Page 186 of Rudra Nandani: The Saga of Control And Seduction

“He agreed to come home. He wants to give himself, his family... and you, another chance. And I won’t come in between this time. I’ll come when he’s ready to see me. Whether you believe it or not, Nandani, I don’t deserve you. Your family loves you. He loves you. You proved your love to them. Now let me earn the right to stand beside you the way they would have wished,”

I shook my head slowly.“I don’t understand. If he’s agreed, why all this? You already deserve me. I’m made for you. You’re made for me. We can’t be apart like this,”

He cupped my hands gently.“Nandani, we’ve only known each other for two years. And in those two years, you’ve left everything behind for me. That’s not love—it’s sacrifice. You’re choosing me over everything else, and that’s selfishness in disguise. Your brother is not okay. Not every war is fought on the battlefield. Some are fighting inside, where no one can see. And Abhinandan... he’s battling something dark. And, for that battle, he needs your support. He is changing drastically, save him before it goes too far. Catch him, bring him back to the family,”

I nodded slowly, even though I didn’t fully understand.

“But I’ll miss you,” I whispered.

He held my hands tighter.“Please don’t. Show your love to your family once more. We have time, Nandani. This time, give it to them before it’s too late,”

I looked at him, my brows furrowed.“You’re scaring me,”

He shook his head.“No. I’m being honest. We’re fine—you and I. But your brother isn’t. Every day, when you look at me, I know a part of you aches for him, that he’s not home, suffering. Whether you show it or not, you love him the most. Remember, it wasn’t for me that you agreed to marry Surgami Dev Singh... it was for him, for Mahabaleshgarh. He’s the Prince. He’ll be king someday. But broken people... they bring more destruction if they’re not healed. Go to him before he breaks further,”

I nodded, slowly letting it sink in.“Okay... okay, I’m getting you,” I said, wiping my cheeks.

“Come here,” he murmured, and pulled me into a tight embrace.

“I’m sorry, Nandani. All this pain is because of me. I’m hurting you even when I don’t want to,”

I cried harder and shook my head.“No, I understand. Iunderstand all of it. I just... I don’t know why I’m crying,”

He chuckled softly and kissed my forehead.“You’re my baby,” He cupped my cheek, lifting my gaze to his.“I just want to take care of you the best I can before you leave,”

I blinked at him, confused, fear flickering in my chest.“What?”

My voice caught in my throat. Something in his words chilled me. Horror filled me.

He smiled at me.“What, what? A husband can’t care for his wife now? Is it so strange to be loved like this?”

He wrapped me in his arms again, gently.“No... but there’s something behind your words. Something I can’t explain. It feels... heavy,”

He laughed softly.“You’re an overthinker, little bird,”

Maybe he was right.

I smiled faintly and rested my head against his chest.

“It feels like a dying heart clinging to driftwood, bleeding from the cuts of iron blades, yet still somehow beating. That’s what it feels like when you’re forced to choose between the two people who mean the world to you. I don’t know the real reason behind this sudden shift… this quiet need for me to go. But Rudra... all I want to say is—” I looked him in the eyes and continued,

“Hum apna hruday aapke samaksh chodkar jaa rahe hain, todiyega mat,”(I’m leaving my heart behind with you, do not break it.)

The silence lingered for a few moments before he suddenly cupped my cheek and pressed his lips against my forehead.

“Never, Nandani. Never,” he retorted, and I could feel his shaky breath against my skin. His voice trembled like he was on the edge of breaking down.“I can die or kill for you, my love,” he said.

I held his hand and intertwined our fingers. Lifting his hand to my lips, I gently kissed the back of it as a lone tear slid down my cheek.

“I will miss you,” I whispered.

He smiled weakly.“Not more than I will,” he replied.

I chuckled softly, and just then, the sound of approaching footsteps snapped us out of our moment. We quickly sat up, straightening ourselves from the warmth of our romantic embrace.

“Bring it here,” he said to the attendants, who entered with a plate of food. They set it down near the bed, and Rudra offered them a polite smile.

“Thank you so much,”

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