The next morning, Devarsh and Nidhi arrived at the office together. The atmosphere in the main cabin was buzzing with intense energy as the entire team worked non-stop on the massive project. Files were being passed around, blueprints were being double-checked, and Devarsh was completely locked into his sharp, focused CEO mode.

But on the other side of the floor, inside his private cabin, Shiva was living in a completely different world of pain. He was sitting at his desk, his fingers dug deep into his hair, feeling thoroughly crushed and sad about his secret girlfriend.

//(Guess and comment Shiva's secret girl friend name)

She was under massive pressure from her strict family, and no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't make her understand.

He knew that if they brought up marriage this early, her parents—especially a dangerous, high-status tycoon—would never accept a guy like him who grew up without a family legacy. But she was too scared and heartbroken to see the harsh reality.

Late at night, while the rest of the house was completely silent, Shiva sat on the edge of his bed, his phone pressed tightly to his ear.

"No! Don't tell me reasons anymore, Shiva! It's getting so complicated here," she cried, her voice trembling and sobbing over the line, her tears breaking his heart into pieces.

"My parents are actively searching for grooms now... they are bringing photos home every day and I can't even stop them anymore! Please, Shiva... either you come to my house right now and talk to them face-to-face, or else just come and take me away with you!"

"Listen to me, please—" Shiva pleaded, his voice cracking.

"I can't do this anymore!" she choked out through her tears, and before he could say another word, she cut the call immediately.

Shiva slowly lowered his phone, the dead tone echoing in the quiet room. He dropped his head back against the wall, staring blankly at the ceiling as her sobbing words repeated like a cruel loop in his mind.

It was hurting so deeply. If he wanted to, he could easily drive to her house, break all the barriers, and just bring her here to the Ramineni mansion without a single fear.

Devarsh was standing behind him like a solid rock, and Ramakrishna had already given him his word. He had all the power he needed to protect her.

But as the heavy silence settled around him, Shiva clenched his fists. He didn't have parents. He had lost his mother and father in that tragic accident when he was just a little kid, and he knew the excruciating, empty pain of growing up without a mother's love or a father's guidance. Because he knew the true, priceless value of parents, his conscience would never allow it. He couldn't let her leave her parents in bitterness. He couldn't be the reason she broke her own family apart, even if it meant his own heart had to bleed in silence.

After completing all the heavy office work for the day, they finally wrapped up and started heading home.

The night air was cool as the cars pulled out of the office gates. Nidhi and Devarsh sat together in one car, while Arjun and Shiva rode in another car right ahead of them.

Arjun and Shiva arrived first, parking their vehicle and walking into the villa. But the moment they crossed the threshold and entered the main hall, they froze completely. They just stood there, stunned to their very core, right in the entrance.

A few moments later, Nidhi walked up from behind them, laughing and chatting happily with Devarsh.

Seeing both Arjun and Shiva standing side-by-side like lifeless blocks at the entrance, she couldn't control her amusement. She stepped inside, raised her hands, and gave a playful, small slap on both of their heads.

They winced and turned back to face her. Nidhi smiled brightly and teased them, "What happened? Why are you standing like statues?"

They didn't say anything, their expressions completely tense. Sensing something was seriously wrong, Nidhi’s smile stopped in the middle. She shifted her gaze past their shoulders and looked toward the front of the living room.

Before them stood Neha, holding the handle of a sleek suitcase. The luggage beside her made it crystal clear that she had just landed here straight from the airport.

Nidhi stared at her. It had been a long time, and it was a little difficult to remember her face at first, but she recognized her very easily because Nidhi had never truly forgotten her face or the insecurity attached to it.

Neha looked at all of them, her eyes sweeping across the group. Then, completely ignoring everyone else, she walked straight toward Devarsh and threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly.

Nidhi and Shiva’s mouths parted in absolute shock, their eyes widening as they watched the display. Devarsh, however, simply smiled warmly, wrapping his arms around her and hugging her in return.

"Eppudu vacchav?" he asked, his voice gentle.
(When did you come?)

"Ippude, bava," Neha replied sweetly, pulling back slightly but keeping her hands on his shoulders.
(Just now, brother-in-law.)

Watching the two of them so close, Nidhi felt a sudden, sharp sting in her chest. Her eyes literally burned with a mixture of raw pain and anger. Unable to stand the sight for another second, she turned on her heel and was about to storm up to her room, but just then, Syamala walked out from the kitchen.

"Neha, ila raa... kurcho," Syamala said warmly, walking over and handing her a refreshing glass of water.
(Neha, come here... sit down.)

"Vasthunna, atthayya," Neha replied with a bright smile.
(I'm coming, auntie.)

Before walking over, Neha boldly clutched Devarsh’s hand, her fingers locking with his, and pulled him along with her toward the seating area. They went and sat down right next to each other on the plush sofa.

Arjun, who knew the entire history and was fully aware that Nidhi secretly thought Neha and Devarsh were in a relationship, shifted his gaze to his sister-in-law.

He saw Nidhi’s face, which was practically burning with intense jealousy. A mischievous smirk played on Arjun’s lips as he thoroughly enjoyed the dramatic tension.

While Devarsh and Neha kept talking quietly, Shiva sat on the single couch directly opposite them, his sharp eyes watching both of them intently, trying to read the room.

Syamala sat down next to them, smiling gently. "Enti amma, nanna ela unnaru?" she asked, breaking the ice.
(How are your mom and dad?)

"Ha atthayya, vallu bane unnaru," Neha answered politely. Then, shifting her eyes, she noticed the unfamiliar face in the room.

"Evaru atthayya thinu? Kotthaga kanipisthunnadu," she asked, pointing her finger directly toward Shiva.
(Yes auntie, they are doing well. Who is he, auntie? He looks new here.)

Shiva looked up, his expression neutral as his eyes met hers.

Syamala immediately introduced him with pride. "Thanu Shiva. Devarsh’s best friend, and he is just like family to us. Neeku thelusu anukunnanu, mee chinnappudu aadukune vallu kadha."
(He is Shiva. Devarsh's best friend, and he is like family. I thought you knew him, you used to play together in your childhood, right?)

"Ohh, ok atthayya," Neha said casually. She gave Shiva a brief glance, turned her head away completely, and went right back to talking with Devarsh, leaning in just a little close to his shoulder.

Seeing Nidhi practically vibrating with silent rage on the side, Arjun stealthily walked up right beside her. He leaned in and whispered teasingly, "Ekkado manduthunnattu undhi..."
(Seems like something is burning somewhere...)

Nidhi snapped. She shot him a deadly, sharp look that could kill, and without warning, she raised her foot and crashed her heel right down onto his leg.

"Ahh!" Arjun whined out loud, gripping his throbbing leg and lifting it in pain. "Rakshasi!" he muttered under his breath.
(Monster!)

Paying absolutely no attention to his pain, Nidhi turned around, flipped her hair, and stormed straight up to her room, slamming the door shut behind her.

The moment the bedroom door clicked shut, Nidhi tossed her bag onto the bed and began pacing the floor, practically vibrating with jealousy.

"'Eppudu vacchav?' anta!" she muttered mockingly, aggressively dropping her voice to mimic Devarsh's deep tone.

Then, she twisted her face and switched to a high-pitched, dripping-sweet whine to mimic Neha: "'Ippude vaccha bava!' anta! Ugh!"

"Ahhh!" she groaned out loud, throwing her hands in the air. She stripped out of her formal office clothes and stormed into the bathroom to fresh up.

But even under the cool water, her mind was a chaotic whirlpool, spinning with old memories of how everyone used to talk about Devarsh and Neha being perfect for each other.

When she finally walked back into the bedroom, she dried her hair aggressively and sat on the edge of the bed, deliberately waiting for Devarsh to walk in so she could give him the silent treatment.

A minute later, Devarsh entered the room, loosening his tie. Nidhi turned her face away instantly, locking her jaw. Devarsh, completely exhausted from the long day, didn't understand her mood and honestly didn't even notice the subtle silent treatment she was trying to dish out. He just grabbed his towel and walked straight toward the bathroom.

Nidhi huffed loudly, completely offended. "Unbelievable!" she muttered. Frustrated, she turned around and went away down to the living hall.

As she reached the bottom of the stairs, she stopped. She saw Shiva sitting completely stiffly in his seat. He hadn't moved a single inch since they came home, sitting in the exact same spot, staring blankly at the wall. The living room was dead silent now; Neha had already gone to the guest room to fresh up, and everyone else was occupied.

Nidhi walked up to him, feeling a bit worried. "Hello?" she said, moving her hand up and down in front of his face to break his gaze.

Shiva blinked, startled, as he suddenly came out of the heavy trance he was in. He cleared his throat, stood up quickly, and avoided her eyes. "I will come back after freshing up, Nidhi," he said in a low, tight voice before hurrying upstairs.
Nidhi stood there, thoroughly confused.

Seeking some normalcy, she walked inside the kitchen and saw her sister, Divya, happily stirring something on the stove.

"What are you cooking, akka?" Nidhi asked, leaning against the counter.

"Paneer Butter Masala," Divya replied with a bright smile.

"Ohh, I like it!" Nidhi cheered up slightly. They chatted about random things for a few minutes, the warm aroma of the food filling the kitchen, before Divya casually popped a question that made Nidhi’s blood pressure spike all over again.

"Did you meet Neha yet?" Divya asked, wiping the counter.

Nidhi’s expression flattened. "No," she lied smoothly, not wanting to admit she had seen them hugging.

"She is such a nice girl," Divya complimented warmly, totally unaware of the storm brewing inside her sister.

"So sweet and well-mannered."

Nidhi’s eyes widened to the size of saucers. Her own sister was complimenting the enemy! She wrinkled her face in pure disgust, her jealousy hitting the absolute roof. She turned away so Divya wouldn't see her expression, her mind racing into overdrive.

‘Why did she suddenly come here out of nowhere with a whole suitcase?’ Nidhi thought fiercely, her chest tightening. ‘Does she want Devarsh back? No way! He is mine.

He belongs to me, and I will never allow her to take him!’

She shook her head aggressively as a firm, possessive 'No' echoed in her heart. Just the mere thought of Devarsh looking at another woman or belonging to someone else was making her heart clench in actual, physical pain. She gripped the edge of the kitchen counter, her eyes flashing with a dangerous, protective fire.

All the family members gathered at the massive dining table for dinner—Ramakrishna, Syamala, Arjun, Divya, Shiva, and Devarsh. Nidhi and Divya walked out of the kitchen carrying the hot steaming bowls of Paneer Butter Masala. The moment Nidhi reached the dining room, her eyes narrowed.

Neha was sitting right beside Devarsh, practically glued to his arm. ‘She did that wantedly!’ Nidhi thought, her inner jealousy flaring into a wild fire.

She marched over to the table and slammed the dishes down with a visibly angry, stiff face.

Deliberately avoiding Devarsh, she went and sat right beside Shiva. Opposite them sat the "cozy couple." Shiva, drowning in his own secret misery, and Nidhi, burning with silent rage, synchronized perfectly. They both started staring at Devarsh and Neha with identical glares before quietly looking down at their plates to eat.

"Bava, idhi thinu. Neeku ishtam kadha paneer?" Neha chirped sweetly, spooning a large helping onto Devarsh’s plate.

(Brother-in-law, eat this. You love paneer, right?)
Devarsh started eating calmly. "Chalu, chalu," he said, gesturing for her to stop.
(Enough, enough.)

"No, bava! Eat a little more. See how pale you have become!" Neha insisted, pouring a little more curry onto his plate with exaggerated care.

‘Pale?! Is he looking pale to her?! 😤’ Nidhi screamed in her mind. She gritted her teeth so hard her jaw ached. She glared daggers at Devarsh, who was silently accepting the food, and then violently stabbed her own food with a spoon, turning away to aggressively shove a bite into her mouth.

Ramakrishna, trying to keep the conversation flowing, looked at Neha. "Neha, how are your parents?"

"They are good, mavayya," she answered with a bright smile.

Shiva couldn't handle the atmosphere for another second. Every laugh from Neha felt like a twist of a knife in his aching heart. He ate his food at lightning speed, pushed his chair back, and stood up.

Without saying a single word to anyone, he walked away straight to his room. Nidhi remained, chewing her food at a snail's pace, her eyes darting between Neha and Devarsh like a hawk tracking its prey.

The moment dinner was over, Nidhi marched upstairs to her room, stomping her feet and hitting her legs hard on the floor in pure frustration. She threw herself onto the bed, forcefully rolling onto her side, trying to sleep.

But her brain refused to shut down. Her thoughts were chaotic, buzzing with jealousy.
Finally, she snapped. She got up from the bed, slipped out of the room, and walked over to the balcony. Gripping the railing, she bent forward and peered down into the dimly lit garden.

Right there, sitting at the garden table under the moonlight, were Devarsh and Neha, talking softly. Nidhi gritted her teeth, her fingers clutching the cold railing tighter.

Down in the garden, Devarsh leaned back comfortably. "When did you come back from London?" he asked.

"It's been a month, bava," Neha sighed, her playful demeanor softening. "To be honest... nanna ki assalu ishtam ledhu nee pelli nidhi tho jaragatam. (Dad really didn't want your marriage to happen with Nidhi.) He thought if not you, then Arjun would be the next best option for me. But Arjun also got married." She let out a dry, mocking laugh at her father's failed status-climbing plans.

Then, she leaned forward, a teasing glint returning to her eyes. "So, tell me... em antundhi mari Nidhi, the love of your life?"
(So, what does she say then...)

Neha knew absolutely everything about Devarsh’s love story. During their time in London, Devarsh had been like a protective older brother to her, guarding her from her family’s toxic ambitions, and she was the only one he confided in.

Hearing Nidhi’s name, the cold expression completely dissolved. A beautiful smile broke across Devarsh's face, and his cheeks turned a faint shade of pink, blushing like a text-book teenager. "She is also loving me," he said softly, his voice full of pride.

"Aha! So Nidhi flat anmata!" Neha laughed out loud, genuinely happy for him.
(Aha! So Nidhi is totally fallen for you!)

Up on the first-floor balcony, Nidhi was watching their smiles, her heart twisting in a knot. What she didn't realize was that on the second-floor balcony, standing completely hidden in the shadows, Shiva was also staring down at them, his eyes filled with a deep, silent yearning as he watched the girl.

"Accha, I really have to talk to her tomorrow. She is looking way too cute now compared to her childhood," Neha noted warmly.

"Maybe she slept. You can talk to her tomorrow," Devarsh replied, before his expression turned serious. He looked intently at Neha. "Endhuku Shiva tho matladatledhu?"
(Why aren't you talking to Shiva?)

Neha’s bright smile instantly evaporated. She looked down at her hands, her voice turning heavy. "You have to ask him this question, bava."

"Neha, understand his situation," Devarsh said gently, defending his best friend. "He loves you too much. He just doesn't want to be the reason you get separated from your parents. He knows the pain of not having a family."

Tears slowly gathered in Neha’s eyes, glistening under the garden lights. "I know... I know his values, bava. But what else can I do? My parents are aggressively looking for matches. Rojuki okadini thisukochi chesuko antunnaru, em cheyyanu? (They are bringing a new guy every single day and forcing me to marry him, what am I supposed to do?)"

"Neha, cool down," Devarsh comforted her firmly. "Nanna tho matladam, he will definitely handle this. He will talk to your father and find a solution."
(I spoke with dad...)

"Hmm," she hummed, wiping a stray tear. Then, looking up at the dark house, a mischievous smirk returned to her face.

"Bava... Nidhi will not get jealous, right? She will understand, right? My plan is that if I get too close to you, Shiva will lose his mind out of jealousy, hit his breaking point, and finally come forward to talk to me himself."

Devarsh let out a sudden, dry chuckle, thinking of his wife's furious face at the dinner table.

"She is not jealous? What are you talking! If you lean any closer to me, she will legally ban you from entering Hyderabad."
Neha burst into loud, clear laughter at his warning.

The truth was, Neha had always, purely treated Devarsh as a brother. Her heart had belonged to Shiva since childhood, and Shiva felt the exact same way about her.

In the past, on Devarsh’s birthdays, they used to play this exact same game—Neha would purposefully act close to Devarsh just to make Shiva jealous, and the plan succeeded every single time, forcing Shiva to possessively claim her.

But Neha had also used this tactic in front of Nidhi in the past just to playfully tease her. She had no idea back then that her innocent teasing would end up altering two lives, causing Nidhi to deeply misunderstand Devarsh's feelings for years.

Years ago, Neha’s cunning, status-hungry parents had forced her to go to London alongside Devarsh, constantly pressuring her to trap the wealthy heir and get engaged to him.

But Neha stubbornly guarded her heart for Shiva. Through it all, Devarsh took care of Neha like a real brother in a foreign land, while back home, Shiva always stayed by Nidhi’s side, protecting her like a shield. It was a web of pure, unselfish bonds.

Neha stood up from the garden chair, smoothing out her dress. She smiled warmly at her brother-figure. "Good night, bava."

"Good night, Neha," Devarsh replied.
With their hearts a little lighter, both of them turned and walked back into the house, heading to their respective rooms, completely unaware of the two pairs of eyes that had been watching them from the balconies above.

Nidhi slammed the balcony door shut behind her, stomping her legs in pure frustration as she marched back into the dark bedroom. Her heart was a chaotic mess of jealousy and hurt.

‘Look at him, laughing and blushing with her in the middle of the night!’ she thought bitterly.

She threw herself onto her side of the heavy bed, pulling the blanket all the way up to her chin. Shifting aggressively, she turned her back to his side of the bed, tightly closing her eyes and trying to shut out the images.

Slowly, as the silence of the room wrapped around her, her exhausted mind gave in, and she drifted into a deep sleep.

A little later, the bedroom door clicked open softly. Devarsh walked in, his footsteps completely silent on the plush carpet. He closed the door behind him and walked over to his side of the bed. Peeking over, his eyes softened instantly as he saw his stubborn, beautiful wife fast asleep, her lips still formed into a faint, innocent pout even in her dreams.

He slid under the covers, the cool sheets shifting slightly. Without waiting for a second, he leaned over and gently wrapped his powerful arms around her waist, slowly pulling her backward into his firm chest, enveloping her in his warmth.

Feeling the sudden shift, Nidhi whined a little in her sleep, her brow furrowing as she subconsciously tried to wiggle away from his hold.

But Devarsh didn't let go. He tightened his grip just a fraction, his familiar, intoxicating scent washing over her senses. Recognizing his touch even in her subconscious, Nidhi’s rigid posture slowly melted in his arms. Turning slightly, she instinctively snuggled closer into his embrace, placing her head perfectly into the crook of his neck and breathing in his warmth.

Devarsh smiled beautifully into the dark room, his heart full. He pulled her even closer, locking her against his body, and pressed a tender, lingering kiss onto the top of her head before finally closing his eyes to sleep.
.
.
Early morning, the soft sunlight filtered through the balcony curtains. Devarsh was the first one to wake up. He looked down at Nidhi, who was still sound asleep, curled up like a kitten against his chest. Smiling softly, he gently untangled himself from her, kissed her forehead, and quietly went toward the washroom to get ready for his morning gym routine.

A little later, Nidhi woke up, still feeling a bit grumpy from the night before. She freshened up, threw on a casual outfit, and went down to the kitchen to help Divya.

Soon, the family gathered around the dining table. Once again, Neha strategically sat right beside Devarsh, acting completely sweet and attentive. Nidhi’s eyes flared with immediate annoyance. To counter her, Nidhi marched over and sat right beside Shiva, who looked like a walking ghost, his face pale and completely detached from the world.

Throughout breakfast, the tension was thick enough to cut with a knife. Nidhi spent the entire time stabbing her food and glaring at Devarsh, while Devarsh silently ate, secretly enjoying how fiercely possessive his wife was acting.

After breakfast, Arjun rushed out first, heading to the office early to handle a morning dispatch. Shiva, not wanting to be left alone in the house with his racing thoughts, decided to go with Devarsh. They walked out to the driveway. Shiva quietly opened the back door and sat at the back, intentionally leaving the front passenger seat completely free for Nidhi.

Devarsh took the driver's seat, resting his hands on the steering wheel, patiently waiting for his wife to come out.

Nidhi finally walked out of the mansion, adjusting her bag on her shoulder, intending to claim her rightful spot next to her husband. But out of nowhere, Neha came running toward the car, bypassing Nidhi in a flash. In a matter of seconds, she threw the front door open and sat on the passenger seat.

"Bava! Nenu kuda vastha office ki!" Neha chirped excitedly, buckling her seatbelt.
(Brother-in-law, I am also coming to the office!)

Nidhi froze on the driveway. She stared at Neha, wrinkling her nose in absolute disgust and fury. Her blood was boiling. Forcing herself not to throw a public tantrum, she marched to the back of the SUV, yanked the door open, and closed it with a hard, violent tug that shook the entire car.

Folding her hands tightly across her chest, she sat beside Shiva, staring death sentences into the back of Devarsh's head.

The entire ride to the office was dead silent, suffocatingly tense. Devarsh glanced at the rearview mirror, catching Nidhi’s murderous gaze, a subtle, amused smirk playing on his lips. Meanwhile, Shiva sat rigidly in the corner, his sharp, heavy eyes locked onto the passenger seat, watching the back of Neha's head with a mixture of intense yearning and deep pain.

They finally reached the office and went inside. Nidhi stormed straight into her private cabin, slamming her laptop down. She sat in her chair, but she couldn't focus on a single blueprint. Her mind was a chaotic mess, completely unable to stop thinking about Devarsh and Neha. She felt so frustrated. ‘Why hasn’t Devarsh said anything?'

She had absolutely no idea that the two of them were doing this entirely on purpose—wantedly putting on a show just to push Shiva to his absolute breaking point and force him to admit his love out of pure jealousy.

By the time afternoon rolled around, Nidhi couldn't take the suspense anymore. Needing to see what was happening, she stood up and walked toward Devarsh’s main cabin. But the moment she reached the transparent glass partition, her heart dropped.

Neha was sitting comfortably on the edge of Devarsh's desk, chatting away and laughing brightly at something. Devarsh was looking up at her, a relaxed smile on his face. The sight was too much for Nidhi to bear. The jealousy clawed at her throat, and before they could see her, she turned around and hurried back to her cabin, locking herself inside.

Sitting there in the dim light of her office, Nidhi rested her head on her desk, feeling completely miserable.

A few doors down, Shiva’s situation was exactly the same. He sat in his dark cabin, his laptop screen locked, staring blankly at the wall. But unlike Nidhi, he wasn't just jealous—he was completely consumed by a deeper, agonizing sorrow.

His mind was fully occupied with her. Only her. He could still hear her sobbing voice from last night, begging him to save her from the forced matches. The crushing weight of wanting to hold Neha, but being held back by his own painful principles, was slowly tearing him apart.

By the time evening rolled around, Nidhi’s patience had completely shattered. Unable to sit in her cabin and watch Neha hover around her husband for another second, she grabbed her bag and walked straight out of the office at 5:30 PM.

She didn't bother telling Devarsh. Instead, she cornered Arjun in the parking lot and forced him to drive her home.

Arjun, knowing the storm brewing between the couple, quietly dialed Devarsh the moment Nidhi buckled her seatbelt. "Annayya, I’m taking Nidhi home. She looks like she’s about to commit a murder," Arjun informed him in a low whisper before pulling out of the gates.

In his cabin, Devarsh stared at his phone, thoroughly confused and deeply worried. It was 6:00 PM now. He dialed Nidhi’s number three times, but she deliberately let it ring out, refusing to answer his calls. A heavy sense of anxiety hit him. He couldn't focus on work anymore.

Devarsh stormed out of his executive suite and found Neha sitting in the lounge area. "Neha, I have to leave immediately. You come home with Shiva," Devarsh said, his voice laced with unmistakable kangaru (panic).

Neha nodded quickly without any objection, sensing the raw tension on his face. However, the moment Devarsh rushed past the elevators, Neha changed her mind.

She didn't want to force herself into Shiva's car if he was going to remain a silent, stony wall. ‘I’ll just book a private cab,’ she thought, opening her ride-sharing app.

Shiva’s cabin door was slightly ajar. He had watched Devarsh practically sprint out of the office, and now, through the glass, he saw Neha walking slowly down the empty, dimly lit corridor, her head bent over her phone screen as she tried to book a cab.

The image of her sobbing on the phone the previous night, begging him to save her from the forced marriages, flashed violently in his mind. The sheer terror of losing her forever snapped the final thread of his iron restraint. The silent, stoic ghost vanished, replaced by a desperate, territorial man who was done fighting his own heart.

Neha was entirely focused on her screen when she passed Shiva's dark cabin. Suddenly, the door flew open. Before she could even process a shadow, a powerful, calloused hand wrapped around her wrist and violently yanked her inside.
"Ah—!"

Her scream was cut off instantly as Shiva slammed her back hard against the solid wooden door, locking it with his other hand in a single, fluid motion. The breath knocked out of her lungs, but before she could even open her eyes, Shiva leaned down and sealed her lips with a brutal, unyielding hunger.

It wasn't a gentle kiss. It was an explosion of a year's worth of suppressed agony, burning jealousy, and absolute desperation. He consumed her mouth savagely, his lips crushing hers with a punishing force that made her head spin.

"Ahh..." Neha let out a broken moan against his mouth when his sharp teeth suddenly clamped down, biting her lower lip with a possessive, dominant pressure.

The sting of pain only fueled her adrenaline. She planted her palms firmly against his broad chest, trying with all her might to push him away, to fight the sudden assault. But Shiva didn't budge an inch. He was a solid wall of pure muscle. He leaned his entire body mass into her, adding his heavy weight against her front, completely pinning her body flat against the door.

His hand slid down from her wrist, his thick fingers tangling in her hair to hold her head perfectly still, while his other arm wrapped securely around her waist, pulling her hips flush against his hardened lower body.

The dangerous, raw heat radiating from him was intoxicating. Within seconds, Neha’s resistance completely crumbled. The familiar, intoxicating scent of him filled her senses, and she completely melted into his embrace. Her hands slid up his chest, gripping his shoulders tightly as she parted her lips, eagerly returning his rough, frantic kiss, matching his desperation beat for beat.

They tore at each other's mouths, their tongues tangling in a wild, breathless rhythm that left them both shivering. It was a sinfully deep, intoxicating exchange that blurred the lines of reality.

When her lungs began to burn from the sheer intensity, Neha weakly tapped on his broad shoulder, desperate for air. Shiva finally dragged his lips away from her swollen mouth, but he didn't distance himself.

His chest heaved violently as he rested his forehead against hers, taking short, ragged breaths. Unable to stay away, his lips drifted across her face, planting small, scorching, desperate kisses on her burning cheeks, her eyelids, and the corner of her lips. He was closer to her than he had been in a whole agonizing year, and the sheer proximity was making him tremble.

As the fog of passion slowly cleared, hot tears finally spilled over Neha’s eyelashes, tracking down her face. She looked up at him through her blurred vision, her chest heaving.

"Vadhulu..." she whispered, her voice cracking with raw emotion.
(Leave me...)

Shiva didn't leave her. Instead, he wrapped his powerful arms tightly around her shoulders, buried his face deep into the sensitive crook of her neck, and held her as if his life depended on it. The comfort of his touch broke her completely, and Neha began to cry openly, her body sobbing and shaking against his chest.

"Shhh... ippudu endhuku edusthunnav?" Shiva asked softly, his voice thick with unexpressed pain as he tightened his hold, his lips brushing against her neck.
(Shhh... why are you crying now?)

Neha found a surge of strength and forcefully pushed his chest, creating a few inches of distance between them. She glared at him through her tears, her voice dripping with accumulated anger. "Nee valle! You don't lift my calls, you don't talk to me, you act like I'm a stranger! Nenem anukovali ippudu? (What am I supposed to think now?) Do you think you can just pin me to a door, give me a kiss, and suddenly everything will be completely okay between us?!" she demanded, her voice rising in frustration.

"Neha... I was in a situation where—" he began, trying to explain his agonizing principles.
But she stopped him instantly, placing her hand firmly over his mouth, her eyes fierce. "Don't say anything to me anymore, Shiva! I don't want your excuses. If you truly love me, vacchi ma nanna tho matladu!"
(...come and talk to my father!)

Shiva looked deep into her tear-stained eyes, seeing the utter terror of her being forced to marry someone else. The walls of his hesitation completely crumbled to dust.

"Ok," Shiva said, his voice deadly calm, laced with absolute finality.

Neha stared at him, completely shocked. For months, he had been maintaining a painful distance, entirely because he was terrified of creating a permanent rift between Neha and her cunning parents. But today, seeing her break down, his patience had officially come to an end.

"I will talk to Ramakrishna uncle tomorrow morning," Shiva promised firmly, his thumbs wiping the tears from her cheeks. "He will directly step in, intervene, and talk to your father face-to-face. I won't let anyone else take you, Neha."

A weak, beautiful smile finally broke through Neha’s tears. Relief washed over her entire being, and she threw her arms around his neck, hugging him with all the strength left in her body. "Ok," she whispered against his shoulder.
Slowly, Neha pulled back just enough to look at his lips.

This time, she was the one who initiated it. She leaned up on her tiptoes, her fingers tangling in his hair, and brought her lips down to his.
The kiss turned deeply, sinfully profound. It was no longer a frantic battle of panic; it was a deep, consuming vow of love and surrender.

Shiva groan slid into her mouth as he pulled her body entirely into his, his tongue sliding deep inside, tasting her sweetness with a slow, deliberate rhythm. The kiss became thick, wet, and heavy with emotion, their lips sliding against each other in perfect harmony.

Every stroke of his tongue sent waves of pure electricity straight to her core, making her knees go completely weak in his arms. They drowned in each other's warmth, claiming every single breath, cementing a bond that no cunning family could ever tear apart again.

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Hey cuties! You can read the next chapter 21. Sensual punishment 🌚 on Rowllr for low price than scroll stack. I couldn’t reduce the price on ScrollStack due to the app's rules, so I highly recommend reading it on Rowllr instead! The next chapter is officially updated on both platforms. Happy reading! ❤️