Marked By Darkness

Chapter 84- Threads of New Beginning

Ruhi's POV...

I woke up the next morning to find the bed empty. Ruhan was already gone, and a part of me felt relieved-I could start the day without any more teasing, at least for a few minutes.

After getting ready, I headed downstairs. I could hear faint voices coming from the drawing room. As I approached, I saw Ruhan seated with another man, both focused on a stack of papers spread across the coffee table. I tried to make sense of their conversation, but before I could pick up on anything, the man noticed me and smiled politely.

"Good morning, Mrs. Adamson."

Caught a bit off guard, I just nodded, murmuring a quiet, "Good morning."

Ruhan turned to look at me then, nodding as if finishing some point. "So, you understand everything?"

"Yes, sir," the man replied, then gave me a quick nod before gathering his papers and leaving.

The second he was out of earshot, I crossed my arms, looking straight at Ruhan. "Who was that, and what was he doing here?"

Ruhan looked up at me, casually tucking his hands into his pockets. "He's an employee from my office. Since I won't be going in for a few days, I had to hand over some work to him."

His explanation seemed straightforward enough, so I shrugged, deciding to let it go. But I realized I hadn't even had coffee yet. Before I could say anything, Ruhan looked at me, his eyes dancing with that teasing glint I was growing far too used to.

"Coffee?" he offered, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, please," I said, glad to get something warm.

But he smirked. "I think a 'towel girl' can make her own coffee."

My jaw dropped, and heat rushed to my face. Seriously?! I shot him a glare. "Ruhan! I swear I'll kick you out of this house if you keep that up."

He just chuckled, clearly not bothered by my empty threat, and headed to the kitchen.

---

Ruhan's POV...

A few minutes after finishing my talk with the office guy, my phone rang, flashing Elijah's name. I picked up, knowing he'd be asking about the first night.

"Everything alright, man?" he asked, though I could already hear the laughter in his voice.

"Not really, brother," I sighed. "She keeps threatening to kick me out of my own house."

Elijah burst out laughing, clearly delighted at my misfortune. "Congratulations, man! Now you're a proper husband." He chuckled harder, each laugh only making me shake my head.

I couldn't help but laugh a little too. "Alright, alright. I've gotta go. But thanks for the... 'support,' I guess."

Elijah's laughter continued even as I ended the call, and I looked over at Ruhi, who was still trying to hide her expression as she finished her coffee.

Ruhi's POV...

I glanced at Ruhan, who was just getting off the phone, and he looked at me with a smirk that said he'd heard every one of my complaints. He didn't say a word, just went back to his own coffee, leaving me there in frustrated silence.

_____

Just as I was pouring my own coffee, my phone buzzed with Anshi's name. I sighed, gripping the mug, knowing full well she was about to ask for every detail of my night.

"Good morning," I greeted, trying to keep my tone neutral.

"So," she began, her voice already filled with mischief. "How was your first night?"

I sipped my coffee with a sigh. "He's too annoying, Anshi. It's like his sole mission is to tease me every chance he gets."

"Teasing you? About what?"

I rolled my eyes, irritated just thinking about it, and before I realized what I was saying, the words spilled out. "Since he saw me in a towel, he's been on a nonstop teasing spree-"

I froze, my brain catching up to my mouth. Oh no. I bit my lip, my mind racing, but it was too late.

Anshi was silent for only a split second before she let out a loud, excited laugh. "Wait, hold on. Did you just say he saw you in a towel? Oh, Ruhi, there's no way I'm letting this go now!"

I groaned, wishing I could take it back. But Anshi was already making every implication she could, each laugh and teasing comment only adding to my embarrassment.

____

I was standing in the kitchen, scrolling through YouTube on my phone, searching for a lunch recipe that looked somewhat manageable. Cooking wasn't exactly my strong suit, and I'd never felt more out of my element. But as I watched the video and tried to follow the instructions, I could feel Ruhan's gaze on me from across the kitchen.

He walked over, his tone soft but direct. "Why don't you take a break? I can handle the cooking."

I shook my head, glancing down at the ingredients scattered across the counter. "I'm fine, really. I don't need to rest."

He hesitated, looking at me with genuine concern. "Ruhi, you fainted two or three times yesterday. You probably still feel a bit weak, and you need to rest."

His insistence caught me off guard, and I couldn't find the words to argue back. After a moment, I just nodded and turned away, heading to the drawing room, feeling both relieved and a little defeated. Standing by the window, I looked out at Anshi's house. I couldn't help but think about everything that had happened, the pieces of my life now scattered in ways I was still trying to understand.

After a while, Ruhan came back into the room, wiping his hands on a towel. "I've cleaned up your room," he said. "You can rest there now."

I nodded in response, appreciating his thoughtfulness even if I didn't show it. As soon as lunch was over, I headed to my room.

Later in Ruhi's Room...

Once in my room, I reached for my phone only to realize it was completely dead. I needed to charge it, so I started searching for my charger, looking in drawers, the nightstand, and finally the wardrobe. But as I opened the wardrobe doors, my eyes fell on my wedding dress, carefully hung up.

I stood there, the fabric soft under my fingers as memories came flooding back-the whirlwind of the wedding, every moment feeling surreal, how Sounak was on my mind even as I was pledging my life to someone else. There was pain in my chest at the thought of him, but then, other images filled my mind: the way Ruhan and I had agreed to go through with this together, how we'd stood before the priest, reciting vows that bound me to him, that made me Mrs. Adamson.

Then, unexpectedly, I remembered our kiss. The memory was strangely vivid-the warmth, the way he'd looked at me before it happened. Somehow, with everything that had followed, I had managed to forget about it until now. That kiss had sealed our vows, an act I'd brushed off in the chaos, but now it lingered in my mind, refusing to fade.

The memories grew heavier as I thought of what I'd lost-how that cursed bungalow had taken my mother's life, and how I was now part of this family, tied to this man and the legacy of that place. I could feel tears pressing at the corners of my eyes, a blend of pain and confusion swirling inside me.

Everything was changing so fast.