“Fair enough.” I grab Ranveer’s hair again. “We’re going to leave now. And this place is going to catch fire the moment I step out.” My voice comes out cold, with an edge.
Aarav ties Meera up, ignoring her flailing hands. She fights, but he punches her in the gut, and she crumples against the chair.
“I read somewhere that after childbirth, burning alive is the most painful,” I say casually, loud enough for them to hear. “This house was her personal hell. You made sure of it. So now, I’m going to make it yours.” A chuckle erupts from my mouth.
“You’re going to pay for your sins.”
Aarav nods as he comes to stand beside me. “Oh, and I’ll be taking over your company. You should thank me—clearly, you can’t run it properly.”
“And my wife? She’ll get everything. Love. Respect. She’ll eat what she wants. Gain whatever weight she wants. Read every book she wants. Be as loud, quiet, soft, or strong as she wants.”
“No, please—” Meera starts, but we don't let her finish the words.
“Let’s go, Aarav,” I call to him, cutting her off, and he follows me out. Their screams echo behind us. It's music to my ears.
As we step out, I look at my men, who are waiting for my order. “Burn it,” I command them, and they get to work.
37
SHIVANI
It’s been four days since Rudraksh started coming home late from the office. Worry claws my heart, but I tone it down. He must be stuck at work, and I should try harder to motivate him, not to pull him back down. It’s been a wonderful month. I feel lighter and safer now that my husband knows everything. He doesn't look at me any differently. He doesn’t treat me like I’m fragile. He still kisses me deeply, passionately. He still holds me tightly when he wants to. He hasn’t changed how he treats me at all. No one has. Maa and Chachi did cry when Rudraksh told them everything. But since then, they’ve been the same—showering me with love, like always. It's not like nothing has changed. Of course, there have been changes. Everyone insists I eat more, claiming I don’t eat like an adult. So now, I’m eating more, even though that's hard because my appetite is not that large, but I like the pampering. It’s healing me slowly. I even went shopping with Chachi and Aditi. They said I should explore my own style instead of wearing what my mother picked out for me. So, I bought a whole new wardrobe—because they threw out everything I brought from my parents' home.
The biggest surprise was Rudraksh hiring Madhav Uncle. I missed him a lot. Although I do wonder how he made myfather agree to that. But now, it feels like I have everything I ever wanted. All of these have been good changes.
But for the past few days, I’ve barely seen Rudra. And even though I trust him completely, my mind still plays its dirty tricks. Deep down, there’s a voice that whispers I’m not enough for him. Now that he knows everything, maybe he does see me as a weak, fragile person; maybe I am a burden. He’s told me many times that he wants me. So, I try to fight those thoughts, and most of the time I win. But I can’t help it—I don’t want to be dependent on him entirely. And yet, the way he looks at me, the way he holds me—it all matters to me.
He once told me that his opinion, or anyone’s for that matter, doesn’t define my worth. I know that’s true. But I can’t change overnight. I’ve always evaluated myself through my parents’ eyes. And now, I’ve replaced them with Rudra.
I shake my head to come out of the train of thoughts as my eyes wander to the clock. It’s almost midnight. I try to distract myself with a book. The TV. But every time, my thoughts drift back to Rudraksh. I wonder where he is. Why is he out so late? I know it sounds crazy, but the fear of abandonment and losing him eats away at me. I close my eyes, trying to push away the doubts and those voices that say I’m not good enough.
It’s a battle I fight alone. I don’t want to burden him with my insecurities. But the fight feels like a losing one. The sound of the door opening jolts me from my thoughts.
I look up and find Rudraksh walking in, his suit jacket slightly loose. My heart skips a beat as he walks over to me, his expression unreadable. “You’re still awake?” he asks, sitting next to me. His voice comes out tired and gruff.
I nod and close the book on my lap. “I couldn’t sleep,” I admit softly. My heart races with a million questions, but I don’t know how to ask them without sounding like a needy, anxious wife.
Rudraksh leans back on the couch, his eyes studying me. “Is everything okay?” He asks, his voice full of concern as he moves closer, resting his hand lightly on my thigh.
His touch ignites a shiver in my body. The warmth of his hand sends a jolt through me.
“Yeah, everything’s fine,” I say with a forced smile.
He sees the doubt in my eyes. His expression softens as he cups my chin gently and tilts my face up. “You’re lying,” he calls out firmly. “I can see it in your eyes.”
“God, how do you read me so easily?” I chuckle.
“You know what my favorite part of your body is?” He asks, his thumb tracing my cheek, as I narrow my eyes at him.
“What?” I whisper.
“Your eyes,” he murmurs. “They’re like windows to your soul. I can always tell you’re overthinking, even when you try to hide it.”
I blush at his words, feeling vulnerable. “You’re too good at reading me,” I complain with a playful pout. “Not fair.”
Rudraksh laughs, his eyes twinkling. “Life’s not fair, darling. And besides, I enjoy reading you. It’s like a beautiful mystery—figuring out what goes on in that pretty little head of yours.”
I gasp with wide eyes. “Are you calling my head little?”
