The room was suffocating, every breath Vedha took feeling heavier than the last.
Dhanush's wicked smile only grew as he closed the distance between them, his hands reaching out, grabbing her dupatta and throwing it aside like it meant nothing.
Vedha's heart raced in her chest as his hands moved to her face, gripping her cheeks tightly, forcing her to look into his eyes. She tried to pull back, but his fingers dug in, holding her in place.
"You're not going anywhere," Dhanush whispered, his breath hot against her skin. His voice was filled with a dark satisfaction, and Vedha's pulse surged in fear. She wanted to scream, to fight back, but her limbs felt paralyzed, her body overwhelmed by the suffocating terror.
Just as his grip tightened, the door burst open with a force that shook the walls. Shourya stood framed in the doorway, his sharp, authoritative gaze locking onto the scene before him.
He was fury incarnate, his mere presence commanding the room.
Dhanush froze, his confidence draining away in an instant. "S-Shourya Verma?" he stammered, his voice trembling.
Shourya stepped forward, his voice low but deadly. "How dare you touch my wife?"
The weight of those words hit Dhanush like a thunderbolt.
"Your wife?" he whispered, his face draining of color as the realization set in.
Dhanush stumbled, his composure crumbling. "W-wife? I didn't know, Sir, I swear—"
"You didn't need to know," Shourya interrupted, his voice low and razor-sharp. In a flash, he closed the distance between them, grabbing Dhanush by the collar and slamming him against the wall.
Dhanush collapsed to the ground, coughing and groaning in pain.
"Please, sir... I didn't know—"
Shourya silenced him with a kick to the chest, his glare filled with unrelenting fury.
"You knew enough to plan this," he spat, his tone laced with contempt. "You think begging will erase what you tried to do?"
Dhanush crawled to Shourya's feet, his voice shaking. "I'm sorry... Please, forgive me... I swear, it won't happen again!"
Shourya's jaw tightened, but his voice was cold and steady. "You're right—it won't. Because you'll be in prison." He turned to the doorway,
Gagan appeared at the door, his expression unreadable. "Sir?"
"Take him to the police," Shourya ordered, his tone unrelenting. "File every possible charge. I want him behind bars before the hour ends."
"Yes, sir." Gagan grabbed Dhanush by the collar, dragging him out despite his frantic cries for mercy.
Shourya turned to Vedha, his expression shifting from rage to concern in an instant. She was trembling, her face pale and tear-streaked, her eyes wide with fear.
Without another word, Shourya closed the distance between them, pulling her into his arms. Vedha buried her face in his chest, her tears soaking through his shirt as she clung to him tightly.
Shourya's hand gently stroked her hair, his other arm wrapped securely around her. "It's okay," he murmured softly, his voice filled with an emotion that only she could hear. "You're safe now. I'm here."
Vedha's body shook with the weight of her fear and the relief of his presence. She couldn't stop the tears from flowing, her body finally allowing itself to release the tension that had built up in her.
Shourya held her tighter, his grip possessive but tender.
His anger hadn't dissipated, but in that moment, all that mattered was her. "I won't let anything happen to you," he whispered fiercely.
Vedha nodded, her sobs quieting as she found solace in his embrace. With Shourya there, she knew she was no longer alone. No matter what came next, she had him by her side.
The door to the apartment creaked open, and Shourya emerged with Vedha wrapped securely in his arms, her trembling frame still finding solace in his protective hold.
His presence radiated authority, a silent warning to anyone daring to cross his path.
Pooja stood outside, her face pale and drawn, wringing her hands nervously. She avoided Shourya's piercing gaze and turned hesitantly toward Vedha.
Vedha's eyes, still glistening with tears, met Pooja's. This time, there was no warmth, no camaraderie—only a sarcastic edge in her gaze, sharp enough to cut.
Pooja's lips quivered. "Vedha… I—I'm so sorry," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
"He blackmailed me… said he'd release my private videos if I didn't bring you here."
Her voice broke, and she looked down, tears pooling in her eyes. "I didn't know what else to do. I thought I could protect myself, but I ended up putting you in danger. I'm sorry, Vedha… truly."
Vedha's grip on Shourya's arm tightened as she processed Pooja's words. Her sorrow was evident, a deep ache that reflected in her eyes.
Yet, she stood tall, drawing strength from Shourya's silent support.
She took a step closer to Pooja, her voice soft but firm. "Pooja… I trusted you."
Pooja's head snapped up, guilt evident in her tear-streaked face. "I—I didn't mean for this to happen. I was scared—"
Vedha interrupted, her tone calm but laced with sadness. "I understand fear. But what you did…" She inhaled deeply, steadying herself. "It broke something between us. I can't pretend it didn't happen. After today, we can't go back to what we were before."
Pooja's shoulders slumped as tears spilled freely down her cheeks. "Vedha, please… I didn't want to hurt you."
Vedha offered a faint, bittersweet smile. "I know. But some things can't be undone."
She turned away, leaning back into Shourya's embrace.
He held her securely, his gaze cold as it lingered briefly on Pooja—a silent warning that no one would harm Vedha again.
Without another word, Shourya guided Vedha away, leaving Pooja standing alone, consumed by the weight of her actions. The air hung heavy with unspoken emotions, a reminder of the trust that had been shattered beyond repair.