Page 66 of One Hellish Love

“Even at the cost of Daadi’s health?” she shot back, her words hitting him like a blow.

Rudra stopped, thrown off balance. “What are you talking about?”

“Daadi is sick. She’s devastated because you’re leaving. She blames me for everything that’s happened, and I can’t bear the thought of being the reason she’s in pain again. Please, don’t go.”

He hesitated before dialing Shekhar to confirm, his jaw tight as the truth settled in.

“Got your proof?” Kashish snapped bitterly, but Rudra was already lost in thought.

He couldn’t go, not like this. His family needed him, especially Daadi. With a resigned sigh, he nodded to Kashish, who immediately called the driver to bring the car around.

They rode back in tense silence, Kashish glancing at him every now and then, while Rudra stared straight ahead, cold and distant. Why was she doing this? He didn’t believe for a second that she cared about him. Because so far all he believed was that he belonged in the shadows, far away from her.

CHAPTER 24

Raheja Mansion

“It’s been two hours, Shekhar. Why aren’t they back yet? Do you think she convinced him?” Daadi muttered, pacing restlessly across the room, her worry evident.

Shekhar and Anjali were just as anxious, their eyes flicking toward the door every few minutes.

“Daadi, relax. I’m sure Kashish will bring him back. She won’t let him leave for Paris,” Shekhar reassured her.

“That’s the only reason I agreed to this whole charade,” Daadi grumbled, shaking her head. “I hope you’re right. I’ve never gone this far in deceiving someone. Faking illness, pretending to collapse... it’s not right.”

Shekhar and Anjali tried to soothe her again, reminding her that this was the only way to stop Rudra. They had planned everything carefully, knowing only Kashish had the power to hold Rudra back. No one else could reach him the way she could. And their plan had worked—Kashish’s guilt over forcing Rudra away from his family, coupled with Daadi’s “illness,” had pushed her to the airport to stop him.

“Why don’t you call Kashish and check?” Anjali suggested nervously.

“No, we can’t risk raising her suspicions,” Shekhar replied firmly. “Let’s give them a little more time.”

At that moment, Ram Prasad rushed into the room.

“Daadiji, Rudra Bhaiya and Kashish Didi have returned,” he announced with a smile.

Relief flooded the room. The entire household had been part of the act, and now it seemed their efforts had paid off.

“Alright, everyone calm down,” Shekhar instructed. “Daadi, you need to lie back and act like you’re still recovering. Anjali, stay with her. I’ll go and check on them.”

Anjali helped Daadi settle on the bed, both preparing for the next part of their plan. Meanwhile, Shekhar headed downstairs.

Rudra had already thrown his bag onto the couch and was moving quickly toward Daadi’s room when Shekhar intercepted him, feigning surprise.

“Rudra? You’re back? How did this happen?”

Rudra’s eyes flashed with concern.

“Bhai, how is Daadi? Did the doctor come? What did they say?”

“Relax,” Shekhar replied, keeping up the act. “She’s stable now, but how did you find out?”

“I told him,” Kashish’s voice broke through, her expression unreadable as she stepped closer.

Shekhar maintained his confused facade for a moment longer, but Rudra didn’t wait. He hurried past them toward Daadi’s room.

Kashish looked at Shekhar, her voice laced with exhaustion.

“I just hope Daadi is alright now.”

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