Page 173 of One Hellish Love

She returned with the food in a minute and set it down.

“Plates,” she reminded him softly, breaking his chain of thoughts. Without a delay, he moved to the kitchen to retrieve the plates, promising this distance between them was the last. He was never going to part from her. Ever.

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After dinner, Kashish washed the dishes, while Rudra, despite her protests, insisted on helping dry them.

“You should head home. Daadi must be waiting.”

Rudra nodded but didn’t move.

“How do you sleep here alone?”

Her heart skipped a beat at the concern in his voice.

“Like every other orphan,” she replied, her voice cracking.

Without warning, Rudra placed a finger on her lips, silencing her.

“You’re not an orphan,” he scolded. “You have me. You have my family. Never say that word again.”

Kashish nodded, her eyes misting over. This house reminded her too much of her father, of the loneliness she had buried for so long. But at least Rudra was back. His presence was the only comfort she had left.

“Show me your room,” he urged softly, and she led him to her small bedroom. It was cozy but modest, the bed barely enough for one. Rudra turned her to face him, cupping her cheek once more as he pressed a tender kiss to her forehead, right where his blood had marked her earlier. The gesture felt sacred, like renewal of the vow he had made.

“I’m just a call away,” he murmured, his breath warm against her skin. “If you ever feel alone, you call me. Promise me.”

She nodded, placing her hands over his.

“You should go now.”

“Yes,” he agreed reluctantly. “I’ll see you tomorrow at the office. Do you want me to pick you up?”

“No,” she said firmly. “I told you this place is convenient. I’ll manage.”

Rudra exhaled sharply, a sound caught between frustration and admiration.

“You’ve gotten bossy, Miss Bedi.”

For the first time that night, a faint smile tugged at her lips. That glimpse of her old self, the playful spark that had first drawn him to her, made Rudra’s heart visibly lift. His eyes softened, crinkling at the corners in that way that always made her weak in the knees.

“Go to bed early. No more bad thoughts.”

“No more,” she whispered.

“Good night,” he said, leaning in again, this time clearly aiming for her lips. Kashish’s heart raced, her body instinctively leaning towards him even as her mind reminded her of her resolve to punish him. But before she could voice her protest, he pulled away at the last moment, a knowing grin spreading across his face.

“This punishment won’t last for long,” he declared. “Tomorrow, I need my kiss.”

The gentle pat he gave her cheek felt like a brand, marking her as his all over again. As he turned to leave, Kashish followed him to the door, struggling to contain her own grin.

She watched as he got into his car, her heart doing somersaults as he looked back one last time before his driver drove him away.

So, he was finally here, and despite the walls she had tried to put up, he was breaking through them. She couldn’t wait to see him again. As she prepared for bed, following his instruction to retire early, she wondered how long she could really maintain her determination? Because with every look, every almost-touch, every almost-kiss, Rudra was proving that their love was stronger than any punishment she could devise. And truthfully, she couldn’t wait to surrender.Completely.

CHAPTER 56

Raheja Mansion

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