Meanwhile, away from all the laughter and chaos, Kirti sat quietly on a wooden bench outside the dhaba, completely lost in her own thoughts. Her eyes were fixed on the beautiful mountains, but her mind was somewhere else entirely. She didn't even notice someone standing behind her until a familiar voice pulled her back to reality.

"Kirti... are you okay?" (Kirti... are you okay?)

She looked up and found Aarav standing beside her with concern visible in his eyes. Kirti immediately forced a small smile and nodded.

"Haan, Bhaiya... I'm fine." (Yes, Brother... I'm fine.)

But Aarav knew better. He had watched her grow into this family, cared for her like his own younger sister, and he knew that the smile on her face wasn't real. It was the kind of smile people wore only to hide their pain. Taking a deep breath, he sat beside her, leaving enough space to respect her privacy. He knew that no matter how broken Veer and Kirti's relationship had become, it was still their relationship, and only they could decide what to do with it.

After a few moments of silence, Aarav spoke softly,

"Kirti, tum meri behen jaisi ho. Isliye apna dard mujhse mat chhupaya karo." (Kirti, you're like my sister. So don't hide your pain from me.)

He looked at her with reassuring eyes before continuing,

"Aur agar kabhi tumhe lage ki tum is rishte mein khush nahi ho, toh sirf majboori mein mat rehna. Tum kisi se bandhi hui nahi ho." (And if someday you feel you're not happy in this marriage, don't stay just because you think you have to. You're not trapped in this relationship.)

Kirti remained silent, listening carefully.

Aarav sighed before adding,

"Lekin agar tum abhi bhi is shaadi ko ek aur mauka dena chahti ho, toh main Veer se baat karunga. Aur agar usne tab bhi tumhari value nahi samjhi... toh main ensure karunga ki usse tumhari importance zaroor samajh aaye." (But if you still want to give this marriage another chance, I'll talk to Veer. And if he still doesn't realize your worth... I'll make sure he understands your importance.)

Kirti's eyes became moist. She slowly nodded and whispered,

"Thank you, Bhaiya."

But deep inside, only one thought kept repeating itself.

How could she ever leave Veer?

No matter how distant he had become, he was still the man she loved with all her heart.

After some time, everyone finished their meal and resumed their journey. The bus drove higher into the mountains, and with every passing kilometer, the weather grew colder. Snow-covered peaks stretched as far as the eye could see, while tall pine trees lined both sides of the narrow road.

A few hours later, they finally reached their destination.

As everyone stepped out of the bus, they stood frozen in admiration.

The place looked nothing less than paradise.

It wasn't an ordinary hotel but a beautiful mountain resort surrounded by towering hills, dense forests, and thick blankets of snow. Cozy wooden cottages stood between the trees, warm yellow lights glowing through their windows. The crisp air carried the scent of pine, while the peaceful silence made the entire place feel magical.

For a moment, everyone forgot how tired they were.

The beauty of the place was enough to steal every heart.

What none of them realized, however, was that the winter here was far harsher than they had expected. The icy wind had already begun growing stronger, dark clouds slowly gathering above the mountains, hinting that the peaceful weather wouldn't last for long.

One by one, the family members settled into their respective cottages as the chilly mountain night grew colder. Aarohi entered her cottage with Riaan and immediately ran toward the bed, diving beneath the thick blanket. Shivering, she peeked out and said, "Uff, jaan... itni thand hai!" (Uff, love... it's so cold!) Riaan chuckled softly as he placed their luggage in one corner of the room before walking over to her.

Sliding beneath the blanket, he wrapped his arms around her tiny frame and pulled her close. "Let me warm you up, babe," he whispered with a smile. Aarohi laughed quietly, resting comfortably against his chest. Compared to his broad build, she looked incredibly small in his embrace. For a few peaceful moments, they simply enjoyed each other's warmth while the cold wind whistled outside the wooden cottage. Just then, Aarohi's phone rang, interrupting their quiet moment. She glanced at the screen and smiled faintly when she saw "Mumma" flashing on it. Picking up the call, she cheerfully answered, "Yaaah, Mumma!" (Yes, Mom!) Her mother first asked about the journey, the weather, and whether everyone had reached safely. Aarohi happily answered every question until her mother's tone suddenly changed. "Aur Riaan? Usne apne parents se company ke shares ke baare mein baat ki?" (And Riaan? Did he ask his parents about his shares in the company?) Aarohi's smile disappeared instantly. She nervously glanced toward Riaan, who had stopped smiling and was now quietly looking at her with confusion. Trying to avoid the topic, she softly said, "Mumma... baad mein baat karte hain." (Mom... we'll talk about it later.) But her mother didn't stop. "Main pehle hi keh rahi thi, Aaru, pehle sab kuch confirm kar lena. Par nahi, tumhe toh uspar bahut bharosa tha." (I told you before, Aaru, to confirm everything first. But no, you trusted him too much.) Aarohi's heart began pounding. Every single word echoed through the silent room.

Her mother continued without realizing that Riaan could hear everything. "Dekho, agar kal ko un teenon bhaiyon ne milkar sab baant liya toh? Isliye maine kaha tha na property ke baare mein pooch lena." (What if someday the three brothers divide everything among themselves? That's why I told you to ask about the property.) Riaan's expression slowly hardened. His jaw clenched, but he remained silent. Unaware of the damage she was causing, Aarohi's mother continued, "Aur Riaan bhi abhi mature nahi hai. Uska music ka shauk kab tak chalega? Usse samjhao ki company par dhyaan de. Warna baad mein pachtana padega." (And Riaan isn't mature either. How long will this passion for music last? Make him understand that he should focus on the company, otherwise you'll regret it later.) Aarohi felt tears gathering in her eyes. Without another thought, she quickly disconnected the call. The room fell into complete silence. She slowly turned toward Riaan, but before she could explain anything, he quietly stood up. The warmth in his eyes had completely disappeared, replaced by hurt and disappointment. Without saying a single word, he turned around, opened the cottage door, and walked out, leaving Aarohi standing there helplessly as tears silently rolled down her cheeks.

The entire resort was covered in a thick blanket of snow. Soft yellow fairy lights illuminated the pathways, giving the cold winter night a peaceful and almost magical atmosphere. Riaan walked aimlessly until he reached the garden area, where a lone wooden bench stood beneath snow-covered pine trees. He stopped there, his breathing uneven as the conversation with Aarohi's mother replayed in his mind. Every word felt like an insult—not just to him, but to his parents and his family. Frustration boiled inside him. Unable to control his anger, he slammed his fist against the wooden bench. The impact was so hard that a rusty nail protruding from the wood pierced deep into his palm. A sharp pain shot through his hand, warm blood slowly trickling down his fingers, but he barely reacted. The pain in his heart was far greater than the wound in his hand.

Just then, he heard hurried footsteps crunching against the snow behind him.

"Riaan!"

He didn't have to turn around to know who it was.

Aarohi came running toward him, breathless from chasing him through the freezing night. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she finally stopped in front of him. She looked at his face, her eyes immediately filling with guilt. His eyes were bloodshot, his jaw clenched, and he refused to meet her gaze. She wanted to ask if he was alright, to explain everything, but the words seemed to disappear before reaching her lips.

Softly, she called again,

"Rii..."

Before she could say anything else, Riaan raised his hand slightly.

"Shhh..." he muttered hoarsely.

Without looking at her, he gently but firmly brushed her hand away as she tried to hold his.He turned, intending to walk away. But before he could take another step, Aarohi wrapped both her arms tightly around him from behind.She held onto him as though letting go would mean losing him forever.Her voice broke into sobs.

"I'm sorry..."

She cried harder, tightening her embrace.

"It's all my fault. Main Mumma se baat karungi... dobara kabhi aisa nahi hoga. I promise... I'm so sorry, Rii." (I'll talk to Mom... this will never happen again. I promise... I'm so sorry, Rii.)

Her breathing became uneven as tears soaked the back of his jacket.

Riaan closed his eyes.

For a moment, he remained completely still.

Then something caught his attention.

His gaze slowly dropped toward the ground.

Aarohi's feet...

They were completely bare.

In her panic to stop him, she had run out of the cottage without even wearing slippers.

Her delicate feet had already turned red from the freezing snow.The anger in Riaan's eyes vanished instantly, replaced by worry.Without saying a single word, he turned around, gently lifted Aarohi into his arms, and held her securely against his chest.

"Pagal ho kya?" (Have you lost your mind?) he muttered, his voice carrying more concern than anger. "Itni thand mein bina slippers ke bahar aa gayi?" (You came out into this freezing cold without wearing slippers?)

Aarohi lowered her head guiltily, but her arms instinctively tightened around his neck.No matter how hurt he was..The first thing he noticed was that she was cold.

The air inside the dimly lit cottage was thick with an unspoken intensity as Riaan gently lifted Aarohi, placing her onto the edge of the wooden table. The cold from the beach still lingered in her bones, making her shiver slightly. Without a word, he knelt before her, taking her freezing feet into his lap. His large, warm hands began to slowly rub her soles, desperate to transfer some of his own warmth into her skin.

He looked up at her, his eyes dark with an emotion so raw it made her breath hitch. Leaning down, he pressed a soft, lingering kiss against her skin, a silent vow of devotion.

But as he pulled back, the soft glow of the lamp caught his palm.

Aarohi’s breath was trapped in her throat. There, slicing deep across his skin, was a jagged, cruel cut, dark blood sluggishly seeping from the wound.

"Aapko ye kaisa lga?!" she gasped, the warmth from her cheeks instantly vanishing.

🔞

Before he could stop her, she scrambled off the table, her hands trembling as she tried to reach for his palm. Riaan remained silent, his jaw tightening as he tried to pull his hand back, dismissing it like it was nothing.

"Riaan, boliye! Kaise hua ye?" Her voice cracked, panic rising rapidly in her chest. She kept asking, her questions turning into a breathless blur. Looking at the sheer amount of blood, a suffocating wave of anxiety gripped her. Her eyes grew bloodshot, brimming with hot, frantic tears. She began to hyperventilate, her thumb digging into her own lips as a choked sob escaped her. She was spiraling, completely breathless with worry for him.

Seeing her break down, Riaan’s control snapped.

He didn't want explanations. He didn't want words. He just needed to ground her.

In one swift, commanding motion, he stepped forward, caught her waist, and brought his lips crashing down onto hers, stealing the very breath she was struggling to find.

Before Aarohi could push a single word past her lips, Riaan’s hands slid beneath the hem of her top, his warm, rough palms roaming possessively over her bare skin. A sudden wave of intense heat rushed through her, and she instinctively tried to take a step back, overwhelmed by the sudden shift in his intensity.

But Riaan wasn't letting her go.

He leaned down, burying his face in the crook of her neck, pressing a fierce, demanding kiss against her sensitive skin. Aarohi gasped, her fingers tightening frantically in his thick hair, a soft, breathless moan escaping her lips. The sound only seemed to fuel his fire. He moved back up to her face, his teeth nipping sharply at her bottom lip before his mouth locked onto hers again.

It was no longer just a kiss; it was a collision of raw hunger. It felt like a starving man finally meeting his meal, consuming her entirely.

Without breaking the kiss, Riaan lifted her effortlessly, pulling her into his lap as he sank onto the couch. His fingers moved with a dangerous, hurried precision, unbuttoning her top. The jeans she had been wearing earlier were already discarded on the floor, leaving her in nothing but her innerwear.

Feeling completely exposed under his burning gaze, Aarohi averted her eyes, looking toward the dark corner of the room. A chill ran down her spine as reality settled in. She knew him too well. This wasn't going to be a gentle, slow moment of pleasure.

This was something else entirely.

He was angry—super angry—and the dark, unpredictable glint in his eyes told her that right now, even Riaan didn't know what he might do next.

Aarohi tried one last time to pull herself away, a faint instinct of self-preservation kicking in, but the space between them vanished before she could even breathe. Riaan cupped her face in his large hands, shifting his pace. The frantic roughness melted into a slow, bruisingly deep kiss that left her completely dizzy. His tongue traced a path down to her neck, sending a riot of butterflies exploding in her stomach. Overwhelmed by the sensation, Aarohi’s resistance crumbled entirely. She wrapped her arms tightly around his shoulders, pulling him closer, matching his intensity with her own desperate grip as the world outside that room ceased to exist.

By the time he moved her to the bed, hovering over her with his heavy frame, the silence in the room had become deafening. Neither of them spoke a single word. They didn't need to; the sharp friction of their skin and the colliding rhythm of their bodies spoke for them.

Riaan abruptly stood up beside the bed, his dark eyes never leaving hers as his fingers worked down the buttons of his shirt. In moments, his clothes were discarded on the floor. Embarrassed by the raw vulnerability of the moment, Aarohi shifted her gaze away, unable to meet his eyes.

But Riaan wouldn't allow the distance.

He gripped her chin firmly, forcing her face up. "Look at me, jaan," he commanded, his voice a low, gravelly rasp.

As she looked up, a dark, dangerous smirk touched his lips. He leaned down, consuming her mouth again, while his hands began roaming deliberately over her bra. There was a tense, calculated pause before he suddenly used brute force, tearing the strap right off. A sharp sting flared across her skin where the fabric snapped, but she bit her lip, forcing the pain down.

The deep cut on his palm was still bleeding, staining her pale skin with crimson streaks, but he didn't care. His blood-smeared hand moved possessively over her breast, molding her to his touch. He stared down at her with heavy, unyielding eyes—making it completely clear that he wasn't asking for permission; he was taking what was his.

Riaan’s intensity only deepened, his hunger entirely consuming the room. He leaned down, his mouth replacing his hands as he bit her sharply, sending a jolt of pain that broke through her daze.

"Ahh!" Aarohi moaned out, turning her face to the side to escape the overwhelming sensation.

"Shhh," Riaan hissed against her skin, his dark eyes locking onto hers. "Do you want my family to know exactly what we are doing inside this room?"

Aarohi quickly shook her head, her breath catching in her throat as she forced herself to stay quiet.

But the realization hit her completely when his blood-stained hand slid down the length of her body, heading straight for her core. Panic flared in her chest, and she instinctively tried to push his shoulder away. "Riaan, please... don't," she pleaded, her voice trembling.

Riaan didn't stop. He stared directly into her eyes with a deliberate, unyielding gaze as his palm pressed against her panties, rubbing firmly. The fabric was already soaked through from her own reaction to him.

A dark smirk pulled at his lips. "Even now you're trying to stop me? When your panties can't even hide how wet you are for me?"

Before she could answer, his mouth clamped down on her other nipple, biting down hard. "Ahhh!" she cried out, the sound muffled in the quiet room. Desperate to find any excuse to slow him down, she gasped out, "Riaan... I didn't shave yet... you wouldn't like it."

Riaan’s smirk only widened, completely unfazed. "I don't care, jaan."

Without a second thought, his fingers hooked into the elastic of her panties, pulling them down and discarding them. She lay completely bare before him. His hand returned to her warmth, his thumb sweeping over her skin.

"You look stunning, jaan."

Then, he pushed his fingers deep inside her. Aarohi gasped loudly, gripping the bedsheets to stop herself from crying out as he established a heavy, relentless rhythm. His other hand, still marked with his own blood, tightly pinched her breast, keeping her anchored to the mattress. When he finally withdrew his wet fingers, his eyes stayed locked on hers as he slowly licked them clean.

The tension in the room broke completely as he shifted his weight, moving down between her thighs. He pressed his face close, his tongue replacing his fingers, driving her over the edge with a fierce, demanding pace that left her completely at his mercy as the hours slipped away.

The dark, heavy storm in Riaan’s eyes finally began to shift, the harsh anger melting into something far deeper as he looked up at her flushed face. Moving back up her body, he captured her lips once more, kissing her over and over with a bruising, desperate affection. He completely ignored the blood drying on his palm, and in her dazed state, Aarohi forgot about it too, entirely consumed by the rhythm of his mouth.

"Uff... Riaan, please... I can't hold it anymore," Aarohi whimpered against his lips, her body trembling on the verge of complete exhaustion.

Instead of pushing her further, Riaan paused. He leaned up and pressed a soft, lingering kiss against her forehead. For the first time in their entire intense encounter, the overwhelming tension broke, replaced by a sudden wave of warmth that made her feel safe, protected, and completely comfortable.

Lifting her gently into his arms, he carried her into the bathroom. With quiet care, he cleaned her body, wiping away the traces of the night and the blood from his hand. He slid one of his own clean, oversized shirts over her head, the familiar scent of him wrapping around her like a blanket, before carrying her back to the bed.

Riaan quickly changed into a simple t-shirt and trousers. "Have some rest, jaan," he murmured softly, turning to step away from the bedside.

"Please stay here... only with me," Aarohi pleaded, her fingers reaching out to catch the edge of his shirt, her eyes

wide with vulnerability.

Riaan looked down at her, his expression softening completely. He nodded, slipping into the bed beside her, and pulled her securely against his chest as she finally let her eyes close.