(Rudra’s POV)

Rudra sat alone in his study, a glass of whiskey untouched beside him. His mind kept replaying the look in Ayesha’s eyes when she said it — “You don’t get to touch me with the same hands that destroyed me.”

Her voice haunted him, cutting deeper than any bullet ever could.

His fingers tapped restlessly on the desk until his gaze landed on a small folded paper peeking out from the edge of the bedside drawer. He didn’t mean to pry, but something about it felt… personal. Important.

He opened it — her handwriting delicate, but trembling — like every word cost her blood.

With every sentence he read, his heart cracked wider open.

She still loves me… even after everything.

His throat closed, guilt pressing down on his chest until breathing felt impossible. But before he could even begin to process it — the door burst open.

“Boss! Emergency — they’re here.”

Rudra’s head snapped up. His men stood at the door, guns already drawn.

“Who?” His voice was ice.

“The Rathores. They breached the outer gates.”

Rudra’s blood boiled. These were the same men who ruined his life — who planted the lies, who forced Ayesha’s hand all those years ago, who manipulated him into destroying the only woman he ever loved.

“Where’s Ayesha?” Rudra asked, voice sharp with fear disguised as command.

“In her room.”

Rudra stormed past his men, barking orders along the way. “Double security on her door. No one gets near her.”

He loaded his gun, eyes dark with a murderous rage he hadn’t felt in years.

This time, there would be no mercy.

Ayesha’s POV

The first gunshot shattered the silence like thunder.

Ayesha flinched, one hand flying to her belly, the other to her mouth to stifle a scream. Her heart raced, panic flooding her veins. The house shook with the sound of footsteps, shouting, and more gunfire.

The door flew open — and there stood Rudra, his shirt splattered with fresh blood, his jaw clenched so tight it could crack bone.

“Come here,” his voice was softer than expected, but there was no time for questions.

She stumbled toward him, fear choking her words. Rudra scooped her into his arms, shielding her body as they moved down the hall, his gun raised.

“Stay behind me,” he ordered.

But before they could reach the safe room, a bullet grazed the wall inches from Ayesha’s head. Rudra roared like an animal, firing back with ruthless precision. Two men dropped instantly.

“You brought this to my home?” Rudra growled, his voice dripping with fury as he stepped over the bodies. “You dared to come near my wife?”

Ayesha’s breath hitched at the word. Wife.

Even after everything, he still claimed her as his.

They made it into the safe room — a steel-reinforced space hidden behind the library wall. Rudra locked the door, pressing his forehead against it for a moment, his body vibrating with adrenaline.

“You’re bleeding,” Ayesha whispered, noticing a red streak down his arm.

“It’s not mine,” he muttered.

He turned to face her, his eyes dark and wild — but underneath the violence, there was something else. Fear. Real fear.

“I almost lost you,” he said hoarsely, stepping toward her.

“You were never afraid to lose me before,” she replied bitterly, her hand protectively over her belly.

His gaze dropped to her stomach, and for the first time, his mask cracked completely. “I was a fool.”

Ayesha shook her head, tears welling up. “It’s too late, Rudra. You can’t just kill a few men and think that fixes what you’ve done to me.”

“I know.” His voice was raw. “But I can protect you. I can make sure no one ever touches you again. Not even me — if that’s what you want.”

She blinked in shock. Rudra Thakur, the ruthless devil who married her at gunpoint, was offering her… a choice?

“What changed?” she asked softly.

He exhaled shakily. “I read your letter.”

Her eyes widened. “You—”

“You still love me,” he whispered, stepping closer. “Even after everything.”

“I hate you too,” she confessed, tears spilling down her face. “I hate you so much.”

“I know.” He cupped her face, his hands trembling. “And I deserve every bit of that hate.”

“But I love you more,” she choked out, voice cracking under the weight of it all. “And that’s the part that’s killing me.”

Rudra pressed his forehead to hers, his breath mingling with hers. “Then let me fight for you, Ayesha. Not against you. For you.”

A loud explosion shook the house, making Ayesha scream. Rudra pulled her tight into his chest, shielding her body instinctively.

“Stay here,” he ordered.

“No—”

“Please.” His voice broke slightly. “Let me finish this.”

Ayesha grabbed his wrist, her voice fierce despite the fear. “Come back to me.”

He nodded, his lips brushing her forehead before he stepped back into the chaos.

Rudra’s POV

He moved like a ghost — silent, deadly, and without mercy. The Rathores never stood a chance.

Each shot was personal. Each knife slice carried years of pent-up rage. Each body that hit the floor was a reminder — this is what happens when you touch what’s mine.

Blood splattered his shirt, his face, his hands — but none of it mattered. Only her safety mattered.

The last man standing begged for mercy. Rudra didn’t blink as he pulled the trigger, a single bullet ending the war that began years ago.

He returned to the safe room covered in blood — but his eyes softened the moment they landed on Ayesha, curled up protectively around her stomach.

“It’s over,” he said softly.

She stared at him — the monster and the man, both standing in front of her.

“Is it?” she whispered.

“I swear it is.” His voice shook. “For you, I’ll end every war, every enemy, even myself — if it means I can save you.”

Ayesha took a slow breath. “Then save me from you, Rudra.”

His heart stopped. “Ayesha—”

“Save me from the man you became.” Her voice broke. “Or there’s no future for us.”

Rudra dropped to his knees in front of her, his bloodstained hands resting gently on her belly. “I swear — I’ll become the man you loved again. Even if it kills me.”

Her hand covered his. “Don’t die for me.”

He looked up, tears in his dark eyes. “Then I’ll live for you.”

End of Chapter 26