Rudraksh's POV -

The room was still frozen after my words.

"I love her."
"I'm going to marry her."

No one spoke for a few seconds.

I didn't care.

My eyes were still on her.

Vaishali.

She looked stunned... fragile... like the ground beneath her had just shifted.

Her fingers trembled slightly in mine.

Good.

At least now she wouldn't think she could walk away from me.

Not after this.

I gently placed the plate aside and stood up.

"Eat properly," I told her softly.

Then I turned to my family.

"I have work. I'll be leaving for the office."

That broke the silence.

"Office?" Arjun muttered under his breath. "After dropping a bomb like this?"

Rhea elbowed him, eyes still wide. "Bhai... seriously... marriage?!"

I ignored them.

Instead, I turned back to Vaishali.

"Come with me."

She looked confused... but nodded.

I didn't give her time to think.

I held her hand and led her upstairs.

Vaishali's POV

My mind wasn't working.

Marriage.

He said it like it was already decided.

Like I didn't even have a choice.

My heart was racing as he led me back to the room.

Once inside, he closed the door softly.

The sudden silence made everything feel louder.

My heartbeat. My breath. My thoughts.

He walked closer.

Too close.

"Sit," he said gently.

I sat on the edge of the bed, still trying to process everything.

"I... I didn't say yes," I whispered.

He didn't react.

Didn't argue.

Didn't force.

He just looked at me.

Deep. Steady.

"I know," he said quietly.

That confused me even more.

"Then why did you..."

"Because you need time," he cut in, calm as ever. "And I don't."

My breath hitched.

"I've already decided."

His voice wasn't harsh.

It was worse.

Certain.

He moved slightly closer, his fingers brushing a strand of hair away from my face "You're safe here," he said softly. "That's all you need to focus on right now."

I didn't know what to say.

Didn't know what to feel.

"Rest," he added.

I looked up at him.

"You're leaving?"

"Yes."

Something inside me tightened.

I didn't even understand why.

He noticed.

Of course he did.

"I'll be back," he said quietly.

Then, after a pause, softer..."No one will come here unless I allow it."

I didn't know if that was comfort...

or control.

Maybe both.

He turned and walked to the door.

But before leaving, he looked back at me one last time.

And for a second...his eyes softened.

Then he left.

Rudraksh's POV-

I stepped out and closed the door behind me.

Only after making sure she was inside.

Safe.

Alone.

Untouched.

That's when I walked back downstairs.

Every single pair of eyes turned toward me.

Waiting.

Curious.

Restless.

I picked up my coat.

"I'm leaving for the office," I said.

"Don't disturb her."

That was all.

But before I could walk out -

"Bhai, wait!"

Rhea stood up.

"Who is she?"

"And since when do you just decide to marry someone without telling us?" Arjun added.

Kavya leaned forward, whispering dramatically, "Is she going to be our bhabhi? Because she's... really cute."

Vivaan grinned. "Bhai finally fell in love? This is history."

Arya nodded seriously. "But she looked scared..."

The room filled with murmurs.

Questions.

Speculations.

I didn't answer a single one.

I just looked at my father.

Virendra Rathore.

He was watching me quietly.

Understanding more than the rest.

Good.

Without another word, I walked out.

Family POV-

The moment Rudraksh left...

Chaos.

"WHAT just happened?" Arjun almost shouted.

Rhea dropped into her chair. "Bhai said he LOVES her."

Kavya clutched her chest dramatically. "And marriage. Straight to marriage. No dating, no drama - direct shaadi."

"Focus," Mahendra said, frowning. "Who is the girl?"

"She looked... broken," Sunita added softly.

Meera didn't speak.

She was thinking.

Her eyes were still on the staircase.

"She wasn't just nervous," she said quietly. "She was scared."

That silenced the room again.

Before anyone could say anything - A voice came from the entrance.

"Sir sent me."

Everyone turned.

Raghav.
Rudraksh's PA.

Virendra nodded slightly. "Come."

Raghav stepped inside.

Serious.

Professional.

But something in his expression was... off.

"Sir asked me to brief you," he said.

And then....

He started speaking.

About Vaishali.
Her house.
Her uncle.
Her aunt.
Her cousins.
The abuse.
The bruises.
The silence.
The fear.

Every word fell like a hammer in the room.

No one interrupted.

No one moved.

Rhea's eyes filled with tears.

Kavya covered her mouth.

Arjun's fists clenched tightly.

"Are you serious?" he muttered, anger rising. "They did this to her?"

Sunita's voice trembled. "That child..."

Even Mahendra's expression hardened.

Virendra didn't react.

But his jaw tightened.

Meera closed her eyes for a second.

Pain.

Deep.

Motherly.

"That's why..." she whispered softly. "That's why he brought her here."

Raghav nodded once.

"Yes, ma'am."

Silence filled the room again.

But this time-

It wasn't confusion.

It was anger.

Cold.Controlled.Dangerous.

Arjun leaned back, voice low. "We should do something."

Vivaan added, "They shouldn't get away with this."

Kavya nodded. "Not after what they did to her."

Raghav looked at all of them.

Then said calmly..."You don't have to worry about that."

Everyone turned toward him.

"What do you mean?" Mahendra asked.

Raghav's expression didn't change.

"They're already being taken care of."

Confusion spread across the room.

"What?" Rhea frowned.

But before anyone could question further....

Virendra spoke.

Quiet.Understanding.Dangerously calm.

"Rudraksh."

That one word was enough.

He leaned back slightly.

A faint, knowing look in his eyes.

Because he knew exactly what his son was capable of.

And this time -

Rudraksh Rathore wasn't just protecting someone.
He was ending something.