His Replaced Bride

Note: Adult content ahead. Skip if that kind of things makes you uncomfortable. Marked with a #

The past three days have been surreal. Living with Sahil, Anaya, and Aarav has been an experience I never thought I'd have. It feels... good. Better than good, actually. Every moment has been filled with laughter, stories, and a warmth I didn't realize I was missing.

But tonight, as I lie in my bed staring at the ceiling, the glow of my happiness dims just a little. I miss Dhruv. I miss his voice, his touch, and the way his presence grounds me.

I pick up my phone, scrolling through our messages before I press the call button. It barely rings once before he answers.

"Jeea," his voice is low and husky, and I can tell he's smiling. "I was just thinking about you."

"Were you?" I ask softly, my fingers playing with the hem of my nightshirt.

"Always," he replies. "How are you doing? Are they treating you well?"

"They're amazing," I say with a smile.

"I'm glad or else-"

"Ah-ah-ah, don't finish that sentence, Mr. Rathore," I cut him off, grinning into the phone. "They're my family."

He lets out a soft scoff. "Only reason why they're allowed to keep you away from me for so long."

"It's just been three days," I remind him, even though I secretly love how dramatic he gets when he misses me.

"As I said. Too long."

I laugh, the sound echoing through the quiet of my room. God, I missed this—his voice, his warmth, the way he makes everything feel like home, even over the phone.

"How're you feeling?" Dhruv asks.

"Good. Great, even but... I miss you, Dhruv."

There's a pause on the other end, and then his voice drops, sending a shiver down my spine. "I miss you too. More than you know."

I swallow hard, my pulse quickening. "Really?"

"Really," he murmurs. "You have no idea how hard it is to fall asleep without you next to me."

His words send a spark through me, and I bite my lip, heat pooling in my stomach. "I didn't know you were so attached to me, Mr. Rathore."

"You've ruined me, Mrs. Rathore," he says, his voice rough and teasing. "And now, I can't stop thinking about you. About your voice, your touch... your body."

My breath hitches, and I shift on the bed, my heart pounding. "Dhruv..."

"Tell me," he says, his tone commanding yet soft. "Are you thinking about me right now?"

"Yes," I whisper, my voice trembling.

"Good," he replies. "Because I'm thinking about you. About how beautiful you looked that night, how soft your skin felt against mine, and how much I want to be with you right now."

My cheeks burn, and I close my eyes, letting his words wash over me. "I wish you were here."

"Touch yourself," he says, his voice dropping an octave. "Pretend it's me."

My breath catches, and I hesitate. "Dhruv..."

"Please," he whispers. "For me."

"I don't know how. I've never done this." I say and he sighs, not an irritated sigh but one that signifies his barely restrained desire. Like he's trying to control himself. "You're the only person who's ever touched me like that."