This chapter is gonna contain abusive content soo please don't read if you're sensitive. Thank you.
AUTHOR P.O.V
The room felt smaller than usual, the dim light casting long, suffocating shadows on the worn-out walls. The air was thick, heavy with the scent of dust and despair. Anika sat on the edge of the bed, her body hunched over, her fingers trembling as they traced the old scars on her arm-the permanent reminders of a life filled with pain. The burns, the bruises, they were all there, etched into her skin like a cruel testament to her reality.
Anika's life had never been easy; it was always bound by shackles. Shackles no one saw. She was six when she was told her parents were dead-so young, too young to even grasp the weight of those words. And then came her uncle, who never felt like family, never looked at her with warmth. His eyes always carried a coldness, a cruelty that turned her stomach even before she fully understood the darkness within him.
She tried to remember her mother's face, the softness of her voice, but the memories had grown blurry with time. All that remained was the gnawing emptiness. Her uncle filled that void with fear.
At ten, she learned the meaning of real fear-the first time she felt the sharp sting of his hand, the moment she realized she was trapped. His wrath was always unpredictable, like a storm that came without warning, leaving destruction in its wake. By thirteen, the only escape she knew was in her dreams. She dreamed of running away, of finding freedom somewhere, anywhere but here.
But every attempt to leave, to fly, had brought her back to the same suffocating place. The same cold walls, the same room where she now sat, her heart heavy with the weight of all her broken hopes. Anika's gaze shifted to the faded curtains fluttering slightly against the open window. Even the soft breeze that slipped through seemed indifferent to her pain.
She laughed bitterly, a hollow sound that barely escaped her throat. Hope. What a cruel joke. She had dared to hope again, to believe that she could outrun this life. And now here she was-right back where she started, beaten and bruised, her spirit crushed beneath the weight of another failed attempt.
Her aunt Nalini sat beside her, the mattress sinking slightly under her weight. Nalini's hand rested gently on Anika's shoulder, a weak gesture of comfort that felt as distant as the fading memories of her parents. Nalini's eyes were filled with pity, but even that had grown tired, like the flickering bulb overhead. She had seen it all before-this endless cycle of abuse and survival, of hope and despair.
"I'm sorry," Nalini whispered, her voice cracking. She pulled Anika closer, her hand smoothing the tangled hair away from her niece's face. "I wish I could..."
Her words trailed off. She couldn't say more, because she couldn't do more. Anika knew that. Nalini had her own chains-ones that wrapped around her tighter with each passing year. Anika had begged her once, years ago, to leave with her, to find a way out together. But the answer was always the same-I can't. Nalini wasn't strong enough. Neither was Anika, not anymore.
Anika leaned into her aunt's embrace, though it did little to soothe the deep ache that coursed through her body. The pain in her ribs throbbed, each breath sending sharp stabs through her chest, a reminder of the beating she had endured just hours ago. Her hair was still tangled from where her uncle had dragged her, her scalp burning from the force of his grip.
She was so tired-so utterly exhausted by it all. The constant fear, the endless abuse, the cycle of pain that she could never break free from. It felt like she was drowning, and there was no one there to pull her to the surface. She closed her eyes, trying to block out the world, trying to block out the ache that ran deeper than any bruise.
Nalini sat beside her, gently holding her as if she could absorb some of the pain. She hesitated for a moment, her voice trembling as she finally asked the question that had been gnawing at her mind. "How... how did he find you? I thought you were gone. I thought you were safe... How did he find you again?"
Anika, barely present, replied in a flat tone. "I don't know... It all happened so suddenly. Just for a moment, I thought it came to an end and started to dream of all the things I could do." She paused, taking a breath. "But then Someone tried to kidnap us... Uncle found us,trying to escape from them and caught me."
"Someone tried to kidnap you?" Nalini's voice was filled with shock. "Who were they? Why did they try to kidnap you?"
"I wish I knew," Anika said, her voice void of emotion. "They wore all black, about ten of them. We didn't stop to look. We just ran when
Nalini's face paled as the realization hit her, fear creeping into her eyes. She looked around the room, her eyes darting to the door as if expecting someone to burst in at any moment. When she finally turned back to Anika, her voice trembling. "Anika... I don't know who they were, but YOU... you're in danger, you always were. But now it's gotten too close. Her words were spilling out too fast, panic edging her tone. " I wondered why your uncle suddenly wanted to marry you off, but now it makes sense. He's scared. He can't protect you from them anymore. He's trying to get rid of you before they get to you.
Anika's heart raced. Her thoughts were a tangled mess, spinning faster with every word her aunt said.
"Aunty! What are you talking about?" Anika asked, her confusion turning to frustration. "Who's them? Why am I in danger? And what do you mean, 'he can't protect me'? He's never tried to protect me! From what? From whom?"
Nalini looked at her,her eyes wide with fear. She hesitated,then spoke in a Rushed whisper. "Anika there's more to your life then you know. There are things happening around you that you're not aware of. soo many people want to get their hands on you.....you're worth more than you think."
Anika's head spun. The confusion had grown into something unbearable, a floof of questions she couldn't control. Her hands clenched into fists, frustration bubbling up. "Aunty, what..... What are you saying? I don't understand any of this."
Nalini opened her mouth, her expression desperate. "Look, Anika, your parents-"
Before she could finish, a voice boomed from the doorway, sharp and filled with fury.
"NALINI!"
The fiery voice of Jagdeesh echoed from the door, causing both Anika and Nalini to freeze in terror. Jagdeesh stormed into the room, his face contorted in rage. His presence was overwhelming, and he wasted no time in yanking Nalini up by her hair, dragging her roughly toward the stairs.
Anika followed them, heart pounding, terrified of what he might do next. "Uncle, please! Don't hurt her!" she begged, but Jagdeesh was beyond reasoning. His eyes were filled with fury, and his grip on Nalini was unyielding.
With a brutal shove, Jagdeesh sent Nalini tumbling down the stairs. She hit each step with sickening thuds, landing in a heap at the bottom. Anika's breath caught in her throat as she rushed down after her, her hands shaking as she tried to help her aunt up.
"Uncle, please," Anika pleaded, tears streaming down her face as Jagdeesh approached them, his footsteps slow and menacing. He pushed Anika aside and grabbed Nalini by the throat, lifting her off the ground.
"What were you trying to say, huh?" he hissed, his voice dripping with venom. "What were you going to tell her?"
Nalini gasped, her eyes wide with fear as she struggled to breathe. "She... she deserves to know..." she managed to choke out.
Jagdeesh's face twisted into a sneer. Without warning, he threw her back onto the floor with a force that sent a shock of pain through Anika's chest. She stood frozen, tears blurring her vision as she watched her aunt's limp form on the floor. She stood there, frozen between fear and rage. Why? The word echoed in her mind, louder and louder until it spilled from her lips.
"WHY?" She screamed, her voice cracking with raw emotion. "Why do you do this? Why are you so cruel? Why don't you just kill us instead of torturing us like this?"
Jagdeesh turned to her, his expression darkening. "You want to die that badly, huh?" his voice was low and dangerous. "You deserve to die, you bitch."
He stormed toward her, grabbing her by the throat and slamming her against the wall. Anika gasped for air, her hands clawing at his grip, but it was useless, his grip was like iron. She kicked and struggled her vision fading as the pressure on her throat intensified.
"JAGDEESH!"
The voice that cut through the tension was sharp and commanding, dripping with authority. Jagdeesh's hands dropped from Anika's neck as if burned,and she fell to the floor, coughing and gasping for breath. Her vision swam, but through the haze, she saw her uncle's face change.
For the first time in her life, she saw something unfamiliar in his eyes.
FEAR.
She looked up through her teary vision to see a tall man standing in the doorway. He was dressed in an expensive suit, his sharp features framed by the silver in his hair. But it wasn't his appearance that held her attention-it was the aura of power he exuded. His mere presence commanded the room, freezing everyone in place.
Jagdeesh took a few steps back, his face paling in a way that Anika had never seen before.
The man's gaze softened slightly as he looked down at Anika. He stepped forward, kneeling beside her, his touch gentle and full of concern-a stark contrast to the violence she had just endured.
"Are you okay, beta?" he asked, his voice calm, a surprising kindness in his tone. Anika stared at him, still too stunned and broken to respond. She didn't know who this man was, but seeing the terror in her uncle's eyes told her everything she needed to know.
This man, whoever he was, was far more powerful than her uncle-and that terrified her even more.
As Anika's heart pounded from the chaos unraveling before her, little did she know that the chain of events leading to this moment had already been set in motion the day before...
One day ago.
The room was a display of wealth-lavish, but not overly extravagant. It exuded a sense of cold authority, much like the man who called it home. The polished marble floor gleamed under the soft light from the chandeliers that hung from the high ceiling, casting a subtle glow over the space. The room's walls were lined with deep mahogany wood, dark and rich, giving the space an almost oppressive air. Expensive, understated art adorned the walls, but the real centerpiece was the plush leather sofa in the middle of the hall, a piece that commanded attention.
A man in his forties sat on the edge of the sofa, a cup of coffee untouched on the table before him, his foot tapping anxiously against the cool marble. His face was set in deep thought, the tension in his brow and the way his fingers gripped the arm of the sofa giving away his unease. He didn't belong here.
The grand doors of the mansion creaked open, breaking the heavy silence, and the man immediately straightened, his heart pounding in his chest. Rudra entered, his steps echoing across the marble floor with an undeniable authority. His presence alone seemed to darken the room. The man stood, hesitant, reaching out as if to stop his son.
"Get out, Mr. Randeep chakravarti," Rudra's voice was cold, filled with controlled rage, as he walked past without even glancing in his father's direction. "You're not welcome here."
Randeep flinched but forced himself to speak, his voice cracking under the tension. "Rudra, please... listen to me. It's important."
Rudra didn't break his stride. His footsteps continued toward the grand staircase, his back turned to the man. Desperation clawed at Randeep as he blurted out, "It's about Eclipse!"
That made Rudra stop, his body tensing as if bracing for battle. He turned slowly, his dark eyes locking onto his father, burning with suspicion. "How do you know?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous, filled with the promise of violence.
Randeep allowed himself a small, bitter smile. "I know more than you think, Rudra. I know who's been sabotaging your project, and I can help you find them... but you'll need to do something for me first."
Rudra's silence was chilling, his expression hard and unreadable. Randeep swallowed, knowing he was walking on thin ice. He had to push forward. "You need to get married."
A dark shadow crossed Rudra's face. His hands clenched into fists, the muscles in his arms straining as he barely held his rage in check. "I advise you to leave," Rudra said through gritted teeth, his voice vibrating with anger, "if you don't want to end up dead, Mr. Randeep Chakravarti."
"When have you not wanted to kill me?" Randeep sighed, knowing his son's fury all too well. But he pressed on. "There's a woman, Rudra. She needs you... she needs your protection. Please, listen to me this once. It's not even a real marriage, just for six months. After that, she'll leave. Just give her your protection until then."
"I don't care!" Rudra's voice boomed, rattling the silence in the grand room. He turned to leave, but Randeep played his last card.
"It was your mother's last wish."
Rudra's body froze. His breathing deepened, and the air around him thickened with tension. He turned back to his father, fury blazing in his eyes. In a heartbeat, he stormed forward, grabbing Randeep by the collar, his face inches from his father's, his voice filled with venom. "Don't you dare mention her... I'll kill you!"
"I'm not lying, Rudra!" Randeep pleaded, trying to hold his ground despite the fear coursing through him. "It was her last wish-"
Before he could finish, Rudra shoved him hard, sending him sprawling to the cold marble floor. The sound echoed through the vast room. Randeep staggered to his feet, dusting off his suit, his breath ragged.
"You think you can manipulate me into marrying someone by using her name?" Rudra seethed. "If you don't leave now, I'll make you leave this mansion with one leg."
As Rudra turned away again, Randeep played his final, desperate hand. From his pocket, he pulled out a small device and pressed play.A faint click echoed in the room, followed by silence. Rudra stopped, feeling an unusual tension in the air. And then he heard it.
Her voice.
"My beta will protect her," the recording played.
Rudra's breath hitched, his heart pounding so loudly that it seemed to echo through the vast hall. He knew that voice, the voice that had been lost to him for so many years. The warmth, the tenderness-it belonged to the one person whose absence had hollowed out his heart. His mother.
His mind raced back to a time when life was simpler, filled with warmth and safety. He could almost feel the gentle touch of her hand on his hair, soothing him to sleep. The scent of jasmine, the soft clinking of her bangles-it was all there in that voice, a voice that had always made him feel human."Rudra... beta, you will protect her, na?"
His legs faltered, his knees threatening to give way under the weight of the memory. His mother's voice filled the room again, laced with love and concern, the way only a mother could sound.
"Promise, beta?"
The pain of that question hit him like a dagger to the chest. He remembered. He remembered the way he had looked up at her with those innocent eyes, the way she had made him feel like he could conquer the world with just one word from her.
"I promise, Mumma." The voice of a child-his voice, softer, younger, untainted by the brutality of the world.
The recording played the faint sound of her laughter, that light, delicate laughter that once made everything in his world right. And then, as if she were still there, she spoke again, "My Rudra will always keep his promises."
A shiver ran down Rudra's spine. His mother had believed in him, in a way no one else ever had. He had made a promise to her once, in a time when his heart wasn't a hardened, blackened stone. The memory was vivid, raw, and as real as if she were standing before him now.
Rudra clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. His rage, his hatred, it all crumbled under the weight of that single, innocent promise. The promise he had made, when life was still untouched by darkness.Randeep stopped the recording and looked up at his son, his face filled with a sadness that hadn't been there before. "It's true, Rudra. She asked you to protect her, to keep her safe. Keep your promise."
Rudra stared at the floor, torn between his memories and the hatred he had harbored for so long. He wanted to believe it was a lie, a manipulation. But he knew that voice too well. He couldn't deny the truth of it.
"If you think it's fake, I've sent you a copy," Randeep said, his voice softer now. "You can have it checked. But it's real, Rudra. That was her last wish before... before everything happened. And I couldn't protect her.I'm not asking you to forgive me"His voice broke slightly. "But I want you to keep your promise Rudra. Marry her, Rudra, just for six months."
Rudra finally lifted his head, his expression hard. "I don't need to marry her if all she needs is protection. I'll protect her, but I won't marry her."
Randeep's eyes lit up with hope, but he shook his head. "No, Rudra, it has to be marriage. Bringing her here like that would only bring more problems. You know the underworld, the eyes always watching. It would bring danger to her, and to you." He hesitated. "Please, Rudra... do this for your mother."
Rudra clenched his fists, his jaw tightening as he considered the situation. His father, sensing a shift, added quietly, "I've already sent you the details of who's messing with the project."
Rudra's eyes flicked up to his father, anger burning behind them. He realized there was no way out of this.
"Fine," Rudra spat, his voice cold and distant. "But remember this-she'll just be a girl under my roof. She'll have my protection, nothing more. And when the contract ends, she's gone. Not a second longer."
Randeep felt a surge of relief wash over him. He gave a small, shaky nod, unable to believe that he had walked out of Rudra Chakravarti's mansion with his life... and without a single bone broken.
________________
After what felt like months of relentless wakefulness, Rudra finally drifted into a deep slumber. The recording of his mother's voice played softly beside him, that familiar warmth wrapping around him like it used to.
For the first time in years, the sound of her gentle words lulled him into sleep, just like they had when he was a child. Though it only lasted a few short hours, it was the deepest rest he'd had in what felt like an eternity.
He knew then that the recording would become his nightly refuge, the only way he could escape the darkness within and around him. The voice, now forever sealed in a record, would be his only comfort in a world that had otherwise turned cold.
This chapter is shorter than i expected it to be but this is all i can do before my brain explodes 🥲. I'm sorry if it wasn't to your expectations but this week was hard for me. I hope you enjoy reading the chapter... If you have any doubts or questions do ask in the comments and please,please, please don't bring me to tears and just vote for the chapter 😭. I love you all. Bye, happy reading 💓
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