Shadow of redemption

Past

Hello everyone welcome to the new chapter ☺️☺️☺️

Aaravi sat upright in her hospital bed, her hands clenched into fists as she waited. Her heart was pounding, not from weakness, but from the storm raging within her. When the door creaked open, and Rakshit stepped inside, she felt a mix of pain and longing rise to her throat.

Rakshit, with dark circles under his eyes and a haunted expression, hesitated before walking to her side. His usual aura of confidence was replaced by something broken, something desperate.

"You wanted to see me?" he began softly, his voice laced with hope and fear.

"Yes," Aaravi said, her tone steady but cold. "I needed to face you. To ask you why."

Rakshit looked confused. "Why what?"

"Why did you keep me in the dark?" she snapped, her emotions spilling over. "You had my heart, Rakshit, but you didn't trust me with the truth. You hid everything-your life, your enemies, your darkness."

He closed his eyes briefly, his shoulders sagging. "I wanted to protect you, Aaravi. My world is dangerous. I couldn't bear the thought of it tainting you."

"And yet, it still did," she countered, her voice trembling. "Your lies, your secrets-they destroyed the very thing you claimed to protect."

Rakshit's breath hitched. "I was scared. Scared of losing you. Aaravi, I've lost everyone I ever loved."

Her gaze softened for a moment, sensing the raw vulnerability in his voice. "Tell me."

He hesitated but then began, his voice heavy with grief.
"I grew up in a house that was no home. My father was a tyrant, a man who ruled with violence. He didn't just hurt me-he destroyed my mother, too. She spent years trying to shield me, enduring his wrath until one night... she couldn't anymore." His voice broke, but he forced himself to continue.

"She was gone, Aaravi. And I was left with nothing but rage and scars. I vowed to take control, to never be powerless again. That's how I became... this." He gestured to himself, his eyes hollow

Aaravi's eyes filled with tears as he continued. "I swore never to be that powerless again. I built my empire, brick by bloody brick. And then you came into my life-a beacon of light. I didn't deserve you, Aaravi, but I couldn't let you go."

She shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. "But you lied, Rakshit. You made me believe in a version of you that wasn't real. How can I trust you again?"

Rakshit dropped to his knees beside her bed, his voice breaking. "I'll do anything, Aaravi. Anything to earn your trust back. But please, don't shut me out."

She turned away, her voice cold but trembling with vulnerability. "I need time. Space. To process all of this."

Rakshit stood, his heart shattering. "I'll wait, Aaravi. However long it takes, I'll wait."

As he turned to leave, Aaravi's hand twitched as if to reach for him, but she stopped herself. She clutched her chest, torn between the love she still felt and the scars his betrayal had left.
The door closed behind him, leaving both of them drowning in their oceans of pain and regret.

As Rakshit left, Aaravi's resolve wavered. Her heart ached, but her mind knew she needed to reclaim her strength before making any decisions.

The hospital buzzed with the morning routine as disguised guards maintained a watchful presence. Aaravi lay in her room thinking about Rakshit, oblivious to the danger lurking in the shadows. Unbeknownst to her, an assassin entered the hospital premises under the pretence of being a staff member.