Chapter 24: Love Spoken in Bruises

The slap came without warning.

Poornima staggered back, shock blazing across her face as Veeresh’s voice cut through the room.

“Divorce?” he snapped. “We are married.”

He caught her by the waist before she could step away, pulling her against him, his grip tight with anger and fear tangled together.

“Listen to me,” he said, jaw clenched. “I took revenge because your family destroyed mine. My grandparents died because of the Rathores.” His breath was harsh, uneven. “In that process… I fell in love with you. But revenge mattered more. It still does—especially after the way your family humiliated me yesterday.”

Her eyes burned, but her voice didn’t waver.

“Then why marry me?” she asked quietly. “If I am your enemy’s blood, why bind me to you?”

That question struck deeper than she intended.

“I could have forgiven everything,” she continued, pain finally breaking through. “Every harsh word. Every wound. But after that night… you treated me like nothing. Like I was disposable. That broke me, Veeresh. I hate that I loved you. That part of me died.”

For a moment, something in his expression cracked.

He leaned down and kissed her—desperate, claiming, familiar.

“I am still the same,” he said against her cheek. “What I did that night was a mistake. But I loved you—every moment. The corridor kisses. My hand at your waist. The dance where everything began. Your honesty. The way your eyes trusted me.”

His voice softened, raw now.

“I wanted you. I still want you. I need you to breathe.”

She shook her head, tears spilling freely.

“I can’t, Veeresh. I’m hurt. I’m broken because of you.”

He kissed her again, slower this time, as if trying to convince both of them.

“You will,” he murmured. “Because you still love me.”

The truth of it crushed her. She did. No matter how much she fought it.

He pulled her into his chest, holding her tightly, like letting go would end him.

“We’ll sort everything,” he said. “You’re my wife. You belong to Veeresh—the man who broke you, ruined you… and will put you back together.”

He kissed her cheeks gently, possessively.

Poornima closed her eyes in his arms, tears soaking into his shirt.

Love hadn’t saved them.

But it hadn’t let go either.