Page 102 of One Hellish Love

“You don’t need to be friends to share secrets. In fact, I feel like sharing the most important secret of my life with you.”

“Really? You’ll tell me? I can’t wait to hear!” Ruchi was practically bouncing with excitement.

“Sure, have a seat,” Rudra said calmly, pointing to the recliner. He stayed far away from Ruchi as he sipped his coffee.

Kashish’s heart was racing now. Would he really do it? Would he actually tell Ruchi that he loved someone else? He was crazy enough to do it - he’d even warned her earlier that day that he’d tell Ruchi he loved her and didn’t want anyone else.

“So, Ruchi, I...” Rudra glanced at the door, seeing how nervous Kashish was. “I love...”

“Ruchi!” Kashish burst into the room, cutting him off.

Ruchi jumped, startled by the sudden interruption.

“Kashish? What are you doing here?”

“I... um...” Kashish fumbled for an excuse while Rudra watched the scene unfold with thinly veiled amusement. “You’ve got an important call on your phone.”

Ruchi blinked in confusion.

“Call? I left my phone in my room.”

“Exactly. You should go check it now,” Kashish insisted, growing more desperate to get her out of the room.

Ruchi shook her head. “It can wait. Rudra and I were having a very important conversation.”

“Yes, she’s right,” Rudra chimed in, savoring the moment. “Our conversation is far more important than any phone call.”

Kashish gritted her teeth.

“Ruchi, Rudra isn’t going anywhere. You can talk later. For now, go check your phone.”

She practically dragged Ruchi out of the room. Once Ruchi was gone, Kashish let out a sigh of relief, turning back to face Rudra, who was standing a few feet away with a smug expression.

“She’s a nice girl,” he commented, his tone laced with sarcasm. “I’m sure she’ll understand and leave the house.”

“Why are you doing this?” Kashish’s voice was filled with frustration. “Give her a chance.”

Rudra’s expression darkened, disgusted by the suggestion.

“Even if she’s the perfect wife, I don’t need her, Kashish. And you know why.”

“And what you need, Rudra Raheja, can never be yours,” she shot back, her voice trembling with emotion.

Rudra’s jaw clenched as her words hit him. He stepped closer to her again.

“You think I don’t know that? From the moment I realized what I feel for you, I knew it would never happen. But that doesn’t change anything.”

There was a heavy silence between them before she finally spoke again. “You can’t carry all this grief with you forever. Someday, you’ll need love from someone.”

He moved even closer, his voice rising with emotion. “You!Whatever I need, whenever I need it, it will only be from you. Don’t generalize it.”

Kashish swallowed hard, stepping back as their eyes locked in a heated gaze. Her face burned with embarrassment as he studied her, his eyes drifting over her cheeks before locking with hers again. In the past, she would have slapped him for getting this close, but something had changed. She no longer felt that old hatred, even though everything about this situation was getting more complicated by the second.

She turned to leave, but Rudra grabbed her arm and pinned her against the wall. She struggled for a moment, but when she met his gaze again, she stilled.

“The more you try to push me toward Ruchi, the closer I’ll pull you to me, Kashish,” he warned. “Be grateful I haven’t decided to make you mine yet. Because when I do, nothing on this earth will stop me.”

His words left her stunned, but she refused to show any fear. She held her ground, her face defiant.

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