EVERLESS.✔️

Chapter 12. White Roses and Dark Shadows

'Ego and misunderstanding kill relationships.....'

Song:- Without me - Halsey

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Third POV

Arjun and Anaya reached near her car after their outing. Anaya turned toward Arjun, her eyes glowing with innocent excitement.

"I hope you enjoyed yourself today..."

She was so bright, so full of warmth. Arjun saw that sparkle and chuckled quietly, shaking his head.

"Oh, come on! Don't be a grumpy grandpa... You can laugh a little, you know... try keeping your macho ego aside for a bit," she teased, her nose scrunching up in a childish wince.

"If you say so... but... it was good." His tone was neutral, but not cold. That was all she would get from him—for now.

"Ahh... that's a relief to know. See, I told you. You know, I believe we don't always get pleasure from expensive or fancy things. Small moments... little things... they give insane happiness—but only when we share them with someone who matters. Family, friends..."

She was trying to make him understand something he had buried a long time ago. Arjun's eyes darkened slightly.

"I enjoy my life... Miss Gill," he said with a razor-sharp arrogance. "I run a multi-billion dollar company. Ruling people—controlling them—gives me satisfying pleasure."

He didn't mean to sound so cruel, but something about her innocence triggered the darker parts of him.

"Really? Okay, then tell me—when was the last time you actually enjoyed your life?"

Her challenge wasn't playful anymore.

"This year. When I won 'Businessman of the Year.' That was a moment." His jaw clenched as he recalled it.

"And... may I ask... who was there with you on your special day?"

The question hit like a blade through flesh. Arjun's mind flashed back.

His father, proud. But everyone else? They came to know through the media. His so-called family had been there uninvited. He hadn't wanted them. To humiliate them, he brought Ruhani. Krish's outrage gave him sadistic satisfaction. Vedika had pleaded with him not to do it—but he ignored her. And later that night, he used Ruhani to vent his rage in the most carnal way possible.

He looked at Anaya—her pure eyes, her soft presence. How could he ever tell her? Should he admit that he used another woman like a toy to piss off his family?

No. She wouldn't understand. She wouldn't survive it.

"I had my colleagues and employees there. I don't need anyone else." He lied smoothly, shielding himself behind indifference.

"I meant your people... your family. The ones who love you without condition." She was still soft, still trying.

But Arjun's darkness snapped. His fists clenched.

Was she mocking him? Or worse—pitying him?

No one pities Arjun Rajvansh.

"Miss Gill... don't you think you're crossing a line? We've met three times, and suddenly you think you have a right to enter my private life?"

His voice turned deadly. The air around them dropped a few degrees.

Anaya's breath caught. His tone wasn't just cold—it was dangerous. Like touching ice over a flame. What happened to the man she spent such a beautiful evening with?