Song:- Do pal (Veer Zara).

Ae dil hai mushkil. (Arijit singh).

********

Where is the good in goodbye...

"Abhi..."
Anaya's voice was barely a whisper, muffled by the fabric of his shirt. Her arms curled around him tighter as if trying to bury herself in a world that no longer existed.
His warmth. His scent. His presence. For the first time in days, she felt safe... even if just for a fleeting second.

"I'm not okay..." she whispered, voice cracking like glass, "Never going to be. I hate it here. Please... take me away... please..."

Abhi's arms tightened around her, but his eyes closed in silent agony.
How could he?
How could he tell her the truth? That her father had practically auctioned her off to the Rajvanshs like she was a trophy. That his own father had severed ties with Vikram Singh, his so-called friend, over this betrayal. That everything they ever dreamt of was now just ashes in the wind.

And she—Anaya—would blame herself. She always did. Even when it was never her fault.

"Abhi... say something," she pleaded, raising her teary eyes to meet his, "You're upset, right? You should be. I'm a coward... selfish and pathetic—"

"No!"
He cupped her face with trembling hands and kissed her forehead. His voice cracked under the weight of love and helplessness. "Never say that. Never. You're the most selfless soul I've ever known. You are brave. You survived what no one else could. You're not selfish, Anaya... you are the reason I still believe in good in this world..."

"I just want us to be okay... you, me... us." Her voice was raw, trembling with desperation.

He nodded slowly. Lying through his teeth. Because nothing was okay. Nothing ever would be again.
But then his gaze hardened.
No. He couldn't give up on her. Not yet.
Why should he? Because some arrogant bastard thought he could cage a soul like hers?

Abhi's jaw tightened as he looked into her eyes. "We'll be okay. I promise. I'll get you out of this... meaningless marriage. I swear I will—"

"I'm afraid that won't be possible."
The voice came like a blade slicing through the air.

Anaya flinched in Abhi's arms. That voice—
Dark. Controlled. Possessive.
Arjun Rajvansh.

Abhi stiffened as the tall, brooding man approached like a storm ready to destroy everything in its path.

"Let. Her. Go," Arjun said, each word laced with menace. "I believe you're holding what belongs to me. And I don't share, Mr. Mehra."

Abhi's hold on Anaya tightened instinctively, protective.

Anaya turned, horrified.
Arjun's eyes were burning. With rage. With jealousy. With something terrifyingly unhinged.

Her heartbeat stumbled.
She remembered his threat—"If I ever find him near you, he's a dead man."

"No! Arjun, please don't... don't hurt him. I'm the one who's wrong. Punish me if you want. Just... please don't touch him."

Arjun's lips curled into something dark and wicked.
He stepped forward and yanked Anaya by the wrist, dragging her away from Abhi. His fingers were iron against her skin.

He tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear with unnerving calm and whispered so only she could hear,
"Such concern for him? How touching... I'll deal with that later, Mrs. Rajvansh. But right now... I have some unfinished business with your so-called 'best friend.'"

Then, louder: "Ron, take my wife back to the apartment. I don't want her here while I clean this mess."

"No! Please, Arjun. Don't do anything to him. Please..."
Her eyes were pleading, broken.

He leaned in, his lips brushing her ear.
"I told you once—your actions have consequences. You dare disobey me again, Dora... and he will pay the price. Now walk away."

Tears ran down her face as she looked at Abhi one last time, silently begging for forgiveness, then followed Ron.

Arjun turned back to face his enemy. The tension was suffocating.

Abhi stood tall. "You must be proud. Forcing a girl into your bed doesn't make you a man, Rajvansh. She may have married you, but her heart... still beats for me."

Arjun's jaw twitched.
"I know," he replied, smiling coldly. "She likes you. But she'll love me. Because I'm her husband. And because she has no choice."

Abhi's fists clenched. "You're a monster. You can manipulate her world, threaten her life... but you'll never win her heart."

Arjun's laugh was hollow. "You think this is about love? This is about possession. You see, Mr. Mehra—she's not just someone I want. She's someone I own."

"You don't own her. You've imprisoned her."

"I've given her security. Power. A name no one dares touch. And in return, I'll make sure she forgets you ever existed."

"I won't let that happen."

"Then be ready to watch everything you love burn. Your family, your career, your life—I'll crush it all. Stay. Away. From. My. Wife."

And with that, Arjun turned and walked away, leaving Abhi seething and helpless.

Anaya sat on the couch, curled like a child, staring at nothing. Her soul felt bruised.
Aashi rushed in.
"I'm sorry, Anaya. I couldn't warn you in time... but Abhi's safe. He just called. Please don't worry."

"Worry?"
Anaya let out a bitter laugh. "Since the day I met your brother, that's all I do... worry, survive... beg."

Aashi looked devastated. "This is all my fault. If I hadn't—"

"Please, Aashi. I'm not ready to process this. I know it's not all your fault... but I need time."

Aashi nodded, her voice soft, "I love you, Anaya. More than you'll ever know."
She hugged her tight and left.

Anaya stood and walked to the window. The city lights blurred through her tears.
Was this her life now?
A gilded cage... with a man whose love was obsession and whose tenderness came with threats?

Arjun walked into the living room, cold and composed.

"Dad, you called?"

Rana Udhav looked up, eyes hard. "We tolerated the rushed wedding. But your wife must now understand the name she carries. There will be no more private meetings with so-called friends. And she will resign from her job immediately. We leave for Jaipur. I want the entire family present for elections."

"I understand," Arjun said with a nod.

Rana Virat added, "And at the haveli, no one knows the circumstances of your marriage. Keep it that way. Handle your wife, Arjun. Properly."

Arjun left the room silently.

He walked to the bedroom, ready to confront her—but stopped.

Anaya was asleep on the couch, curled up like a lost child.

His anger faded.
He sat beside her, staring at her delicate features. Long lashes. Trembling lips.
So fragile. So hauntingly beautiful.

The storm inside him quieted—for a moment.

He brushed her hair back and whispered, "You make me feel... human. And I hate that. Because I don't want to feel. I just want you."

He scooped her up gently and placed her on the bed, tucking her in. He lingered, brushing her cheek, then kissed her forehead.

"You gave me peace... in a world where peace didn't exist for me. And now you're mine, Dora. Forever."

He closed the door behind him.

As soon as it clicked shut, Anaya opened her eyes.
Silent tears fell as she stared at the ceiling.

Who are you, Arjun Rajvansh?
And why does every breath around you feel like drowning... and surviving at the same time?

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Hey guys,

Sorry for the late update...

I had a very tight schedule yesterday that's why I was not able to update at midnight...

Sorry again...

For the first time Arjun showed some emotion..let's see where it takes all three of them.

Please enjoy the chapter.

Thank you,

Please do comment and VOTE.