𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐈𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 || 𝟏𝟖+

𝟒𝟕. 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐚?

About half an hour later, the car pulled up in front of the mansion. Aarini had curled up against my chest, fast asleep, her exhaustion palpable in the way her body pressed into mine, soft and warm. The gentle rhythm of her breathing was a stark contrast to the storm brewing inside me. Outside, the managers had already stepped out of the car, their eyes averted, waiting for us to emerge.

I draped my blazer over her delicate shoulders, the fabric swallowing her petite frame as I carefully lifted her into my arms. As soon as I stepped out of the car, all the managers and guards bowed their heads in respect, their eyes never daring to meet mine.

Holding her close, I walked towards the lift, the weight of her in my arms a grounding presence. We reached our room, and with a gentle nudge of my foot, the door swung open. Inside, I laid her down on the bed, the softness of the mattress embracing her as I switched on the lights and drew the curtains around the bed, enclosing us in a cocoon of privacy.

I stood there for a moment, watching her peaceful face, a stark contrast to the turmoil in my chest. Then, I turned and made my way to the bathroom, needing the heat of the shower to wash away the tension coiling in my muscles. The hot water pounded against my skin, but it couldn't drown out Aditya's words, echoing in my mind like a curse. Those words had shattered something inside me, a vulnerability I despised. Fear-an emotion I rarely allowed myself to feel-clawed at me. The need to find the man who had dared to touch Aarini that night was a fire burning in my veins.

I finished the shower, my resolve hardening like steel as I stepped out of the bathroom. Grabbing my phone from the table, I dialed Kaden's number, my voice cold and unyielding as I gave the order. "Find the man who dared to lay a hand on my wife that night. Find him, and make sure he's in pieces-dissolve those pieces in acid."

Ending the call, I walked over to the bed, lifting the curtains as I lay down beside her. She was still sleeping soundly on the other side of the bed, oblivious to the storm raging within me.

I reached out, turning off the lights, and then slid my hand around her waist, pulling her close to my chest. Her warmth seeped into me, a calming balm to my frayed nerves.

Even in her sleep, she turned towards me, her hand instinctively searching for my abs. I couldn't help but smile as I guided her hand to my stomach. She began nuzzling against my chest, her fingers tracing the lines of my muscles. The feel of my scent, the solidity of my body-these were the only things that could lull her into true peace.

This was her sanctuary, the one place where she felt safe. A world I had built just for her, where nothing could touch her. Not the darkness of our world, not the demons that lurked in the shadows. Here, she was mine, and I was hers.