(Rudra’s POV)

Ayesha thought she was careful. She thought her soft hands over her stomach, the extra care when she moved, the sudden refusal to drink coffee — all of it was unnoticed.

She was wrong.

Rudra leaned back in his chair, elbows resting lazily on the armrest as he watched her set the dinner table. Her hands trembled slightly when she placed his plate down, and the way she avoided his eyes made his smirk deepen.

She was hiding their baby from him. And for some reason, it didn’t anger him — it amused him.

She still doesn’t trust me with her truth. After everything he had done, could he even blame her?

But there was another truth hidden beneath her fear — a truth he was starting to realize. If she didn’t want this child, she could’ve gotten rid of it the moment he left for his mission. She could’ve walked away, left his house, his life.

But she stayed. She chose to carry their baby — his baby.

“Why are you staring at me?” Ayesha’s voice broke the silence, soft but wary.

Rudra picked up his fork, swirling it lazily in his food. “Am I not allowed to admire my wife?”

She stiffened at the word ‘wife,’ her shoulders visibly tensing. “Eat before it gets cold.”

Rudra didn’t miss the way her nausea flared when she smelled the rich curry. She barely ate, her stomach too delicate now. He bit back a smile.

He was enjoying this game — watching her lie, watching her cover up — all while knowing everything.

“Do you want something else?” he asked, voice softer than usual.

Ayesha shook her head, but her pale face told a different story. Rudra stood abruptly, walking around the table until he stood behind her. His hands came down to rest on her shoulders, and she froze instantly.

“I’m your husband,” he whispered near her ear. “You can tell me if you’re not feeling well.”

She turned her head slightly, confusion flickering in her eyes. This wasn’t the Rudra she was used to — no harsh words, no cruel games.

“I’m fine,” she whispered, but her voice lacked strength.

He leaned down, lips brushing her ear again. “Liar.”

Ayesha’s breath caught in her throat. Before she could respond, Rudra stepped away, returning to his seat as if nothing had happened.

The rest of dinner passed in silence, tension hanging thick between them. But inside, Rudra’s mind was already planning.

You want to hide my baby from me, Ayesha? Fine. Let’s see how long you can keep that secret.

He wouldn’t confront her directly. No, that was too easy. Instead, he would slowly break down every wall she built, until she had no choice but to tell him the truth herself.

Because this time, Rudra didn’t just want revenge. He wanted her heart, her truth, her everything.

And if he had to become the devil she feared to get it — so be it.

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End of Chapter 19