Shiddat

Chapter 45

The soft glow of the bedside lamp bathed the room in warmth, and Ananya sat there, still, her thoughts swirling in a quiet storm. The night seemed to stretch on forever, heavy with the weight of everything that had happened. Her ankle still felt the soft pressure of the anklet Arjun had placed there, its cool metal against her skin reminding her of the quiet intensity in his touch. The kiss lingered on her skin, but more than that, it lingered in her mind, sending shivers through her every time she closed her eyes.

She ran her fingers lightly over the delicate silver, tracing its curves as if the simple gesture could somehow explain the whirlwind inside her. His kiss, so gentle on her ankle, still echoed in her mind. It wasn't just the intimacy of the moment that made her heart race—it was the understanding between them, the unspoken connection that seemed to surge between them in that brief, fragile silence. It felt like a promise—a quiet, unvoiced declaration that something had shifted, though she couldn't fully understand what.

For the first time, she wondered if this was truly the beginning of something new. Could this simple act of kindness—of vulnerability—really be the start of a deeper connection? Or was it just a fleeting moment, one that would slip away once the weight of their past and unspoken words returned?

Her gaze flickered toward him, his form stretched out beside her in the quiet space they had shared. He seemed at ease now, his breathing deep and steady, but she could sense something simmering beneath the surface. It was as though he was standing on the edge of something monumental, yet uncertain if he was ready to take the leap.

She reached out, her fingers finding his in the dark, tracing the strength of his hand in the quiet. The warmth of his skin sent a ripple of comfort through her, and she allowed herself to lean into him, feeling his steady presence as if it could ground her, as if it could give her the courage to say everything she had left unsaid. For the first time, she felt a spark of hope—a fragile thing, but there nonetheless.

Maybe, just maybe, this was the start of something they had both been waiting for. But only time would tell.

As time quietly unfurled in the stillness of the night, across town, another dark chapter was taking shape—one that threatened to unravel the fragile peace they had only just begun to understand.

As Adiraj sat alone in his study, Kartik's revelation echoed in his mind. Knowing that Arjun and Ananya's marriage had been arranged by their families—and that Ananya remained blissfully unaware of Arjun's ties to the underworld—was like a victory he'd long awaited. This truth was a weapon—a key to shattering the trust she'd placed in her husband. A cold, calculated smile flickered at the corners of his lips. His eyes gleamed with the thrill of knowing he held something that could unravel everything.

Adiraj's feelings for Ananya had always been complex—a blend of love, obsession, and possession. But in his eyes, love wasn't gentle or soft; it was fierce, consuming, and controlling. If he couldn't have her, he'd ensure her faith in Arjun was stripped away. He imagined the look on her face when she learned the truth—the disbelief, the hurt, the betrayal in her eyes as her world came crashing down. The thought, twisted as it was, pleased him. It was in these thoughts of her broken trust, her confusion, that he found the remnants of the twisted affection he still harbored.

He wondered if Ananya ever really understood the depth of his feelings. His love was sharp and possessive—always tugging at the strings of control. He had tried, but everything always circled back to ownership. To owning her. If he couldn't possess her, he would destroy her belief in Arjun. Make her see her husband for the man he truly was—the dark, dangerous figure Adiraj knew all too well.

In the dim glow of his study, Adiraj let his thoughts run wild. His fingers drummed against the edge of his desk as he considered every detail, every way he could plant the seeds of doubt in Ananya's heart. He knew her well enough to understand her hatred for deceit; even a hint of dishonesty would shake her trust. Slowly, carefully, he would unravel her confidence in Arjun, one thread at a time, until nothing remained but broken trust and bitterness.