𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟎𝟖|𝐒𝐡𝐞'𝐬 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲

After finishing their shopping for the upcoming engagement, the back seat of the car was piled high with colorful bags, each one packed with beautiful dresses, sparkling jewelry, and delicate accessories. It was already 1 pm and everyone was feeling hungry. Fifteen minutes later, they arrived at the restaurant and headed inside.

The restaurant was beautifully decorated and had a luxurious feel. The outside looked elegant in a simple way, which caught their attention and made them even more excited to go inside.

Upon entering the restaurant, they were immediately struck by its breathtaking beauty. The inside of the restaurant was stunning, with detailed designs, fancy furniture, and shining chandeliers that together created a rich and elegant atmosphere.

They were seated at their table, but just as they were about to order, Saanvi's phone buzzed. She hastily excused herself to take the call, her curiosity piqued by the unfamiliar number flashing on the screen.

As she stepped outside into the bright sunlight, a sense of trepidation began to creep over her.

"Hello?" she ventured cautiously, her voice barely above a whisper.

The response was immediate, the low, husky tone sending shivers down her spine. "Yaad toh nahi ayi meri, butterfly?" .

Her eyes widened in terror as she froze, her mind reeling with the implications of the caller's words. The sweat began to trickle down her face, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps.

"Mera peecha chodh kyu nahi dete tum? Tu-m toh..toh mar gaye the na?" she stammered, her voice trembling with fear.

The laughter that greeted her words was cold and mirthless, its sarcastic undertones sending a chill down her spine. "Butterfly, tumhari rooh se juda hua hu main," the caller sneered, his words dripping with malice.

Her's eyes filled with tears as she pleaded, "Please leave me alone," .

but the caller remained unmoved. "No, never. You're mine, mine butterfly. One day, I'll get you again, and I'll do all the things with you that I wanted to do in the past."

The words echoed in her mind like something dark and threatening, filling her with fear. With a sob, she ended the call, her body trembling as she cried uncontrollably. Not wanting her friends to see her like that, she stumbled toward the washroom, desperate to be alone.

she locked herself inside, she gazed at her reflection in the mirror, her eyes red and puffy from crying. With trembling hands, she wiped away her tears, she carefully fixed her makeup, trying to hide any signs that she had been upset.

She took a deep breath and forced herself to go back to her friends, putting on a fake smile. But the fear and anxiety didn't leave her they stayed with her, like a shadow she couldn't shake off.

She emerged from the washroom, her eyes scanned the restaurant, searching for her friends. Her gaze landed on the familiar faces of Mrs. Rajwat and her chachi, seated at a nearby table, engrossed in conversation. The younger members of their group were scattered across another table.

Saanvi noticed there were only two empty seats at the younger table. One was next to Tanvi, and the other was beside him. She was about to sit next to Tanvi, following her instinct, but before she could, Aditya quickly took the seat his eyes fixed on Ishika. The sudden move caught Saanvi off guard, leaving her frozen in place for a moment.

In that brief moment of hesitation, Dhruv took the chance to pull a playful prank on Saanvi. Grinning mischievously, he gave her a gentle push, causing her to fall right into Rajveer's lap. The sudden contact made Saanvi blush deeply, her face turning as red as a tomato.

Rajveer's eyes flashed with annoyance as he shot Dhruv a withering glare, but the younger members of their group were unfazed, their laughter and teasing remarks.

Saanvi was utterly embarrassed as she buried her face in Rajveer's chest, feeling overwhelmed by the situation. The warmth of his body and the steady beat of his heart offered some comfort, but her mind was a mix of emotions, and her face was burning with humiliation.

RAJVEER POV:

She came out of the washroom, her eyes meeting mine, and I could tell there were still traces of tears from just a moment ago. But she quickly hid her feelings, putting on a fake smile. I watched her walk toward the table, clearly intending to sit next to Tanvi.

But Dhruv, wearing a mischievous grin, quickly swooped in and pushed her into my lap. Her face turned bright red, like a tomato, and she hurriedly buried her face in my chest. I shot Dhruv an annoyed glare, my eyes burning with frustration.

I leaned in close to her ear my voice was barely above a whisper as I spoke, "Itna mat sharmaye, humari jaan, nahi toh humari jaan nikal jayegi."

(Don't be so shy, my love, or my life will be lost.)

Her face turned an even deeper shade of red as she lifted her gaze to meet mine. Her eyes sparkled with a mix of embarrassment. We continued to eat our lunch, the tension between us palpable, yet unspoken.

We finished our meal, She excused herself to visit the washroom once more. I seized the opportunity to follow her, my curiosity getting the better of me.

I stood outside the washroom, I turned to her, my voice low and urgent. "Who made you cry, sweetheart ? Tell me, who's responsible for those tears?" My eyes blazed with a fierce protectiveness, my heart aching to know the truth behind her sorrow.

Her attempt at nonchalance was palpable as she shrugged off my inquiry, her voice laced with a casual airiness. "No, I'm not crying, Raj ji." But I was not so easily deterred.

My hands instinctively rose to cradle her face, my fingers gently cupping her cheeks as I drew her gaze to mine. Our eyes locked in a piercing stare, the air thickening with tension as I spoke, my voice low and husky.

"If you don't tell me why you're crying, I'll make good on my promise, sweetheart. I'll take you right here, right now. Believe me, I will do exactly as I say. Don't test my patience, jaan . Tell me who made you cry."

The words hung in the air, heavy with an unspoken threat, as I searched her eyes for the truth. Her's pupils dilated, her breathing growing shallow, as she seemed to shrink beneath my intense gaze. The delicate skin on her cheeks flushed a deep shade of pink, and I could sense the tremors running through her body.

For a moment, time stood still, the only sound the soft hum of the restaurant's. Her's lips parted, her voice barely above a whisper, as she hesitated, her eyes darting wildly, searching for an escape. But I held her firm, my grip gentle yet unyielding, my eyes boring into hers, demanding the truth.

Saanvi's words tumbled out, a few stray tears escaped her eyes, rolling down her cheeks like delicate raindrops.

Her voice trembled, her eyes pleading, as she spoke. "I've been broken once, I hope you won't break me again... Raj." The vulnerability in her tone struck a chord within me, and I felt an overwhelming urge to protect her.

I gently reached out, my thumbs wiping away the tears from her cheeks, as I replied, "My world has never been centered on anyone, but in just a few days, my world is centered on you, sweetheart."

Saanvi's lips quivered, a soft hiccup escaping her throat, before a radiant smile spread across her face. My lips brushed against her forehead, then descended to her eyes, leaving a soft, gentle imprint on each lid. Her's cheeks flushed a deep shade of pink.

All family members of family stepped out of the restaurant.

But then my mother's voice, calling out to me. "Beta Raj, tum ghar nahi chal rahe ho?"

(Son Raj, aren't you going home?)

I shook my head, a sense of purpose driving me. "Nahi, ma, ek zaroori kaam hai."

(No, mother, I have some important work to attend to.)

With a brief nod, I turned to my car but my eyes locking onto hers.

# At warehouse:

I stepped out of the scorching sunlight and into the dimly lit warehouse. A heavy sense of dread settled over me. My men stood silently around me, their eyes sharp, their anticipation heavy. I could feel it too the rage that simmered just beneath my skin.

As I moved deeper into the warehouse, the sound of my footsteps echoed off the grimy walls. Shadows closed in around me, wrapping me in darkness. In that moment, I wasn’t the refined man the world knew. I was something else something darker, something raw. I was the beast beneath the suit, finally unchained.

In the far corner of the room, I saw him the man who had dared to look at my wife, to touch her. He was creashed on the floor, beaten bloody, barely able to lift his head. My men had handled him well. But they hadn’t come close to the punishment I intended to deliver.

Just thinking about his hands on her… his eyes on her... It made my blood boil.

She was mine.

Every part of her every smile, every breath, every heartbeat belonged to me.

And I’d kill anyone who thought otherwise.

My vision tunneled as I walked toward him. All I could think was She’s mine.

Mine.

Mine.

He tried to back away, his body trembling. But I reached him, grabbed him by the neck, and lifted him with a grip like steel.

"Aghh—please… let me go,"he choked out.

I leaned in, my voice low and ice cold. "It hurts, doesn’t it? Now imagine how much pain I felt knowing you touched my sweetheart."

He whimpered, shaking. "Please… I didn’t mean any harm. Let me go!"

But I wasn’t listening.

I wasn’t thinking.

I was possessed by fury.

I tightened my grip, crushing his windpipe slowly. His face turned purple, his eyes wide with terror. Still, it wasn’t enough.

I snarled, "You had the nerve to touch the wife of Rajveer Singh Rajawat the king of the underground? You looked at her like she was yours?"

His body convulsed, his eyes rolling back. I let go, and he collapsed, coughing and wheezing.

But I wasn’t finished.

I grabbed a metal rod from the side and brought it down on him again and again until his screams echoed through the warehouse, until his begging turned to sobs.

Karan and Aditya rushed forward.

"Rajveer!" Karan shouted. "He’ll die—leave him!"

But I couldn’t stop.

Rage had taken over.

Possession had taken over.

I pulled out my gun and aimed it at the man’s bloodied face.

The gunshot rang through the warehouse.

Silence followed.

His body dropped, lifeless.

It was done.

I stood there, breathing heavily, blood splattered across my white shirt, chest heaving. Then I turned to my men.

"Clean this up. Feed his body to my bulldogs."

I left without looking back.

Outside, the satisfaction should’ve felt sweeter. But all I felt was the hollow sting of reality. I’d done what needed to be done but a part of me knew it came at a cost.

I went to the washroom, scrubbing the blood from my hands. The cold water helped, but no matter how hard I scrubbed, I couldn’t wash away what I’d become. The blood had vanished from my skin but not from my soul.

As I turned to leave, Aditya's voice sliced through the silence.

"Rajveer, does Saanvi even know what you do?"

I froze.

"No," I said flatly. "And it’s better that way."

Aditya stepped closer, his eyes serious, his voice lower. "If she finds out… she’ll leave you."

His words hit me like a punch to the chest.

I couldn’t respond. I didn’t want to believe it, but deep down, I feared he might be right.

So I turned and walked away, got into my car, and drove. The wind rushed past me, the city lights blurring as my thoughts spiraled.

But one thing kept me going one belief that burned in my chest.

"No. She is different. She sees the real me the darkness and the light. She’s the only one who can heal me. The only one who might choose to stay."

And for her, I’d fight the darkness in me.

Even if it destroyed me first.

I returned to my mansion, my mind still reeling from the events of the evening. I took a long, relaxing bath, trying to wash away the remnants of my rage. I dressed in fresh clothes and made my way to the dining room, where my family was waiting for me.

We talked about the upcoming engagement ceremony, and I played the part of the dutiful son, smiling and laughing along with my family.

As the night drew to a close, I retired to my room, my thoughts still reeling from the encounter with the man who had dared to touch my sweetheart. I knew that I had done what was necessary, but a part of me couldn't shake off the feeling that I had crossed a line, that I had become something more sinister than I had ever intended.