24. one

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Hey everyone, sorry for the late updates. Here’s Chapter 24! I’ve already written Chapters 25, 26, and 27, but I’ll only post Chapter 25 if this one gets good votes. After several drafts, I’ve finally finalized this chapter. There’s a big plot twist ahead, so please don’t forget to vote for updates!

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Driti:

I'm sitting on the edge of my bed, my legs crossed, wearing my favorite brown trench coat over a beige turtleneck and wide-leg pants. I'm not usually one for going out, and honestly, I would've bailed if it was anyone else. But Vyaan said he was taking me somewhere special, and curiosity got the better of me.

He's different today. Like, really different.

It's not just in the way he looks at me-it's in his words. The way he told me to be true to myself, the way he comforted me without judgment. Every single word hit harder than I expected.

I didn't want to break down in front of him, of all people. I mean, he's the last person I ever wanted to see me vulnerable.

But he didn't laugh. He didn't judge. Instead, he made it feel safe-like it was okay to let my guard down around him.

And then there was the way he hugged me.

It wasn't one of those awkward, stiff hugs. No, this one felt different-warm, steady, like he was telling me it was okay to fall apart if I needed to. His arms wrapped around me, pulling me in close, and for a second, I forgot why I was so scared to let him in.

It was like he was silently saying, I've got you. And maybe, for the first time in a long time, I believed it.

Not even my friends tried. Not even my parents bothered to see the cracks beneath the surface. They all acted like I had it all together, like I didn't need anyone to notice the mess I was hiding.

But with Vyaan... it was different. He didn't have to say anything, didn't even need to try. He just saw me-the pain I've been carrying for so long, the weight I thought I was strong enough to bear alone.

And in that moment, I realized he saw more of me than anyone else ever did.

Eight years ago, we couldn't stand the sight of each other. We hated each other to the core. Every conversation was a battle, every look a challenge.

We were only thrown into this mess because of our parents, forced to marry for their sake, not ours.

Back then, I swore I'd never let him get close, that I'd keep my distance no matter what.

We were nothing more than two people stuck in a situation neither of us wanted.

But now... things aren't so simple.

𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐇 𝐎𝐅 𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐒: Reunited | Part 1Where stories live. Discover now