authorr-beee
- Reads 2,233
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- Parts 61
Radha sat on the cold floor, her arms wrapped around herself. The scent of smoke still clung to her skin, a cruel reminder of the fire she was supposed to die in. Her heart pounded as the memory rushed back-the villagers' chants, the scorching heat, the way they pushed her toward the flames, telling her it was her duty to burn with her husband.
But the fire never touched her.
Because of him.
The British officer. The man called Jeon.
He stood near the door, his uniform wrinkled, his hands covered in ash. He had been there-watching as the ritual took place. But unlike the others, he hadn't just stood by. He had fought for her. Pulled her from the flames. Shielded her from the hands that tried to throw her back in.
Now, he watched her carefully, his dark eyes unreadable. He had saved her life, but she didn't understand why.
"Are you hurt?" he asked, his voice gentle, speaking her language as if he had always known it.
Radha swallowed. Was she hurt? She didn't know. The pain in her heart was worse than anything physical. But still, she shook her head.
Jeon let out a breath. "You should rest."
She flinched when he stepped closer. Her fingers dug into her burnt sari as she looked up at him. "Why?" Her voice trembled. "Why did you save me?"
Jeon was silent for a long moment. Then, softly, he said, "Because you didn't want to die."
Radha's breath caught.
No one had ever cared what she wanted. No one had ever asked. The villagers had decided her fate. Even her family had let it happen. But this man-a foreigner, an officer of the very people who ruled over them-had stopped it. Had seen her as something more than a widow meant for the flames.
A strange feeling settled in her chest, unfamiliar yet warm.
For the first time in her life... she was free.