Marked By Darkness

Chapter 92- The Last Adamson

Ruhi stood at the door of Ruhan's room, hesitating for a moment before knocking.
Inside, Ruhan called out, "Coming, Ruhi." He glanced up briefly, then returned his attention to his laptop.

As Ruhi entered, she noticed the faint glow of the screen reflecting on his face.
"Still awake?" she asked, crossing her arms.
"No," he replied flatly, "Just working."

Ruhi remained silent, observing him for a few moments. Then, she took a deep breath and asked, "Who are you, Ruhan?"

Ruhan froze, his fingers pausing mid-air above the keyboard. Slowly, he turned to look at her, confusion etched on his face.
"What do you mean?" he asked, his voice carefully measured.

"I mean, I want to know the man I married," she said firmly.

Ruhan blinked, caught off guard. "Didn't you marry me to save your life?"

Ruhi's frustration spilled over, her voice laced with sarcasm. "No, Ruhan. I married you to take revenge."

His eyes widened, disbelief flashing across his face. "Revenge?" he echoed, staring at her as though trying to decipher her words.

Ruhi's lips curved into a faint, bitter smile. "What? Did you think I'm weak? That I need your protection to save myself? That I need a family whose curse took my sister's life... and my mother's?" Her voice cracked slightly but held a sharp edge. "I'm not the helpless girl you think I am."

Ruhan shot to his feet, gripping her shoulders with both hands. "What are you saying, Ruhi? Have you lost your mind?" he demanded, shaking her lightly. "You don't need my protection-fine, you're strong enough, I get it. But revenge? Against whom? Tell me-who are you going to take revenge on?" His voice rose, frustration boiling over.

"Don't do anything that'll make things worse for us," he continued, his tone sharp. "Do you understand? Do you?"

Ruhi broke free of his grasp, glaring at him. "I want to know the truth, Ruhan. Who are you, really? Who are the Adamsons? And what are you hiding from me?"

The room fell silent, her piercing gaze demanding an answer. Ruhan stared back, his expression unreadable, but a flicker of something-fear, perhaps-flashed in his eyes before he looked away.

Ruhi's voice was steady but carried an undercurrent of anger and confusion. "I want to know about your family, Ruhan. Why is the Adamson surname so significant? Why does it carry so much power?"

Ruhan hesitated, his hands clenching into fists at his sides.

Ruhi pressed on, her words laced with unease. "Ruhan, I saw your grandmother today... in that bungalow. Before you arrived. She wasn't old-she looked young, vibrant, like she didn't belong in this time."

Ruhan's breath hitched, and his eyes widened in disbelief. "What?" he whispered, barely audible.

"She told me," Ruhi continued, "that the surname alone is enough. Enough for what, Ruhan?" She stepped closer, her voice trembling slightly. "How is this possible? Your grandmother is dead. So how did I see her? And what about your father? There's so much you're hiding. I need answers now, Ruhan."

Ruhan looked away, running a hand through his hair, his mind racing. The disbelief in his eyes softened into resignation. He exhaled deeply, knowing he couldn't avoid the truth any longer.

"It's... complicated, Ruhi," he began, his voice low. "But you deserve to know."

Ruhi crossed her arms, waiting.

Ruhan's expression hardened. He looked away, his jaw clenching as he struggled with the weight of his family's truth.

Ruhan took a deep breath, leaning against the desk as he finally spoke. His voice was heavy, burdened with truths he had avoided for too long.