Sold to the Thakur's

RIVAN kissed Devyanis feet

Hey hiii mayawiyans

Enjoy where Maya is increasing your standards for men who are in love kissing the ground their wives walk on

Here, I'm feeling a little disappointed in myself.

The likes are fewer, and the comments are less.

Is the story getting boring?

Or are you all missing the old Devu?

Or am I lagging somewhere?

Please feel free to tell me I can work on it.

I just want this to be worth reading.

_________________________

RIVAN gently lifted her in his arms and carried her to the bed.

He sat down, keeping her close, one arm wrapped firmly around her back as if letting her go was no longer an option.

"Listen," he said softly, lowering his forehead to hers, making sure she could feel his breath, his warmth.

"See... I'm right here."

Devyani nodded, but the next second she buried her face into the crook of his neck, clutching him tightly, as if afraid he would vanish again.

"But... you were missing for three months," she whispered, her voice trembling against his skin.

Those words pierced straight through him.

RIVAN's heart clenched painfully.

Yes.

Three months.

Three months of silence.

Three months of fear for her.

He closed his eyes.

"Yes, baby," he said in a low, broken voice, his hand moving up and down her back in slow, soothing strokes.

"I'm sorry... I went without telling you."

Her grip tightened.

"Why?" she asked softly, not accusing just hurt.

RIVAN swallowed hard.

Rivan exhaled slowly.

"I was busy, baby."

She frowned, pain flickering across her face. Then she buried her face into his chest, sobbing again.

"Busy... for this long?" she cried.

"For three months... without even saying anything to me?"

His chest tightened.

"I'm sorry, baby," he said immediately, his voice low and full of guilt. "It's my fault."

His hand moved soothingly over her back.

"Next time, I won't do this," he promised softly. "Please forgive me... just this time."

Devyani didn't answer with words.

Instead, she clutched him tighter.

Her arms wrapped around his neck, her fingers digging into his skin, her nails pressing deep almost hurting.

But she didn't mean to hurt him.

She just wanted to hold him.

To make sure he stayed.

To make sure he wouldn't disappear again.

She hid her face in the crook of his neck, breathing unevenly, holding on as if letting go would steal him away.

And Rivan let her.

Because in that moment, her fear mattered more than his pain.

Her sobs only grew stronger.

Hiccups broke through her cries, her small body shuddering against him. Rivan tried to speak, tried to pull back just a little so he could see her face but she wouldn't move.

Not even an inch.

She clung to him stubbornly, like a koala, arms locked tight around him, her face hidden against his chest. As if words didn't matter. As if only holding on did.

Rivan stopped trying.

He knew this.

She always did this.

And he understood no matter how much he spoke, no matter how gently he explained, she needed to feel before she could listen.

So he waited.

He wrapped his arms around her properly, anchoring her to him. His hand moved slowly up and down her back, steady, patient. He pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head.

Once.

Twice.

Then a third time.

Still she cried.

He rubbed her thigh gently, a familiar, grounding touch, hoping it would calm her shaking but nothing worked.

Of course it wouldn't.

It had been three months.

Three long months of silence, fear, abandonment, unanswered questions.

She would need time.

A lot of it.

So Rivan stayed exactly where he was, letting her cry into him, letting her cling, letting her release everything she had been holding inside.

Because if waiting was the only thing he could do for her right now

Then he would wait.

As long as she needed.

Then Devyani spoke, her voice trembling between sobs.

"Do you know how I felt... these three months?"

Rivan inhaled slowly.

"Yes, baby.I know."

She pulled back suddenly.

Her nose was red.

Her eyes swollen and burning.

Her lips trembling.

Her cheeks flushed from crying.

"No," she said, shaking her head hard. "No, you don't."

Her voice cracked.

"You don't know what happened with me," she cried.

"You don't know how I lived."

Her words came out in a rush, broken and raw.

"Every night I was scared," she said, tears falling again.

"Every night... every single night I prayed you would come."

Her chest heaved.

"But you didn't."

She looked straight at him, pain flashing in her eyes.

"Why?" she whispered.

"Do you hate me that much?"

Rivan's heart dropped.

"Who said that?" he asked immediately, his voice firm but gentle.

"Who said I hate you?"

She pointed at herself, her hand shaking.

"Me," she said.

"Because why else would you leave me?"

Her voice rose.

"And you didn't even inform me."

Rivan tried to steady the moment.

"No, baby," he said softly. "I told you I was busy with office work."

She shook her head violently.

"No," she said. "I don't believe that."

Slowly, she pulled herself out of his arms and stood up.

Rivan's hands instinctively reached for her but stopped midair.

She looked at him, her eyes wet but hard now.

"Go," she said quietly.

"If you have plans to leave me again... then go right now."

Her voice trembled, but she didn't stop.

"Because now," she whispered, swallowing hard,

"I have learned how to live without you."

The words hit harder than any scream.

Rivan stayed seated on the bed, frozen

Rivan gently held her wrist before she could step away and carefully pulled her back, settling her onto his lap.

"Shhh... relax," he whispered. "Come here."

Devyani tried to move, panic flashing across her face, but his hold tightened not rough, just firm enough to keep her close.

"Scold me later," he said softly. "Or hit me later."

She froze.

Her eyes widened instantly, fear rushing back.

"No... no... no," she said hurriedly, shaking her head again and again. "I won't hit you. Please... I won't hurt you."

Rivan stopped.

The words struck him hard.

He had forgotten

how easily certain words triggered her,

how violence, even in joking, scared her.

His grip loosened immediately.

"I'm sorry," he said gently, changing his tone at once. "I didn't mean it like that."

He took a small breath, then tried to lighten the heaviness between them.

"See," he said, forcing a soft smile, "I'm hungry. I didn't even eat."

He tilted his head slightly.

"And my cute little wife is not listening to me at all."

She looked at him then.

Not angry.

Just tired.

Her eyes held pity as they scanned his face, as if she was seeing how exhausted he truly was. She didn't say anything. No protest. No agreement.

Nothing.

Rivan stood up, still holding her gently, and guided her with him.

She didn't stop him.

But she didn't cooperate either.

She simply walked beside him, quiet and distant.

Downstairs, the house was silent.

No voices.

No lights in the dining area.

No smell of food.

Everyone was in their rooms.

No one had the strength for dinner tonight.

After the truth had shattered the walls of that house, hunger felt meaningless.

Grief sat heavier than food ever could.

As Rivan glanced around the empty space, he felt it clearly

Everyone was hurting.

Everyone was drowning in their own thoughts.

And somewhere between guilt, fear, love, and silence

They were all trying to survive the same truth,

each in their own broken way.

Rivan made Devyani sit gently on the chair, pulling it closer to the table so she wouldn't feel alone even for a second. Then he straightened and called out quietly but firmly.

"Someone call the servant."

The servant who passed by froze.

It was rare almost unheard of for Rivan to call any servant himself.

She turned pale, her hands trembling as she hurried toward him.

"C-call everyone for dinner," Rivan said calmly.

That was all.

She nodded rapidly and almost ran away, not daring to stay even a second longer.

Slowly, one by one, everyone entered the dining area.

They stopped midway.

Shock washed over their faces.

Rivan was sitting there silent, composed.

And beside him...

Devyani.

Awake.

Sitting on her own.

Just hours ago she had collapsed under trauma, and now seeing her like this normal, breathing, eating it stunned them.

Relief followed immediately.

Aaradhya's eyes filled with tears.

Yashoda's hand went to her chest.

Aditya let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding.

Virendra stepped forward carefully, his voice soft, afraid of breaking the moment.

"Devyani... how are you now?"

Devyani didn't reply.

She didn't even look up.

Her focus stayed on her plate, on the food in front of her, as if the world beyond it didn't exist.

The silence unsettled everyone.

The Devyani they knew was never this quiet.

Fear crept back in.

Then Reyansh entered.

He stopped the moment he saw her.

Shock flickered across his face too, followed by relief.

He walked closer, bending down slightly so he was at her eye level.

"Devu," he asked gently, "how are you doing?"

For the first time, Devyani lifted her eyes.

They were calm.

Tired.

But clear.

"I am fine, bhaiyya," she said softly.

Reyansh studied her face for a second.

"Sure?" he asked again.

"Yes," she replied.

Without thinking, without fear, Reyansh leaned forward and placed a soft, brotherly kiss on her forehead.

The room froze.

Every breath stopped.

Because Rivan's eyes changed.

They darkened instantly sharp, dangerous, lethal.

The kind of eyes that said he could kill his own friend if this moment crossed even the slightest boundary.

Reyansh straightened slowly, feeling it too.

No one spoke.

No one moved.

Rivan said nothing.

But the message was clear.

Devyani was fragile.

And tonight

She was protected by something far more dangerous than words.

Everyone ate in silence.

Plates moved.

Spoons clinked softly.

But no one was really eating.

It felt like they were just going through the motion

because bodies need food,

even when hearts don't want it.

Devyani, who was always cheerful, who used to talk about the taste, who used to smile at everyone

she ate silently too.

That silence hurt the most.

After finishing her food, she slowly kept the spoon aside. Her movements were calm, almost too calm.

Then she looked up.

"Papa," she said softly, breaking the quiet.

"I want to shift downstairs."

Rivan's eyes widened instantly.

His body stiffened.

He subtly shook his head at Virendra

no... no... no.

But Virendra blinked once.

And ignored him.

Just like he had done so many times over the years.

"Yes, Devu," Virendra replied gently.

Devyani smiled.

Not a happy smile.

A broken one.

"Okay," she said. "Thank you."

She stood up slowly.

"I'll inform one of the servants to shift my things."

Her words were calm, but the meaning cut deep.

Then she added, almost casually almost innocently

"Since my pati ji loves to go on work without informing me," she said softly,

"it's better I should move."

Rivan gulped.

Hard.

Something tightened painfully in his chest.

Around the table, a few smiles appeared.

Weak.

Forced.

Fragile.

They smiled because they didn't want her to feel awkward.

They smiled because they didn't want to stop her.

But inside

They shattered.

Because every single one of them knew one terrifying truth

If this was her reaction before knowing the whole truth...

What would happen

after she finds out?

The silence was about to swallow the room when Reyansh spoke.

"Devu," he said gently, trying to keep his voice light, "there's no need to sleep in a new room."

Everyone looked at him.

"You can sleep in my room," Reyansh continued. "I'll stay with Rivan."

Rivan's eyes snapped toward him instantly.

Sharp.

Cold.

For a second, it felt like the air itself froze.

Devyani tilted her head slightly, thinking.

"Hmmm..." she murmured, then looked up at Reyansh.

"Reyu bhaiyya... I'm more comfortable in your room."

She offered a small, polite smile.

"Okay," she added softly. "Thank you for caring for me."

The words landed like a quiet blow.

Rivan didn't react outwardly.

No anger.

No protest.

Just a slow, painful realization settling in his chest.

It's okay, he told himself.

Rivan, you deserve this.

Because love doesn't disappear in one moment.

It withdraws

Slowly.

Silently.

And tonight, he felt it take its first step away from him.

She didn't look back.

She just turned and started walking away.

Rivan's heart panicked.

"Kitten, wait at least listen to me," he said, his voice breaking despite himself.

Devyani stopped.

Then she turned sharply.

"Sorry?" she said quietly.

Her eyes held no anger only distance.

"You were not there," she continued, her voice steady but cutting,

"not for three months."

She paused.

"So I forgot," she said softly,

"that someone calls me kitten."

And with that

She walked away.

Leaving the room stunned.

Because only Devyani

only she

could ever answer back the khadoos Rivan Thakur.

No one breathed.

Rivan stood there, frozen.

Then something in his eyes shifted.

The softness faded.

The pain buried itself deep.

His expression turned calm dangerously calm.

He looked around the table.

"No one," he said firmly,

"is going to say anything to her."

His voice left no room for argument.

"No one. Is it clear?"

Everyone nodded silently.

Virendra broke the silence.

"So," he asked quietly,

"you are going to hide the truth from her?"

Rivan shook his head.

"No," he replied.

"I won't hide."

His voice was steady, controlled.

"Never."

He looked in the direction Devyani had gone.

"But I want her to stand on her own first," he continued.

"Strong enough."

Strong enough to breathe.

Strong enough to live.

Strong enough to survive what was coming.

"Until then," Rivan said, his jaw tightening,

"nothing will be shared with her."

He turned back to Virendra, eyes dark.

"If I tell her everything now," he said,

"it will break her even more."

His voice dropped.

"And I don't want that."

After a pause, he added quietly

"She has already suffered enough because of me."

No one argued.

Because for the first time

Rivan wasn't protecting himself.

He was protecting her,

even if it meant standing alone with the truth.

Then he left from there.

No explanations.

No room for arguments.

He walked away the way he always did quiet, controlled, carrying the weight alone.

Rivan entered the room.

Empty.

His heart skipped once.

He searched bathroom, bed, balcony.

Nothing.

A familiar unease crawled up his spine. He stepped out and called one of the servants. She hesitated, then spoke softly.

"I saw Devyani ma'am... she went into Reyansh sir's room."

Rivan nodded once.

No reaction.

He walked toward Reyansh's room, his steps slow, measured.

When he reached there, he didn't enter immediately.

He looked.

Devyani was sitting in the balcony.

Alone.

Her knees were pulled close to her chest, her chin resting on them. Her eyes were fixed somewhere far away lost in thoughts too heavy for someone like her.

Rivan stopped.

He understood.

She needed time.

She needed space.

She needed to breathe without anyone asking questions.

But he also knew something else.

Leaving a broken person alone for too long doesn't give peace.

It invites darkness.

It invites overthinking.

Fear.

Self-blame.

Loneliness.

The kind that eats silently.

He leaned against the doorframe, not entering, not interrupting just being there.

Close enough to protect.

Far enough to not suffocate.

Because even if she didn't want him near right now

He couldn't let her fight her thoughts alone.

He stepped inside quietly and stood behind her.

He didn't speak.

He waited

A few seconds passed.

Then she said softly, without turning back

"I can smell you."

Rivan's heart skipped.

How romantic, his mind mocked him lightly.

Me... and romantic?

He shook the thought away and focused.

Slowly, he moved closer and knelt down in front of her.

Devyani startled and immediately stood up.

"Why are you sitting down—" she began.

But he gently cut her off.

"Because you are my whole world, Devyani," he said softly.

"And when my world is hurting, this is where I belong."

He remained kneeling, his expression calm, sincere.

"I don't know how to fix everything," he continued.

"I don't even know what to say right now."

A small, broken smile touched his lips.

"But I know one thing," he whispered.

"I want to be close to you... not rushed, not loud just close."

His eyes softened.

"If you want silence, I'll give you silence."

"If you want time, I'll wait."

Her breath hitched.

He reached for her hands but didn't force her to hold his.

"I know you don't want words right now," he said quietly.

"And I won't ask you to forgive me."

He looked into her eyes.

"I just want you to know one thing," he whispered.

"Even when you push me away... I'll stay close enough to catch you if you fall."

The night breeze brushed past them.

He gently held her wrist and guided her to sit.

"Sit," he said softly.

His voice lowered.

"I want peace," he whispered.

"And I want you."

Before she could respond, he slowly rested his head on her lap and closed his eyes for just a moment.

As if the world was too heavy to hold open.

Devyani swallowed hard.

Her throat tightened painfully.

For a second, she didn't know what to do.

Then her hand moved on its own.

She gently caressed his hair.

Slow. Careful.

Rivan felt it instantly.

Warmth spread through his chest deep, grounding, peaceful.

It felt like time paused.

Like breathing became easier.

He didn't want this moment to end.

He reached up, caught the hand that was caressing him, and pressed a soft kiss to her palm. Then he tangled his fingers with hers, holding on quietly.

A faint smile curved on his lips.

Even when she was angry with him...

even when she was hurt...

She still cared.

And in that silent touch

He found everything he needed to survive the night.

He slowly lifted his head and turned toward her, still sitting on the floor. He held both her hands carefully, as if they were something precious he was afraid to break.

"I accept it," he said quietly.

"I left... and I didn't inform you."

His grip tightened slightly, not possessive pleading.

"I accept my mistake."

He looked up at her, eyes honest, vulnerable.

"But please... please don't be upset with me like this," he whispered.

"I'll do whatever you say."

"If you want to get angry at me, you can," he added quickly.

"I'm here to coax you. I'm not telling you not to be angry."

A small, painful smile touched his lips.

"Don't forgive me so soon," he said.

"I deserve this."

Then his voice broke.

"But don't be this silent."

His throat tightened.

"It scares me... a lot," he admitted.

"I hate your silence. It's very scary."

He squeezed her hands gently.

"I'm here," he said again.

"I'm right here to coax you, to wait, to take everything you throw at me."

His eyes softened, shining.

"But please," he whispered,

"be the one you are."

Devyani still didn't say anything.

This time, she was listening.

She wanted him to feel scared—m

because the nights she spent without him were cruel.

Very bad.

Very lonely.

Very scary.

Those nights taught her what absence feels like.

But even then, seeing him kneeling, pleading so desperately...

it didn't settle her heart.

Her throat went dry.

She wanted to speak.

She wanted to pour everything out

the fear, the anger, the nights she cried into her pillow.

But the words refused to form.

Rivan's voice broke the silence again.

"Please, baby," he whispered.

"Please don't tell me to go away."

He swallowed hard.

"I don't know what the future holds for me," he said honestly,

"but for now... I don't want to separate from you."

That's when she finally spoke.

Rivan froze.

"Leave ninety nights alone," she continued quietly.

"Then... I'll forgive you."

Rivan blinked.

"N... ninety nights?" he asked, stunned.

"Whole... ninety?"

"Yes," Devyani said.

"Whole three months."

Her face betrayed her

eyes shining, lips trembling

she was on the verge of crying, but holding herself together with everything she had.

Rivan shook his head instantly.

"No," he said brokenly.

"Please... I can't."

She looked at him.

"Why?" she asked softly.

"Didn't you leave me alone for three months?"

Her voice trembled.

"So this... is the same."

Rivan opened his mouth.

"But—"

She cut him off.

"Haan?" she said, eyes burning.

"But what?"

Rivan shook his head immediately.

"No," he said firmly.

"I'm not going to stay away."

His voice cracked despite his resolve.

"I already suffered three months alone," he continued.

"Now I don't have any energy left for that."

He tightened his grip on her hands.

"If you want to fight, then fight," he said desperately.

"I'm ready to take any punishment you give me."

His eyes searched hers.

"Just... don't tell me to stay away."

Devyani's composure finally cracked.

"So now you understand," she said, her voice trembling,

"how it feels?"

Her emotions began pouring out, slow at first, then unstoppable.

"Do you even know how I spent those days?" she asked, tears slipping free.

"Those nights... those nightmares..."

Her chest heaved.

"Do you know how much I cried?"

"Do you even know how much stress I was in?"

Her voice broke completely.

"I... I thought you didn't like me," she whispered.

"I... thought I irritated you so much that you just left me."

She shook her head, tears falling faster.

"I... I know I am stupid," she said brokenly.

"I am bad."

Then she looked straight at him, pain naked in her eyes.

"But at least," she cried softly,

"you could have said something before leaving."

Her words hung between them

raw, honest, and long overdue.

She sniffed, her voice breaking again.

"You know... I felt very bad for talking so much," she whispered.

"For asking so much."

Rivan immediately shook his head.

"No, no... please," he said, panicked.

"Please don't say that."

He gently wiped her tears with his thumb.

"Listen to me, baby," he said softly.

"You never irritated me."

"Never. Ever."

He looked straight into her eyes.

"Trust me."

"Neither your questions nor your worries ever bothered me," he continued.

"You are not stupid."

A faint smile appeared through his pain.

"You are my baby girl," he said gently.

"How can such a cute girl be stupid?"

He shook his head.

"The entire world can say anything," he whispered,

"but not my Devyani."

"She is innocent," he corrected softly,

"not stupid."

"Please don't confuse your innocence with stupidity."

He cupped her cheeks carefully, his thumbs brushing away fresh tears.

"And who said you irritate me?" he asked quietly.

"You are my smalllll baby."

His voice softened further.

"And yes, I know," he said,

"I told you I was busy with some work."

"It's not like I left because of you."

He inhaled deeply.

"I didn't inform you before leaving because... if I had told you," he confessed,

"do you think I could have gone?"

He shook his head.

"No. I couldn't."

"I can't leave my baby alone," he whispered.

"That's why I didn't tell you."

"Please... don't overthink."

Devyani sniffed, hiccupping as she spoke.

"But... you could have taken me with you, na?" she said softly.

"Wherever you went... you could have taken me with you."

She looked at him, eyes full of hurt.

"If you really didn't hate me."

She shook her head slowly, tears still clinging to her lashes.

"But you gave me enough reasons to overthink," she said softly.

"So give me ninety nights... give me those days to think about myself."

Rivan didn't argue.

He gently wiped her face, careful, reverent like she was fragile glass.

"I'll give you more than that," he said quietly.

"I'll give you reasons to love yourself, kitten."

His eyes softened, voice steady with promise.

"Trust me," he whispered.

"I'll kiss the ground you walk on."

He smiled faintly.

Before she could understand what he meant, he slowly leaned forward.

And pressed a gentle kiss on her feet.

"This," he said softly,

"is the first reason."

Devyani's eyes widened in shock.

"Wh... what are you doing?" she whispered, panicked.

He held her foot carefully as she tried to pull back.

"No," he said gently, not forceful, just firm.

"Let me show you."

"Let me show you how much I cherish you."

His voice trembled not with desire, but with devotion.

Slow. Respectful. Sacred.

Devyani froze.

Her breath caught.

No one had ever loved her like this

with humility instead of pride,

with reverence instead of words.

And in that moment, she didn't feel small.

She felt seen.

Devyani broke down completely.

This time, she cried loudly

not quietly, not holding back.

She felt bad.

Really bad.

"It's okay," she sobbed, clutching his shirt.

"I won't be angry... just don't love me this much."

Rivan smiled sadly.

He gently made her stand, then sat on the chair himself and carefully pulled her onto his lap, holding her as if she might fall apart if he loosened his grip even a little.

He tucked her hair behind her ear tenderly.

"Baccha," he said softly,

"listen to me."

"Why should I love in limits?" he asked quietly.

"My love for you is limitless."

Devyani shook her head, tears soaking his shoulder.

"No," she whispered.

"I don't deserve this."

Her voice trembled.

"Everyone hates me... it's okay," she said brokenly.

"If you also want to—"

She stopped, choking on her words.

"I won't feel bad," she lied weakly.

"I... I'm sorry for showing you anger."

She wiped her tears hurriedly.

"I won't show it again."

Rivan's expression changed soft, but firm.

He held her face gently, making her look at him.

"Then to whom," he asked quietly,

"will you show your anger?"

"If not to me," he continued, his voice steady,

"then who has the right?"

"You are allowed to be angry," he said softly.

"You are allowed to cry, to shout, to complain."

He rested his forehead against hers.

"I am your husband," he whispered.

"If you can't pour your anger on me... then where will it go?"

He hugged her tighter.

"And don't ever say you don't deserve love," he added firmly.

"You deserve it more than you know."

He hugged her even tighter, pulling her completely into himself, as if the world outside no longer existed.

A tear slipped from his eye.

Silent. Heavy.

She was hiccuping now, small broken sounds leaving her throat as she clutched him tightly, her fingers fisting in his shirt like he was the only thing keeping her steady.

Neither of them spoke.

No explanations.

No promises.

No past.

No future.

Just two broken hearts holding onto each other.

Breathing together.

Hurting together.

Healing slowly.

It was just their moment.

And for once

That was enough.

She slowly pulled back and held his cheeks with both her hands, her fingers trembling.

"Please..." she whispered, her voice breaking again.

"Don't leave like this next time."

Her words rushed out, messy and emotional.

"Just tell me... if I am wrong," she said.

"Or if you feel irritated... annoyed."

Her lower lip quivered.

"Just don't leave like this."

"Haaaa..." she breathed, overwhelmed.

Her cheeks were red.

Her nose red.

Her eyes swollen and burning.

Rivan shook his head immediately.

"Never," he said firmly.

"I am not going to leave."

"Never ever."

"No matter how much you push me," he continued softly,

"you'll always see me standing in front of you."

He looked into her eyes.

"And this is a promise."

She lifted her little finger hesitantly.

"I... want to ask one more thing."

He nodded, waiting.

"The day... I collapsed," she whispered,

"I saw you... in one room."

Her grip tightened on his shirt.

"And you were drenched in blood," she said fearfully.

"And you were hurting someone."

Her eyes filled again.

"Please don't hurt anyone," she begged.

"Even if they are monsters."

"Please... don't hurt."

Rivan's heart clenched.

"No," he said gently, without hesitation.

"It was just a bad nightmare."

"You didn't see anything."

"It wasn't me."

Devyani searched his face.

"Really?" she asked softly.

"It was not true?"

"Yes," Rivan replied.

He felt a sting of guilt but he had no choice.

"And please, baby," he added softly,

"stop crying."

"You are my strong girl, right?"

She shook her head slowly.

"No," she said honestly.

"I don't want to be strong."

"I just want to be normal."

She cupped his cheeks again, her touch warm and shaky.

"You won't leave me, right?"

He answered instantly.

"Yes. I won't."

She swallowed hard.

"How can I trust you?" she asked quietly.

"You broke my trust."

Rivan closed his eyes for a second, then rested his forehead against hers.

"You don't have to trust me today," he said softly.

"Or tomorrow."

"Trust isn't fixed in one night," he continued.

"I broke it... so I'll rebuild it."

"Slowly. Daily. Honestly."

He held her closer.

"I'll stay," he whispered.

"Until trusting me feels natural again."

She hesitated for a moment, then spoke softly, almost shyly.

"I want to get more angry with you," she admitted innocently.

"But I am scared..."

Her voice dropped.

"That if I show more anger... you will leave me."

Rivan smiled gently, his eyes soft.

"No, baby," he said firmly.

"I am here to coax you."

"Get angry as much as you want," he continued.

"This is how love is."

"You show your anger only to the ones you love," he said calmly,

"not to outsiders."

She looked at him with wide eyes.

"So... I can throw my anger at you, right?"

"Yes," Rivan replied without hesitation.

"And I'll do my best to make sure your anger melts faster."

She nodded seriously.

"Okay," she said.

"Then from tomorrow... I'll show you all my anger."

A small pause.

"For now," she whispered,

"just hug me."

Rivan didn't say anything.

He simply wrapped his arms around her tightly.

She buried her face in his neck, her body finally relaxing against him.

For the first time in three months

Her breathing slowed.

Her heart steadied.

She felt peace.

Not forced.

Not temporary.

A true peace.

Rivan cleared his throat softly.

"So... umm," he said gently, trying to sound normal,

"let's go to our room."

Then he paused, correcting himself with a faint smile.

"It's actually your Reyu bhaiyya's room."

Devyani hummed lazily, eyes half-closed.

"Umm... hmmmm," she murmured.

"I am not going to move."

Those simple words sent a strange shiver through him.

He gulped.

"O... okay," he said quietly.

"Then I'll take you there."

Before she could react, he slid one arm behind her back and the other under her knees.

Instinctively, her legs wrapped around him.

Rivan froze for half a second

then smiled.

A real one.

He held her closer, secure, careful, as if she weighed nothing at all.

Without another word, he carried her toward their room

slow steps, steady heart

holding not just her body,

but the fragile peace they had finally found.

He placed her gently on the bed.

"Lie down," he said softly.

"Let me change."

Devyani shook her head immediately.

"Nope," she said stubbornly.

"I am not going to move."

Rivan sighed softly, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"Okay," he agreed.

"Don't move."

"But we need to sleep," he added gently.

"Just lie down. I'll be there beside you."

She hummed again, displeased.

"Ummmm... noooo," she said, a little anger mixed with softness.

"Can't you just let me hold you?"

Rivan chuckled under his breath.

"Achha baba," he said surrendering.

"Okay."

He slowly lowered himself onto the bed, careful not to disturb her, lying down while she remained on top of him.

He pulled the blanket over them both and wrapped one arm around her.

With the other hand, he caressed her back in slow, soothing strokes.

Her body gradually relaxed against him.

And just like that

The night finally became gentle.

She shifted slightly and lifted her head to look at his eyes.

"So... you're not going, right?" she asked softly.

"Nope," Rivan replied without hesitation.

She blinked once.

Then again.

"Hmmm..." she murmured.

Suddenly, she leaned in and kissed his cheek.

Rivan froze for half a second.

She pulled back, looking a little shy.

"I don't know," she said honestly,

"I felt like kissing you."

Rivan smiled gently and kissed her forehead.

"It's okay," he said softly.

"You can kiss me."

She tilted her head.

"Really?" she asked, eyes wide.

"Yes," he replied.

"Unlimited permission."

She smiled a small, real one.

"But only cheeks," she said seriously.

He chuckled quietly.

"Deal."

She kissed his other cheek this time, slower.

"Now both sides are equal," she announced.

Rivan laughed softly, holding her closer.

"You're very fair," he teased.

She yawned, resting her head back on his chest.

"Because you are mine," she said sleepily.

He kissed her hair.

"And I'm not going anywhere," he whispered.

She hesitated for a second, then spoke softly.

"Umm... can you remove your shirt?"

Rivan blinked.

"Umm... why?"

She tilted her head, clearly thinking.

"Okay," she said seriously. "Now I have one condition."

He raised an eyebrow.

"If you don't want me to sleep in Reyu bhaiyya's room..."

Rivan sighed dramatically.

"Umm... okay."

She narrowed her eyes playfully.

"You won't ask why," she added.

"And you will just obey my words."

"Okay?"

He chuckled, defeated in the best way.

"Okay, ma'am," he said warmly.

"As you wish."

Then, with mock pride, he added,

"Your man will be your forever listener."

She nodded, satisfied.

"Good."

He sat up, and she settled comfortably on his lap. Without rushing, without making it awkward, he removed his shirt and tossed it aside.

She looked at him for a second—m not shy, not bold just... assured.

Then she gently pushed him back onto the bed and lay down on his chest, her head fitting perfectly over his heart.

She placed a soft kiss there and whispered,

"This is where you are," she said quietly.

"Your heart is right here."

She kissed that spot again, slower this time.

"So you won't think of leaving me again."

Rivan closed his eyes, holding her close.

And in that moment,

he knew

No distance, no silence, no fear

could ever pull him away from her again.

For the first time in a very long while...

I felt peace.

She was in my arms now, sleeping peacefully, her breaths soft and even, her face calm like the storm inside her had finally rested. I held her a little closer, afraid that even this moment might slip away if I loosened my grip.

But peace is fragile.

Because somewhere deep inside me, fear stirred.

What about the day she learns the truth?

The thought alone sent a chill through me. My chest tightened, my jaw clenched. That day... it scares me more than anything I have ever faced.

I tightened my hold unconsciously.

She will be mine forever, I told myself.

Even if she pushes me away... even if she runs far from me... she will still be mine.

Not by force.

Not by control.

But by the love I will keep giving her silently, endlessly.

After a while, her breathing deepened. She had fallen asleep completely.

Carefully so carefully I moved away from her, making sure not to wake her. I tucked the quilt around her properly, adjusted the pillow near her shoulder, and watched her for a few seconds longer than necessary.

Then I picked up my shirt, wore it, and quietly stepped out of the room.

The door closed softly behind me.

I walked toward my study.

And when I entered

Reyansh was already there.

Waiting.

Reyansh spoke first, his voice low but sharp.

I leaned against the table, tired.

"No need," I replied calmly.

"I'll close the door from here."

Reyansh shook his head immediately.

"Nope," he said firmly.

"We are not going to take any risk."

He looked straight at me.

"She has already suffered a lot," he continued.

"And your... these blood games—" he stopped himself, taking a breath,

"they will make her panic even more."

"I know," I said quietly.

"But trust me... she won't find out."

Reyansh snapped.

"Last time also you said the same thing," he shot back.

'She won't find out.'"

"And what happened?" he asked bitterly.

"She entered the room."

I clenched my jaw.

"Then what do you want me to do?" I asked.

"I can't move it."

"This is my work."

Reyansh's tone softened but his words hit harder.

"Then change your work, Rivan."

I looked at him.

"You have a wife now," he said slowly.

"And not just any wife."

"The one who doesn't like this," he added.

"The one who gets scared."

I closed my eyes.

Because he was right.

Painfully right.

But this... this darkness had been a part of my life for too long.

I opened my eyes again.

"I'll do something," I said quietly.

Reyansh studied me for a moment, then asked,

"Who was inside today?"

"Her father," I replied honestly.

Reyansh's eyebrows lifted.

"Oh," he said.

"And what about her brother?"

I exhaled slowly.

"I've already given him enough lesson," I said coldly.

"No need for this treatment anymore."

The room fell silent.

Because both of us knew

This wasn't just about a room.

It was about whether I could truly protect her

from the parts of me

that even I hadn't escaped yet.

They entered the room.

The moment the door closed

The metallic smell hit first.

Thick. Heavy. Suffocating.

Then the echoes

muffled screams, broken breaths, chains scraping lightly against the floor.

Darkness wrapped around everything.

Blood stains marked the truth of what this place was.

This is where it all started.

Reyansh stiffened the moment he saw another figure in the corner face completely covered, body tied, barely conscious.

His voice dropped.

"Who is this?" he asked.

I smirked faintly not with pride, but with something darker.

"The man i love the most," I replied.

Reyansh frowned.

"What do you mean?"

I walked forward and stopped beside that trembling body.

Reyansh moved closer, confusion etched on his face. He reached out and slowly removed the cloth covering the person's face.

Still clueless.

"Who?" he asked again.

At that moment, the man's eyes snapped open.

Wide.

Terrified.

"Please please leave me," the man begged immediately, his voice shaking violently.

"It's been years... please leave me."

His lips trembled uncontrollably.

His eyes were red from crying.

Blood covered his face, his hands, his clothes.

His entire body shook in pure fear.

Reyansh took a sharp breath.

Because this wasn't anger anymore.

This was terror.

The kind that comes from knowing

You are finally standing in front of the consequences of your sins.

He smiled, then face-palmed with a soft laugh. "Ummm, you are wearing it wrong."

My cheeks burned hotter. "Oh yeah, because it's you who said that you will teach me and disappeared for three months."

The words tumbled out, a mix of accusation and plea, my voice trembling just a little.

He closed his eyes for a beat, exhaling slowly. "Biwi innocent ho ya chalak, biwi biwi hoti hai," he murmured, like he was reminding himself of some universal truth.

Then, opening his eyes, he looked at me with that steady gaze. "May I help you?"

I swallowed hard, my nerves twisting into knots.

"Ummm, hmmmm," I managed, my voice barely a whisper. "Anyway, you have already seen my chest, so ummmmm... you can... umm, help."