AUTHOR'S POV

Saanvi opens the door to her cabin and steps inside. She was halfway to her desk when she freezes, her heart drops.

White roses.

She walks closer, eyes locked on the bouquet, her fingers reach out and lift it gently.

Did he...?

After everything that happened yesterday, this is the last thing she expects. She thought he would stop. She thought humiliating him would be enough. She expected silence, distance, a cold, brutal end. But instead, there are roses.

"Good morning, Pearl."

She jerks her head up, startled by his voice.

He stood at the entrance of her cabin, smiling. And those eyes, they're red, swollen. Veins crisscross the whites, his nose was slightly pink, there's a dullness to his face and an exhaustion that can't be faked.

He walks in. She says nothing just stares. His gaze flickers to the bouquet in her hands.

"Won't you throw it?"

Her fingers clench tighter. She wants to. Desperately. But the thought of doing it makes something twist painfully inside her.

"Throw it," he repeats. "Don't pity me. If you want to throw it, do it. I can take your hate just not your pity."

She swallows, "I'm not interested in pity," she murmurs. "And this-" she gestures toward the flowers, stepping toward the dustbin.

She stops, her hand trembles slightly, refusing to move. Then, with her eyes closed, she lets go, the bouquet falls with a soft thud. She walks back to him. "There. Your flowers."

He pulls something from inside his coat and her chest tightens seeing the diary he holds it out. Her throat closes. Her vision blurs slightly with tears she refuses to let fall.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" she whispers, "Why are you acting like nothing happened yesterday? Did you forget everything I said? Have some dignity. Some self respect. Why are you still doing this?" Her voice cracks at the edges.

"I know how it looks. But between dignity and love, I'd still choose to love you." He takes a step closer.

"And history is proof, Pearl, I tend to lose my dignity whenever I fall in love." She looks away, fists tightening by her side.

"You were right yesterday," he continues. "I'm used to pain. To be cast aside. To be reminded of what I'm only good for. You're not the first woman who's shown me what I'm good for. So don't worry I don't blame you." His words were like thorns pressing deeper into her skin. She shut her eyes.

This wasn't how she pictured it. She thought she'd finally throw all her anger at him and feel lighter. But standing here, all she felt was pain

"Pearl." His hands rise, cradling her face gently and turns her head toward him. "Open your eyes." His breath brushes her skin. She opens them and her heart sinks.

His eyes, they used to be so beautiful and warm. Now they were heavy, bloodshot, tired beyond belief. And somehow, still holding all that love.

"You can never make me hate you, pearl." How easily he said it, like love had never taken anything from him. And somehow, that made it even harder for the woman facing him to hold her ground.

Tears spill down her cheeks, he wipes them away with his thumb, and tries to smile. It only hurts more.

"Don't," she whispers, shaking her head. "Don't do this. It's terrifying, Rudra. Your love is terrifying. Please stop this."

His eyes shimmer again with tears. "One day," he says softly, "you'll understand. Maybe the world sees me as a monster. Maybe they're right. But loving you... it's the softest thing I've ever done. And one day, you won't run from it."

Her lips tremble. "I will run away and won't come back to you ever again."

"Then I will pull you even from hell and bring you close to me." He caresses her cheek with a tenderness that contradicts the obsession in his words.

She shoves him away. "You're fucking obsessive."

But he pulls her into a tight hug before she can fight him again. His arms lock around her like iron. She pushes at his chest, trying to break free, but he doesn't let go. "I know I'll never be your priority, Pearl... but you've always been mine. You were, you still are, and you always will be. I'll choose you, every time, over everything."

Tears slip down her cheeks, her body trembles as she tries to keep herself from falling apart completely. There's no anger in his voice, no demand, just love. And somehow, that terrifies her more than anything else.

They hear a knock. She shoves him with all her strength. He stumbles back slightly, still watching her with heavy eyes.

"Oh, you're here too?" she looks at Kabir, he steps into the room, glancing between them.

"What's up, doctor?" he says, grinning. "Oh wait, everything must be really good. That's why I'm here with Avyaan. But where the hell is that guy?" He looks back toward the door, confused. Then back at her.

"Anyway! While Rudra and I were talking yesterday, he told me you two are good now, said you even asked him out. I was shocked, seriously! But I couldn't keep that kind of news to myself, obviously. I told Avyaan right away but that bastard didn't believe me, kept saying something felt off. But I was just so damn happy. Do you even realise how happy Rudra was yesterday? He looked like the happiest man alive. I thought his heart might actually explode. And listen, I never pay... but today's party is on m-"

"I lied."

Kabir stops. His smile falters. "...What?"

"I lied," Saanvi repeats. "We're not together. I said all those things just to hurt him." She keeps her eyes on Rudra.

Kabir looks at him.

"Congratulations." The voice comes from the door. They all turn except Rudra.

Avyaan steps inside, calm and cold. His eyes land on Saanvi. She raises an eyebrow.

"You finally got your revenge," he says. "Guess that makes you and Rudra equal now. Must feel good, right? Becoming the exact thing you said you hated."

She grits her teeth. "Don't you dare, Avyaan."

He shrugs. "Why are you so triggered? You liked the mirror when he stood guilty in it. Now that it's facing you, you suddenly can't stand the reflection? Now look at yourself. Those words? Apply them to you." Her hands curl into fists."

"Avyaan, stop," Rudra mutters.

"You know what? It's not even her fault," he says, looking at Rudra. "It's you. You were begging for this. You could've stepped away. But no. You wanted to play the heartbroken, obsessive Romeo." His gaze cuts back to her. "And you, Miss Moral High Ground, I'm not here to argue what's right or wrong. But if he deserved hate, so do you. Stop painting yourself the victim. You're not. Not anymore so drop the wounded act. Now you're exactly what you once despised in him. You're just late to the fall."

Her glare sharpens. "Don't talk to me in that tone, Avyaan. I'm not someone who'll take your bullshit. "

He raises a brow. "What, too sharp for your ego? Funny you were sharper a few months ago when you carved him apart with your words. But now the truth's too much?" With that, he gives her one last look and walks out.

Rudra stands still for a moment. He looks at Saanvi one last time, then leaves silently.

The room falls into silence.

Kabir stands there, unsure. Then he sighs and walks out too.

------------------

"She used Anvika to hurt you."

Rudra pauses just as he reaches his desk. He slowly turns and his eyes find Kabir standing quietly and Avyaan, who has just walked in and stopped directly in front of him.

"Didn't she?" Avyaan asks,

"No. She didn't. She just repeated what I once said to her. That's all."

"Save yourself, Rudra. You still have time. Walk away."

"I can't, I already broke the promise I made to her once when she needed me the most. If I walk away now, I'll break it again." He looks down for a second. His hands tighten into fists. "She's in danger. And she needs me, whether she says it or not. That's reason enough to stay. But even if she wasn't-" he lifts his eyes again, "-I'd still stay. Because I love her."

"And who's protecting you?"

Rudra doesn't respond immediately. "Saarth... whoever's threatening her, they're after her. Not me. I don't need saving. I'm fine."

"Did you hurt yourself again?" Avyaan stares at him.

Rudra stills. Kabir's face shifts in alarm. "Rudra... you didn't do that again, right?"

Rudra meets his gaze. "I didn't."

Kabir takes a small step forward, "Rudra..."

Avyaan scoffs under his breath, a bitter laugh escaping. "Fucking liar," he mutters, pacing a step. "God knows what you see in that woman. All she's ever done is hurt you and you keep crawling back like she's oxygen. Rudra she'll fucking destroy you. Why can't you just stop? She's saying no herself. She doesn't want you. Isn't that enough?" He looks like he wants to shake him.

Kabir steps in cautiously. "Rudra... I know you love her. I stood by you when you said you wanted her back. I believed you had your reasons, but this isn't healthy anymore. You need to stop before it gets worse."

Rudra looks between both of them. "I'm too far gone," he murmurs. "I can't step back now. It's either I stay with her... or stop breathing."

Kabir sighs heavily, his eyes dropping to the floor. Avyaan stares at Rudra, disbelief slowly curdling into rage. He shakes his head. "You'll fucking die. That woman will be the reason you end up dead."

"Saanvi," Rudra snaps lifting his head, "is my wife. Not 'that woman.' So if you want to say something say it with respect."

"Respect my foot," Avyaan growls, looking away with disgust. "She doesn't deserve a fraction of it."

"Avyaan, I swear to go-"

But Rudra cuts off. Suddenly, his body sways. The room spins around him. A wave of nausea rises, cold sweat slicks his skin, and his knees nearly buckle. He doesn't say a word just turns and stumbles toward the bathroom, slamming the door behind him.

Avyaan and Kabir both stand silently, their eyes fixed on the bathroom door Rudra had disappeared behind just moments ago.

"You don't need to interfere. He's old enough to make his own decisions."

Avyaan turns his gaze to Kabir, eyes sharp as blades. "Yeah? He was 'old enough' when he cut his damn wrist ten years ago? Or when he was self harming every day after Saanvi left? You think he suddenly grew up in the last few months?" Avyaan's voice shakes with fury. "And you're asking me not to interfere?"

Kabir remains silent.

"You're all taking him and his pain for granted, aren't you, Kabir? You remember after Anvika? We thought he was okay. He said he was okay. And then I found him, his fucking wrist cut open, blood everywhere. His bed soaked. His fingers cold. You weren't there, Kabir. I was. I was the one who sat outside that ICU not knowing if our friend would make it through the night." he chokes mid sentence his throat tightened.

Kabir lowers his gaze again. Avyaan shakes his head. "He's suicidal, Kabir. Do you understand what that means? Every day, we're gambling with his life. We don't know when the next call could be about his body."

"I understand-" Kabir tries again, but Avyaan cuts him off.

"No, you don't. None of you do. Not Abhimaan. Not even his parents. His parents left him the moment things got ugly. And when Saanvi broke down? Everyone lined up behind her. Everyone was there for her. And I get it, she needed support, but what about Rudra? Who stood by him when he was spiraling? Even if I accept that he was alone before because of his own mistake... what's the excuse now? What has he done this time? Why is he still standing alone? And don't tell me she didn't know what she was doing, she used his past, I'm sure. She knew where it would hurt. She twisted the knife, Kabir. She knew, and she still did it."

Kabir exhales shakily. "He won't stop, Avyaan. He won't listen to anyone. Not until he's completely broken."

Avyaan looks away. "Yeah. And by the time he realises it... we'll be standing over his grave."

"Avyaan, you can't say things like that,"

Avyaan doesn't respond. He walks over to the couch, picks up the laptop, and settles down, the glow of the screen lighting up his sharp features.

"Didn't think you'd still hold on to what Rudra did for you."

Avyaan pauses mid gesture, fingers hovering over the keyboard. He looks up. "Maybe I do, maybe part of me still remembers that night when he was the one who showed up. But that's not the point, Kabir. He's not just someone who helped me once. He's our friend. He's family." He exhales and turns back to the screen.

"And I've said it before my loyalty is with my friend. Not someone who showed up a few months ago and flipped his world upside down. She's got people, plenty. She has her side. But Rudra? He's barely hanging on. I don't care if he's right or wrong. I stood by him when he messed up. I'll damn well stand by him now when he's actually falling apart."

------------------

Naina walks briskly down the corridor, er eyes locked ahead. She hears Vedant calling her name, once then again, louder.

"Naina," he says. "Stop."

She hears him closing in, but presses her fingers to her ears, shutting him out.

Vedant watches her pace forward in disbelief. His eyes flick to his cabin. He hesitates... then sighs and strides after her.

Before she can reach the stairs, an arm wraps around her waist. She gasps as her feet leave the ground her body pressed to his chest.

"Put me down!" she yells, legs kicking midair.

He doesn't say a word. He walks straight into his cabin, locks the door behind him, and only then lowers her gently to the floor.

She jerks back instantly, panting, furious. Her palm lifts she aims for his face but he catches her wrist mid air. With one swift motion, he pulls her closer, her wrist pinned lightly behind her back.

"Naina," he whispers, his breath brushing her cheek. "Just listen." Her chest rises and falls, her brows knitted, eyes burning holes into his.

"I-" Vedant swallows, his voice faltering as he stares at her. "I've been trying to say this for weeks. I-" His throat dries. His forehead beads with sweat. "I... I lov-"

She yank herself free, shoving him back with all her strength. "Stop wasting my time!" she snaps and storms toward the door.

"I love you, Naina."

She stops and turns to see him still standing there. She scoffs furiously. Marching back, she grabs his collar and slams him into the wall. "What the fuck do you think you're saying?"

"I'm saying I love you,"

"And what am I supposed to do with that?" she snaps. "Clap? Cry? Fall into your arms?" Her hand moves to his throat, fingers curling in a tight grip. "Keep your pathetic love to yourself, I don't need to be loved by a pathetic nerd."

"But I do," he whispers. "I needed to say it. It's been killing me, Naina. I love you."

She stares at him, then shoves him off, "Stop loving me," she snaps. "And most importantly, stop stalking me, Vedant." She storms to the door again.

"Do you not love me now?"

Her hand freezes on the doorknob. "I fell out of love," she says flatly, without turning around.

He just stands there, blinking slowly, the words took a moment to settle, and when they did, they knocked the air out of him. He watches her walk away, not even trying to stop her this time.

SAANVI'S POV

"How's everything in New York?" I ask, looking at the phone screen propped up on the table while taking a bite of my donut.

Dhruv sighs. "Good. The concert's postponed. No new date yet."

I lean back, looking around the canteen before my eyes land back on him. "Yeah, I saw that yesterday. Your fans are going feral online." I chuckle.

He smiles, and I feel that little rush of pride. Watching him rise feels like a quiet win in my heart.

"I hope you'll come, di."

"I promise, Dhruv. I'll be there." I smile. I owe him that much, especially after Navya left. He looks for me in the crowd now, and I won't disappoint him.

"But what's with your face?" I narrow my eyes. Setting the donut back down on the plate. "Something is bothering you?"

He hesitates, then exhales. "I got into a fight with someone. A friend. And he..."

"He what, Dhruv?"

He stares at me from the screen, "He brought up Arina. Said it was my fault she cheated. That I deserved it. Said she was lucky to leave."

"What the hell?" I scoff, anger bubbling up. "What kind of lowlife says something like that just to win a fight? That's... fucking disgusting. How insensitive-"

"Why are you crying? I'm not the first, am I? You told me about Anvika. She cheated on you too. I thought you'd be better prepared."

"Now I understand why Anvika chose her best friend over you. It wasn't betrayal... it was a wise decision. You deserved every bit of it."

I blink hard, swallowing the lump that suddenly rises. I did that to Rudra, didn't I?

"It's not your fault, Dhruv, he had no right to say that. No one does." I say quickly, trying to hide the crack in my voice.

"I know." He looks down. "But still, hearing it... it messes with you. Makes you question everything."

"Did it hurt that bad?" He looks at me. I clarify, "I mean, when he used your past relationship against you?"

"A lot. Imagine getting cheated on... then blamed for it. Like loving someone deeply and trusting them blindly made you the fool. It's not just unfair, di. It's already hard enough to be betrayed by someone you trusted. But when someone justifies it? Like you somehow brought it on yourself? It's cruel. No one deserves that."

I press my nails into my palm, trying to suppress the sting in my eyes.

"You never did that. When I opened up about it, you were the only one who understood me. You never judged me for it. You just... got it. I don't think I'd be as messed up now if more people had been like you."

I look down at my lap, curling my toes inside my heels. My nails dig into my palm.

"Di?" I force myself to look at him.

"You'd never do something like that... right?"

I hold my breath. Dhruv... how do I tell you I already did?

I manage a nod, eyes shifting toward the cafeteria entrance and that's when I see him. Standing by the counter, scrolling through his phone calmly and composed. Saying something to the guy while pointing at the drinks.

"By the way, what about that bastard?" Dhruv snaps, yanking my focus back. "Is he still hovering around you?"

I look at him. "Dhruv-"

"Is he bothering you again? Just punch him. I swear, I hate him. I don't know why he had to fall for you. Now you're stuck with him."

"Leave it, Dhruv," I mutter.

"You're supposed to finish the gossip! What's wrong with you today?"

"Nothing! Shut up." I snap, and he huffs something under his breath and starts blabbering.

My gaze slides back to Rudra. He's scrolling again, thumb tapping rapidly. I force my eyes away only to catch sight of a woman stepping inside.

She's... hard to miss. Tall, blonde, pale skin that glows under the ceiling lights. Wearing a sleeveless top tucked into a high waisted skort that hugs her waist perfectly, heels clicking on the floor. She scans the cafeteria then stops, she smiles widely. I follow her gaze.

Rudra.

Why the fuck is she smiling at him?

She walks straight to him, slides her hand around his arm.

I sit up straighter, my eyes locked on them. My breath falters for a second. He flinches then pulls his arm back. His brows lift as if recognizing her. His mouth opens slightly in surprise. He says something and she shrugs, he rubs his temple saying something again. She shakes her head. And then he grits his teeth, grabs her wrist and mutters something as he leads her away.

My nails dig harder into my palm beneath the table.

This arrogant, shameless fuck. Touching another woman like that in broad daylight?

"Di!"

"Shut up, Dhruv!" I yell and hang up.

I rise from my seat, rage bubbling like hot oil in my veins.

Today... he's done.

I storm down the corridor, my jaw clenched, chest tight with rage and just before I reach the door to Rudra's cabin, I hear his voice sharp and angry.

"Why the fuck are you here?! If Silas finds out-"

"You should be more worried about me killing you, asshole!" I snap, barging in.

Rudra and Kabir stand near the desk and that lady stands in front of them. And Avyaan lounging on the couch with one leg crossed, thumbing through a file not giving a damn. All three turn to look at me.

I march straight to Rudra and grab his collar. "You cheating on me again?"

His brows knit. "What the fuck are you talking about?"

"Why the hell did you bring her here?"

"You're jumping to conclusions. It's not what you think pearl-"

I shove him back.

She chuckles. "Clarencia Salinas. Pleasure to meet you."

I ignore her and look back at Rudra, "Did you sleep with her?"

His eyes fly wide. "No! What the hell-" he blurts. "No, I didn't. Not even close."

Kabir coughs awkwardly, and Clarencia's smirk grows deeper.

"Saanvi, right?" she says, looking me up and down. "Rudra's wife. You're sort of... known in our cart-uh, never mind."

I narrow my eyes. He steps forward again, trying to close the gap between us. "Pearl, listen. There's nothing between her and me."

"Then why the hell is she clinging to your arm like she owns it?" I snap.

Before he can answer, she slips her hand back around his bicep, bold as ever. And just like that, my rage flares. I've never wanted to strangle anyone as much as I want to right now.

"Don't." He warns, pulling his arm free.

She backs off with a small shrug. "Chill, Rudra."

He looks at me again, "I'm not cheating, pearl. I promise. This isn't what it looks like, She's just like a business partner. That's all."

"'Like' a business partner? It's always either a business partner or sex partner."

He runs a hand down his face, frustrated. "Stop this. She's not a sex partner."

"Not yet," Clarencia quips from behind.

My fists curl. I will end her right here.

"Clare, shut the fuck up," Rudra snaps without turning.

"Clare?" I scoff. "You have nicknames now? Can't say her full name, Rudra?"

He exhales sharply, gaze shooting to the ceiling like he needs divine help. Before I explode again, Kabir steps in between us, raising both palms. "Okay, everyone calm the hell down."

This bitch.

"Doctor, look, I know Rudra was a dick in the past, I get it. But there was never anything between him and Clare. Not then, not now."

"Why? Do you always hang around in his bedroom too?" I scoff.

Kabir blinks. "Eww no! That's disgusting." He exhales sharply, dragging a hand down his face. "Listen, Clare isn't into your husband. She's into Avyaan. Believe me, they're... kinda seeing each other."

"I'm not." Avyaan cuts in without even glancing up from the file he's flipping through.

Kabir's shoulders slump. "This motherfucker,"

"Well, that's not a lie," Clarencia adds with a sly smile. "Your husband is just a second option. My heart's still with Avyaan."

She looks straight at Avyaan as she says it. I stare at her, stunned. Is this woman for real? She saunters toward Avyaan and I instinctively step aside to let her pass. Her back is almost entirely bare, just a strip of lace holding the neckline together. Her hips sway confidently as her heels click against the floor. She is undeniably beautiful.

I glance at Rudra from the corner of my eye. He's not looking at her. He's looking at me.

Smart fucker. You just saved yourself.

"What?" I snap, narrowing my eyes as he stares at me.

He exhales "Can you, for once, just show a little trust in me?"

"You want trust?" I laugh bitterly. "You were out there, sleeping with other women while I was lying on a hospital bed."

His brows furrow instantly. "I didn't cheat on you. How many times do I have to keep repeating that? I showed you the reports, the timelines, the articles. The news cleared it. I didn't lay a damn finger on anyone."

I keep my eyes locked on his,

You didn't cheat, Rudra. I know you didn't.

But taste your own damn medicine. You didn't believe me when I swore I hadn't done anything with Saarth. You looked me in the eye and still doubted me. And what for? That insect faced idiot? As if I'd ever touch him, let alone cheat on you with him.

Our heads snap toward the sudden movement. Clarencia jerks back, stumbling slightly as Avyaan rises from the couch with a sharp glare aimed directly at her.

"Don't you fucking understand?" he bites out, brushing his sleeve like her touch left something dirty. "I told you not to touch me."

Without sparing her another glance, he strides away from the couch. He grabs a tissue from the glass table, wipes the back of his hand slowly, then tosses it aside with quiet disgust.

"Bit much for a simple touch." I mutter

Beside me, Kabir leans slightly closer. "He's Avyaan," he whispers, "Allergic to women's touch."

My brows furrow. "He's gay?"

"Still figuring that out. Asexual is also on the list." He whispers back.

I blink at Kabir, trying to make sense of what he just said. How is he supposed to figure that out? Wait! does that mean Kabir and Avyaan- Okay, no. Abort. Illegal brain territory.

Rudra clears his throat. "Clarencia, you've met everyone now. You should leave."

I notice he uses her full name not Clare, and thanks to hell he does. If he hadn't, he probably wouldn't have survived the night.

She lifts a perfectly arched brow and steps closer to me with a small smirk. "He must have seen something in you, huh? The way he's wrapped around your little finger... But just so you know, if you ever get tired of him I'm always available."

"Mind your fucking words," I warn.

She just shrugs and tosses her hair back before glancing toward Avyaan. "Until then, I'll go back to him."

What the actual fuck is wrong with this woman?

"I'll walk you out, Clare," Kabir steps in, his smile strained and lips pressed tight.

"Oh Kabir," she coos. "You're the only polite one here."

He shrugs. "I have to be. With the amount of secondhand embarrassment you're causing, I figured someone should offer you a little dignity."

Her smile vanishes. She shoots him a glare, heels clicking as she turns to leave, but she stops just before the door, turns around, and looks straight at me. Then her gaze slides to Rudra, her lips curving again.

"Bye, Rudra," she purrs with a wink.

I whip my head to him. He just exhales heavily, rolls his eyes, and without saying a word, walks back to his desk.

✿✿✿✿✿

N e x t   d a y

"Mam?"

I lift my eyes from the glass after finishing my medicine. "Yes?"

I finish the last sip of my medicine, set the glass down, and glance at Naina.

"Yes?"

"Mr. Singhania asked for your presence," she says simply and walks away.

I close my eyes and exhale slowly. Pushing myself up, I make my way to his cabin and knock once.

"Come in."

The door clicks shut behind me as I step in. Rudra was lounging back in his chair, legs spread, a cigarette between his fingers. His gaze lifts when he sees me, and he tilts his head slightly, inhaling a drag without saying a word. I stop in front of his desk. He reaches for the ashtray, about to stub the cigarette out.

"Don't." He pauses and looks up at me.

"No need to act like a saint just because I walked in."

He chuckles under his breath, leaning back again. "I thought you'd give me a lecture. 'It's harmful,' 'not good for your lungs,' you know, the usual doctor spiel."

I shrug. "It is. No doubt. But mostly harmful for your heart. And lucky for you, that's not my department."

His lips curl into a half smile. "Good point. But if I have to die, I might as well go down by something that connects me to my wife's profession." He shrugs "So... goodbye to that."

I cross my arms. "If you're done being dramatic, I'm busy."

"You transferred money to my account." He props his elbow on the armrest, still holding the cigarette between his fingers.

"That was for that so called date," I say flatly. "I don't like keeping anyone's money. I returned my share."

He grabs his phone from the desk and scrolls through it. "Take it back. And don't-"

"I'm not taking it back." I cut him off. "Keep it. End of story."

He stands, the chair dragging softly as it rolls back and throws the cigarette into the bin without breaking eye contact. It lands cleanly inside, his eyes don't leave mine as he walks around the desk while rolling his sleeves. He stops just in front of me and shoves his hands in his pockets, his expression calm but with that dangerous glint.

"Last warning, Pearl. Take it back. Or I swear, I'll return the favor for what you did that day."

I laugh under my breath. "What'll you do? Throw me out of this hospital? Make me unemployed? Deport me?" I shake my head and laugh again, mocking. "If you think I'll drop to my knees and beg just to satisfy your fragile ego, you're delusional. I don't keep anyone's damn money."

His smile deepens, trouble in every curve of it. "You know, Mrs. Singhania, you spend a lot of time thinking about how to keep me... satisfied."

His gaze drops just for a second before returning to mine "But in case it slipped your brilliant doctor brain, I don't find satisfaction in your tears or begging." He tilts his head slightly. "What does it for me is you, angry as hell. Breathing hard with a tense body, skin burning. That fire in your eyes when you're on the edge of completely losing it." His eyes drop downward. "Your chest rising and falling like that-"

I catch him staring. "You fucking-"

He cuts in, "-like it's hard to breathe. Like you might just rip my head off. Fingers tangled in your hair. Lips tight, like you're holding back something lethal, your whole beautiful body trembling with fury... That, Pearl... that's what satisfies me."

He leans in slightly, "And since our one year anniversary is around the corner, I figured what better gift than watching you lose your shit? You'll be exactly as I described. That's a promise."

I fold my arms. "You sound disturbingly turned on by near death experiences."

He shrugs. "Maybe I am. Sometimes I see you like that, and all I want is to-" he stops, leans in his voice dark and husky, "-completely ruin that rage. With my mouth. My hands. Or both. You make me want to do terrible things I shouldn't even be thinking about."

"As if I'd let you touch me, pervert," I scoff.

"That's why I use my imagination." He taps his temple with two fingers. "Vividly."

I shake my head. "Tharki. (Pervert) "

He leans forward, close enough for his breath to graze my neck. I close my eyes for a second damn it my pulse stirs. This isn't fair.

"Now watch how you end up satisfying your husband," he murmurs near my ear, lips brushing just enough to make me shiver.

The worst part is not that I want to shove him away, it's that I want to pull him closer. My hands clench at my sides but I push him back.

He steps away, "By the way, what are you giving me for our anniversary?"

"The fact that I let you live every day that's a gift in itself."

He laughs softly, nodding like he agrees. "True. But I want something else." His gaze drops to my lips.

"Don't even think about it," I warn.

He reaches up slowly and places his palm against my cheek. I freeze again. His thumb brushes lightly over my skin.

"Oh, I'll think about it. And on our anniversary..." his voice trails off, full of wicked promise, "I'll definitely dare."

I scoff, slap his hand away, and turn on my heel before I do something reckless.

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