chapter 7
Ishni pov
It had been three hours. I sat alone in this lavish bedroom. His family hadn’t spoken to me, and neither had I to them. Veer, his younger brother, dropped by briefly, but we didn’t exchange much beyond a few words.
My mind was elsewhere. With him.
What’s wrong with me?
Why do I feel so empty without him?
What has he done to me?
Why do I crave just to see him… to talk to him… to feel his presence near me?
I couldn’t understand it.
??
The sun disappeared, and the moon cast its soft glow across the mansion. I already missed him.
Feeling thirsty, I walked downstairs. The house felt too silent—almost haunted. As I neared the kitchen, I froze.
There she was—his stepmother. Quietly, suspiciously, adding something to the food.
Was it poison? And for whom?
Before I could process it, I heard footsteps. Heavy. Close.
I turned—and instantly smiled wide.
Without thinking, I rushed to him and wrapped my arms around his body, holding him tight like my life depended on it.
---
Rudra’s POV
The entire day had been consumed by business meetings, paperwork, and handling my underground work. We still hadn’t discovered who sent that man to kill me.
Glancing at my watch, I realized it was already late.
I closed my eyes for a moment—and her face appeared. That beautiful smile.
A faint smile touched my lips.
I headed toward the exit, ignoring the surprised looks from my family. They were stunned. This was probably the first time I came home early—but I didn’t care. My eyes searched for her.
And there she was.
Standing there, glowing.
Then, out of nowhere, she ran to me and hugged me. Relief flooded my chest.
“Missed me, jaan?” I whispered gently.
She only nodded, her face buried against my chest. I smiled, holding her back. God, she was adorable.
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Later That Night – At the Dinner Table
“Beta, Sharma ji was asking about you,” Grandma started. “His daughter is very pretty.”
I sighed.
“Grandma, I’m married. And my wife is sitting right beside me.”
My gaze shifted to Ishni. She looked… uncomfortable. Her eyes were saying something I couldn’t understand.
“Jaan, what’s wrong?” I asked, softly squeezing her hand.
“Nothing,” she whispered, barely audible.
“Are you sure?” I pressed.
She nodded.
Before I could say more, my mother’s voice interrupted.
“Since my son is now married, I couldn’t do much earlier. So, I made this kheer—your favorite. And Rudra, I remember you don’t like sugar. I made a special one just for you.”
Her tone was sweet—but I knew exactly what kind of sweet it was.
Not wanting any drama, I took the bowl from her hands.
Just as I was about to take a spoonful—Ishni snatched it and threw it to the floor.
My face showed no reaction. But the room exploded in shock.
“What the hell did you do?!” my mother shouted.
“Are you insane?” my aunt added.
But Ishni kept her eyes locked on mine.
“Rudra… there was poison in that kheer,” she whispered, concern flooding her voice.
“What nonsense! Are you saying I would poison my own son?” my mother cried out.
“This girl is crazy! Why would a daughter-in-law say such a thing?” my aunt chimed in.
Ishni held my hand tighter.
“Rudra, trust me. I’m telling the truth,” she said, her eyes glistening.
“Beta—” my mother began.
“Enough!” I said firmly, silencing the entire room.
I didn’t say another word.
I only looked at Ishni, intertwined our fingers, and walked away.
---
Back in Our Room
I closed the door behind us.
“Go to sleep,” I said quietly, heading toward the wardrobe.
I felt her fingers clutch the back of my shirt.
Turning, I found her standing close.
“What is it, meri jaan?” I asked gently.
??
She gestured for me to sit on the couch. We sat together.
“Rudra... why didn’t you say anything?” she asked softly, eyes searching mine.
“Because it’s nothing new, sweetheart,” I replied calmly.
Her brows furrowed.
“What do you mean? You knew? When I went downstairs to get water, I saw your mother adding something to your food. Why would she do that? Doesn’t she love you?”
Her questions tumbled out fast and fierce. It was adorable.
I chuckled, wrapping my arms around her waist and pulling her into my lap.
“Jaan… she’s not my real mother. She’s my stepmother. And she’s always hated me.”
I felt her body tense.
I rested my chin on her shoulder.
“Don’t worry. This isn’t the first time she’s tried something like this. I’ve stopped caring.”
“Well, I care, Rudra,” she said, turning to face me and wrapping her legs around my waist.
And I always will. You’re not alone anymore.”
Her voice held something I’d never heard before—pure affection.
I hugged her tight, not leaving a single space between us.
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Ishni's POV – The Next Morning
I hadn’t slept.
My mind was filled with what happened last night—the poison, his stepmother, his family.
I had learned one thing clearly—no one truly cared about Rudra.
Not even his father.
Except his grandmother.
But I made myself a promise. I’d be his protector. His safe place.
I stood on the balcony as the sky lit with early sunlight.
How dare she try to poison my Rudra?
A smirk curled on my lips.
Time to teach her a lesson.
??
Later, I returned to our room, still smiling mischievously.
He saw me and immediately came closer.
“Where were you this early? Jaan, are you okay? Do you need anything?” he asked, pulling me into his arms.
“Rudra… I—”
Suddenly, a loud scream echoed through the mansion.
We ran toward the noise. It came from his parents’ room.
As expected.
We entered. The entire room was in chaos.
Blood splattered across the floor.
His stepmother stood drenched in it, the bathtub flooded with red.
“Wow. I didn’t know you enjoyed bathing in blood, stepmother-in-law,” I said sweetly, smirking.
“SHUT UP! Maids! CLEAN THIS!” she screeched.
“How did this happen? Who did this?” my aunt asked, panicked.
“Go clean yourself,” his grandmother said.
“Don’t worry, darling,” his father added. “Whoever did this… we’ll find them.”
I rolled my eyes.
His stepmother’s eyes were on me. She stepped closer.
I leaned in and whispered:
“This is just the beginning. Try to harm my husband again… and next time, you’ll be bathing in your own blood.”
Then I walked out.
---
Back in Our Room
“Did you do that, fireheart?” Rudra asked the moment I walked in.
Avoiding his gaze, I walked to the couch.
“What are you saying, Rudra? Why would I do that?” I replied, trying to sound innocent.
His footsteps grew closer.
In one swift motion—I landed on his lap, face-to-face.
“Answer me.”
I shook my head.
Before I could say another word—his lips crashed onto mine. Soft but full of fire.
“Answer me, jaan,” he murmured against my lips.
I gave a small nod.
“Words,” he demanded, pulling back slightly.
“Yes… I just wanted to teach her a lesson. She won’t dare try anything again.”
He kissed me again—fierce, claiming.
And then his tongue slid into my mouth.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, melting into him.
His lips were soft, passionate, moving in rhythm with mine—it felt surreal.