As I watched Ishan walk away, there was a strange sense of relief in my heart. Finally, some distance between us. But with that relief came an unsettling fear-this house now felt too empty. The silence pressed down on me, reminding me that I was alone in a place where I knew no one.

Climbing the stairs slowly, my mind wandered. What could the gift be? I hoped it wasn't another problem waiting to unfold. I hesitated as I opened the room door. My eyes immediately fell on the bed, where a luxurious carry bag sat prominently. Curious and cautious, I approached it and carefully opened the bag.

What I saw made my breath hitch-inside was a brand-new mobile and laptop. For a moment, I was stunned. My heart felt a sudden wave of relief, almost as though I'd been handed back a piece of freedom.

Was he really giving these to me?

A part of me couldn't believe it, but another part was overwhelmed with happiness. Finally, I could contact Shalini aunty and karan uncle, hear their voices, and feel less isolated. It was a small crack in the walls that had been suffocating me, and I wanted to hold on to that hope tightly.



Naina's heart raced as she hesitantly picked up the phone. She couldn't hold back any longer and dialed Shalini's number. It had been a long time since she'd spoken to Shalini or Karan. After running away to Kashmir, she'd destroyed her old SIM card, cutting off all ties with her past. Now, a wave of anxiety washed over her-What if they didn't even want to speak to her anymore? Taking a deep breath, she gathered every ounce of courage and dialed the number. The phone rang, each second stretching unbearably. Then, finally, a soft click. A familiar yet cautious voice came through.

"Hello?"

The moment Naina heard Shalini's voice, her eyes welled up with tears. She clutched the phone tighter, her throat tightening with emotions she had buried for so long.

"Maa..." she whispered, her voice breaking.

For a moment, there was only silence. Then a sharp gasp. Shalini's entire body froze as realization dawned upon her. This wasn't just anyone. It was her. Naina. And for the first time ever, Naina had called her Maa.

"Naina?" Shalini's voice trembled, thick with emotion. "...is that really you?"

Tears spilled down Naina's cheeks, and she choked out, "I'm sorry..."

Shalini shut her eyes as a tear slipped down her own face. A thousand emotions swirled inside her-relief, sorrow, anger, and above all, love.

"Why, Naina?" Shalini whispered, her voice heavy. "Why did you leave us like that? We thought... we thought we'd never see you again."

The weight of guilt pressed harder on Naina's chest. Her voice quivered as she spoke, "I was selfish... I-"

"No," Shalini interrupted, her tone gentle but firm.

Somewhere deep inside, Shalini had already pieced it together. She had seen the growing obsession in Ishaan's eyes, the possessiveness in his actions. And she knew-she knew-that it must have scared Naina enough to make her run, to leave behind everyone she loved just so no one else would suffer because of her. "You were never selfish. I know why you did it." Shalini said slowly.

Naina stayed silent for a moment, trying to gather herself. She wiped her tears, but they kept falling. Finally, in a broken whisper, she said,

"I missed you..."

Her voice cracked, and Shalini felt her own heart shatter. She was trying to stay strong, but hearing Naina like this, so vulnerable, so lost-it was unbearable.

Naina took a shaky breath before speaking again. "At that time... it felt like the only option." Her voice wavered as fresh tears rolled down her cheeks. "I didn't know what else to do, Maa..." And just like that, she broke down, sobbing into the phone.

Shalini clenched her eyes shut, taking a deep breath to control her emotions, but it was impossible. Her hands trembled as she gripped the phone tighter.

"Come home, Naina," she pleaded, her voice thick with sorrow. "Please, beta... just come home."

Naina's breath hitched at those words. Home. It felt like a distant dream, something she had given up on the moment she ran away. But now... was it even possible?

Her voice was barely above a whisper as she hesitated, "Maa... Ishaan..."

Before she could finish, Shalini cut her off sharply.

"We know everything, Naina," she said, her voice firm yet filled with pain. "We know what he did to you. And we also know that none of this was your fault."

Naina swallowed the lump in her throat. She wasn't sure if she could believe that. Hadn't she let this happen? Hadn't she given up and accepted her fate?

"You are still our Naina," Shalini continued, her voice trembling. "You always were. And nothing-nothing-changes that, no matter how much he forced you into this marriage."

Naina held her breath as Shalini added, "And this marriage...we will end it ourselves."

Naina closed her eyes, swallowing the storm of emotions crashing inside her. The weight of her pain, her fear, and the uncertainty of what lay ahead settled deep within her chest.

After Some Time-

She knew she had to go back. There was no other choice. But despite her longing to return home, an unsettling fear gnawed at her. Would things really go the way Shalini Aunty had promised? Could they truly break this marriage? Was there really a way out?

A cold shiver ran down her spine. What if their decision backfired? What if, in their desperation to free her, they ended up putting themselves in danger?

Naina gripped the bedsheet tightly, staring blankly at the floor. She couldn't let them get hurt. Not because of her. Not because of him.

🥀

Ishaan sat at his desk, his sharp eyes scanning the documents in front of him. The room was silent except for the faint sound of pages flipping and the occasional scribble of a pen as he signed off on files that Sahil held for him.

His focus remained unshaken-until his phone rang.

Faris.

Without looking up, Ishaan picked up the call, humming softly in acknowledgment while continuing to work.

"Sir," Faris spoke on the other end, his voice steady. "We've got him."

At that, Ishaan finally lifted his head. His grip on the pen tightened slightly as his dark eyes flickered with something unreadable.

"Bring him to the guesthouse," he ordered, his tone calm yet laced with quiet authority.

Sahil, who had been standing beside him, silently holding the files, watched the exchange closely. His curiosity was evident, but he knew better than to question Ishaan directly.

Ishaan ended the call and turned toward Sahil. "Schedule all my pending meetings for today," he instructed, already shifting his attention back to the documents.

Sahil frowned slightly. "All of them? Today?"

"Yes," Ishaan replied without looking up. "I need to wrap up everything early."

Sahil hesitated. "Why? Something urgent?"

Ishaan didn't respond immediately. He merely flipped through another page before muttering under his breath, "I need to get home early."

Something in his voice made Sahil pause.

Ishaan never rushed home. Never cut his work short for anything. But this-this was different. This was about her.

His so-called "important work" was nothing more than his unbearable need to see Naina. Because every second away from her felt like a lifetime. And no matter how much she despised him-no matter how much she tried to run-he couldn't stay away from her. Not anymore.

🥀

The evening sky had begun to darken, casting a golden hue over the balcony where Naina wandered aimlessly. Her eyes caught sight of a sleek black SUV pulling into the driveway - Ishan's car. He was back from the office.

She stood still, her gaze fixed on him as he stepped out of the car, casually adjusting his coat. He was on a call, oblivious to her presence. Without sparing a glance upward, he began walking toward the backyard.

Naina found herself rooted to the spot, watching his every move the confident way he walked, the way his hand ran through his hair. There was something mesmerizing about it. And before she realized it, he had disappeared from sight. A strange restlessness filled her, compelling her to see more. But why? She couldn't understand the sudden pull.

Giving in to the urge, Naina made her way downstairs, through the living area, and out into the garden. The cool breeze brushed against her face as she walked toward the backyard - a place she'd never explored fully because of the heavy security during the day. But tonight was different. Ishan's presence seemed to grant her silent permission.

As she approached, she spotted a guest house tucked away behind the main estate. Her curiosity piqued. Ishan's home was massive, with countless hidden sections she'd never noticed before. Quietly, she moved closer. A faint voice caught her attention. The back door of the guest house was slightly ajar, allowing her a glimpse inside.

Her heart raced as she peered through the gap. Ishan stood there, his broad back facing her. Beside him was a man Naina vaguely recognized - Faris, though she didn't know his name. He had an intimidating presence. But it wasn't just their presence that unsettled her it was the terrified man kneeling in front of them, begging for his life.

Naina's breath hitched. Her instincts screamed that something was terribly wrong. She wanted to turn and run, but her feet remained glued to the ground.

Then it happened.

Ishan calmly extended his hand toward Faris, who placed a gleaming knife in his palm. Without hesitation, Ishan slashed the man's throat in one swift, brutal motion. Blood splattered across the floor. The man's gurgling plea died instantly.

Naina's world shattered. Her breath stopped, and her eyes widened in sheer horror. She wanted to scream, to cry, to run but no sound escaped her lips. Her body turned to stone, frozen in shock.

Faris noticed her first. "Sir..." he said in a low voice, tilting his head toward Naina.

Ishan followed his gaze, his expression hardening as his eyes landed on her trembling figure. He clenched his jaw, taking a deep breath as if trying to suppress his rising fury.

Naina's tear-filled eyes met his for a fleeting second. Her mind screamed only one word: run.

Her legs finally obeyed. She stumbled backward, taking one shaky step after another before turning and sprinting as fast as she could. Her heart pounded violently in her chest. She didn't look back, too terrified to see if he was following.

The wind whipped against her face as she raced through the garden and into the house. Her panicked footsteps echoed through the empty hallways. Her breaths came in ragged gasps as she frantically searched for a place to hide.

A door loomed ahead.

Without thinking, Naina flung it open, darted inside, and slammed it shut. Her trembling fingers fumbled with the lock until it clicked securely in place.

Silence enveloped the room, save for her erratic breathing. She pressed her back against the door, tears streaming down her face. Her mind was a chaotic mess of terror and disbelief.

What had she just witnessed?

And most importantly was she safe anymore?

Ishan was already inside the house, his steps echoing through the hallway. He came to a halt right in front of the locked door. His breathing was controlled, but his eyes blazed with barely restrained anger. Gritting his teeth, he spoke in a low, commanding voice.

"Open the door, Naina."

Inside, Naina's heart pounded like a drum. She pressed her hand tightly against her ear, desperate to block out his voice. Her body trembled with fear. She remained silent, hoping he would give up and leave.

But Ishan wasn't someone who gave up.

His voice was firmer and slow this time. "Naina...... open the door."

Naina didn't respond. Her mind screamed that this was his house was futile to lock herself in. He had control over everything here. And he proved it in the next moment. it

Ishan signaled the maid, who quickly handed him the spare key. With a swift turn, the lock clicked open.

Naina's breath hitched. Her worst fear was standing right in front of her.

As the door swung open, Ishan stood there, his face hardened. The bloodstains on his white shirt were stark and horrifying. Naina's eyes fixated on them, her panic deepening. Her lips quivered as she stammered, "No............ no.............. stay away."

Naina instinctively backed away, her steps faltering until she hit the bed. Her legs gave way, and she collapsed onto it, scrambling backward until her back pressed against the headboard. Tears streamed down her face as she shook her head in terror.

"Ish...an, no... please... don't come.. near me," she begged.

Ishan ran a hand slowly through his hair, his frustration palpable. His voice was low and intense as he asked, "What were you doing there, Naina?"

Her sobs grew louder, but she couldn't form any words.

He took a step closer, his gaze locked onto her trembling form. She flinched as he reached out, his hand resting firmly on her ankle.

Naina's breath hitched. "Don't touch me!" she gasped.

But before she could resist further, Ishan leaned down, his grip firm yet not forceful. In one smooth motion, he grabbed her leg in his palm and pulled her onto the bed with force yet in a seductive way, his presence overwhelming. His intense gaze locked onto hers as she pressed herself against the mattress, her breath quick and uneven.His movements were slow, deliberate, and dangerous.

Naina's breath caught in her throat. Her body froze under his overpowering presence. Her heart raced wildly, and she could barely comprehend what was happening. Fear and confusion swirled within her.

Ishan's voice was low, almost a whisper, but it carried an unmistakable authority. "Stop fighting me, Naina."

His words sent shivers down her spine, and for a fleeting moment, the lines between terror and something else blurred. But deep inside, all she wanted was to escape from this unfamiliar, dangerous version of Ishan.

Ishan, without any warning, captured Naina's lips in a sudden, intense kiss.

Naina's mind went blank, unable to process what was happening. Her breath hitched as his lips moved with urgency, demanding and relentless. Her fingers instinctively gripped the bedsheet tightly, knuckles turning white. She was unable to push him away, but her body remained tense, caught in a whirlwind of emotions she couldn't decipher. Ishan deepened the kiss, his hand slipping down her waist holding her tight to keep her close, as though letting go wasn't an option.

The room was filled with the sound of their mingled breaths, the tension palpable. Naina's heartbeat was erratic, and her mind screamed for clarity, but all she could feel was the intensity of the moment. Ishan showed no sign of stopping, his determination evident as he held her captive to his emotions.

Naina's chest heaved as she struggled to reconcile what she had just witnessed and what was unfolding now. Her grip on the bedsheet tightened further, torn between confusion and the strange warmth spreading through her senses. Ishan's presence was overpowering, blurring the lines between fear, vulnerability, and something far more consuming.

Her fingers, which had instinctively clenched the bedsheet, gradually moved to Ishaan's shirt, holding onto him as though pleading him to stop. He pulled back slightly, his eyes meeting hers-raw, intense, and filled with something inexplicable.

"He deserved it," Ishaan whispered, his voice low but resolute.

Naina's throat tightened, and though she wanted to speak, words failed her. Tears welled up in her eyes, reflecting fear. Naina's lips trembled, but before she could process his words, Ishaan leaned in again, this time placing more seductive kiss.

As Ishaan deepened the kiss, his hands roamed over Naina's body, exploring every inch as if he wanted to memorize her completely. His touch was deliberate, tracing her curves with a possessive intensity. Tears slipped from Naina's eyes as she struggled to comprehend what was happening. The only thing she truly understood was that no matter what she did, there was no escaping Ishaan's grasp. She was trapped-caught in the obsession of a man who wouldn't let her go, not even for a moment.

Ishaan slowly lifted his face, his intense gaze locking onto hers. His voice was deep, yet filled with authority.

"Allow me........ Naina."

She trembled beneath him. Her fingers, which had unknowingly clutched his shirt, loosened. Slowly, she placed her hand on his chest as if trying to push him away, her lips barely forming his name.

"Ish..."

Before she could finish, Ishaan pressed his thumb against her lips, silencing her instantly.

"Shh..." he whispered, and slowly lowered himself, his breath warm against her skin. His lips brushed against her neck in feather-light kiss, and start kissing her and licking her neck with slow and deliberate touch, enough to make her shiver.

Naina's breathing was uneven, her chest rising and falling with each soft touch. Every kiss sent a strange sensation through her, making it impossible to ignore the way her body reacted to him. She wanted to resist, to push him away-but her own senses betrayed her.

His grip on her waist tightened as he continued, his lips trailing lower, savoring every inch of her. Then with slow and deliberate touch he started trailing his hand down till her thighs...Naina gasped slowly with uneven breathing. Ishan slowly look up and look into her deep eyes. There was an undeniable intensity in her eyes-a silent storm brewing between them. It wasn't just a simple exchange of looks; it was charged with unspoken emotions, a mix of defiance, curiosity.

For a moment, time seemed to stretch. The world around them faded, leaving only this invisible tug-of-war between them. He kept looking into her eyes and slowly slid his hand lower, his fingers dipping between her legs, stroking over her slick, swollen folds with a maddeningly slow, touch over the skirt that was protecting her from the upcoming strom.

Naina looked at him with , fear swirling in her mind.... was this really happening? And if it was, should she let it?

For the first time, she found herself caught in the tangled threads of these thoughts, unsure of what to do. Her usual clarity was slipping away, replaced by a strange, unsettling hesitation.

Ishaan, watched her, his gaze fixed on the changing expressions on her face, as if trying to decipher every fleeting emotion that crossed her mind. He leaned in closer, his forehead resting against hers, his breath mingling with her own. his voice barely above a whisper.

"I won't hurt you."

Naina's breath caught in her throat. A storm of emotions stirred inside her-ones she had never felt before. In that moment, memories of her childhood trauma resurfaced, flashing before her eyes like cruel reminders of the past. Fear, helplessness, the feeling of being trapped. But beneath all that, deep in some hidden corner of her heart, there was something else-something hesitant yet undeniable.

Maybe... maybe this was different.

She had always seen Ishaan's anger, his unpredictable rage. But this? This was something else entirely. The same man who could be terrifying, ruthless-was now so still, so quiet, assuring her. It confused her. It scared her.

Vansh had never been like this. When she resisted, he only pushed harder. He never stopped. Never reassured. Never gave her space to think. But Ishaan... Ishaan wasn't doing that.

She was afraid of him-deeply afraid. But in this moment, she understood something she hadn't before.

Ishaan was different. Different.

But then, another thought gripped her-he kills people.

The realization sent a chill down her spine. No matter how gently he spoke now, no matter how different he seemed in this moment, the truth remained. Ishaan was dangerous. A man who had blood on his hands.

That fear, that brutal reality, wrapped around her like a cold chain, making her stomach twist. Could she ever accept someone like him?

The questions scared her more than the answers.

" I want to touch you, Naina...." He murmured, his voice a low, intimate whisper.

Naina, lost in her thoughts, felt her entire body jolt awake. Every sense, every nerve came alive in an instant. Her breath hitched, and for a moment, she just stared at him-stunned, speechless.

Then he spoke again, even softer this time.

"I won't force you."

Her heart stopped. The weight of his words settled deep within her, leaving her unsure of what to do, what to feel.

Ishaan slowly lifted his forehead from hers, his dark eyes searching hers for something-hesitation, resistance, anything. And then, ever so gently, he leaned in and captured her lips in the softest, slowest kiss. There was no urgency, no force-just warmth, patience, a tenderness she had never expected from him.

And this time... Naina didn't stop him.

She wasn't surrendering completely, but she wasn't pushing him away either. Something in her had stopped fighting-maybe for just a moment, maybe for something more. But for now, she let it happen.

He trace the hem of her skirt with a maddeningly slow, deliberate touch, her skin prickling with goosebumps as he caressed her. "Shhh..." He murmured against her lips, his voice a low, soothing rumble as he continued to place soft, tender kisses along the delicate line of her jaw. "....just a little bit more."

His hand slid higher, his fingers slipping beneath the fabric of her skirt, his palm cupping the soft, supple curve of her thigh. He could feel the heat of her skin, could sense the way her muscles trembled beneath his touch... but he also felt her starting to melt into his caress, his lips trailing down to the hollow of her throat, his tongue darting out to taste her skin.

His hand slid higher, and with that he trail his fingers into her skirt, his fingers tracing the lacy edge of her panty, the delicate net fabric a barrier between his touch and her most intimate place. He could sense the way her body was trembling slowly, even as her mind struggled with the conflicting emotions. Slowly, he started to trace patterns on the damp patch of her panty, his fingers following the folds of the fabric, outlining the shape of her sex beneath. "You're beautiful,....Naina..." He breathed, his voice a low, reverent whisper against her skin. He nipped at her pulse point on her neck, sucking lightly, his hand pressing more firmly against her core, his fingers rubbing slow, deliberate circles over her clothed sex.

His eyes dark and intense as he gazed into hers. He captured her lips in a deep, passionate kiss, his tongue delving into her mouth, claiming her, consuming her as he continued to touch her. He could feel her breath hitching, could hear her gasps and whimpers of mingled fear and reluctant pleasure as his finger slipped beneath the delicate fabric of her panty, brushing against her most -intimate- flesh.

She clutched at his shirt, her fingers curling into the fabric as if to anchor herself, to ground herself in the face of the overwhelming sensations she was experiencing. he deepened the kiss, his tongue stroking over hers, coaxing her to relax, to surrender to the pleasure. His finger started to move, circling her sensitive pearl with a slow, teasing touch, his fingertip tracing the delicate folds of her sex, learning every inch of her most intimate landscape.

He could feel her trembling against him, as her mind remained divided. His finger slid lower, tracing the edge of her entrance, as he circled and stroked and caressed her sensitive nub. He could sense the way her body was opening up to him, and he knew that he would claim her, would take her, would make her his in every way possible. "You're mine, Naina..."He growled, his voice a low, possessive rasp as he nibbled at her earlobe, his finger starting to slip inside her tight, clasping heat. "and I'm going to make sure you never forget it." With that, he thrust his finger deep inside her, "..huh..."she gasped, her breath catching in her throat. The sensations were completely new to her, unfamiliar and overwhelming. his thumb rubbing firm circles over her clit as he started to fuck her with his hand, his touch relentless and dominating and filled with a dark, obsessive desire to claim her, to ruin her, to make her his for all eternity.

He could feel her melting and slowly trembling beneath him, her body responding with a fervor that surprised even herself. Each stroke of his finger, each circling of her sensitive pearl, drew forth a gasp or a moan, a sound of pleasure that was new and foreign to her ears. he felt her start to move her hips in time with the thrusts of his finger, her body instinctively seeking more of his touch. His thumb rubbed slowly, but harder, every touch stimulating her swollen clit as he pumped his finger in and out of her tight channel, his palm pressing against her mound.

He could feel her inner walls fluttering, could sense the way her body was starting to tighten, to coil with a building tension that was new and overwhelming. his lips brushing against her temple, his eyes dark and intense as he gazed down at her. "I love you" He slowly growled and add his second finger, stretching her, filling her, his digits curling to stroke along her inner walls, searching for that special spot that would make her scream. He could feel her starting to shake, her thighs trembling, her belly quivering as he touched her.

He growled again, his voice a low, sinister promise. "I love you....Naina" He punctuated his words with a sharp, deep thrust of his fingers, his palm grinding against her clit, his eyes burning into hers with a dark, obsessive intensity.

He continued to thrust his fingers hard and fast, through her climax, drawing out her pleasure until she was boneless and spent and completely at his mercy.

He leaned down, capturing her lips in a searing, light kiss, pouring all his dark obsession and lust into the embrace.

Hope you like it Words - 4402