capter 58 - Silence is Louder Than Words
At the Office –
The day passed in a haze.
Aarav sat in his cabin, restless, irritated, hollow. The silence from Ira was driving him insane. She hadn’t come to see him, hadn’t texted him, hadn’t even accidentally bumped into him like she always did.
It felt wrong.
It felt like he had lost something—like she had walked out of his life without even saying goodbye.
His jaw clenched. No. He wouldn’t let this continue.
He stood up and stormed out of his cabin, ignoring the startled looks from his employees. When he reached her cabin, he didn’t bother knocking. He pushed the door open.
She was sitting at her desk, typing on her laptop, her face blank. No reaction. No flicker of surprise, no nervousness, no irritation.
She was just… empty.
His stomach twisted.
“Ira.” His voice came out sharper than intended.
She didn’t look up. “Yes, sir?”
His fingers curled into fists. Sir?
“Come to my cabin.”
“I’m busy.”
Aarav stepped forward, grabbing the laptop and shutting it. “I said, come to my cabin.”
Her eyes finally met his. But they were cold. Distant.
And that fucking hurt.
Without another word, she stood up and walked past him.
---
In His Cabin –
The door shut behind them.
Aarav turned to her, his body tense. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”
Ira tilted her head. “I don’t understand, sir.”
That one word again. Sir. Like they were strangers. Like she hadn’t spent countless nights tangled in his arms, whispering his name against his skin.
Aarav exhaled sharply. “Enough. I know you’re angry, but this is ridiculous.”
She crossed her arms. “What’s ridiculous? The fact that I finally learned my place?”
His hands slammed against the desk. “Your place? You’re my fucking—” He stopped himself just in time.
Ira let out a bitter laugh. “Your what, Aarav? Your wife? Don’t say something you don’t believe in.”
His eyes darkened. “I never said I don’t believe in it.”
“You never had to.” Her voice was calm, but her eyes were filled with unshed tears. “I saw the proof myself.”
Aarav’s heart pounded. The contract.
She had seen it.
She knew.
Aarav took a step forward. “Ira—”
“I get it now,” she whispered. “I was stupid to forget what this marriage really is. I was stupid to think… it meant something to you.”
Aarav’s fingers twitched. He wanted to reach for her. Wanted to shake her, kiss her, do anything to stop her from saying these words.
But he didn’t move.
Because for the first time… he didn’t have a defense.
She let out a deep breath and turned away. “You don’t have to worry. I won’t make the same mistake again.”
Aarav watched her walk out of his office—walk out of his life—without looking back.
And it felt like his entire world had collapsed.
---
That Night –
Aarav came home late. On purpose.
He didn’t want to come home to a house where she wasn’t waiting for him.
But when he entered their bedroom, he froze.
Ira was standing by the closet. Packing her clothes.
His blood turned ice cold.
“What the fuck are you doing?” His voice was dangerously low.
She didn’t flinch. Didn’t even acknowledge his anger. “Moving to the guest room.”
Aarav saw red.
In three long strides, he was in front of her, grabbing her wrist. “No, you’re not.”
She snapped.
Her eyes burned with fury as she yanked her hand away. “Why do you care, Aarav?”
“Because you are my wife!” he growled.
She laughed. But there was no humor in it. Just pain. Just heartbreak. “No, I’m not. I never was.”
His jaw clenched. “Stop talking like that.”
“Why?” She took a step closer, her eyes locked onto his. “Why does it bother you, Aarav? Tell me. Tell me why it fucking hurts you to see me walk away.”
Aarav didn’t answer.
Because he couldn’t.
Ira inhaled sharply. “You can’t, can you? Because you don’t love me. You never did.”
Aarav’s fists tightened. “That’s not true.”
She laughed again. “Then say it.”
His throat dried. His heart pounded.
But the words… they wouldn’t come.
And that was enough for Ira.
She picked up her bag and walked out.
Leaving Aarav standing alone, drowning in the silence he created.
---
Guest Room –
Ira had barely stepped into the guest room when a strong grip yanked her back.
She gasped as her back collided with the cold wooden door. Aarav's hands caged her in, pressing against the door on either side of her. His eyes—dark, stormy, raging with emotions he refused to name— burned into hers.
"You're not sleeping here," he growled, his voice dangerously low.
Ira let out a bitter chuckle. "Watch me."
His fingers twitched. He could feel it—her defiance, her anger, her heartbreak, all crashing against him like a hurricane. But he was no less. He was the fucking storm.
"You think running away will solve anything?" he bit out.
"I'm not running," she snapped. "I'm reminding myself where I belong. Because clearly, it’s not beside you."
Aarav’s jaw clenched so hard it hurt. His hands slammed against the door, caging her tighter. "Where you belong is in our room. With me."
Her eyes flashed. "In our room? With my contract husband?"
That hit him like a slap.
Aarav inhaled sharply, his chest heaving. "Ira—"
"Don't." Her voice cracked. "Don't say my name like it means something to you."
His breath hitched.
It did. It always had.
But the words wouldn't leave his fucking mouth.
Ira's lips curled into a bitter smile. "You can claim me when it’s convenient, but when I ask for a simple truth, you go silent. Just like always."
Aarav’s fists clenched. She was pushing him. Hard.
He exhaled through his nose, his anger simmering beneath his skin. "You think I don't feel anything for you?"
She scoffed. "Oh, I know you do. You feel possessiveness. You feel jealousy. You feel desire. But love?" She let out a hollow laugh. "Love is never part of the equation, is it?"
His fingers dug into the door.
"What the fuck do you want from me, Ira?" he hissed.
"I want the truth!" she screamed, her voice finally breaking. "I want to know if anything—anything—between us was real or if I was just a pawn in your stupid deal!"
His chest heaved. His throat tightened.
And he couldn’t answer.
Not because he didn’t know. But because the truth terrified him.
Ira inhaled sharply, blinking back the tears burning her eyes. "That’s what I thought."
She turned to walk away.
Aarav snapped.
He grabbed her wrist and slammed her back against the door. His body caged hers in, their breaths heavy, tangled. Their emotions clashing, raw and ugly.
"Don’t you dare," he hissed, his voice shaking with restraint. "Don't you dare act like you mean nothing to me."
She looked up at him, eyes shimmering with pain. "Then prove it."
Aarav's throat dried.
"Prove that I'm more than just a contract," she whispered. "Prove that I’m not just a body you crave at night. Prove that I matter."
His fingers twitched. His jaw locked. He couldn’t.
Not because she didn’t matter. But because she mattered too much.
And that terrified him.
Ira swallowed, her throat tight. "That’s what I thought."
She shoved him away.
Aarav let her go.
Because for the first time in his life… he didn’t know how to stop her.
And that fear—that helplessness— was worse than any pain.
---
Midnight –
Aarav sat in their bedroom, hands clenched into fists. His chest ached in a way he had never experienced before.
Every second that passed without her next to him felt wrong.
He could still feel her touch, still hear her voice trembling with anger and pain.
Prove it.
Her words echoed in his mind like a cruel taunt.
Aarav had never been afraid of anything in his life. But losing her? Losing her felt like fucking death.
His fingers ran through his hair, his breathing uneven. His mind was flooded with memories—her laughter, her teasing, her lips against his, the way she moaned his name when he touched her.
He exhaled sharply. His hands were shaking.
He needed her.
He needed her like a fucking addiction.
But she was slipping away.
And this time… he might not be able to stop it.
_______
Dear Readers,
I appreciate everyone who takes the time to read my story, support it, and engage with it. Writing is a personal and creative process, and every story reflects the vision of its author.
If you enjoy the story, I’d love your support through votes, comments, and shares! Your encouragement keeps me motivated.
However, if the story isn’t to your taste, that’s completely fine! But instead of leaving negative or unnecessary comments, you can simply stop reading. Constructive criticism is always welcome, but disrespectful or repetitive negativity will not be entertained.
Let’s keep this space positive for everyone who genuinely enjoys the story. Thank you for your love and support!
Author Simran