"No... I’m not taking this,” he said, his voice low. “You also think I’m a failure?”

Siya’s heart clenched. The pain in his eyes was unmistakable.

“No… Veer, I could never think that about you.”

She gently cupped his face, making him look at her.

“Why this, butterfly? Why are you giving me 50% of your company? Do you also think like others, that I can’t fulfill your dreams?”

His voice cracked, eyes glistening.

She took a shaky breath.

“Shhh… Veer, listen to me, okay? You’re not a failure. You’re the most hardworking person I’ve ever known. You’re the Chief Secretariat of the state. That’s not small.”

She paused, then added more softly:

“You think I don’t notice what’s going on in your mind? You say you don’t care what people say, but look at you... taking online jobs just to earn extra. You already have your own job and Kaala Darbar. The only time we had together, you’re giving that up too for what? You think I need your money?”

She shook her head, tears brimming.

“No, Veer. I don’t need your money. The only thing I ever needed was your love and time.”

Veer immediately cut in:

“No, butterfly, I could never think like this..”

“No, Veer. Stop.”

Her voice broke as she continued,

“Do you know how I felt when I found out you were doing those online jobs? I felt like I failed. Like I made you feel insecure. Civil services was your dream. You fought for it... and now, because of me, you feel like your dream isn’t enough.”

Her glassy eyes stared into his soul.

Without another word, Veer pulled her gently onto his lap and held her close.

“No, butterfly... I’m sorry. I let their words win. I just wanted to fulfill every wish of yours.”

His voice trembled as his forehead rested against hers.

“You’re already doing it, Veer.”

She smiled through her tears.

“This apartment… you bought it just because I once said I wanted a small home with you, where no one else exists. Just the two of us. And when I told you I don’t like cooking, you said, ‘It’s okay, butterfly, If you don't like cooking. Perfect, let me earn the honor of cooking for you and feeding you with my own hands, everyday, for life ’ and you did. Every time.”

Veer’s eyes softened as he whispered:

“I’m sorry, butterfly. I’ll never let this happen again. Please forgive me. But I’m not signing those papers.”

She blinked.

“Why not, Veer?”

He smiled gently.

“Because you’ve already done so much for me. If you’ve forgotten, let me remind you civil services was my dream, but it came true because of you. Mr. Kapoor had already bribed them to fail me. You were the one who hacked the cameras and bank records and exposed it.”

His voice filled with pride.

“And if you see it that way, then ‘SSR Techs’ only exists because of you,” Siya said.

“Otherwise, I would’ve just done some boring degree. Bhai and Papa didn’t want me involved in the business. They thought it was too risky. But you were the one who stood by me, who told me to never give up. And about those shares… you spend all your salary on me. So why can’t you accept my shares? What are you, one of those men who would rather die than take money from a woman?”

She raised her brow, pointing a finger at him with a mock-accusing glare.

“Of course not, butterfly. Why would I?” Veer asked, startled.

“Okay then, prove me wrong by signing the papers.”
She smirked playfully.

“Ohh… so you’re tricking me now, huh?”
He chuckled, but smiled and then picked up the pen and signed the papers.

Siya looked at the signature, then at him with a confused smile.

“Wait… why did you sign it like this?”

Veer winked.

“Did you forget what I always say? After marriage, I’m taking your surname. So I thought, why not start now?”

He pointed at the signature.

‘Veer Siya Singh Rathore.’

Siya stared at him and then laughed, wiping her tears.

Her smile returned.

Veer stood up from the couch, his piercing blue eyes locked onto Siya. A slow, teasing smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

Siya narrowed her gaze. "What? Why are you looking at me like that, Veer?"

"Like what, Butterfly?" he asked innocently, though the mischief in his tone betrayed his act.

"Like you're about to eat me alive."

"Well," he said, voice dropping to a low rasp, "that's exactly what I'm going to do."

Before Siya could respond, Veer grabbed her by the waist and effortlessly tossed her over his shoulder.

"Veer! Put me down! What are you doing?" she shrieked, flailing playfully.

"Shh. It's time for return gift."

He carried her to the bedroom like she weighed nothing, pushed the door open with his foot, kicked it shut behind him, and laid her gently on the bed. As he hovered above her, his playful smirk faded, replaced by an intense, focused hunger. His eyes darkened with desire, flickering like a storm about to break loose.

His breath ghosted across her lips as he leaned closer. Siya’s heart was pounding, her breaths coming faster. He didn’t kiss her right away instead, he let the anticipation build until she was trembling beneath him.

He kissed her forehead. "Thank you, Butterfly."

A soft kiss on her eyelids followed. "For baking the most delicious cake."

Then her cheeks. "For the decorations, the effort."

He brushed his lips against the tip of her nose. "For the gift."

Finally, he met her eyes. "And thank you… for being mine."

His lips found hers in a slow, consuming kiss. It wasn’t rushed. It was deep, unhurried, savoring. He tasted her, possessed her, whispered everything he felt without a single word.

His hands caressed her sides, mapping her body through the fabric. He pulled her closer as their kiss deepened. When she gasped slightly, he slid his tongue into her mouth, exploring it gently, then more hungrily as her arms wound around his neck.

Siya whimpered when he broke the kiss, only for him to kiss her jaw, trailing kisses to her neck. He paused to suck her pulse point, making her arch into him. He bit down gently and soothed the mark with his tongue.

"Veer…" she breathed.

He kissed along her collarbone, dipping lower. His hands found her dress straps and he looked up.

"May I?"

She nodded, eyes fluttering shut.

He pressed a kiss to her lips and slowly slid the straps down, revealing her shoulders. His lips followed every inch of exposed skin. When he pulled the dress down to her waist, revealing her black bra, he paused, drinking her in.

"You're breathtaking, Butterfly," he whispered.

He kissed the swell of her breasts, brushing his lips along the lace of her bra. Then he looked up again. "May I?"

Another nod.

He unclasped the bra, letting it fall aside. His eyes roamed over her bare chest, and for a second, he just stared memorizing her, revering her. When Siya instinctively covered herself with her hands, he gently pulled them away.

"Don’t hide from me. Not what’s mine."

Her cheeks turned crimson. She looked away, but he gently turned her face back to his.

He slipped off his coat, then guided her trembling hands to the buttons of his shirt.

"Open it for me."

She obeyed, fingers shaky. With each button undone, more of his toned chest was revealed. When the last button was undone, he shrugged the shirt off and tossed it aside. Their bare skin finally met, and they both gasped softly.

He leaned down, kissing between her breasts, avoiding her nipples to tease her. Siya’s breaths turned ragged.

“Please, Veer…” she whispered.

He took her right nipple into his mouth, sucking gently at first, then with more pressure. His hand fondled the other breast, thumb circling her hardened peak. Siya moaned, arching into his mouth, her fingers tangling in his hair.

When he switched sides, her back arched again, her body reacting helplessly to his touch. He kissed, bit, and sucked until her chest was covered in love marks.

He trailed kisses down her stomach slow, deliberate, igniting fires with every inch.

Then he tugged the dress completely off, leaving her in just her black panties.

He kissed her waist, then gently flipped her over, pressing kisses along her back. Each kiss was followed by a bite or a suck, leaving a trail of blooming marks down her spine.

Siya squirmed beneath him, panting, hair messy, lips swollen.

He turned her back around, kissed her lips deeply, and whispered, "I love you, Butterfly."

Her eyes filled with emotion. "I love you too, Veer."

He kissed her again, then murmured, "I want to go down on you."

Her eyes widened. "What?"

He smirked. "Come on. I know the books you read. Let me give you some practical experience."

"Shut up, Veer," she said, flustered, slapping his chest.

"Is my Butterfly shy today?"

She didn’t answer, only blushed harder and looked away.

He smiled, then whispered, "Now I’m going to taste what’s mine."

He slid her panties down slowly, kissing her legs as he went. He started at her toes, kissing each one, then up her ankles, calves, and thighs. He paused at her inner thighs, his breath brushing over her sensitive core.

Siya gasped.

He kissed her folds, parting them gently with his fingers.

“So wet for me already,” he murmured.

Then he licked her slow, teasing. Siya cried out, back arching off the bed.

"Veer…!"

He flicked his tongue again and again, pressing deeper, swirling. She writhed beneath him, her moans growing louder.

When he slid a finger inside her, her entire body trembled.

"Ahh... it’s too much…" she gasped.

"Hold on to me," he said, voice rough.

She did, her hands fisting in his hair. He sucked her clit while fingering her faster.

"I’m… I’m close… Veer, don’t stop!"

He didn’t. He kept going until she shattered, crying out his name, her body shaking violently with her release.

He licked her clean, kissed her thighs, then moved back up.

Siya lay dazed, breathless, eyes closed. When she opened them slightly, she felt something wet on her nipple. She looked down Veer was smirking, his finger slick with her essence.

Without breaking eye contact, he wiped her juices on her nipple and then leaned in to suck it.

Goosebumps erupted across her skin.

He pulled back, brushing her hair away from her face.

"You look like a mess… but the most beautiful mess I want to see every day."

Siya blushed but didn’t respond. Her body was too exhausted.

Veer sat beside her, brushing her hair gently.

"Sleep, Butterfly. I’ve got you."

Her eyes fluttered shut. Sleep claimed her quickly.

Veer got up, walked to the bathroom, and returned with a warm towel. He cleaned her carefully, dressed her in his shirt, and kissed her temple.

Then he took a long, cold shower. As the water hit his body, he exhaled deeply. His thoughts spun not just about her taste, her softness, but the way she had looked at him. Vulnerable. Trusting. She had given herself to him without fear. He had vowed to protect her, to worship her, but now… he just wanted to give her the world.

When he returned, he saw her curled up in the sheets, peaceful.

He stood at the doorway for a moment, watching the slow rise and fall of her chest, the way his shirt hung loose on her frame. His lips curled into a soft, rare smile.

His phone buzzed.

He picked it up. "Yes. I’m on my way."

He leaned down, kissed her forehead.

"I’ll be back before you wake up. Don’t worry."

As he stepped outside, the smile on his face faded, replaced by a sharp, calculating gaze. The night was still, but Veer knew chaos awaited. But for now, his heart was full and he would return to her.

He had to.

.

.

.

Two young souls sat together on a sunlit rooftop, their laughter echoing into the breeze. They looked like a couple carved straight from a painting effortlessly in sync, radiating love that made the world around them pause. The boy lay with his head gently resting on the girl's lap, fingers lazily playing with hers, as if time itself slowed down for them.

“What if you leave me?” the girl whispered, her eyes reflecting both love and the silent fear of loss.

He glanced up at her, a soft smile forming on his lips. “I'm never going to leave you, my firecracker. I could fight the whole damn world for you. So leaving? That’s not even an option. And even if, by some cruel twist, we’re forced apart I'll still find you. I’ll tear the world apart just to keep you close.”

“Promise?” she asked, holding out her pinky with childlike hope.

“Promise,” he murmured, interlocking their fingers. That small gesture sealed a vow, one that was meant to last forever.

But forever is cruel.

That memory played like a broken record in the mind of a woman now reduced to a caged prisoner. Her voice cracked as she repeated it to herself, no louder than a whisper, “Lie… It was all a lie… You left me alone.”

She was locked inside a small, cold room. One leg chained to the rusted iron bed, robbing her of freedom. Her hair was tangled and unwashed, her clothes torn and stained. The air smelled of dust, iron, and despair. She looked like a shadow of the woman who once laughed under the sun.

Then, click. The door creaked open.

A man entered, dressed sharply in a white shirt tucked into black pants, a pair of sunglasses hiding the hollowness in his eyes. He moved toward her with slow, calculated steps. She recoiled, inching back until her spine hit the wall, as if praying it would swallow her whole.

Crouching before her, he tilted her chin upward. Tears shimmered in her tired eyes.

“What happened?” he smirked. “Missing your lover?”

She stayed silent, her soul too broken to answer.

“I miss mine too,” he added cruelly. “The only difference is I can see her whenever I want. But you?”

He laughed, cold and empty.

Throwing a paper bag of food beside her, he leaned in.

“Get ready. Tonight, you have to satisfy someone. And you already know what happens if you disobey, don’t you?”

With that, he stood and walked away.

The door slammed shut.

And she broke into tears again.

.

.

.

“I love you, baby,” a girl’s soft voice echoed in the distance gentle, almost like a lullaby carried by the wind.

“Don’t worry about me, I’m fine,” she continued, her tone light, filled with affection.

It felt real.

Too real.

The warmth in her voice wrapped around him like a memory he never wanted to let go of.

Then screams.

Sudden. Violent. Echoing.

“Leave me!” the girl shouted, her voice cracked with terror.

“Leave her!” another voice screamed. His voice.

Shaurya.

It was him.

He was watching no, living the moment.

Pain surged through every fiber of his being. He could hear himself yelling, crying, trying to fight invisible forces that were hurting her. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't reach her. Something someone was pulling her away. Her hand slipping from his. Her voice fading into the dark.

“You have to protect her.”

“You have to protect her at any cost.”

That voice. That command. Over and over again. Like a broken record stuck inside his head, clawing its way into his soul.

“You have to protect her”

“You have to protect her at any cost”

Shaurya shot up in bed, gasping, his chest heaving as though he'd been drowning underwater and finally surfaced. Sweat clung to his body like a second skin. His shirt soaked. His breath short and rapid. His eyes wild, searching hoping she'd be there.

But the room was empty.

Dark.

Silent.

He blinked rapidly, grounding himself in reality, forcing his mind to believe that the nightmare was over.

It wasn’t.

It never really ended.

Dragging himself out of bed, he stumbled toward the bathroom. His legs felt heavy, as though he was carrying the weight of all the people he couldn't protect. As soon as he reached the sink, he twisted the tap and splashed cold water over his face. Again. And again. And again. As if the water could wash away the screams, the memories, the guilt.

He looked up.

And froze.

In the mirror, staring back at him, was a man unrecognizable even to himself. His jet-black shirt clung to his sculpted chest, soaked in sweat. His eyes bloodshot, tired, hollow. Not the eyes of a leader. Not the eyes of a mafia. Not even the eyes of a lover.

They were the eyes of a man haunted by failure.

A man who had lost something precious.

And couldn’t forgive himself for it.

A girl’s face flickered in his mind again eyes wide with fear, lips trembling, fingers reaching for him, for help for hope.

And he wasn’t there.

He couldn’t reach her.

A single tear slid down his cheek, uninvited.

“I miss you,” he whispered, the words barely audible, like a prayer drowned in regret.

His hand shot up, and he harshly wiped the tear away almost angrily as if punishing himself for feeling too much. For being vulnerable. For caring when caring had always cost him everything.

He stared at his reflection for one last second.

Then turned off the light.

And walked away into the silence that was now his only companion.

___________________________________________