Love or Life: Will Death Apart Us!?

15. he shot her!

𝘼𝙙𝙫𝙞𝙠𝙖'𝙨 𝙋𝙤𝙫

Destruction. That's what's happening right now-absolute, irreversible destruction. And it's all because of love. My love. Yes, I've realized that I love him so deeply, so desperately that I've done unthinkable things to protect him, even if it means shattering every ounce of trust he has in me. I'm a cheater in his eyes. A coward. A liar who can't speak the truth.

But the truth... the truth isn't just a simple confession. It's a ticking time bomb, a path that could lead to devastation. If this truth is revealed, it could destroy not just one life but many. Vidyut, my husband, my love, he can't know. Because if he does, everything we have, everything we've ever dreamed of, will be torn to shreds. But even so, I thought he would trust me. I thought his love for me would be strong enough to withstand my lies. I thought he would see through the pain, through the charade, and understand that I'm doing this to protect him.

But he doesn't. He blames me. Oh, how he blames me. His eyes that once gazed at me with warmth and tenderness now burn with hurt and rage. Where did our love go? Where did those endless promises disappear to? This house we built together, this life, is now engulfed in flames-literal flames licking at the walls around us, a reflection of the blazing fury between us.

The fire roars, spitting sparks that light up the darkness, but it's nothing compared to the inferno between us. Vidyut's hatred for me is almost tangible, but I know I deserve it. Or do I? Maybe I do. Maybe I don't. But the hatred I pretend to have for him? It's not real. It never was. It's the only shield I have left to protect him, and it's shattering piece by piece under the weight of his anger.

His eyes bore into mine, searching for something-hope, love, an answer I refuse to give. His voice cuts through the chaos, hoarse but desperate. "I know you're doing this for some reason, Advika. Some good reason. I just want to know what it is. Please, treasure, tell me the truth."

Treasure. That name. It used to melt me, used to make my heart skip beats and my soul dance. But now it feels like a blade, cutting into me, reminding me of everything I'm losing. The urge to run to him, to fall into his arms and pour out the truth, to beg for forgiveness, is overwhelming. But I can't. I won't. I swallow the lump in my throat, fighting the tears that threaten to spill.

He steps closer, his hands trembling. His face is etched with pain, his jaw clenched so tightly I'm afraid he'll shatter. "The truth, Advika. Just tell me the truth," he demands, his voice cracking.

I clench my fists, my voice shaking. "That's the truth, Vidyut. What you saw... it's true." The lie burns my throat like acid.

His hands come up to cup my face, and I flinch, but he doesn't pull away. His touch is so gentle, so heartbreakingly tender, and for a moment, I almost forget the guns we're holding, the fire surrounding us. My own gun slips from my grasp, clattering to the ground. He looks at me, eyes filled with love, hurt, and something deeper-something that makes me wish I could turn back time.

"Please, Advika," he whispers, his voice breaking. "You know I love you. Don't make me a monster. Don't make me into someone neither of us will recognize. Please."

His pain is suffocating, and my heart feels like it's being squeezed by a vice. My chest aches with the need to tell him everything. But I can't. I won't.

I take a step back, the flames growing hotter, the smoke thicker. "Vidyut, we have to get out of here. The fire-"

"No," he interrupts, his voice rising with desperation. "No, Advika. Either you tell me the truth, or we risk everything. Our love, our lives, everything we've built together. You know I'd never betray you. I know you said those things to hurt me, to push me away. I know you, Advika. I know you would never do something like this. But I need to know who he is. Why he's doing this to us."