(Ayesha’s POV)

The days passed slowly, each one dragging its weight across Ayesha’s chest like a boulder. The mansion felt both too big and too suffocating, filled with Rudra’s absence — and his presence in every corner.

She told herself she should feel relieved. A month without his cruel words, without his punishing touch. But instead, all she felt was... empty.

Every time the main door creaked open, her heart would race — only to crash when it wasn’t him. Even after everything, her body still craved his warmth, her soul still longed for the man she had loved once.

And then, her body began to change.

It started subtly. She felt more tired than usual, constantly dizzy, her appetite vanishing. Food smelled off, even her favorite dishes made her stomach churn. At first, she blamed stress. The sleepless nights. The endless overthinking.

But then came the nausea. Violent and unrelenting.

It hit her at breakfast, right in front of Janki and Rudra’s sister, Mahi. The smell of chai turned her stomach so fast, she barely made it to the bathroom in time.

"Ayesha, beta, are you okay?" Janki knocked gently on the bathroom door.

"I’m fine!" Ayesha called back, forcing brightness into her voice.

She wasn’t fine.

Deep down, fear had already planted itself in her heart — a fear she couldn’t voice, not even to herself. But as the days passed, the signs became impossible to ignore. Her breasts ached. Her body felt unfamiliar. And her period, like clockwork every month, was already two weeks late.

The truth stared her in the face, terrifying and undeniable.

She was pregnant. With Rudra’s child.

The moment the realization sank in, Ayesha collapsed onto the bathroom floor, her hand resting protectively over her still-flat stomach. Tears filled her eyes — a mix of fear, heartbreak, and something almost like hope.

How could this happen now? After everything? After the hatred, the violence, the betrayal? How could her body betray her like this — carrying the child of the man who had broken her in every possible way?

But even through the pain, the thought of a tiny life growing inside her — a piece of Rudra and her together — made her chest ache in ways she couldn’t explain.

What would he do when he found out?

Would he accuse her of lying again? Would he think this was another scheme for money? Or would he see the truth in her eyes — that this child was created in both hate and longing, in punishment and desire.

The day passed in a haze. Ayesha stayed locked in her room, hands trembling every time they brushed over her stomach. This wasn’t just her secret anymore — it was their secret, whether Rudra knew it or not.

By evening, her mind was spinning with questions. Should she tell him the moment he returns? Should she hide it until she’s sure? Would he even want this baby? Could she raise a child in a house filled with so much bitterness and pain?

Her thoughts were interrupted by Mahi’s soft knock. "Bhabhi? Are you okay? You’ve been so quiet lately."

Ayesha forced a smile, opening the door. "Just tired."

Mahi studied her for a long moment, her young face full of innocent curiosity. "You know," she said quietly, "Rudra bhai might act like a devil sometimes, but I’ve seen the way he looks at you when no one’s watching."

Ayesha’s heart stumbled.

"How does he look at me?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

"Like he’s still in love with you," Mahi said, smiling softly. "Like you’re the only thing that could save him. Even if he doesn’t want to be saved."

Tears burned in Ayesha’s eyes again, but she blinked them back. Love wasn’t enough for them anymore. Not after all they’d done to each other. Not after all the lies.

But still… the thought that maybe, deep down, Rudra still cared — it lit a small flame in her heart. One she was too scared to hold onto.

That night, she lay awake, her hand resting gently over her stomach. "It’s just you and me for now," she whispered into the darkness. "Until your father comes back."

And when he did — everything would change.

---

End of Chapter 17