Heyy cutie I hope you all are well

Enjoy the chapter

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Author’s POV

The evening settled quietly over Raizada Mansion. Everyone was busy downstairs arranging for dinner—Ruhanika helping Maina with the table, Rudraksh seated on the couch with his unreadable calm.

Upstairs, Avni gently placed her guitar back on the stand, her soft humming still lingering in the air. She stepped out of her room, adjusting her dupatta, completely unaware of who was walking toward her.

Shivansh had just come out of his room after freshening up, fixing his cufflinks as he headed toward the staircase. His steps slowed… when his eyes landed on her.

Avni.

She looked up at the same time, and the world stopped moving.

Her lips parted in shock, her eyes widening as if she was staring at a ghost from her past.

Avni (whispering, voice trembling): “Tum…?”

Shivansh froze, his entire body stiff, eyes locked on hers. A storm flickered in his gaze—pain, anger, disbelief, everything all at once.

Shivansh (hoarse, under his breath): “Avni…”

Her name fell from his lips like an old wound reopening.

For a few seconds, neither of them moved. The silence was suffocating, filled with everything they had left unsaid.

Just then, Ruhanika's cheerful voice echoed from downstairs.

“Avi , dinner ke liye aa jao!”

Avni flinched, breaking eye contact immediately. She gripped her dupatta tightly, trying to control the tremor in her hands, and walked quickly down the stairs.

Shivansh’s eyes followed her, his jaw tightening as though fighting to control emotions threatening to spill out.

Ruhanika noticed Avni’s pale face when she reached the dining hall. The concern filled her voice.

Ruhanika: “Avni, tum theek ho na?”

Avni forced a weak smile, nodding faintly.

Avni: “Haan… main theek hoon.”

But her trembling lips told another story.

From the staircase, Shivansh stood silently, his gaze burning into her back. And on the other side of the hall, Rudraksh’s sharp eyes observed the strange tension. He leaned back slightly, his mind already piecing things together.

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Shivansh’s POV

I had thought a business trip would clear my head, but the moment I stepped into the Raizada Mansion… my entire world shook.

Because I saw her.

Avni.

The same girl I had left behind. The same wife I had abandoned without even giving her my name.

My chest tightened as I shut the door of my room. The cheerful noise of family faded downstairs, leaving me in suffocating silence. I yanked my tie loose and dragged a hand through my hair, my heartbeat a painful thud.

“Yeh kaise ho sakta hai?” I whispered to myself, pacing restlessly. “Avni iss ghar mein… meri family ke saath? Ek hafte se yahaan reh rahi hai aur mujhe pata bhi nahi?”

The image of her at the dinner table haunted me—her lowered lashes, her trembling hands clutched around the water glass. She was scared. Scared because she knew the truth.

slammed my fist into the wall, rage and guilt boiling together.

How is this possible even though I didn't tell her my name then how she reached there and she didn't tell anyone about our marriage

My voice cracked, the words choked me.“Avni… tum meri patni ho. Lekin main tumhara pati ban hi nahi paya.”

Just then, a soft knock at the door.

“Shivansh, dinner ke liye neeche aa jao,” Maina’s voice floated in, full of warmth.

I quickly rubbed my face, forcing the storm inside me to quiet.

“Haan maa… aa raha hoon,” I replied, my voice steady but hollow.

But the truth was merciless—Avni’s presence in this mansion was a wound reopening with every heartbeat.

Author pov

After the dinner everyone went into their room in the middle of the night when shivansh entered the avni room

Her room door opened and there was an avni sleep peacefully

Shivansh bent down her eyes closed

He slowly touched her cheeks by his sudden action avni open her eyes and found shivansh in her room

Shivansh. She wissperd

She stood from the bed and step back from his but he pinned her from the wall

He stood leaning against the wall, his sharp eyes catching hers instantly.  in that one gaze. Her heart pounded, her hands trembled

Shivansh smirked coldly.

Ohh so it was your plane you used Ruhanika bhabhi in your fucking plane very nice

Avni’s breath hitched. She lowered her eyes, voice soft.

“Main… Majbur thi , Shivansh. Mera koi apna nahi tha. Mujhe nhi pta tha ye aapka Ghar hai

He pushed off the wall and stepped closer, his tone razor sharp.

Shivansh: “Majboor?

His words pierced her chest, but she didn’t move away. Instead, tears welled up, her lips trembling.

For a moment, Shivansh faltered. His hand slammed against the wall beside her face, trapping her between him and the marble. His face lowered dangerously close to hers, his breath uneven.

Shivansh (huskily): “its all your plan to enter in my life

Silence. Thick, electrifying. His fingers twitched as if they longed to touch her cheek, his gaze fell to her lips—but at the last second, he pulled back sharply.

Shivansh (coldly): “ you are nothing but a burden in my life and remember one thing very clearly I never accept you as my wife

He stormed off, his steps echoing. But his heartbeat was wild, betraying his words.

Avni stood frozen, broken tears gliding down her face, yet her lips curved in a faint, stubborn smile.

With that he left her room

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On the other side in Rudraksh bedroom

Rudraksh lay on his bed while Ruhanika lay on couch acting that she was in sleep

When she realised that Rudraksh fell on sleep she stood from her bed and went near him

Touch his cheeks "I know you hate me but i didn't hate you for a second i don't know why thank you for giving me this family i know first they don't like me but now they give me the love which I want from childhood"

She said and kissed on his cheeks and went back on her couch

(it's her deAly routine but Rudraksh didn't know about that )

The next morning

The grand Raizada Mansion was filled with the soft glow of chandeliers that evening. For the first time in weeks, the entire family had gathered in the living area. The air was light with conversation, tea being passed around, and laughter echoing against the marble walls.

Ruhanika sat on one end of the sofa beside Avni, her best friend, who had come over after recovering. Rudraksh lounged opposite them, his arm stretched lazily along the back of the couch, but his eyes were fixed only on his wife.

"Ruhanika, pass me that cushion, will you? Though honestly, you should sit beside me… that couch looks incomplete without you."Rudraksh said teasingly, with a half-smile

Her cheeks warmed instantly, and she shot him a glare, trying to mask her flustered state.

"You have a habit of saying nonsense in front of everyone."Ruhanika muttering under her breath

"Only because I love watching you blush."Rudraksh said leaning forward, voice just for her

Avni, catching the exchange, nudged Ruhanika with a playful smirk, making her cheeks turn even pinker. The rest of the family chuckled lightly, but pretended not to notice the obvious flirting—it was simply “Rudraksh being Rudraksh.”

Across the room, Shivansh sat quietly, sipping his coffee. His eyes, however, kept drifting toward Avni. He thought no one noticed, but Ruhanika caught the way his usually stoic face softened whenever Avni laughed.

And Avni—though pretending to be busy stirring her tea—stole quick, secretive glances at Shivansh when she thought no one was looking. Their eyes met once, just for a fleeting second, and both immediately looked away, their lips curving into shy, secret smiles.

The whole room seemed alive with unspoken emotions—playful sparks between Rudraksh and Ruhanika, and a delicate, budding warmth between Avni and Shivansh.

Rudraksh (suddenly leaning closer to Ruhanika, whispering):

"You can ignore me all you want, but I know your heart races every time I speak to you like this."

Ruhanika (rolling her eyes, whispering back):

"And your heart must be a full-time job—because it never learns how to behave."

Their hushed exchange was interrupted when Shivansh coughed slightly, trying to hide his smile. Avni quickly lowered her gaze to her teacup, pretending she hadn’t noticed.

When Bhairvi said to avnika ,

"Avni beta you should move on with someone's ' what if your husband  loves someone else "

Avni simply nodded with a smile to hide her smile in front of the whole family

♥♥

Ruhanika stood near the window and thought about Rudraksh's behaviour

Why does he behave well with her as she knows he hates her

When she found out Rudraksh's voice behind her she found him and looked at her she couldn't control herself and asked

Her voice  trembled but was steady enough to confront him.

“Rudraksh… why do you behave so gently with me sometimes? Why do you care when you’ve already told me you hate me?”

Her eyes searched for an answer, a hope, anything hidden in his silence.

Rudraksh, leaning back on the couch, didn’t even look at her at first. He gave a cold chuckle, his tone laced with cruel detachment.

“Don’t misunderstand, Ruhanika. Just because I don’t let you fall in front of others, doesn’t mean I feel anything for you. I was only saving my own name, not you.”

You know what it's just acting in front of the whole family because I don't want hurt them

Her heart sank at the harshness of his words. She whispered, “So… all those moments, all those times you shielded me… they meant nothing?”

Finally, his eyes met hers, but there was no softness in them—only a sharp edge that cut deeper than any blade.

“Yes,” he said coldly, “they meant nothing. Don’t try to read love where there is only an obligation.”

The words struck her harder than a slap. Ruhanika turned her face away, blinking back the tears burning her eyes. She had asked for the truth, but the truth he gave left her shattered, standing alone in the silence that followed

As soon as Rudraksh turned away, the room felt colder. His indifference hung heavy in the air, sharper than the words he had spoken.

Ruhanika’s knees weakened, and she clutched the edge of the window for support. Her lips trembled as tears finally slipped down, betraying the strength she tried so hard to hold.

She whispered to herself, almost inaudibly, “Why do you hate me this much when all I ever gave you was love?”

Without waiting for his response, she walked away, her anklets jingling faintly against the heavy silence. Each step felt like carrying the weight of his rejection. She shut the bedroom door behind her, pressing her forehead against it, her sobs muffled so he wouldn’t hear.

But Rudraksh did hear.

Sitting alone on the couch, his jaw tightened. He stared at the glass in his hand, eyes dark, hiding the storm raging inside. His cold reply had broken her—but the truth he would never admit, not even to himself, was that every tear of hers stabbed his own heart.

Yet he whispered under his breath, so low that only the walls could hear,

“Why can’t I just let you in, Ruhanika…? Why can’t I love you, when deep down, I already do…”

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The morning sun poured softly through the curtains, but the warmth never reached Ruhanika’s heart. She moved around the room quietly, her face pale from the sleepless night. Every time her eyes fell on Rudraksh’s side of the bed, a sharp pain tugged at her chest.

When she walked out of the washroom,  he was already there, sipping his coffee. Normally, she would greet him softly, ask if he needed anything… but today, her lips stayed sealed. She poured herself a glass of water, deliberately keeping her gaze away from him.

Rudraksh noticed. The silence between them was louder than any fight. He clenched his jaw, the cup in his hand tightening as he watched her move around like he was invisible.

“Not even going to say good morning?” he asked coldly, though deep inside he wasn’t angry—he was aching.

Ruhanika didn’t answer. She simply picked up her dupatta and walked past him, her silence cutting deeper than her words ever could.

For the first time, Rudraksh felt the sting of his own cruelty. Her silence was a punishment he wasn’t prepared for. He wanted to stop her, to call out her name, to undo the words from last night… but his pride chained his tongue.

As the door clicked shut behind her, Rudraksh sat back down, staring at the untouched coffee. His chest tightened, a whisper escaping his lips that no one could hear:

“Hate me all you want, Ruhanika… but don’t ever ignore me. Your silence hurts more than your tears.”

♥♥♥

The office buzzed with its usual energy, employees typing, phones ringing, papers shuffling. Ruhanika sat at her desk, her face composed, but her heart still carried the heaviness from last night. She forced a faint smile when her colleague, Arjun, cracked a joke to lighten the mood.

Her soft laughter slipped out—fragile but real. For a moment, it made her forget the storm inside.

Rudraksh, who had come to drop a few files for a meeting, froze when he saw her. His eyes narrowed instantly at the sight of her laughing with someone else. The sound of her laughter, which once belonged only to him, now echoed in the room like betrayal.

He clenched his fist, his jaw tightening. Every fiber of his body wanted to drag her away from Arjun, to remind her she was his wife, even if he never admitted his feelings.

When Ruhanika noticed him standing there, her laughter faded. She quickly lowered her gaze, pretending to be busy with her files. Her silence in front of him was deliberate—just like that morning.

Rudraksh walked up, placing the files on her desk a little too harshly. His eyes were cold, but the fire burning inside them couldn’t be hidden.

“Looks like you’ve got plenty of time to… enjoy, Ruhanika,” he said in a low, cutting tone.

She lifted her eyes, meeting his gaze with quiet defiance. “At least here, no one tells me my presence means nothing,” she whispered, her words piercing straight through him.

Rudraksh’s heart twisted, but he masked it with a smirk, turning away before his emotions betrayed him. As he walked out of the office, his chest burned with jealousy—not at her laughter, but at the thought that she might be finding comfort in someone else while he battled his own unspoken love.

Later that evening, the office corridors grew quieter as most employees had already left. Ruhanika was still at her desk, packing her files when she felt a sudden shadow fall over her.

She turned—and there he was. Rudraksh, leaning against the wall, his eyes burning with a mixture of anger and emotions he refused to name.

“Having fun, aren’t you?” he said coldly, stepping closer. “Laughing with Arjun… smiling like nothing happened last night. You seem to be moving on quite easily, Ruhanika.”

Her heart skipped, but she stood her ground. “At least with Arjun, I don’t feel unwanted every second. With him, I don’t have to beg for respect.”

The words hit him like a slap. He moved closer, causing her between the wall and his tall frame. His voice dropped, harsh and possessive.

“Don’t mistake my silence for indifference. Just because I don’t show it doesn’t mean I’ll let you go around laughing with anyone.”

Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, but she whispered, broken yet brave:

“And what are you, Rudraksh? My protector or my destroyer? You don’t love me, you don’t even want me—yet you can’t stand seeing me breathe freely. Why do you always chain me, only to crush me?”

For a brief second, his eyes softened, the truth almost slipped out… but then his pride rose like a wall again. He leaned back, his tone cutting like a knife.

“Because you’re mine, Ruhanika. Not because I love you… but because I won’t let anyone else have you.”

Her tears finally fell, her chest aching at the cruelty of his words. She pushed past him, whispering through her sobs:

“You don’t love me, Rudraksh… but you’ll never understand how much I love you.”

She walked away, her figure trembling, leaving Rudraksh alone in the empty office. He pressed his hand against the wall,

That night, when she returned home, Ruhanika sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the darkened room. Her heart felt heavy, but something inside her had shifted.

For days, she had endured his cold words, his mixed signals, his harsh replies—but tonight in the office, when he claimed she was his without love, something broke inside her.

She wiped her tears, her voice trembling as she whispered to herself,

“No more, Rudraksh… no more begging for scraps of affection. I can’t keep loving someone who only knows how to hurt me.”

The next morning, she changed.

When Rudraksh came into the dining room, she didn’t even glance at him. She quietly served herself breakfast, ignoring his presence entirely. No “good morning,” no stolen glances, no effort to speak. Only silence.

Throughout the day, she avoided him—no calls, no texts, not even the smallest gestures she used to make out of love. She went about her life as though he didn’t exist.

Rudraksh noticed. Every moment of her silence stabbed him deeper than her tears ever did. He caught her avoiding his gaze, caught her smiling politely at others but never at him. At first, his pride told him to ignore it. But by the evening, it began to gnaw at him like a wound he couldn’t heal.

When he finally tried to speak to her—just a small “Ruhanika—” she walked past him as though he wasn’t even there.

For the first time, Rudraksh felt truly powerless. His chest tightened, his throat heavy with unspoken words. He wanted to call her back, to stop her, to tell her the truth

hiding behind his pride. But all he managed to do was clench his fists and whisper to himself,

“Don’t leave me behind, Ruhanika… I won’t survive your silence.”

And yet—her distance had already begun.