Two Brothers: Shadows of Deception

Chapter 38

Shattered Illusions: A Tale of Hatred and Secrets

(Niharika)

I rubbed my hands anxiously, feeling the weight of the unexpected revelation. Vedant's clenched fists on the steering wheel and his tense demeanor only added to the confusion swirling inside me. What just happened? He's always been adamant about keeping our relationship private, so why did he suddenly announce it to everyone? Does he have genuine feelings for me too? The knot in my stomach tightened with uncertainty. Maybe it was just a slip of the tongue in the heat of the moment. Could it be? I sighed, stealing glances at Vedant. His silence spoke volumes, leaving me with more questions than answers. Is he regretting his outburst? Perhaps he's conflicted about our relationship, just like before.

The car came to a sudden halt, snapping me out of my thoughts. I peered out of the window, realizing we had arrived at the penthouse. Vedant stepped out without a word, and I followed him into the building, the tension between us palpable. We stood in awkward silence on opposite ends of the elevator, his fists still clenched and his face etched with frustration. As we reached the penthouse, he entered without a glance in my direction, throwing his coat on the sofa and running his hands through his disheveled hair. With his hands on his hips, he let out a frustrated groan, the sound echoing through the room. I stood there, feeling the weight of the unspoken words hanging in the air, too shocked and bewildered to say anything.

I hesitated, standing behind him for a few moments, unsure of how to approach the situation. He remained silent, refusing to meet my gaze. Should I ask him why he did it? But what if it only angers him further? Will he dismiss it as a mistake? No, it's probably best to give him some time to cool down before bringing up the topic. I let out a weary sigh, realizing that finding answers to my swirling questions would have to wait for now.

"I... I am going upstairs," I muttered, my voice trembling, and began to walk towards the stairs. But before I could take another step, I was yanked back, my back forcefully pressed against the wall. The sudden impact made me gasp, and I could feel the chill of the wall against my bare skin.

Slowly, I lifted my gaze to meet Vedant's intense stare. The emotions flickering across his face were a mixture of anger, regret, guilt, and something else I couldn't quite decipher. My breath grew heavy as we stood uncomfortably close to each other. The heat radiating from his body and the intense look in his eyes stirred something deep within me, sending a shiver down my spine. Feeling nervous, I shifted my gaze away, unable to hold his gaze for long.

His hands brushed against mine, gently taking hold of my wrists. "Did he hurt you?" he asked, his voice filled with concern, as his fingers caressed my skin. Shocked and speechless, I could only shake my head in response, silently indicating that I was unharmed.

Silence hung between us once again. I slowly withdrew my hand from his grasp, intending to leave, but before I could make my escape, I was pulled back again. "Stop avoiding me," Vedant demanded, his husky voice sending a shiver down my spine. He caged me between his hands, his palms resting against the wall, effectively trapping me. Confusion clouded my thoughts as I looked at him, trying to comprehend his sudden intensity.

"Yes?" I questioned, my voice barely above a whisper, as he held me firmly by the elbow and pulled me closer. He took deep breaths, his gaze fixed on me with a mixture of longing and frustration.

"Stop avoiding me, Niharika. Stop running away," he pleaded, his forehead resting against mine, his warm breath fanning across my face.

"You've been avoiding me for a week, and it doesn't sit right with me. Don't do it again, or I might do something I'll regret later," he confessed, his grip on me tightening. His voice held a mixture of frustration and longing, and I could sense the intensity of his desire.