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Chapter - 14.

"I… I came to check on you," she stammered, feeling an unfamiliar fear creeping into her chest.

His laugh was dry, humorless.

"You want me to stay away, right? And now, suddenly, you’re concerned about me? Why?"

She could sense the bitterness in his voice.

"Rudraksh, I—"

"Don't call me 'Sir.' I have a name," he cut her off, finally turning to face her.

Shivanya took an involuntary step back. His face was worn, his eyes red and bloodshot. The strong scent of alcohol lingered on his breath.

His piercing gaze locked onto hers as he took slow, deliberate steps forward.

"Tell me, why are you here?"

His voice sent a shiver down her spine. He was inching closer, and before she realized it, she had backed into the wall.

He raised his arms, trapping her between his body and the cold surface.

"I already told you…" She tried to maintain her composure, but her voice wavered slightly.

His grip tightened around her wrist. "Do you love someone else?"

His question caught her off guard.

She frowned. "What? I don’t know what you’re talking about—"

His fist collided with the wall beside her head, making her flinch. The sound echoed through the silent room.

"Why didn’t you tell me that you love someone else?" His voice cracked with emotion, but his anger masked the vulnerability beneath.

Shivanya’s eyes widened when she saw blood trickling from his knuckles.

"Rudraksh, you’re hurt!" she exclaimed, reaching for his hand.

But he yanked it away.

"Yes, I’m hurt. But you don’t need to care," he spat, turning away from her and sinking onto the bed.

Shivanya swallowed the lump in her throat. He was drunk, wounded—both physically and emotionally.

She took a deep breath, pushing her own feelings aside.

"I will answer all your questions," she said softly.

"But first, where is the first-aid kit?"

He didn’t respond.

"Leave, Shivanya," he muttered, his voice hoarse. "Before I say something I regret."

She didn’t move.

Instead, she knelt in front of him and carefully tore a piece of fabric from her dupatta, gently wrapping it around his bleeding hand.

His body tensed at her touch, but he didn’t pull away this time.

"Why are you behaving like this?" she whispered, looking into his stormy eyes.

He averted his gaze.