ENCHANTED - BY INNOCENCE (ongoing)

50

Someone asked me in the last chapter on how I made my book cover, sorry couldn't find the exact comment, but I used bookbrush (the free version)

Target for next chapter: 1410 votes and 725 comments

Also read some of your feedback in the last chapter and am gonna adopt it, thanks for the inputs haha.

This chapter has 2778 words and ends with a question so make sure you read till the end. 

*** Vinod ***

I was combing my hair in front of the mirror, getting ready for work, when I heard the soft chime of Shanthi's anklets. For the first time today, she was walking toward me.

This morning, she had already been in the kitchen by the time I woke up. When I tried approaching her, I almost felt her hands tremble, so I refrained, deciding to give her space. But now, seeing her take slow, hesitant steps toward me, hope stirred within me.

"Tea," she said quietly, setting the cup on the table before turning to leave.

"Shanthi, wait," I called out.

She stopped in her tracks but didn't turn back.

"Shanthi," I walked around to face her. "Sweetheart, that bag contains classified evidence. Even losing the tiniest bit of it could get us both in serious trouble. That's why I asked you to stay away, and that's also why I reacted the way I did."

Her gaze met mine, wavering as though she wanted to speak but remained silent.

"I know," I continued, my voice softer, "I should've handled it differently. I should've been gentler... It's just that... these days, I've been dealing with bad people, being strict all the time, and I guess... it just came out as a natural tendency."

I searched her tear-filled eyes, pleading for her to talk. And then, she suddenly stepped forward and hugged me, her shoulders trembling.

"I was..." she sobbed, "I was so scared when you spoke to me like that, Vinnu." Her words were shaky, spilling out between sobs. "It felt like you were someone else entirely. I didn't know which version of you was real... I got so scared—terrified, thinking one wrong move could bring out that devil in you. That you'd... drag me into the torture room and decide my fate."

"No, no, sweetheart," I whispered, pulling back and cupping her tear-streaked cheeks. "I would never do that."

"I know," she choked out, "I know how silly it sounds. But in that moment, it felt real..." She wiped at her tears. "I'm sorry for snooping. I promise I won't do it again, but please, Vinnu, don't ever show me that side of you again."

"I won't," I promised, holding her trembling hands.

"And," she hesitated, "please spend more time with me, like you used to before. Don't stay out so late for work. Don't rush off every morning. Don't stop putting alta on my hands or asking me to pin your badges. I know work is important, but... I feel so lonely, Vinnu, and unloved, like you've abandoned me."

"Shhh," I interrupted as guilt clawed at my chest.

I wasn't overworking. I was spending time in the torture room—choosing violence over my wife.

"From today, everything will change," I said with conviction. "I'll come home on time. I'll eat dinner with you, talk to you, play with the statues, kiss you, and make love to you."

She looked down, blushing at the last two words, and I gently lifted her chin.

"Is there anything else, my love?" I asked softly.