𝐑𝐚𝐨: 𝐀 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐎𝐟 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐥.

╰┈➤"𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐥."

≻───── ⋆✩⋆ ─────≺

The cars sped through the wet roads, their tires squealing as they took a sharp turn. Suddenly, one of the cars slammed on its brakes, signaling the others to follow suit.

Avyan parked his car beside a small, one-story house with a quaint gate.

Veda, seated beside him, glared at Avyan with confusion etched on her face. "Come out, star," Avyan said, his voice low and mysterious. "We have to say goodbye to someone before going home."

Avyan stepped out of the car and opened the door for Veda, his eyes gleaming with some unknown emotions. "Come on, star, time is precious," he said, pulling her out of the car.

As they entered the house, Veda's gaze fell upon a beautifully manicured garden, teeming with vibrant plants and flowers.

Her annoyance with Avyan momentarily gave way to admiration for the garden's beauty.

"Where are we, Avyan?" Veda demanded, her voice rising in irritation. "What are you doing?"

Avyan's smile was enigmatic. "Shh, you'll know, star. Now, kindly shut up," he whispered, his eyes glinting with mischief.

With that, Avyan rang the doorbell, the sound echoing through the silent household.

After a brief pause, a woman in her early 60s opened the door. Her face furrowed in confusion as she took in Avyan's charming smile. "Hello, Mrs. Seema. I'm Avyan. Is Anurag home?"

Seema's gaze lingered on Avyan, uncertainty etched on her face. "Hmm, yes... are you his friend?"

Avyan's smile broadened. "Oh, yes, we're pretty close friends." Veda shot him a puzzled glance, surprised that Avyan had friends outside his elite business circle.

Seema's expression softened, and she stepped aside, inviting them in. "Oh, please come in, beta. I'll call Anurag right now."

Avyan guided Veda inside, his hand firmly grasping her elbow. As they entered, Veda's gaze swept the cozy living room, taking in the warm atmosphere.

Seema disappeared into the interior of the house, leaving Avyan and Veda alone. Moments later, she returned with a man in tow.

Veda's eyes widened as she recognized 'Anurag', and his eyes mirrored her surprise.

"Veda?" Anurag's voice was laced with astonishment.

Veda's gaze darted between Anurag and Avyan, comprehension dawning on her face. Avyan's grip on her shoulder tightened.

Veda's eyes widened in horror as she locked gazes with Anurag. The traumatic memories she'd tried to bury came flooding back, the screams, the shouting, the cruel words that still seared her soul.

Her fists clenched, and her breathing quickened as the past she'd desperately tried to forget rose up like a specter.

It had been five long years since that fateful incident, five years since she'd last laid eyes on him.

Yet, the wounds still felt raw, the pain still simmering just below the surface.

Avyan sensed her unease and gently took her hands in his. His fingers intertwined with hers, stroking her skin with a soothing calmness.

Veda felt her ragged breathing slow, her tension easing as Avyan's touch worked its magic.

She lifted her gaze, her eyes locking onto Avyan's. With a tight grasp, she held his hand, drawing comfort from his reassuring presence.

She recalls how she met him again.

It was a pivotal moment in their lives the day Veda, Tejal, and Parvika escaped from Rao family.

To protect themselves, they had to vanish, hiding from the Rao siblings who would stop at nothing to find them.

They were trying to rebuilt their life, finding solace in the quiet rhythms of a small town.

She worked as a librarian at the local library, surrounded by dusty tomes and whispered conversations.

The peaceful atmosphere was a balm to her soul, a stark contrast to the turmoil she'd left behind.

( Past)

Veda slipped the metal key into the old lock, releasing the familiar click that signaled the start of her day.

As she pushed open the creaky door, the musty scent of aged books enveloped her, a comforting aroma that never failed to calm her nerves. She smiled, feeling a sense of solace wash over her.

With a practiced motion, Veda set her bag down on the worn wooden counter, the soft thud echoing through the quiet space.

The old brick wall library, with its faded signs and worn shelves, had become her sanctuary – a place where she could lose herself in the pages of a good book, and forget the secrets, she Tejal and Parvika, kept hidden from the world.

Veda's hands moved with practiced ease, shelving books with a soothing rhythm.

The library was quiet, the only sound the soft hum of fluorescent lights. Lost in her task, Veda didn't notice the door swing open, admitting a sliver of bright sunlight.

It wasn't until she heard the faint rustle of footsteps. "Good morning, Welcome to our  library, How can I help you?" Veda's gaze flickered towards the entrance

Her heart stuttered, her breath catching in her throat. Anurag stood frozen, his eyes locked onto hers with an unsettling intensity.

It been 5 yrs she have seen this person infornt of her, 5 yrs since that incident that still hunts her.

Veda's mind reeled, panic clawing its way up her spine. What was he doing here?  The room seemed to shrink, the air thickening with tension.

Anurag's expression was surprise, his eyes widen as he took a step forward. "Veda?" he said, his voice was filled with surprise, like he never expected her here.

Veda's instincts screamed at her to flee, but her legs felt rooted to the spot. She was trapped, unable to escape the ghosts of her past.

Anurag's daily visits to the library became a relentless routine, his determination to win Veda back unwavering.

Despite her repeated refusals to engage, he persisted, his words dripping with an unsettling fervor.

Undeterred by her rejections, Anurag somehow obtained Veda's phone number, bombarding her with messages.

Begging her to reconsider, to marry him, to live with him. Veda, overwhelmed by the sheer volume of messages, blocked each number, only to have Anurag resurface with a new one.

The cycle was exhausting, Veda's anxiety spiking with each new message. But how did Avyan know about this matter about Anurag?

(Back to present)

"Hello, Mr. Anurag," Avyan said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I'm Avyan, Avyan Rao. As you already know Veda, but I'll introduce her again. She's Veda, Veda Avyan Rao, my beautiful wife."

Seema's confusion deepened, her eyes darting between the trio. Avyan's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with malice.

"I heard you wanted to marry my wife," Avyan continued, his voice dripping with venom. "But sadly, she's already married, and her husband loves her too much to see another man looking at her. It makes me want to... end them."

Veda's eyes widened in shock at Avyan's ominous warning. The air was thick with tension as Avyan's gaze locked onto Anurag, his message clear.

"And now we're here to say goodbye, right, star?" Avyan asked Veda, his voice low and husky.

Veda's eyes were clouded with unknown emotions as she nodded silently. Avyan's expression softened, and he offered her a gentle smile.

"Let's go now," he said, guiding her out of the house.

As they walked, Avyan turned to Mrs. Seema. "Please tell your son not to contact or try to see my wife again. I'll do exactly what I said if he does."

With that, Avyan ushered Veda into the car. The silence between them was palpable as Avyan started the engine.

Veda finally broke the silence, her voice barely above a whisper. "How do you know him?"

Avyan's gaze flicked to hers, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Why is my star sad because I know him?"

Veda avoided eye contact, her gaze drifting downward. Avyan's expression turned serious.

"I know everything, star. Everything about you."

Veda's eyes snapped up, tears welling up in their depths. Avyan's surprise was evident, he had never seen Veda so vulnerable.

She was always a strong, sharp-tongued woman who never showed her insecurities. But now, she looked small and fragile, her eyes red-rimmed and brimming with tears.

Avyan handed her a box of tissues, his movements gentle. He knew it wasn't the time to push her for answers, he knows everything but he wanted to hear everything from her own lips.

The car sped forward, leaving the house behind. Avyan's eyes remained fixed on the road. But for now, he remained silent, letting Veda process her emotions.

≻───── ⋆✩⋆ ─────≺

The majestic Rao mansion loomed in the heart of the city, its grandeur a testament to the family's wealth and influence.

The grey sky above seemed to be holding its breath, threatening to unleash another downpour at any moment.

Athrav's car came to a stop in front of the mansion's entrance. He emerged from the vehicle, effortlessly carrying a struggling Parvika in his arms. The security guard swiftly closed the car door behind them, his expression impassive.

As Athrav entered the mansion, the sound of his footsteps echoed through the foyer. Jayaraj, the patriarch of the Rao family, looked up from the book he was reading on the couch. His eyes narrowed as he took in the scene before him.

Athrav's rugged features were set in a determined expression, while Parvika's face was twisted in a mixture of anger and fear.

Jayaraj's gaze lingered on the struggling woman in Athrav's arms before he rose from the couch, his movements deliberate and authoritative.

Jayaraj's face turned beet red with rage. "Athrav, what is the meaning of this?! Why have you brought this girl back here?!"

Athrav's grip on Parvika's waist tightened as she struggled against him. "She's my wife, Dadu. She belongs with me, in my house."

"Wife?! You still consider her your wife after everything she and those other two did?!" It was the voice of Reeva Jayaraj Rao, Jayaraj's wife, stormed into the living hall, her voice dripping with venom.

Avyan's calm voice cut through the tension as he entered the room with Veda by his side, followed by Ayur and Tejal. "Not only is Parvika bhabhi here, but her other two accomplices aka our wives are also present."

"What's happening here?! Why is everyone shouting, Maa?!" It was Maya Rishav Rao, Jayaraj and Reeva's second daughter-in-law, rushed into the room, concern etched on her face.

Maya's eyes widened as she took in the scene before her. "Athrav? Ayur? What's going on? Why have you brought these girls back, Avyan?!"

The room fell silent, with all eyes fixed on the three couples, the tension between them palpable.

Avyan's smile was unwavering as he gazed at Veda. "They're not just random girls we brought home, Chachi. They're our wives, the daughters-in-law of the Rao family."

Veda rolled her eyes, her expression a mixture of annoyance and amusement.

"They may have been our daughters-in-law once, Avyan beta, but after their betrayal, we cannot forgive or forget. They are no longer part of this family." It was their mother, Anamika Reyansh Rao, Jayaraj and Reeva's first daughter-in-law. Her voice was calm as always as she spoke to them.

Athrav's voice was firm, his eyes flashing with defiance. "They're still our wives, Maa. And they will be staying here with us. That's not up for discussion."

With that, Athrav pulled Parvika upstairs, ignoring her struggles against him. Avyan followed suit, his arm wrapped around Veda's waist. "You heard Athrav Bhai, Maa. We're in agreement on this."

Ayur, who had been silently observing the exchange, nodded in agreement before following Avyan and Veda with Tejal by his side.

The rest of the family watched, helpless and frustrated, as the Rao siblings asserted their dominance. They knew that once the siblings made up their minds, there was no changing it.

The fact that they had brought their wives back, despite their past betrayals, was a bitter pill to swallow.

≻───── ⋆✩⋆ ─────≺

Athrav dragged Parvika into their room, slamming the door shut behind them. He tossed her onto the bed, his eyes blazing with intensity as he caged her with his arms.

"You thought you could escape after betraying me?" Athrav's voice was low and menacing. "You know me, Parvika. I don't forgive betrayal. Those who cross me are six feet under. Yet, here you are in my house, my bed, under me."

Parvika's eyes spat hatred as Athrav caressed her face. "My punishment for betrayal you did, pearl, is that you'll stay with me forever.  You can't escape. You'll never escape this house, or me Mrs Parvika Athrav Rao."

Parvika's anger boiled over as she yanked his hands away. "You'll never cage me, Athrav! Never!"

Athrav's chuckle sent shivers down Parvika's spine. "Oh, my fierce wife is back! Let's see if you can win against me." He rose from the bed, his eyes glinting with challenge, and strode into the bathroom.

Parvika hugged her knees, her gaze sweeping the room. Everything was just as she remembered, the same perfume, business magazines, and country music tapes.

But Athrav... he was different now. Before, he'd ignored her, treating her like a ghost. Now, his eyes burned with an unnerving intensity.

Parvika's heart sank as she realized she was trapped – trapped in this house, in this room, with the man who now seemed determined to make her his prisoner. But she's Parvika, no one can control her, she will never let anyone control her.

≻───── ⋆✩⋆ ─────≺

So here is the second chapter I'm not quite satisfied with this chapter. I'm not being able to write. But I will try my best to make it more interesting in next upcoming chapters.

Also you all better vote and comment or else.