.

My words hung in the air like a lifeline, a glimmer of hope in the darkness that had enveloped Arman. His eyes, once wide with terror, now sparkled with a desperate longing, as if clinging to the promise of redemption.

"Say sorry, Arman," I repeated, my voice firm but measured, "and I might consider leaving you." The forest seemed to hold its breath, the only sound the soft rustling of leaves and the heavy breathing of the leopard, its eyes still fixed on Arman like a predator ready to pounce.

Arman's gaze locked onto mine, his eyes pleading for mercy, his face etched with a mix of fear and contrition. His lips parted, and a barely audible whisper escaped, "I...I'm sorry." The words trembled, like a leaf in an autumn breeze, as he struggled to find his voice.

My voice cut through the air, a cold, detached command, "Attack, Leo." The leopard sprang into action, its muscles rippling beneath its sleek coat as it pounced on Arman. The sound of snarling and growling filled the air, accompanied by Arman's terrified screams.

Leo's claws extended, its eyes blazing with a fierce intensity, as it pinned Arman to the ground. Arman's arms flailed wildly, his face contorted in a mixture of fear and pain, as he begged for mercy. But I stood unmoved, my eyes fixed on the spectacle before me, my jaw clenched in a fierce resolve.

"I will never forgive anyone who harms my wife," I declared, my voice low and menacing, the words dripping with a deadly intent. The forest seemed to darken, as if the very trees themselves were absorbing the malevolent energy that radiated from me.

Leo's snarls grew louder, its teeth bared, as it leaned in closer to Arman's trembling form. The air was heavy with the scent of fear and sweat, and I could feel the weight of my wrath bearing down upon me, a crushing force that threatened to consume us all.

As Leo finished his task, he trotted back to me, his tail swishing behind him, a triumphant smile spreading across his face. His eyes gleamed with a fierce pride, as if to say, "I protected our family, I did what was right." I reached out, my hand extending in a gentle gesture, and patted his head, the soft fur a comforting sensation beneath my palm.

Leo's eyes locked onto mine, shining with an unwavering loyalty, his gaze filled with an unspoken understanding: we were a team, a family, united against any threat that dared to harm our own. I felt a surge of gratitude and affection for this majestic creature, my loyal companion, my protector.

Together, we began our journey out of the forest, Leo leading the way, his senses on high alert, ever vigilant for any potential danger. I followed closely behind, my heart still racing from the adrenaline of the confrontation, my mind reeling with the aftermath of Arman's betrayal.

As we walked, the forest seemed to grow quieter, the trees looming above us like sentinels, their branches creaking softly in the breeze. I knew that the cleaning crew would take care of Arman's remains, erasing all evidence of his existence, leaving no trace of the harm he had sought to inflict on my wife, on our family.

Leo's presence beside me was a reassuring comfort, a reminder that I was not alone, that I had a loyal ally who would stop at nothing to defend our loved ones. I reached out, my hand brushing against his fur, a silent thank you for his unwavering loyalty, for being my rock, my protector, my friend.