Song:- I don't wanna live forever. ( Zayn Malik, Taylor Swift.)

Even the worst day had an ending,
And the best day has a beginning.

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Third POV.

London

The soft jazz music of the high-end bar failed to soothe the storm raging inside Abhi. He sat hunched on the barstool, his fingers lazily tracing the rim of his glass as he took another swig of whisky—the burn down his throat far less painful than the burn within.

These days, drinking had become more than a habit—it was his only escape. Only this numbing poison could put his chaotic mind to sleep. Only this silence could dull the scream of memories.

Her voice.

Her laughter.

Her smile.

God, her smile.

He chuckled bitterly to himself, the sound hollow.
"She's everywhere..." he whispered. "In my thoughts... in my dreams... in every damn heartbeat. And people say, 'Forget her.'" He downed another shot, slamming the glass down.
"How?" he whispered darkly, his knuckles whitening.

A voice interrupted his brooding spiral.

"Drinking alone... want some company?"

He turned with a sharp glance. A woman stood beside him—beautiful, stylish, confident. But not her. Not his Dora.

His jaw clenched instantly.

Not again.

"Ruhani... Ruhani Dhawan," she introduced herself smoothly. "And you're the famous cricketer, Abhimanyu Mehra... am I right?"

His eyes turned cold. "Leave me alone, girl... not interested."

The sharpness in his tone should have scared her off, but Ruhani only smirked, taking a slow sip of her wine. She leaned against the bar, perfectly composed.

"You weren't complaining yesterday when you were all over that blonde bimbo." She raised a brow sarcastically, watching his icy eyes narrow.

"Anyways... it's your business, not mine." Her tone was dismissive, but there was something calculated in her expression—as if she had baited him intentionally.

Abhi turned away with a grimace, pouring another drink, but then she dropped the bomb.

"Arjun Rajvansh."

The glass stopped midway to his lips. Slowly, deliberately, he turned to face her.

"What did you say?" His voice dropped several octaves, dark and dangerous.

Ruhani met his stormy gaze without flinching. "Don't give me that look... he was my boyfriend. Still is, technically."

Abhi laughed—cold, hollow, broken. "So what? He married her. Game over. And she chose him. That's the end of your love story, Miss Dhawan."

Ruhani smirked. "You think she chose him?" She leaned closer, lowering her voice.

"She didn't. She's trapped. I know she still loves you. Don't be shocked—I have my sources."

He clenched his fist so tight his knuckles turned white. His heart roared at the hope... the poison of it. But his brain, forever logical, tried to fight it.

"And how exactly do you know all this... Miss Dhawan?" His tone dripped sarcasm.

"My sister... she's Arjun's sister-in-law. I have connections. I know things." Her voice turned darker, more manipulative. "And our partners... they're not happy either. There are cracks in the Rajvansh palace... cracks that can break if pushed."

Abhi was silent, the glass in his hand trembling slightly.

"Don't walk away. Listen to me," Ruhani said, catching his wrist. "This can work in both our favors..."

Abhi stared at her. Something inside him shifted—a spark of madness in his eyes, something unhinged.

She saw it and smiled.

"You want her back. And I want him. Let's help each other... shall we?"

India

Birds chirping broke the silence in Arjun's bedroom. But he hadn't really been asleep. Arjun Rajvansh was a light sleeper, always alert. Yet today... he didn't want to move.

The warmth curled beside him—peaceful, fragile, soft—felt like something he never had before. Something... addictive.

Opening his eyes, he found her beside him. Her hair sprawled across the pillow, her soft breaths rhythmic and steady. His gaze traced her every feature.

Those eyelashes. That nose. The tiny frown between her brows.

His hand itched to touch her.

Her lips—soft, pink, slightly parted. He wanted to kiss them. Possess them.

A ghost of a smile touched his lips as he leaned in and pressed a kiss to her forehead. She hummed in her sleep, frowning at the loss of his warmth, instinctively reaching out.

She clutched his pillow instead. A small, satisfied smile formed on her face.

"Such a baby..." he whispered with a chuckle. "My baby."

He stood, changed into gym wear, and walked out of the room. On the way, he told the maid, "Don't disturb your Yuvrani. Prepare something healthy for her. And don't let her step out."

Then he dialed his mother.

"Good morning, Maa."

"Arjun! How is Anaya, bacha? Ron said you brought her to your mansion. Is everything okay? We all saw the news—your father is furious, and—"

"Maa. Relax. She's fine. Sleeping. I brought her here because the palace was surrounded by media. I didn't want any more chaos." His voice was calm but authoritative. "I'll keep her here for two days. Tell everyone. No need to panic."

Before she could speak more, he disconnected.

He needed peace. And this was the only way to get it.

Anaya opened her eyes slowly. A strange ceiling, unfamiliar surroundings... yet a surprising sense of calm. Her head still hurt a bit. But she is fine now and peaceful in this mension 

"Did I say... I like your muscular embrace more in my sleep last night" Her heart stopped.
Did she really say that... out loud?

"Oh God. Anaya, you fool," she groaned, burying her face in the pillow.

Then she noticed her outfit.

A man's T-shirt.

She ran a hand through her hair, fighting panic. She stepped out into a grand room—a palette of dark green and rich brown. Masculine, elegant, powerful.

Definitely Arjun Rajvansh's room.

She stepped outside, exploring the massive mansion in awe until she finally called out.

"Hello? Is there anyone?"

A maid came running.

"Good morning, Ma'am. I'm Jenna—the housekeeper. Sir instructed me to assist you."

Anaya relaxed a little. "Where is... Mr. Rajvansh?"

"He's in the gym, Ma'am. Oh, and he left clothes for you. I'll bring them right away."

Inside the lavish bathroom, Anaya stared at the giant tub and polished counters.

"Just how rich is this man...?"

She changed into a soft white top and pink pajama.

Just the way she liked it.

How did Jenna get her perfect size?

Her thoughts were cut off when she collided with a bare chest. Hard. Warm. Familiar.

"Well... what a start," Arjun whispered, voice dripping seduction.

She stumbled, speechless. Eyes roaming. He was shirtless, toned, glistening. A sinful sight.

"Stop ogling. I think you like what you see," he whispered into her ear.

Her heart skipped.

"You...you can't just touch me whenever you want!"

He smirked, backing her into the door.

"You didn't complain yesterday when you were curled up in my arms whispering, 'I like your muscular embrace... you're so warm.'"

She died inside.

"No! That wasn't me!"

Arjun laughed darkly. "Sure, it wasn't."

"Why don't you go to your girlfriend!" she snapped, jealous anger flaring. "Leave me alone!"

Arjun flicked her nose, amused. "Jealous, are we, Mrs. Rajvansh?"

"I'm not jealous!"

"Sure. Whatever helps you sleep at night."

He leaned in. "Today, I'm treating you. Get ready. The day is ours."

He helped her dress her wound, treating her like glass.

"I don't want to feel that fear again," he said, tracing the bandage on her forehead. "So listen to me, always."

She nodded obediently.

"Ready for the day?" he whispered.

She smiled. "Ready."

He took her hand and led her to a stunning lawn setup.

She gasped.

Breakfast under the open sky, surrounded by colorful flowers. Peaceful. Beautiful.

They laughed. Talked. For a moment, the past didn't exist.

And Arjun swore—hell would freeze before he ever let this happiness be taken away again.

The soft sunlight bathed the Rajvansh mansion in gold as Anaya sat on the lush garden chair, her gaze drifting over the flowers dancing in the morning breeze. Arjun sat beside her, coffee in hand, unusually quiet... but content.

There was something unspoken between them—fragile, blooming, dangerous.

Anaya stole a glance at him.

How could someone like him be this gentle?

The man who stormed like fire through people's lives, now carefully placing fruit on her plate... wiping the edge of her cup... guarding her like a knight and holding her like a secret.

And then suddenly—
the world crashed again.

A loud buzz echoed across the estate. The main gate—blocked.

Guards started shouting.

"Sir! The media is here! They somehow found out!"

Arjun stood immediately, his protective shield snapping into place.

"Inside. Now." His voice was low, lethal.

"Arjun, what's happening?" Anaya asked, confused.

He grabbed her wrist and began pulling her toward the mansion.

But too late.

Cameras. Microphones. Screams.

They were swarming outside the gate. Someone had tipped them off. No, this wasn't random. This was planted.

"Yuvraj Arjun! Is it true you brought Dr. Anaya to your private mansion?"

"Are you two having an affair?"

"Is the royal marriage a cover-up?"

"Anaya, what's your relationship with Yuvraj Arjun—was it love from before? Is that why you dumped Dr. Abhimanyu?"

The name Abhi hit her like a slap.

Anaya's eyes widened in horror.

"No... how do they know..."

Arjun was already pushing her behind him, jaw clenched, rage radiating from every muscle.

"Jenna, take her inside. Lock the doors. Don't open it unless I say."

"But—"

"NOW!" he roared.

Anaya flinched and was dragged away by the maid.

Arjun turned to his guards. "Clear this filth. Detain whoever needs to be questioned. I want to know who leaked this."

His phone rang.

He picked it up without looking.

"The game has begun, Rajvansh."

The voice made him still.

Abhimanyu.

"You always win, right? Always take what you want. But what happens when the past bleeds into your present? When you realize... she never stopped loving me?"

"Mehra..." Arjun's voice turned dangerously calm. "You're crossing a line."

"No. You crossed it. The day you married her. You forced her into this prison, Arjun. And you'll regret every second of it."

The call disconnected.

Arjun didn't move for a few seconds. Then he crushed the phone in his fist.

London

Ruhani sat across from Abhi, watching him lose his sanity sip by sip.

"Well?" she asked casually. "Did the press get what they needed?"

Abhi smirked. "Exactly what they needed. The palace is burning now."

Ruhani leaned back. "You realize we've lit a fire we can't control now."

Abhi's eyes gleamed with something unhinged.

"I don't want control. I want destruction."

Back in India

Anaya stood behind the curtain, watching the chaos unfold through the glass.

Tears burned her eyes.

Not again. Not like this.

She turned to find Arjun walking back in. He was covered in sweat, dirt, fury.

He stopped when he saw her.

Her eyes were filled with betrayal. Pain. Shame.

"You said you'd protect me."

"I did," he whispered. "I am."

"Then how did they get here? How did they know about us?"

He didn't answer.

"You lied to me."

"No."

"I can't be your responsibility anymore, Arjun. I can't live in fear of cameras and accusations. I don't belong in this world."

He stepped toward her. "You belong wherever I am."

Her lips trembled. "Why me, Arjun? Why are you doing all this?"

His voice cracked.

"Because if I lose you... I will burn this world to ashes."

The Rajvansh estate was cloaked in nightfall.

The world had gone quiet—no flashing cameras, no yelling reporters, no scandals tearing through the gates. The guards had been doubled. The perimeters sealed. Surya had personally ensured no further leaks.

But none of that mattered to Anaya.

She sat by the massive window in the guest room, a soft shawl wrapped around her, hair open, falling messily over her shoulders. Her fingers clutched the cup of untouched tea, long gone cold.

The echo of his name still rang in her ears.

Abhi.

Even after all these days, even after everything... his name still carried guilt. Pain. Unfinished answers. And yet... she hadn't thought of him in days, not until the media screamed it into her face today.

Her mind betrayed her, whispering what she didn't want to admit—

Was she moving on? With Arjun?

Was this... feeling something more than protection?

She hated herself for even thinking that.

Because how could she?

She was the one who broke Abhi's heart.

And now her own heart fluttered at the touch of Arjun Rajvansh, a man who barely said much—but whose presence consumed her.

The door opened behind her.

She didn't need to turn.

She felt him.

Arjun.

His steps were silent, deliberate.

He stood a few feet away from her, watching her figure bathed in moonlight. For once, she wasn't trembling. But her silence scared him more than her tears.

"I asked Ron to fire every single staff member who leaked anything," he said softly. "The media won't come near you again."

She didn't respond.

He took a breath. "You're safe, Anaya. With me, you're always safe."

She finally looked up.

Her voice was barely above a whisper. "But what if the danger isn't outside, Arjun? What if it's inside me?"

He stepped closer. "What do you mean?"

She looked away, tears burning her eyes. "I don't know what I feel anymore... and today, hearing his name... I realized I've buried so much pain so deep that I've forgotten how to feel without guilt."

Arjun's jaw clenched. He hated the way her voice shook when she mentioned Abhi.

But she wasn't done.

"I don't know if I deserve any of this... your protection, your care. You say I'm safe with you, but Arjun... what if I'm the one who can't trust herself anymore? What if I'm just broken?"

He didn't hesitate.

In two strides, he was in front of her.

He knelt down, looking up into her tear-filled eyes.

"You're not broken," he said darkly. "You're the strongest person I've ever seen. And you don't need to deserve anything, Anaya. Not from me."

He placed a hand over hers, gently prying the cold teacup from her fingers.

"I'm not here because you asked me to be. I'm here because I can't not be."

She shook her head. "Arjun, you don't understand. What we're doing... it feels wrong. This guilt—"

"It only feels wrong because you're used to pain," he cut her off. "Because for once in your life, someone's choosing you without asking for anything in return. And that scares you."

Anaya looked at him, heart in her throat.

"I'm not Abhi," Arjun said softly but firmly. "And I don't want you to forget what he meant to you. I just want you to remember what you mean to yourself."

There was a long pause.

Moonlight kissed her tear-lined cheeks.

She whispered, "I'm tired, Arjun."

His hand slid up to her face, cupping her cheek. "Then rest. I'll carry everything for you."

And then, he did something that broke her further.

He didn't kiss her.

He didn't touch her like a man who claimed her.

He simply leaned his forehead against hers and breathed with her—like he was syncing his heartbeat with hers, without expectation or demand.

Anaya closed her eyes.

And for the first time in weeks... she allowed herself to exhale.

To just be.

Not someone's past.

Not someone's guilt.

Just herself—held by the one man who never asked her to be anything else.

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Hey guys,

Sorry for the late update but I was busy with office and household work. Thank you for your patience.

So Arjun is ready to do anything for Anaya's smile...but will he be able to do that...let's see.

Thank you, do comment...

PLEASE VOTE GUYS, IT'S A REQUEST...