Always Yours

!! 2nd last !!

If you love this book so please give a chance to my another book
SINGHANIYA X RAICHAND
(Chaotic couple, enemy to lovers, contract marriage)

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Neel coming home should've brought peace...
But the way he walked in, coldly ignoring Gauri, brushing off everyone's questions, and then saying in that serious, almost cutting tone that he needed to "talk to Mahak"...

It was enough to freeze the room.

Everyone shifted uneasily, because when Neel spoke like that-something was always wrong.

Mahak inhaled slowly, her voice calm but low.
"Yes, Neel... I'm listening."

Neel sat down in front of her, elbows on his knees, face tired yet determined.

"Look, Mahak," he began, voice heavy,
"I know what you're thinking. But nothing... nothing like that happened. It wasn't Trisha's fault. If anyone messed up, it was me. I was a wreck... drunk... broken. She only came because I wasn't okay."

He exhaled sharply, eyes full of guilt.

"She lied to everyone because she didn't want to hurt you all. She knew you'd all overreact-just like you are now.
Whatever happened... or whatever you think happened... that's on me. Not her.
So please... don't punish her for my mistake."

His voice cracked in the end, and when he got up to leave, it felt like the air left with him.

Before he could walk away, Rudra stepped forward and folded his hands in front of him.

"I'm sorry, Neel." I did wrong with you.

Neel stiffened.
"What the hell are you doing? Our days aren't that bad that you're folding hands at me."

Rudra ignored him and pulled him into a tight hug.
Both men closed their eyes, holding back tears neither wanted to show.

Seeing them, everyone's tense faces softened into relieved smiles. Finally... some peace.

Neel pulled back, wiped his eyes, and walked toward Gauri.

He took a deep breath.

"Maybe this time... we were both wrong,"and selfish he said quietly.

Gauri looked up, confused and fragile.

"You were wrong because you lied to me... hid the truth.
And I was wrong because I never tried to understand you. I just assumed you loved me back. I forced that belief on you... because you cared, because you were always there. I forgot that care doesn't always mean love. Sometimes it's just... friendship. A good friendship."

Gauri's eyes dropped.

"And selfish..." Neel whispered.
"You tried to end your life... thinking of your own pain. And I... I was no better. When everyone needed me the most, I only thought about myself. My pain. My betrayal.
I forgot you were the one hurting the most."

His voice broke.

"I'm sorry, Gauri.
Can we... be friends again?"

He held out his hand.
Gauri stared at it for a moment, then slowly placed hers in his.

"We've always been good friends," she whispered.
"And we always will be."

She stepped closer, held his hand between both of hers.

"I hope you find someone much, much better than me.
Someone who loves you the way you deserve."

Neel gave a soft smile, then turned to Mahak.