When I First Saw you

#2 in YOU series
UTKARSH x SAKSHI

"Utkarsh, how do you justify locking me in our bedroom?" My voice trembled, drained from yet another argument that seemed to go nowhere.

He stood across the room, his eyes dark. "I did what I had to... to keep you safe!" he snapped, as if raising his voice made it noble.

I blinked, heart pounding. "Safe? You locked me in, Utkarsh. You kept me prisoner in our own home. I missed a crucial meeting because of your jealousy!"

"Oh, right," he scoffed. "Your precious meetings. That's what matters most to you?"

"Don't twist this!" I snapped. "This isn't about a meeting. This is about you trying to control me for the past four months. This isn't love anymore it's toxic."

He turned away, voice low, bitter. "You always make me the villain. Sakshi, agar tum meri ek baat maan leti, toh yeh sab nahi hota."

I stared at him, "I can't keep sacrificing parts of myself just to keep you from exploding." He didn't answer.

Tears filled my eyes. "Being with you used to feel like home. Now it feels like a prison. I can't breathe here anymore."

His voice cracked. "You don't mean that sunshine."

"I do," I whispered. "I'm done." His face fell, then twisted with rage, and without a word, he stormed out.

3:12 A.M.
He still hadn't come home. Utkarsh never stayed out late not without calling. Not like this. Worried, I checked the old tracking app we never deleted. His location blinked at Hotel Le Grand.

Maybe he just needed space. Maybe he was safe. I had to be sure. The hotel staff gave me the key without question.
Room 407.

I opened the door. There he was. Utkarsh.
Naked.
Asleep.

With his arm wrapped around her, his secretary. Her head on his chest. Their clothes scattered. Lipstick on the wineglass. They didn't even try to hide it.

My breath caught.

The man I'd worried about was already gone.
I closed the door quietly behind me. I had worried about him. Loved him.
But this time, I walked away for me.