AUTHOR'S POV

Rudra takes a sharp turn, veering off the usual road to the penthouse. He doesn’t look surprised when he spots a white car trailing him in the mirror he just clicks his tongue and switches the car to autopilot.

He bends, pulls a knife from his boot, slides on black gloves, and opens the hidden compartment. A sleek handgun gleams inside. He loads it without a sound.

Moments later, the car stops outside a crumbling, half-dead building. Dark. Deserted.

The white car halts at a distance. A man steps out in his mid 40s, armed, alert. He stares at Rudra’s vehicle but doesn’t see movement. Suspicious, he approaches with a gun and saw the car empty.

His frown deepens. He moves into the abandoned building Second floor, cautiously. But found no sign of Rudra.

Until he turns.

Rudra stands behind him, relaxed, hands in pockets, looking at him blankly.

“When the fuck did you get out of the car?” the man snaps, raising his weapon.

“When you blinked.” He walks forward.

“Why were you following my wife?”

“To kidnap her,” the man says, “But looks like her watchdog gets the bullet first—”

In one blur of movement, Rudra twists his wrist, snatches the gun clean from his hand, and aims it right back.

“Who sent you.”

“I won’t—”

A shot cracks. The man screams, shoulder blown.

Rudra tilts his head aiming the gun.

“I swear—I was paid to track her. Just kidnap, not to kill. They paid a big amount. I don’t know who—”

Another shot. Straight to the thigh. He drops, crying out.

Rudra crouches beside him, hands resting on his knees. “Tracking my wife. Playing kidnap games. And you came without even checking whose woman she is?”

He pulls a smaller blade from his boot. The man starts begging.

“I told you everything—please—”

“And I listened.” Rudra murmurs, gripping his hand. “Now I give you something in return.”

The blade slices across the man’s palm. His scream is muffled by Rudra’s gloved hand. Blood gushes.

“Next life,” Rudra whispers, “pick a softer target and stay the hell away from Dr. Saanvi Rudra Singhania.”

Then he stabs the same hand, again. And again. And again.

The man sobbed, body shaking, coated in blood.

Rudra rises, wipes his face with the back of his hand, leaving a smear of crimson. He pulls the gun from his back and reloads. He fires. A clean shot to the head. Then a few more, silence follows.

Rudra exhales slowly, slips the weapon away, checks the pockets but finds nothing. No phone. No ID.

He kicks the corpse across the floor.

✦✦✦✦

"And in a shocking turn of events new CCTV footage has just surfaced that changes everything about the three month old controversy involving business tycoon Rudra Singhania. He was accused of cheating on his wife, renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Saanvi Rudra Singhania. The scandal shook social media and tabloids, with a short club clip showing Mr. Singhania with an unknown woman going viral overnight. But the narrative takes a sharp turn today. Uncut footage from a different angle was released anonymously just hours ago, revealing the truth behind the viral moment. In the video, the woman is clearly seen forcing herself onto Mr. Singhania, grabbing his face, climbing onto his lap, while he repeatedly tries to push her away."

At a quiet corner in the café, Naina stares at the screen while sipping her coffee. Her brows lift, unsurprised.

"Social media is now erupting in support of Mr. Singhania. The Singhania legal team has not released an official statement, but sources close to the family confirm that Dr. Saanvi had remained silent throughout the controversy, perhaps knowing the truth all along. A dramatic twist indeed. We'll continue following this story as it develops. Stay tuned for exclusive reactions from inside the Singhania circle. This is News18, I’m Suhani Tandon."

Naina exhales softly, sipping her coffee. "I knew it. Saanvi ma’am never listens when I say someone’s worth trusting." She shakes her head and shrugs.

“Hey, Naina.”

She freezes at the voice. Turning, she finds Abhinav standing beside her. Instantly, she stands, grabs her bag, and starts to walk away.

He grabs her wrist.

“Abhinav, let go,” she says, glancing around. They’re tucked into a corner away from the crowd, most of whom are focused on the news broadcast.

“Naina, just talk to me.”

“I said let me go.” Her voice lowers as she struggles against his grip. His fingers tighten, and she winces.

“You’re hurting me.” Her eyes blur with tears.

“Let her go.”

Both of them turn.

Abhinav scoffs. “You again? Stay out of this, Vedant.”

Vedant steps forward, pries his hand off her wrist, and gently nudges Naina behind him. She immediately pulls her hand close, hiding the red marks as her eyes scan the room to make sure no one’s watching.

Vedant notices the bruised skin. His gaze hardens as it settles back on Abhinav.

“If your hand ever reaches for her again, I’ll make sure it’s the last thing it does."

Abhinav lets out a scoff, brushing him off, his eyes flicking to Naina behind Vedant. “Seriously? Is this what you left me for? This pathetic nerd? Just because he found his voice?” He lets out a bitter laugh. “Still the same stupid schoolgirl, aren’t you, Naina? Crushing on a loser like him and calling it love.”

Naina turns and leaves without looking back. Vedant’s eyes follow her until she disappears through the door. Then he slowly turns back to Abhinav.

He frowns. “What the hell are you talking about? You and Naina were—”

Abhinav rolls his eyes. “We would’ve been. Then you came along. She never got over you. I thought it was just infatuation, but no she chose you. A fucking nerd.”

Vedant's eyes freeze on Abhinav. The words settle in his head like a blow.

She had feelings for me?

“But... she kissed you at the park—”

Abhinav shrugs, running a hand through his hair, “I confessed. But that bitch had the audacity to turn me down. So yeah, I kissed her anyway. That was me doing you a favor. She’s lucky it was me.”

Vedant exhales sharply. “Fuck,” he mutters, realization hitting him like a wave.

He starts to walk away then stops. Turns back. Walks up to Abhinav and, without hesitation, slams a punch straight to his jaw. Blood spills from Abhinav’s lip as he stumbles back, stunned.

Heads turn. A few people rise from their seats.

“Don’t you ever call her that again or I’ll break your fucking jaw next.”

And with that, he walks out.

✦✦✦✦✦

The Next Day

Saanvi looks up from her file as a knock sounds on her cabin door. “Yes, Mr. Nair?” she asks.

He stays near the door. “Has Naina not come to the hospital today?”

She arches a brow, calmly placing her file on the desk. “Why? Planning to send her flowers?" she deadpans. "It’s not your concern, Mr. Nair."

Before he can respond, a loud noise echoes through the hallway.

They exchange a glance, both frowning, and immediately step out.

Down the corridor, they stop in their tracks. Naina is standing in front of Abhimaan, giving a bow. Abhimaan looks utterly confused. Beside him, Avyaan rubs his temple like he’s fighting a headache, and Kabir stares at Naina, half in disbelief.

Several hospital staff nearby glance over, recognizing the faces in front of them.

Saanvi and Vedant approach.

“Naina, what the hell are you doing?” Saanvi mutters, nudging her back.

Naina turns with a wide grin. “Ma’am! Look!" She gestures with both hands. "The Trinity of Hotness is standing right here. In our hospital." She grins at Kabir. "And he just smiled at me. I saw it."

Kabir gives her an awkward, polite smile. "That was mostly a wince. But okay."

A sharp voice breaks the moment. “What’s going on here?” Rudra steps into view, frowning at the scene.

Naina quickly turns to him. “Mr. Singhania! Your friends are here. I was going to guide them to your cabin.” She glances at Abhimaan, flustered. “And the prince is here too. I hope you didn’t mind me bowing. I tried my best. I’ve only seen it in movies, so if I messed up the angle or something you can correct me.” She sways slightly.

Abhimaan blinks, a little startled. His eyes flick to Rudra briefly, then back to her, unsure what to say. "...Uh no, It’s alright, you don’t have to bow,"

“Aww, you’re too kind.” She presses a hand to her chest. “I love all your drifts. I was in LA when you were competing last year. I’ve been a fan since forever.”

Saanvi tilts her head slightly, frowning. “Competing? In LA?”

Naina gasps like it’s common knowledge. “You didn’t know? He’s huge in the R1 Drift League. Especially in the U.S....LA is like his playground. Underground circuits, night races… he's got fans with posters, cheers, and weird chants. It’s insane."

Saanvi raises a brow at Abhimaan. “So, Your Highness, you're into this sort of thing?”

Abhimaan lets out a low chuckle, glancing down before looking at her again. “Just a side job. Nothing special.”

Rudra doesn’t miss that. He looks at Abhimaan. Then at Saanvi. Then back at Abhimaan again. Kabir leans toward Avyaan and whispers, "Rudra’s entering full villain arc in 3... 2..."

“Alright, enough. You three...my cabin. And Mrs. Singhania, please return to your duties.” His glare shifts to Abhimaan, who catches it and smirks knowingly.

Just then, Kabir, whistling softly and looking around, is interrupted by Naina’s eager voice.

“Mr. Mehra… hi.”

He turns, caught off guard but smiles politely. “Hi... uh—”

“Naina. Naina Sharma.” She gave him a bright smile.

“Right. Hi, Naina.”

“You’re really handsome. I used to admire you… right after Mr. Singhania,” she adds shyly, glancing toward Rudra.

Vedant, standing nearby, frowns and casts a sharp glance at Kabir, who just laughs.

“That so?” Kabir says with a grin.

Saanvi exchanges a look with Rudra before reaching out and giving Naina a light smack on the arm.

“Naina,” she warns under her breath.

Naina winces and rubs her arm, turning next to Avyaan. “You’re very handsome too… but you do look a little intimidating.”

Avyaan lifts an eyebrow, not reacting beyond that.

Rudra sighs. “Miss Sharma, back to work.”

Naina nods. “Of course, Mr. Singhania. And congratulations I knew you were innocent. I even told ma’am but—” She stops mid-sentence when she notices Saanvi’s sharp gaze. “—Never mind. I’ll go.” She offers an awkward chuckle and starts to turn away.

But then she pauses again, turns back, “Mr. Mehra, would it be okay if I shook your hand? Just once? I’ve seen you on TV for years…”

Kabir laughs softly. “Sure.” He extends his hand.

Just as Naina steps forward to accept it, Vedant suddenly moves between them, intercepting Kabir’s hand with his own.

Naina blinks, confused.

Kabir tilts his head. “I get it, man, you can’t resist me but let me have my fan moment.”

Vedant’s voice turns clipped and professional. “Mr. Mehra, I’ll take you to Mr. Singhania’s cabin.”

Saanvi steps in. “Naina, back to your duties.”

Naina gives Vedant a subtle glare but doesn’t argue. She turns and walks off, glancing over her shoulder once before disappearing down the hall.

Vedant watches until she’s gone, then drops Kabir’s hand.

Kabir glances at Rudra, who gives him a short nod. Kabir smirks knowingly. “Damn, Vedant, look at you,” he murmurs. “Jealous, possessive, and finally reactive. I didn’t think you had it in you. Don’t worry, she’s all yours. I’m not stepping on that landmine.”

Vedant ignores the comment and follows ahead.

Kabir shrugs, then his gaze lands on Saanvi. Their eyes meet, and for a split second, his face twists in horror, as a memory just hit him too hard.

“What?” she snaps.

He forces a smile. "Nothing… just remembered something I wish I hadn’t."

Saanvi frowns. "Huh?"

“You just look way too innocent to be involved in... certain unholy readings—ahh, damn!”

He doubles over as Rudra elbows him in the side. Kabir groans, holding his ribs.

“He enjoys provoking. Don’t mind him,” Rudra says to Saanvi, unfazed and turns to his friends. “Now come on. All of you...my cabin.”

As Rudra turns, Kabir calls out. "Wait. Doctor, you’re coming too." He grabs Saanvi’s wrist.

She immediately smacks his bicep, making him hiss. "I’m not going anywhere with you."

"You don’t have a choice." He grins and starts dragging her along.

They bicker all the way to Rudra’s cabin elbows nudged, feet stepped on, and whispered curses exchanged under breath.

"Kabir, you idiot!" she snaps once they’re inside.

"Hey! Mind your language, Doctor." He glares at her and flicks his finger against her forehead. She rubs it, glaring harder.

“You better watch your words or I’ll operate on your brain,” she warns, narrowing her eyes at Kabir.

He scoffs, tossing her a look. “Ye kya bak rahi ho, Doctor? Matlab tum brain ki specialist ho toh kisi ke bhi dimaag ka masala dosa bana dogi?”

(What nonsense are you talking, Doctor? Just because you're a brain specialist, does that mean you'll turn anyone’s mind into a masala dosa?)

She frowns, confused. “Bak? Tum kaunsi language mein baat kar rahe ho Kabir? Aur masala dosa? Kyun banaungi main kisi ke dimaag ka masala dosa? Waise banta kaise hai?”

(Bak? What language are you even speaking, Kabir? And masala dosa? Why would I make someone’s brain into a masala dosa? And by the way, how is it even made?)

Kabir stares at her, then turns to Rudra. “Rudra, teri biwi Hindi aise bolti hai jaise Shakespeare aur Munshi Premchand ki zabardasti dosti kara di ho... aur dono confused hai.” (Rudra, your wife speaks Hindi like someone forced Shakespeare and Munshi Premchand to be friends… and now both are just confused.)

He shakes his head, still looking at Rudra. “Bhai, Hindi bhi English accent mein bolti hai yeh.” (Bro, she even speaks Hindi with an English accent)

Rudra silently buries his face into his palm, half-resigned.

"Why are you mocking her accent? She didn’t grow up in India," Avyaan finally speaks.

Kabir lets out a whistle, eyebrows raised. "Look who finally decided to speak… and for her?" He glances at Saanvi, then back at Avyaan with a smirk. "Avyaan ki bhi Hindi sunke lagta hai Oxford dictionary ne desi chaat kha li ho.” (Listening to Avyaan’s Hindi feels like the Oxford Dictionary just ate some desi chaat.)

He snickers, shaking his head. "Makes sense though. You two are basically the same. That’s why you're defending her." Kabir gives him a two-finger salute with a grin.

"Guys, enough," Abhimaan says, exasperated. "Can we have one normal minute?"

Saanvi crosses her arms. "At least someone here makes sense." She glances toward him. "You’re probably the only sane one in this whole group."

Kabir barks out a laugh, turning to Rudra. "Did she just call him sane?" He points at Abhimaan, then gestures to Avyaan, who’s still slouched in Rudra’s chair, eyes on his phone, completely unbothered.

"If you had said that unexpressio was sane, I’d have believed it," Kabir adds, nodding toward Avyaan. "But Abhimaan?"

Kabir exhales and softens his tone. "Alright, enough teasing. How are you? We heard you weren’t well."

Saanvi meets his eyes briefly and gives a small nod. "Better."

He gives a relieved smile. "Good. That’s all that matters."

But before anything else can be said, Rudra steps forward, placing himself between them. He pushes Kabir aside, making him stumble into Avyaan who doesn’t even lift his gaze as he pushes Kabir off him with quiet irritation.

"Did you see the news? Do you believe me now?"

Saanvi’s eyes narrow slightly as she looks at him. "You really think a video is all it takes? It could be edited. Spun to make you look like a victim. Just like those photos were spun to make me look like a liar."

"It’s not fake. That footage, it's the full truth. I didn’t cheat on you. Yes, I made mistakes. I let things get out of hand, I doubted you when I shouldn’t have. But I never crossed that line." His voice cracks ever so slightly, the desperation leaking through.

But Saanvi just stares at him, disbelief clouding her expression. "So let me get this straight after parading around with half the women in the country, you chose to believe some fake photos sent by Saarth. You didn’t even ask me. Didn’t even pause to consider I might be telling the truth. But now that a conveniently timed video shows you pushing someone away, you expect me to believe you? You, Rudra Singhania. A man who’s practically the poster boy for entitlement and ego. A man who’s—" she lets out a dry laugh "—basically a fuckboy."

She adds with a scoff. “Your audacity is bigger than your dick, Rudra fucking Singhania.”

The room falls silent. Rudra’s lips part, but no words come. He closes his mouth, pressing his lips together as his gaze drops trying, and failing, to suppress the flicker of a smile despite the tension.

Abhimaan immediately looks away, pretending to cough into the back of his hand. Avyaan glances up from his phone with a slow blink, Kabir gasps, snickering under his breath.

"Damn, Doctor. Your one liners could kill." Kabir chuckles, stepping beside Saanvi and nudging her lightly on the shoulder. His gaze drops to her hand.

"Wait… you’re not wearing the ring?" he asks, brows furrowing.

"No. And I don’t care."

Kabir exhales, surprised at the coldness in her tone. "But he made it. Himself. Every part of it."

Saanvi freezes mid breath, her eyes slowly shifting toward Rudra. There’s a flicker of surprise on her face. Her brows draw in, lips parting slightly, caught off-guard. As if the idea hadn't even crossed her mind.

He made it?

Kabir shrugs, still watching her. "Even with that love bite you gave him, the idiot didn’t stop working on it."

Her head snaps toward him. "What the hell, Kabir? I didn’t give him any love bite!" she says, horrified.

"Oh, but you did." Kabir grabs Rudra’s wrist before he can stop him and flips it over, revealing the mark she’d left, the red stab wound nearly healed now.

Saanvi stiffens. But what catches her attention isn’t the scar she gave, it's everything else. Faint burn lines. Cuts. Fresh scrapes along his palm. Her gaze lingers.

"Pearl… I didn’t cheat. I was with Avyaan that entire night. I didn’t let anyone else come near me, not once. Not in those two months. I swear, I’m telling you the truth." His eyes search hers, hoping for something, anything.

Saanvi stares at him for a moment. Then, without a word, she turns and walks away.

Rudra exhales slowly, his shoulders sinking not in defeat.

✦✦✦✦✦

Saanvi finishes her glass of water and places it down beside her medication. Just as she swallows the last pill, there’s a knock at the door.

“Come in,” she calls, without looking up.

The door opens. Avyaan walks in.

Her eyes narrow slightly. “Yes?”

He doesn’t answer. Instead, he pulls out the chair across from her and sits.

“I didn’t ask you to sit.”

“Didn’t think your ego needed that much space.”

She clicks her tongue and shakes her head, eyes flicking toward the window. “Why are you here?”

“You didn’t wear the ring.”

“I don’t want any gifts from him. And for the record, does he really think a diamond ring can fix everything? Newsflash, Avyaan I earn too. I can buy a rings if I want. I don’t need him or his pity diamonds.”

“You can buy the diamonds. But you can’t make that ring.”

She pauses. Slowly turns her head back to him.

He meets her eyes. “You can’t carve it, can’t spend nights teaching yourself how to set the stone. You can’t pour pain, guilt, and love into a single piece of metal. He did. He made it himself. With a stabbed palm, with burns on his fingers, and still… he made it. Because he knew exactly what you’d think that he was trying to buy forgiveness. So he gave you something no money could buy.”

Her lips part slightly, but she says nothing.

Is he insane? she wonders. Why would he go that far? He could’ve just bought one.

She grabs her laptop, avoiding his eyes. “Still doesn’t change anything."

Avyaan watches her for a moment. “I really hope he moves on.”

She freezes, just for a second, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. That line, he moves on landed heavier than she expected. Her throat tightened, but she masked it quickly.

“So do I, I’m tired of this entire mess. I want him to stop circling back."

“You really don’t feel anything for him? Not even a little?”

She lets out a short laugh, dry, bitter.

“No. I don’t. And Rudra should consider himself lucky.”

Her eyes finally meet his.

“Because what I’ve done so far? It’s not even a fraction of the damage I could’ve caused if I’d actually fallen for him. You don’t understand, Avyaan. I hate him. Every part of him. And if I ever let myself love a man like him… I’d end up hating myself and that’s destruction waiting to happen. And I’d rather throw all of that rage at him than bury it inside me. So yeah, pray I never love him.”

Avyaan stands slowly. “I don’t think either of you deserve what’s happening. But if this is how it’s going to be, then maybe walking away is the kindest thing left."

He pauses near the door.

“You didn’t deserve what happened, Saanvi… but Rudra doesn’t deserve the kind of pain you’re giving him either. Until you figure it out… just don’t hurt him more than you already have.” He walks out.

Saanvi sits still, the silence stretching. Her thoughts swirl but she forces them down with a shake of her head.

"He's just guilt-tripping me," she mutters.

She reaches for her phone to call Naina, but it’s not on the desk. She checks her pockets Then it clicks. She’s left it in Rudra’s cabin.

Letting out a low groan, she stands up and strides out. As she nears his cabin, voices carry from inside, raised, tense. She halts just outside, her hand frozen mid-air near the door.

She leans slightly against the wall, listening.

"You tried to force yourself on me. Don’t expect me to carry the blame for something you did." Rudra says, his glare fixed on the woman.

Saanvi shifts to peek through the slim opening. A tall woman stands with her back to the door, long hair tumbling over her shoulders.

"My followers are dropping," the woman seethes. "I’ve lost two sponsorships already, comments are filled with curses. They're defending you!" Her heel slams into the floor.

"As if I care, because of your stunt, my wife thinks I cheated on her."

The woman lets out a laugh. "Good. I'm glad. Maybe I did her a favor. What now? you want me to march over to your angel wife and say, ‘Hey sweetie, he didn’t cheat. He was just drunk and broken, crying about you in a club while I jumped into his lap and tried to kiss him. But he pushed me off, even though he could barely stand. Then that idiot men’s rights activist came and pushed me down’? Yeah, no thanks."

Saanvi swallows, as her eyes flick to Rudra. He’s standing motionless, eyes shut, fists clenched at his sides.

The woman steps closer to the desk. "Honestly? I'm thrilled I wrecked your peace too. But let’s be practical, post a video. Say it was a misunderstanding. Say we were both drunk and it got misinterpreted. Because your wife doesn’t believe you anyway, right? So what’s the harm?"

A loud thud makes Saanvi flinch. Rudra slams his fist on the desk, pointing at her.

"Get the fuck out of my sight," Rudra snaps "Before I call security and make sure you’re humiliated everywhere you go."

The woman freezes. His glare pins her in place, sharp and deadly. Her lips tremble as she turns on her heel and storms toward the door.

Saanvi steps back just in time, pressing against the wall. She watches the woman pass, tears glinting in her eyes, mascara smudged, fury burning on her face.

She’s the one from the video, Saanvi realizes.

So he didn’t cheat. She exhales slowly, then walks forward and knocks before entering.

Rudra whirls around, jaw still tense.

"Who the fuc—" He stops when he sees her. His face softens instantly.

"Yes pearl?"

"My phone." She points toward the desk.

He picks it up and offers it to her. She steps forward, takes it from his hand, and turns to leave, but then she stops.

She looks over her shoulder, eyes locking with his. "Even if the whole world proves you didn’t cheat… you’ll still be a cheater in my eyes. Nothing you do can change that." She watches the hurt flicker in his eyes, satisfied for just a second that he finally tastes the ache he gave her.

"Even then, I’ll keep trying." He manages to say forcing a small smile.

She turns around and walked away with her lips curled slightly.

Rudra stares at her, unmoving, until his phone vibrates in his pocket. The screen flashes Adrika. He exhales, the tension in his chest momentarily softens, and answers the call with a smile.

“Finally missed me?”

“Don’t flatter yourself,” Adrika replies dryly on the other end.

He chuckles, turning away from the heaviness behind him, walking toward the tall glass window. Daylight spills across the city below, but his eyes remain distant.

“I missed you, Mom.” he says softly.

She doesn’t respond immediately. There’s only a quiet sigh from her end.

“Rudra,” her voice gentles, “you’re hurting Saanvi.”

His smile fades. His shoulders drop slightly as he leans a hand against the cold glass.

“You’re planning dates, trying to earn back what you broke, but no matter how much you try, the damage you did won’t just disappear. Some wounds don’t heal with grand gestures.”

He doesn’t respond. His reflection in the window looks hollow.

“Let her go,” she adds softly. “Sometimes love means stepping back. She deserves peace, and for that… she needs space. From you.”

His throat tightens. He swallows hard. “I love her, Mom.”

“I know you do. That’s why you have to let her go.”

There’s no anger in her tone, just quiet grief. The kind that understands the weight of love not meant to last.

He stands still, fingertips brushing the glass, gaze fixed somewhere far beyond the horizon.

“Maybe… you’re right,” he whispers.

She exhales on the line, a soft breath of acceptance.

“You made the right decision, Rudra.”

“Hmm.” He hums, then ends the call.

For a long moment, he just stands there, eyes closed, chest rising slowly with a breath he can’t quite release. His hand stays on the glass as if he’s holding onto something that’s already slipping away.

______________________________________________________________________________