Vaishali's POV -

I didn't know how long I stayed on the floor.

My cheek burned.
My arm throbbed.
My chest hurt every time I breathed.

The house was quiet now.

Like nothing had happened.

Like I wasn't crying on the cold tiles.

I curled into myself and closed my eyes.

For a moment... I remembered something else.

A small house.
A yellow frock.
My mom laughing while braiding my hair.
My dad lifting me into the air.

I used to be a bubbly girl.

Till five.

Till I had parents.

After that... life became silent.

A tear slipped down.

"This is my life," I whispered.
"I just have to survive."

I wiped my face before anyone could see.

Because crying loudly only made things worse.

.....

.....

Rudraksh's POV -

The car stopped outside her house.

The streetlight flickered above us.

I stepped out slowly.

My men stood behind me. Silent. Still.

This wasn't about anger.

This was about ending something.

I knocked once.

The door opened.

Her uncle's face went pale.

Before he could speak, I walked inside.

"Call Vaishali," I said.

Calm voice.
Too calm.

"She... she's sleeping," he stammered.

"Bring her."

No shouting.
No warning.
Just certainty.

Her chachi came from inside, forcing a smile.

"Sir, she is sick.."

I placed my phone on the table.

The video played.

Colour. Clear. Sound.

Slaps. Begging. Crying.

Silence swallowed the room.

Their faces drained.

"You had years," I said quietly.
"Now it's my turn."

..

..

Vaishali's POV -

"Vaishali! Come down!"

My chachi's voice cut through me.

I walked slowly.

Every step hurt.

When I reached the hall -
I froze.

He was there.

Rudraksh.

Standing like a storm wrapped in silence.

"Why... did you come?" I whispered.

His eyes softened for one second when he saw me.

Then hardened.

He saw my bruises.

My torn sleeve.

His jaw clenched.

"Come with me," he said softly.

I shook my head.
"I can't..."

Fear held me.

What if they get worse?
What if people talk?

Before I could think -

My chachi's daughters laughed.

"So now you trap rich men?" one sneered.
"Sleep with them and act innocent -"

She didn't finish.

Because Rudraksh moved.

In one second.

His hand caught her throat.

Then the other girl's.

Both froze. Shocked. Breathless.

His voice was deadly calm.

"One more word about her... and you won't be able to speak again."

The room went silent.

He pushed them away like they were nothing.

Then he looked at everyone.

"Listen carefully," he said.

"From today, she is under my protection."

He turned to me.

Eyes soft. Voice firm.

"She will be mine. I will marry her."

The room gasped.

"And from today... she is not Vaishali Sharma."

He stepped closer.

"She is Vaishali Rudraksh Rathore."

My world stopped.

I couldn't breathe.

I couldn't speak.

...

...

Rudraksh's POV -

She looked terrified.

Confused.

But I knew what I saw on that screen.

She couldn't stay here.

Not one more night.

"Come with me," I said again.

This time... she nodded.

I wrapped my coat around her shoulders.

We walked out.

Behind us, curses followed.

I didn't turn.

They were already finished.

...

...

Vaishali's POV -

The car was warm.

Soft.

Quiet.

I held his coat tightly.

My hands were still shaking.

After a long silence, he said quietly,

"Marry me Vaishali."

I looked at him like he had said something impossible.

"No... sir... I can't."

He didn't reply.

Just watched me.

Something inside me snapped.

"Why are you doing all this?" I burst out.
"Why do you care? This isn't real! People like you don't help girls like me!"

Tears came suddenly.

Before I knew it, my fists were hitting his chest.

Small. Weak. Angry.

"Why... why are you doing this?" I cried.
"I didn't ask you... I didn't ask anyone..."

He didn't stop me.

Didn't hold my hands.

Just let me cry.

When he tried to touch my shoulder, I pushed him away.

"Don't... please... don't be kind to me," I whispered.
"It will hurt more later..."

He moved closer again.

I pushed him harder.

But this time... he pulled me onto his lap and hugged me tightly.

Strong.

Protective.

Safe.

I struggled for a second.

Then broke completely.

I cried into his chest like a child.

He stroked my hair slowly.

"Enough," he whispered.

"No more pain. No more fear."

I shook my head.

"It's not that easy..."

He held my face gently so I would look at him.

"I will marry you vaishu," he said softly.
"Please let me protect you and show what love exactly is"

His voice didn't have drama.

Only promise.

"Not a single thing will touch you again," he said.
"As long as I'm alive."

My tears slowed.

My body felt heavy.

Safe.

For the first time in years.

My hands held his shirt weakly.

And before I knew it...

I fell asleep on his chest.

...

...

Rudarsksh's POV -

She didn't agree.

She fought.

Cried.

Hit me with those tiny fists.

Asked me why I cared.

And every word broke me more.

Because no one had ever cared for her before.

She fell asleep against me... exhausted from crying.

I adjusted her carefully so she wouldn't wake.

Her face looked peaceful.

Like a child who finally felt safe.

I kissed her hair softly and whispered,

"I don't need you to understand today."

"But one day... you will."

I looked outside at the dark road.

And made a promise to myself—

No one will hurt her again.

Not in this lifetime.

Not while I breathe.