Ch 22 safe
Her lashes fluttered once, twice then closed fully. The weight of exhaustion, hunger, pain, and the endless nights finally dragged her under.
The last thing her fading mind registered was his voice, rougher than usual, right at her ear:
"Stay with me."
And then... nothing.
Her body went limp in his arms, head resting against his chest. For a moment, the King of the underworld the man whose name was enough to bring empires to their knees stood frozen, holding a girl far too light, far too broken.
Aarav's jaw clenched, his arm tightening around her protectively as he barked an order through the intercom, his tone sharp, leaving no room for delay.
"Aditya. Now."
Within minutes, the door swung open and Aditya entered, his usually calm eyes flickering at the sight her unconscious in Aarav's arms, Aarav himself uncharacteristically unsettled.
"Car. Mansion. Abhi." Aarav's command was curt, but the edge in his voice was something Aditya had rarely heard.
And as Aarav carried her out of his office, every employee who caught even a glimpse lowered their eyes instantly, knowing better than to whisper.
For once, the world's most feared mafia king wasn't carrying power, wealth, or death in his arms—he was carrying her.
The heavy double doors of the Malhotra mansion swung open with a sharp creak, the rain still dripping off Aarav's coat as he stepped inside her unconscious form in his arms.
Meera, who had just entered the grand hall with little Raj skipping beside her, froze mid-step. Her lips parted, her eyes flicking from Aarav's tense jaw to her pale, limp face resting against his chest.
"Aarav bhaiya..." her voice came out in shock, almost a whisper, "yeh... yeh kaun hai? Kya hua is ladki ko?"
Raj, all of five years old, tilted his head, clutching his mother's hand tighter, his innocent voice breaking the silence—
"Tauji... didi so rahi hai? Unko neend aa gayi kya?"
Aarav didn't answer immediately. He just shifted her carefully in his arms, as if even the air could hurt her further, his silence heavy, dangerous.
Meera's gaze softened when she noticed her bandaged wrist slipping out from under her sleeve, the faint scar at her forehead, the sheer exhaustion painted all over her face. Her motherly instincts surged instantly.
"Bhaiya... yeh ladki . Aise halat mein—she needs rest. ," Meera said quickly, already tugging Raj toward the side to clear the way.
Aarav gave the smallest nod, but his eyes sharp, stormy, unreadable never left her.
Behind, Aditya, exchanging a silent glance with Meera. He had seen Aarav furious, ruthless, cold... but this? This unsettling protectiveness was new.
And as Aarav climbed the grand staircase with her in his arms, Raj whispered to his mother, confusion in his wide eyes:
"Mumma... tauji ka gussaa alag rhaa h jaise papa ko hota h jab aap hurt hote ho. Aisa kyu?"
Meera pressed her lips together, watching Aarav disappear into the corridor upstairs.
"Because, beta," she murmured softly, "sometimes even kings forget they have a heart... until someone makes them remember."
In the quiet of the Malhotra mansion's guest suite, the air smelled faintly of sandalwood and antiseptic. The heavy curtains were drawn, and a soft golden lamp cast its glow across the room.
She lay on the king-sized bed, tucked gently under a blanket, her breathing shallow but even. Aarav stood near the window, hands in his pockets, his face calm, eyes sharp watching, calculating, waiting.
The doctor, a middle-aged man with a black bag, entered briskly, escorted by Aditya.
"Mr. Malhotra," the doctor said, bowing slightly, "I came as fast as I could."
Aarav nodded curtly, stepping aside, his gaze never leaving her.
The doctor set his bag down, pulling out his stethoscope. He checked her pulse, temperature, wrist, and gently lifted her eyelids. Meera hovered in the doorway, Raj clinging to her dupatta, both watching silently.
"Hmm..." the doctor sighed, looking up at Aarav. "She's not injured severely, but... she's extremely weak. Malnutrition, dehydration, exhaustion. Stress is high. She hasn't eaten or rested properly for days maybe longer."
Aarav's jaw tightened. Aditya's eyes narrowed.
"Doctor," Aarav said, calm but sharp, "is this deliberate neglect, or carelessness?"
The doctor glanced nervously between them. "Hard to say, sir. But judging by these marks—" he gently pulled her sleeve back, revealing faint bruises on her wrist. "—this doesn't look accidental."
Meera gasped, covering Raj's eyes quickly, her own face paling.
The room went silent. Aarav's eyes darkened, stormy, and his lips curved into the faintest, coldest smirk the kind that spelled danger.
"Leave the medicines here," he said flatly. "And leave us."
The doctor quickly handed over the tablets and, with Aditya, hurried out. The door clicked shut.
Aarav stepped closer to the bed, his tall frame casting a shadow over her. He adjusted the blanket around her shoulders, his fingers brushing her bruised wrist for a moment. His eyes softened briefly, then hardened again.
"Someone dared to touch what's mine to command," he muttered under his breath, low, for Aditya only.
Aditya crossed his arms, voice steady:
"Then say the word, Aarav. Whoever did this... won't see another sunrise."
Slowly, she opened her eyes, panic flooding her. She sat up quickly, scanning the lavish room, the silk curtains, carved furniture, and vastness it wasn't her world.
"W–where am I...?" she whispered, clutching the blanket to herself.
Her gaze snapped to Aditya, arms crossed, watching her like a soldier. Then to the woman in the doorway, holding a little boy Meera, giving her a soft, reassuring smile.
And finally, her eyes landed on him.
Aarav Malhotra.
He stood at the foot of the bed, calm, commanding, like the room bent to his presence. His sharp gaze pinned her in place, unreadable, unflinching.
"S...sir..." she stammered, breath quick, clutching the blanket tighter.
Aarav finally spoke, low and smooth, heavy enough to make her heart pound:
"You're safe. In my house."
The word "safe" felt alien. Confusion and fear swirled in her chest.
Meera stepped forward, gentle, motherly.
"Don't panic. You fainted in the office. The doctor said you're weak... you need rest."
Aditya didn't take his eyes off her, reading every flicker of expression. Aarav's gaze dropped briefly to the bruise peeking from her sleeve then back to her eyes, sharper, almost demanding answers she wasn't ready to give
-
-
-
-