AUTHOR'S POV

"I promise...I'll make sure I die... so you'll carry the pain of being unforgiven forever."

Rudra jolted upright, gasping for breath, his chest heaving as if he had surfaced from drowning, his lungs fighting for air that refused to come. He clawed at his throat, panic rising as the room spun around him in suffocating silence. Sweat clung to his forehead, his back arched slightly, muscles locked as if his body didn't know whether to fight or collapse. His hands trembling as he buried his face in them. A harsh breath escaped his lips while his fingers clawed through his hair as if yanking hard enough would pull him out of this spiral. That voice, her voice, echoed again in his head.

Some curses are spells, ancient and mystic. But this one, this curse was born of heartbreak. The woman who once looked at him like he was worth saving... now damned him with a sentence he couldn't escape.

And the worst part?

He deserved it.

But Rudra's story was written with a cruel ink. His curse didn't come from a witch. It came from the woman he loved.

In the old story, In old tales, the Beast was cursed for his cruelty. His flesh twisted to reflect the arrogance of his heart, the Beast was punished. But fate, oddly merciful, gifted a path to redemption, it gave him a chance, a rose, a time limit, and a girl, if only he could learn to love and be loved in return.

But Rudra... he wasn't given a Beauty who could break the curse. He was given a Beauty who became the curse.

The world never warned him that sometimes it's not a witch who curses you it's the truth spoken by the only person you cannot afford to lose.

He had become the beast, not because of his scars, but because he had broken the one person who saw through them. In the fairy tale, the Beast had time. Rudra had consequences. Where others healed, he calcified. Where love might have softened, loss had sharpened.

And the most painful part? He would rather endure this punishment a thousand times over than let Saanvi see the wreckage she left behind. Because he lost that right, the right to show her his pain when he became the very reason for hers and gave her a reason to become the very curse that haunted him.

They say every man has a moment where he must choose between the mirror and the mask. Rudra chose the mask. Stoic, brutal. But beneath it all, he wasn't the villain. Nor was he the hero. He was simply the man left behind in the castle, long after the rose had died.

Her curse is not magic...it's memory.

And Rudra... Rudra is the kind of Beast no fairy tale dares to save.

His eyes flicked to the nightstand. A photo frame of Saanvi, smiling softly. He wasn't even looking at the camera. He had been looking at her.

His hand reached out, fingers hesitating for a second before lifting the frame. His throat tightened. The memory felt cruel now. He wiped the tear and put the photo down and walked into the bathroom, splashing cold water over his face until it numbed his skin.

Ten minutes later, he stepped out, the water dripping from his face as he grabbed a towel, rubbing his neck briskly. The shrill ring of his phone pierced the silence. He glanced at the screen and answered.

"Rudra, we need you at the cartel," Silas said sharply.

He checked the time, 1:45 AM.

"I'll be there," He hung up, grabbed a black tshirt, and black jeans, slipped on his jacket, and stepped out into the night. His bike, Luca, waited. The engine roared to life and he vanished into the shadows.

------

Rudra entered the cartel's underground facility, punching in the access code. The door hissed open. Inside, Silas, Avyaan, Kabir, and Abhimaan sat around the table. But Rudra's steps faltered as he caught sight of another presence.

"Dad?"

Abhiraj stood, arms folded.

Rudra moved to his seat without another word, sinking into it with a faint wince. He closed his eyes for a second, trying to control the sting in his side.

"You alright?" Abhimaan asked, brows pulling together.

Rudra nodded, steadying his breath. "Just a scratch."

His gaze shifted to Silas. "Why is he here?"

Abhiraj answered before Silas could. "Navya is dead."

Rudra stiffened. His brow creased. "What? She was in jail."

"She got bail yesterday, by evening, she was found dead at her farmhouse. Strangled. Stabbed. Clean execution."

"Who let her out?"

"I thought you'd know," Abhiraj replied.

Rudra met his stare. "What are you implying?"

Silence fell for a beat too long. Then Kabir spoke.

"You had the motive, Rudra. No one hated Navya more than you did."

"And I have confirmation from Vedant that you were trying to pull strings to get her out," Abhiraj added.

Rudra exhaled through his nose. "Yes. I was. And I wanted her dead. But I didn't kill her."

"Convenient," Kabir muttered.

"For fuck's sake," Silas snapped, slamming the folder on the table. "Stop dragging this into some twisted family soap opera. This is cartel business. we're not here to talk about who broke whose heart. We've seen what Rudra does to people when he snaps. The torture. The way he makes death last just long enough for it to feel eternal."

His eyes burned into each of them, then narrowed on Rudra.

"I'm damn sure he's the one who killed her. He doesn't have control over that psychotic mind of his. And you all know it. We've seen the aftermath. We've cleaned it up."

Silas pointed toward the screen behind them, where evidence glared like an open wound.

"So stop romanticizing this case and calling it complicated. There's no mystery here. No betrayal. Just one of us going off leash again."

Rudra leaned back in his chair and scoffed, the sound dry and empty.

"Done?" He stared at his father. "Think what you want."

"Fine. Do it your way." Abhiraj scoffed and walked out, coat swinging as he disappeared down the hall.

Silas turned to the group. "According to Avyaan's intel, our team tracked one of Alfred's left-hand men to Istanbul." Silas began, as he placed a few grainy surveillance photos on the table. "They were having a meeting caught on a CCTV feed just outside the docks."

Rudra leaned forward, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the images. "Was Alfred there too?"

Silas shook his head, lips pressed into a thin line. "No. He wasn't."

Rudra's gaze flicked to the rack of tools behind silas, one hand resting lightly on the edge of the table. "So where is he now? That left-hand man? If he's breathing, I can still get the truth out of him."

Silas exhaled slowly, rubbing a tired hand across his jaw. "We would have. But the moment our team closed in, he grabbed an agent's gun and pulled the trigger on himself without hesitation."

Avyaan's fingers curled into a fist on the table. Kabir exchanged a glance with Rudra. Abhimaan's voice broke through the silence, low and disbelieving.

"He killed himself?"

Silas nodded slowly. "This isn't new. Alfred's men are conditioned for this. Eighteen years ago, the same thing happened. Andre Bernard, he was loyal to Alfred till the end. Took the fall for him and died at Abhiraj's hands."

Rudra stared at the floor for a beat. "That means they're still protecting Alfred and they'd rather die than let it slip."

Silas met his gaze. "Exactly."

"Did they ask the bartenders?" Avyaan asked, his eyes fixed on the map spread across the table.

Silas shook his head. "No. Just the usual staff, they didn't get anything."

Avyaan didn't look up. He simply leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled under his chin. "Then tell the team to question them. The meeting was confidential it wouldn't have happened in the open. If it was in the VIP section, access would've been limited. Only a few bartenders and dancers would've been allowed near that room."

Silas nodded, already pulling his phone from his coat. "I'll get the list cross-checked. We'll move in quietly."

Avyaan gave a slight nod.

Silas pushed back his chair, stood, and grabbed his blazer from the backrest. "Alright. I'll update you once the team moves in."

"Good," Avyaan said, not looking at him, his eyes now locked on a red-marked point on the map.

Kabir glanced at Avyaan. "Sometimes you actually use that brain."

Avyaan didn't respond.

"What's wrong with your palm?" Abhimaan asked, his eyes narrowing at the faint red mark near Rudra's palm.

Rudra glanced down, flexed his fingers slightly. "I was injured," he said simply. "Saanvi treated it."

He ran a thumb along the fading wound, almost absently.

Kabir let out a disbelieving laugh. "You do realise she's also the one who stabbed you?"

Avyaan exhaled slowly, rubbing his temples. Abhimaan just stared in disbelief.

Rudra stood up without answering. He reached for his black leather jacket, slipped it on in one swift motion.

"I'm leaving,"

"You killed Navya, didn't you?" Abhimaan asked.

Rudra paused mid-step, "I already said I didn't," he muttered. "Believe it or not... that's on you."

"Then who?" Kabir pressed, watching him carefully.

"That's what I'm going to find out," Rudra said under his breath, fingers closing around his bike keys. He turned toward the door then stopped and turned back.

"Avyaan."

Avyaan looked up, pulled from his thoughts.

"That club recording... the one you secured that night. I need it."

Avyaan gave a silent nod.

Without another word, Rudra walked out, the sound of the door clicking shut behind him leaving the three of them.

As the door clicked shut behind him, Abhimaan glanced at Avyaan.

"You're quieter than usual," he said, studying Avyaan.

Kabir smirked. "Maybe he's just starting to regret something," he said, eyes not leaving Avyaan. "Or someone."

Avyaan drew in a long breath, his shoulders rising and falling.

Abhimaan narrowed his gaze. "Is this about Saanvi?"

Kabir's tongue clicked once as he sat back. "He knows exactly who we're talking about. Don't you, Avyaan?"

Abhimaan's posture shifted slightly tense. His lips parted, realising what Kabir was digging at and this isn't about Saanvi. "That's enough," he said.

"No. It's not enough," kabir snapped. "He should know what he's done to her, she didn't deserve that. And because of this twisted bastard, because of him, she's not with me." His eyes stayed locked on Avyaan, burning with something personal. Something he hadn't let go of.

The chair legs scraped harshly against the floor as Avyaan stood up abruptly.

He didn't say a word. Just walked out, the door swinging shut behind him with a muted thud.

Kabir stared at the door.

Abhimaan exhaled and leaned back in his seat, "You need to let it go."

Kabir's voice came. "Never."

AUTHOR'S POV

Why the fuck did she have to die now?

Navya fucking dies the exact moment I needed that club footage to prove to Pearl I hadn't cheated. Perfect timing. And the media? Crawling up my ass like they're starving for blood. I sighed, pulled the helmet off my bike, and stared ahead for a second

But if I didn't kill Navya... who the hell did?

Sliding the helmet on, I fired up the engine and rode off into the night.

-------

I stopped in front of the police station, and swung my leg off the bike. Pulling off my helmet, I stood still for a second, eyes fixed on the dimly lit entrance. I exhaled sharply and walked inside.

The moment I stepped in, a constable looked up. "Rudra sir."

"Vijay Srivastava?"

He nodded and motioned for me to follow. We turned a corner, and there he was Vijay slumped at his desk, head resting on a half-finished report, dead asleep.

The constable stepped forward to wake him, but I raised a hand, stopping him. "Don't."

I walked up, stood across the desk, and slammed my fist down hard. The sound echoed through the room.

Vijay jerked awake, eyes wide, breath catching. "Who the fuck dares-" He stopped when he saw me. "Rudra?" His frown deepened as recognition kicked in. He glanced at the clock, rubbing his eyes. "It's three in the damn morning. What the hell are you doing here?"

I pulled the chair out and sat, leaning back with casual ease, one arm slung over the backrest, the other reaching for the paperweight on his desk. I rolled it in my palm.

"Navya Malhotra."

His face stiffened instantly.

"You refused to let her out when I asked. And then like magic you let her walk free. What changed?" My fingers still playing with the paperweight like I was considering how hard I could throw it at his face.

He sat up straighter, trying to collect himself. "Rudra, listen... the lawyer brought evidence. She had enough backing, and I couldn't-"

"Who helped her?" I cut him off,

He paused, avoiding my eyes.

"I don't care about the goddamn evidence. I'm not here for courtroom drama. I want one name. Who. Helped. Her?"

"Saarth. Saarth Taneja."

The name dropped like a fucking nail into my skull. My fingers tightened around the paperweight, the metal digging into my palm.

"I heard she died," Vijay said. "And I also know there's a damn good chance it was Saarth who did this."

But they were together. Why the fuck would he kill her?

I stood up, the chair legs scraping the floor.

"You want to file an FIR?" he asked.

"I don't give a fuck about her death or your damn paperwork."

He let out a bitter sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. "For fuck's sake, Rudra. Show some goddamn respect. I was literally your senior at university."

"Yeah? I don't give a fuck about that either."

He narrowed his eyes. "If you weren't in that cartel, I'd have thrown your arrogant ass into a cell for talking to an on-duty officer like this."

I didn't bother replying. I turned and walked out, letting the door slam behind me.

Reaching my bike, I leaned against it, feeling the cool metal against my spine. My head throbbed. I rubbed my temple.

Then I pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and took a long drag, eyes lifting to the sky as dark clouds churned above me.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, frowning at the unknown number flashing on the screen. I answered.

"Rudra."

The voice on the other end slithered through the line, and I paused mid-drag, the cigarette hovering near my lips. My eyes shut for a second, anger curling in my chest like smoke.

I exhaled slowly. "Why did you kill Navya?"

There was a beat of silence, then he laughed.

"She got too smart for her own good," Saarth said. "Started blackmailing me. Threatened to go to the cops, pull some righteous stunt. You know, Rudra... it wasn't the police that pissed me off. It was her mouth. The way she talked like she thought she mattered. So I shut her up."

"This doesn't sound like a business rivalry anymore, Saarth. Sounds personal."

"Believe me, Rudra... it's not. Not anymore. Because now you have something you were never supposed to have."

My brows twitched. I flicked the cigarette to the ground, crushing it under my boot as my instincts kicked into overdrive. Every part of me alert, listening between the words.

"What the fuck are you talking about?"

He chuckled again. "Saanvi."

The way he said her name, casual, filthy made something snap in me. My jaw locked, breath shallow, and I felt the burn crawl up my neck like fire licked behind my ears.

"Saanvi is my wife. Not any random name you get to toss around in your pathetic, rotting excuses for conversations and petty arguments. So here's a warning, Saarth keep her name out of your sewer mouth."

He laughed, slow and mocking, "Ah, look at Mr. Loverboy getting all possessive. You're pissed just hearing her name from someone else's lips?" I could feel his smirk. "Navya's gone... now guess who's next?"

My eyes narrowed. I was already bracing. Adrenaline pricked beneath my skin.

"It's your wife," he whispered. "I think her time's up."

"As if I'd let you get anywhere near her,"

"It's already happened once, hasn't it? You've got your own bloody past to wrestle with how the fuck do you think you're going to protect her now? Especially when she hates your guts?"

"Even if she does... I'm still the one standing next to her. Still the one in her world. And I swear to God, Saarth... if there's a single scratch on her skin I'll make you wish for death before I'm done with you. you'll learn exactly who I fucking am."

"Leave her, Rudra," he said suddenly. "You might survive this if you walk away."

I scoffed the moment I heard his voice. "You really have the balls to say that, Saarth? If you've got the guts to fight with me, keep Saanvi the fuck out of it. She has nothing to do with this."

"Saanvi and I... we have history, Rudra. A deep, twisted one. Older than you can imagine. You don't know the half of it, one that was buried for a reason. One that should've stayed buried. She was never meant to return but now that she has...she's going to pay the price for every step she's taken since."

"Don't you fucking dare," I snapped, I could feel my pulse hammering. "Saanvi has nothing to do with you. This fight is between you and me. Leave her the fuck alone."

"You don't get it, do you? Your wife... she's a walking death. Her existence is a ticking bomb. And there are eyes everywhere, Rudra. Hungry fucking predators crawling out of the dark. The moment they find her, they won't just kill her... they'll make her beg for it. The kind of suffering that turns screams into silence. And I mean the kind of suffering that makes people beg to die. So unless you're ready to bury her, you better start protecting her. Because you know what happens when a deer roams alone in the jungle?"

My fingers curled around the phone so tightly I thought it might crack. "Then listen to me, you snake-hearted son of a bitch. I don't care who's hunting. I don't care how many fucking shadows are moving. Saanvi isn't alone. Not as long as I'm breathing. And if even a breeze brushes against her skin the wrong way, I swear to every god that watches this cursed earth I will find you." My fingers twitched with the need to wrap around his throat, to feel the life drain from something that dared to speak her name like it was dirt. There was something twisting inside me, dark and violent, clawing to get out.

He crossed a fucking line the moment he brought Saanvi into this filth. She's not part of this game.

"She's mine to protect," I continued, "Nothing touches her. Not a fucking animal. Not a demon. Not an insect like you. As long as I'm breathing she's untouchable. And I'll bury hell itself if it so much as looks her way." I took a long breath.

"I've got a feeling deep in my gut, Saarth" I added, "that you're headed for a death so slow, so brutal, so fucking torturous it'll make hell look like a vacation. And it'll be me delivering every second of it."

Then his smug reply came. "We'll see."

I ended the call before he could breathe again.

This motherfucker had the audacity to say that. My jaw clenched so hard it hurt. If he were standing in front of me, I swear to god, I would've snapped his neck without thinking twice.

My body trembled with rage. I needed to calm the fuck down.

I exhaled slowly, dragging in a breath so deep it scraped my chest. Think, Rudra. Think. I closed my eyes, replaying his voice in my head.

"You don't know the half of it. The part that was buried for a reason. One that should've stayed buried. She was never meant to return. But now that she has... she's going to pay the price for every step she's taken since."

Why the hell did it sound like Saanvi was the target all along? Not me. Not the mess we're in.

Her.

I dragged a hand down my face, frustrated and unsettled. That fucker's words were looping in my head like poison, and the worst part? They made sense in the most terrifying way.

Is Saanvi really connected to Saarth?

The question echoed. But how the hell do I even begin to ask her? I would have taken another stab to get answers but just imagining it, her face, the confusion, maybe the tears I couldn't fucking do it. I've already put her through too much. Asking her this might break her. And I'm not ready to see her break.

But I need answers.

I bit my lower lip, thinking hard.

If not her, then who?

And then just like that a name hit me.

He'd know. And he'd help. Even if I have to drag it out of him.

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