Page 90 of One Hellish Love

Kashish’s jaw clenched.

“All of it,” she shot back, matching his anger with her own.

Rudra gritted his teeth.

“Kashish, listen—”

“No,youlisten to me,” she interrupted, pointing a finger at him. His gaze flickered briefly to her hand before locking back on her face. “Stop shutting people out when they try to help you. You need to sort yourself out before it’s too late.”

Rudra’s eyes narrowed.

“I don’t need your wake-up call to get my life together.”

“Oh, you do. You just don’t have the guts to admit it,” she shouted, turning on her heel to leave.

What was the point of trying to help someone who refused to help himself? Was this where her efforts ended? She stopped in the lobby suddenly. With her chest heaving with frustration, she glanced back at his room and found him still standing there, watching her.

“I don’t usually blackmail people, but with you, I seem to make an exception. So, here’s the deal: if you don’t see Dr. Akash Dixit when I reschedule your appointment, I’m leaving this house. And I swear to God, I’ll never come back.” She met his eyes one last time, her jaw tight with determination, before turning and walking away.

Rudra stood frozen, speechless. That was pure blackmail! She had lost her mind if she thought such threats would work on him.

***************

Valentine’s Day

“Happy Valentine’s Day!” Kashish greeted Anjali and Shekhar the next morning, hugging them both. She wore a red churidar, matching the office’s dress code for the day: red for women, black for men.

“Same to you, Kashish,” Anjali chuckled, glancing fondly at her husband.

“So, you two have a party tonight. Does that mean I’ll be spending Valentine’s Day all by myself?” Anjali teased, pouting playfully.

“Aww,” Kashish cooed, smiling.

Shekhar squeezed his wife’s hand. “Don’t worry, Anju. I won’t leave you alone. I won’t be staying long at the party. Once the gifts are exchanged, I’ll be right back. I have something special planned for us.”

Anjali blushed, and Kashish felt a pang of longing. How she wished for someone who’d make her feel the same way. But just as that thought crossed her mind, Rudra descended the stairs. She mentally scoffed. No,thatcouldn’t be a sign of anything. As he approached, she folded her arms, observing his stoic expression. There was no indication he’d even registered her ultimatum from the night before. He needed someone to keep him in line, that was for sure.

“We should get going,” Rudra said to Shekhar without acknowledging anyone else.

“By the way, Happy Valentine’s Day, Rudra,” Shekhar greeted him warmly.

Rudra offered a hollow smile, not bothering to return the sentiment, before heading toward the door.

Kashish frowned, watching him leave.

“What’s wrong with this man? He’s like a stone,” she muttered.

Anjali chuckled.

“Sometimes I really feel he doesn’t have a heart,” Kashish added, frustrated.

“Oh, he does,” Anjali said with a smirk. “He’s just given it away.”

Kashish narrowed her eyes. Shekhar shifted uncomfortably, sensing where the conversation was headed, but Anjali was too blunt to hold back.

“Most people give part of their heart to the ones they love, but Rudra? He gave his entire heart. And what did he get in return? Nothing. So, what do you expect him to be? Of course, he’s a stone.”

Kashish’s throat tightened.

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