𝐔𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞: 𝐀 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐓𝐨 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐲

Chapter 38

N I K S H A N T

She cried while hugging me, her fragile body trembling against my chest. Each sob broke something inside me. I could feel her pain seep into my bones, and my own eyes began to glisten with tears I didn't let fall.

I gently pulled her face away from my chest, cupping her cheeks, and wiped her tears with trembling fingers.

"Don't cry, Aaravi... you're safe now. You're home, with me," I whispered, my voice barely holding itself together as I caressed her face.

But then... my eyes fell on her neck.

Red marks. Bruises.

I slowly reached out and traced my fingers over them—soft, careful.

She flinched.

Her eyes met mine—haunted, scared, and vulnerable. I felt a lump in my throat. My heart clenched.

"What is this mark on your neck, Cherry?" I asked softly, though my insides screamed. I already knew. But I needed to hear it from her. I needed her to let it out.

"He... he touched me," she whispered, her voice broken, hollow, "he brought back all my worst memories by touching me..." she looked down, ashamed for something that was never her fault.

I couldn't take it. I pulled her into me again, my arms tightening protectively around her.

"I'm here," I murmured, over and over, placing gentle kisses on her temple, as if I could erase the horror with every touch.

"He will suffer, who dared to bring back those memories... who laid a single finger on you—he won't just regret it, he'll bleed for it. I'll make sure every breath he takes feels like a curse. For every tear you cried, he'll scream. And when he begs for mercy—I'll look him in the eyes... and make him wish he never touched you."I promised her, gently caressing her tear-stained cheeks.

She looked at me with those puffy, red eyes—so broken, so raw. Her lips trembled as if holding back another wave of pain, and her fragile hand clutched the collar of my shirt like I was her only anchor in the storm.

Without a word, I slipped my arm beneath her legs and around her shoulders, lifting her bridal-style from the bathroom floor. Her body curled into mine like she was afraid to let go.

I carried her to the bed, my hold gentle yet firm, and laid her down like she was made of glass.

"Sleep now," I murmured, brushing her hair away from her face. "Don't let your mind linger on the past... not tonight."

I pulled the duvet over her, tucking her in with a softness I didn't know I had. But just as I turned to leave, a small, trembling hand reached out and caught mine.

I looked down at her, and her eyes met mine—so full of vulnerability, it nearly shattered me. There was no strength left in them, just a quiet, desperate plea.

"Please stay with me... na," she whispered, and my heart broke all over again.

I slowly held her hand—the same trembling hand that had stopped me—and sat beside her on the bed. Gently, I began caressing her hair, trying to soothe her storm.

"I'm here... sleep now," I whispered softly, running my fingers through her hair, again and again, until her breathing steadied and her eyes fluttered shut. Her tear-stained cheeks, her red, swollen face—it all shattered something inside me.