(Continuation of the scene in the last chapter)

As Tania realized what she had done, her excitement faded, and a cold wave of awareness hit her. She quickly broke the hug, stepping back, her face hardening.

"Put me down," she demanded quietly, her tone returning to its usual guardedness.

She avoided looking into his eyes, still flustered but now wary of the man who had caused her so much pain.

Sarfaraaz’s grip loosened, and he gently set her on her feet, though his intense gaze lingered. He didn't say anything for a moment, but there was no softness in the air between them. It was as if the brief moment of warmth had never happened.

Tania took a step back, putting some distance between them, her excitement for the study opportunity now tangled with the bitterness of her past interactions with him.

"Thank you... for the books," she said, her voice steady but distant. "But this doesn't change anything." Her eyes flickered to the medical books he had offered, a reminder of the life she once had, but her tone remained cold.

Sarfaraaz’s face remained impassive. He didn’t force words of apology or any grand gestures, only nodding slightly.

"Study as much as you want," he replied, his voice carrying the same command it always did, but perhaps with a hint of something more. A way of making up.

He was sorry for tearing her book that day. But he could not find a way to say sorry to her.

And he also thought she would be happy for a longer time not just for a brief moment.

Then, without waiting for her response, he turned and left her alone with her thoughts.

________________________

A week later

After their interaction at the study, Sarfaraaz had kept his distance. He’d given Tania space, allowing her to study without his presence looming over her.

He stayed at his secret house and at the company  maximum time, kept himself busy handing his business in both the underworld and his software company. But he did come home at night to see his nephew and a glimpse of her... but could not have the heart to face her.

But it was tormenting him. He never imagined her absence would feel so suffocating, as if he’d made a habit of seeing her face every day, hearing her voice, feeling her presence.

Now, in the middle of the night, Sarfaraaz found himself in her room, standing by her bedside as she slept peacefully. He watched her, vulnerable and serene, as if she was in another world...one far away from him.

"I never thought I’d end up like this," he muttered softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Seeing you like a thief, sneaking into your room... because distancing myself from you feels like hell."

Carefully, he reached out and brushed an unruly lock of hair away from her face. His fingers lingered, and he took in the sight of her sleeping peacefully, as if she were untouched by the storms he’d brought into her life.

"I miss your scent..." Sarfaraaz whispered, his fingers brushing lightly over her hair. "It’s been days since I’ve let myself... take in YOU... in my senses."

He paused, his jaw tightening as he fought the war inside himself. "But I know... this is the only way to keep you safe from my demons. I need to handle them first. I need to protect you....from me."

He let out a soft, almost broken sigh, his hand pulling back as if the closeness burned him. "But... I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to deal with them...alone. Every night, my past haunts me like hell, dragging me back into the dark. And every night... I think of you."

He closed his eyes, leaning in just close enough to hear her gentle breathing. "It's strange....I think I need you, Hazel... but I can’t ask that of you. Not after everything I’ve done."

________________________

It's been a few days now, and I’ve started to feel a glimpse of my old life creeping back.I’m back to my studies.

Though it's from home, it’s more than I could have asked for, considering the situation I’m in. It's strange...almost too good to be true.

I’ve stopped doing the cleaning, like he asked, but I can't stop cooking. It's become a habit for me. And he still eats what I make, as if we’re living some bizarre version of normalcy.

Since that day, he's kept his distance. And for that, I’m thankful. The silence between us has been... peaceful, but it’s laced with uncertainty.

I don’t understand why he’s doing this. Maybe he thinks giving me space will undo the damage he’s caused, but I’m still afraid.

I’m always afraid. Afraid that he’ll snap like last time, and the cycle of hurt will start all over again.

I can’t allow myself to believe he’s changing, not after the way he’s treated me. I was wrong to think so once, and I paid for it, both mentally and physically. I can’t afford to make that mistake again.

I don’t know if I’ll ever get the chance to fulfill my dream of becoming a doctor, of saving lives, when I can’t even step out of this house.

But for now, I just want peace. I’m so tired... Tired of his unpredictable mood swings, tired of being hurt. I just need a moment where I don’t have to be on guard, waiting for the next storm to hit.
.
.
.
I snapped back from my thoughts as the doorbell rang, echoing through the vast, empty house. I walked over to open it, only to find Shanaya standing there in her usual elegant form, a vibrant smile lighting up her face.

She started coming to this house too often and spent time with me. But it is strange she went out before Sarfaraaz's arrival. 

She is sassy and friendly even though she is older than me. I liked her presence even though our personalities are poles apart. She is bold like her cousin..Sarfaraaz. She is tall and confident maybe this is in their genes.

As I was alone in this big house her presence kind of lightened my mood.

"Hey, Tania!" she cheered before wrapping me in a bone-crushing hug.

"Hi... let me breathe first," I managed to say, half-laughing, half-struggling.

"Oops, sorry, babe!" She finally let go, a twinkle in her eyes. "Let’s go to your room."

As we headed upstairs, I couldn’t help but notice the bags she was carrying. She tossed them on my bed and grinned.

"You’re coming to my place for a casual gathering," she declared, as though it was already decided. "Just a few friends, nothing too crazy. I want you to meet some more sweet people...like me!"

My eyes widened in shock.
A gathering? At her place?

"No way I can go there. Your cousin would never let me," I said quickly, my heart sinking at the mere thought of Sarfaraaz finding out.

The last thing I needed was another storm.

But Shanaya, being her usual relentless self, simply waved a hand as if brushing away my concerns. "Sarfi won’t mind. Trust me, I know him better than anyone. He’s not going to make a fuss if he knows you’re with me."

Hearing her call him "Sarfi" stirred something deep inside me....something unsettling. I pushed it away as fast as it surfaced.

She is his cousin, she can call him by anything,  what's it to me?

"Shanaya, I don’t have a good feeling about this. He might get angry…"

"He won’t," she cut me off, giving me those puppy eyes that were impossible to resist. She kept pressing, until eventually, I agreed.

"Fine, but I don’t have anything to wear," I admitted, feeling awkward.

Most of my wardrobe consisted of simple skirts, trousers, shirts and traditional desi clothes.

"I came prepared." She winked, pulling out a stunning maroon party dress from one of the bags. "This is for you."

The dress was modest yet elegant, long-sleeved that felt both comfortable and unfamiliar. It was beautiful but so different from the clothes I’d been wearing since I’d been trapped in this house.

"And here," she added, pulling out a pair of high heels from another bag, "The perfect shoes to match."

I hadn’t worn heels in ages, not since those annual company parties my father hosted. I stared at them, my fingers trembling slightly as I traced the smooth surface. These shoes belonged to a life I’d lost.

"I don’t know if I can pull this off…'

"Of course, you can! You’ll be the most gorgeous one there." She reassured me with the confidence that I wished I had.

"Oh, and don’t worry about a scarf or hijab. It’s just girls, so you don’t need to cover up." she reassured me.

Despite her reassurances, a knot of unease tightened in my chest. But I tried to relax, reminding myself that it would only be for a few hours.

I finally relented and put on the dress, feeling both out of place and strangely excited. It fit perfectly, clung to me like the second skin, as if it had been made for me.

Shanaya helped me with light makeup..something I hadn’t done in what felt like forever.. Expect that day.. My marriage.

I should not think of that horrible  day...Tania stop!

She added a soft, nude lipstick that gave me a touch of elegance without being too much. She even braided my hair with practiced hands.When I looked in the mirror, I barely recognized the reflection staring back at me.

Was that really me?

It felt surreal, like I was watching someone else’s life unfold.

"I knew you’d look amazing," Shanaya said proudly.

I forced a small smile. "Thanks."

Once we were done, I followed her downstairs, my heart pounding in my chest. Stepping outside the house for the first time in what felt like forever filled me with a mix of uncertainty and fear.

What if he finds out? What if…
________________________

Tania, in her naivete , trusted Shanaya too easily, following her blindly into the unknown.

But what she didn’t realize was that Shanaya had far more sinister intentions brewing behind that friendly smile. Shanaya knew the real reason behind Tania and Sarfaraaz’s marriage, and it wasn’t love. It was revenge, pure and simple.

For a long time, Shanaya had observed the changes in Sarfaraaz since he’d married Tania. She knew him well...too well, in fact.

Before Tania, Sarfaraaz had  gone to the club when his heart was shattered, drowning his pain in liquor and meaningless distractions. She’d always been there, hoping that in his darkest moments, he’d finally turn to her. But he never did.

After Tania, something changed. He stopped going to the club altogether, except one day, like he didn’t need those distractions anymore. He had Tania now, and that realization stoked a deep, simmering anger in Shanaya’s heart. The rage burned hotter with every passing day.

Sarfaraaz was hers. He was supposed to be hers.

How could he be with someone as plain as Tania? Someone so... unremarkable? It didn’t make sense. It was an insult.

Her smile twisted into something darker as she tightened her grip on the steering wheel, silently laughing to herself while Tania sat beside her, gazing out of the window with innocent wonder. Perfectly unaware. She didn’t know the trap that was being set.

Shanaya's plan was already in motion.

Bringing Tania to the party was just the first step. She knew exactly how Sarfaraaz would react. He’d be furious if he found out his wife was shamelessly mingling with strangers, especially under Shanaya’s influence.

That rage would destroy whatever fragile bond Sarfaraaz and Tania had begun to build.

The car moved forward, the city flashing past them, while Shanaya’s mind raced with dark possibilities. Soon, Sarfaraaz will unleash his fury on Tania.

She laughed silently again. Tania had no idea what awaited her.

As they pulled up to Shanaya's house, Tania's eyes widened in disbelief. Extravagant lights flickered against the windows, and music blasted through the walls, the heavy bass rattling her chest.

It wasn’t the cozy gathering Shanaya had promised.Her heart sank as she saw groups of people...men and women..dancing wildly to the beat of the rock music.

This wasn’t her world, and being here without her hair covered made her feel exposed and guilty. She silently muttered a prayer for forgiveness to her Almighty, her stomach tightening in discomfort.

Turning sharply toward Shanaya, she said, "What is this, Shanaya? You told me it was going to be a small, intimate gathering. There are men here, and I came without my scarf or hijab! Send me home right now...I don’t want to stay here for another second."

Shanaya's eyes widened in mock innocence. "I’m so sorry, Babe! I didn’t know my friends would bring their boyfriends along. I promise, if I had known, I never would’ve brought you here."

Tania exhaled, trying to suppress her anger. "Fine, but send me home."

"You’ve been stuck inside for so long, Tania. You don’t need to dance or talk to anyone...just enjoy the atmosphere for a bit, please? Have a drink, relax. I’ll make sure no one bothers you, I swear."

Tania huffed, reluctantly nodding though her irritation hadn’t subsided.Shanaya handed her a glass of juice, smiling sweetly. "Just take this. You’ll be out of here soon, I promise. No one will come near you, and you’ll be fine."

Tania’s nerves were twisted. The unfamiliar setting, combined with her guilt about being in a mixed gathering, only worsened her anxiety. She felt eyes on her from all directions, the glances uncomfortable and invasive. She wanted nothing more than to escape.

Without thinking, she took the glass from Shanaya’s hand and drank it in one swift gulp, hoping it would help pass the time and calm her down.

But as the juice went down, something felt wrong. Almost immediately, her head grew heavy, and her body began to feel unusually light, as if the ground beneath her feet were shifting.

A strange heat coursed through her body, and soon, everything around her became overwhelming. The lights, the music, the people...it all blurred together.

What’s happening to me? she thought, her senses becoming duller with each passing second.

Before she knew it, she was moving..swaying to the rhythm of the music.She didn’t remember how she ended up in the center of the room, her body moving as if on autopilot.

Shanaya danced gracefully beside her, eyes glinting with satisfaction, but soon drifted away, leaving Tania alone in the middle of the crowd.Unaware of her surroundings, Tania continued to sway, her mind still hazy.

She didn’t notice the men inching closer, their eyes lingering too long on her as they surrounded her. One reached out, fingers hovering near her waist, ready to pull her into his grasp...

Then a sudden, sharp crash echoed through the room, freezing everyone in place. The music stopped abruptly, the vibrant lights dimming to a murmur.

All eyes turned to the source of the commotion, but Tania, caught in the haze of her intoxicated state, remained unaware.

It was Sarfaraaz.

He stood at the edge of the room, the remnants of a wine glass fountain shattered at his feet, his face twisted with an anger that darkened his already stormy expression.

His icy gaze locked onto Shanaya first, then shifted to Tania, who still swayed obliviously in the center of the crowd.

Without hesitation, Sarfaraaz strode across the room, his steps commanding, his presence making the men around Tania step back in fear. Tania mumbled the lyrics of the song that had been playing moments ago, unaware of the world around her.

Reaching her, Sarfaraaz pulled her by the waist from behind in one smooth motion. At first, she resisted, squirming weakly in confusion. But as she turned,  her glassy eyes focused on him, and she giggled, her voice sultry in a way it never had been before.

"Rayan... you came!" she slurred, wrapping her arms around his neck as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Sarfaraaz’s jaw clenched, his heart pounding in his chest as he carried her away from the crowd, away from the prying eyes, his fury directed not at her but at the situation she had been placed in.

His gaze flickered dangerously toward Shanaya, who stood frozen, watching them with a mix of fear and something darker. He took a bottle of wine and crushed it down furiously not averting his gaze from Shanaya who was shocked by this act.

While Tania murmured something hearing the sound irritably but tightened her grip on Sarfaraaz's neck.
________________________

I was supposed to be heading to Hungary, to fix yet another mess caused by one of my idiotic Mafia friends.

This time, he’d crossed paths with the godfather of the dark world over there...the same title I once held before I shifted my operations. The fool wouldn’t stand a chance if he faced that man again; he’d be dead before he could even plead for mercy.

Just as I was about to turn off my phone for takeoff, a call came through. My breath hitched, and an odd sense of dread tightened my chest. It was from the head guard back at home.

"What's the matter?" I demanded, my voice cold but laced with worry.

"Sir... Shanaya Mam took Tania Mam with her to a party at her house. I tried to stop them, but she wouldn’t listen."

A party.

At Shanaya’s house. My blood began to boil immediately. A party at Shanaya’s was another name for disaster.

"Why the fuck didn’t you call me sooner?" I growled.

"I-I did, sir. The call must’ve...."I cut him off and ended the call, fury coursing through my veins.

Damn it...

Tania had no business being at a place like that, least of all under Shanaya’s influence.

My chest clenched at the thought of what might happen to her in that environment. She was too innocent for Shanaya’s world.

I shot up from my seat, storming toward the jet's exit while dialing Rahat. "You go to Hungary and handle the situation. I have urgent business to deal with here," I ordered, my tone clipped, not leaving room for any questions.

As I sped toward Shanaya's place, a heavy knot twisted in my gut. I hadn’t seen much of Tania over the past few days, just glimpses of her sleeping form. But even with the distance, my mind was consumed by thoughts of her.

Shouldn’t the distance weaken the pull I felt toward her?

Instead, I felt more restless, more possessive with each passing day.

My knuckles turned white as I gripped the steering wheel, fury bubbling inside me.

Shanaya had crossed a line this time...she knew better than to involve my Hazel in her chaotic world.

When I finally reached Shanaya’s mansion, I jumped out of the car, my heart pounding in sync with the blaring music coming from inside. As I entered, flashes of lights blinded me momentarily, and the heavy bass of the music vibrated through my bones.

People danced wildly, laughing, drinking, oblivious to the storm I was about to unleash.

But it was the sight in the center of the room that made my blood freeze.

Tania...my Hazel..was dressed up like a doll..and surrounded by men. And worse, she was dancing.

Not in the shy, graceful way I knew she could have, but in a way that screamed of intoxication, of something foreign controlling her body.

Her movements were sultry, her hips swaying, her arms trailing sensually through the air. She was under some kind of influence, that much was clear.

My vision turned red when I saw one of the men approach her, his hand stretching out toward her waist as if to claim her.

Rage exploded in my chest, and before I even realized what I was doing, I grabbed a chair and hurled it at the glass fountain nearby, shattering it into pieces at my feet.The crash echoed through the room, cutting off the music.

Everyone stopped. Heads turned. Eyes widened. But all I saw was her.

She continued swaying, completely unaware of the chaos unfolding around her. The man who had been about to touch her froze, his hand hanging in midair.I stormed toward her, pushing through the stunned crowd.

Her back was to me, her body still moving and murmuring the song played earlier, and as I reached her, I grabbed her waist, pulling her firmly into my chest. She resisted at first, her body stiffening in my hold. But then, slowly, she turned her head, her hazel eyes meeting mine.Recognition flickered across her dazed expression, and her lips curled into a lazy smile.

"Rayan... you came," she giggled and wrapped her hands around my neck , her voice thick and sultry, nothing like the Tania I knew.

I exhaled sharply, my chest tightening at the sound of her voice. She was completely out of it.

This wasn’t her fault.

This was all Shanaya’s doing. I wrapped my arms around her tighter, scooping her up into my arms. At first, she protested weakly, but the moment she realized it was me, she relaxed, her arms looping around my neck, holding on to me as if I were her anchor in the storm.

"Yeah, I’m here," I muttered, my voice rough, trying to swallow the fury still burning in my chest.

But my eyes found Shanaya in the crowd, and the rage flared once again. She stood there, frozen, watching me with wide eyes. The smug satisfaction she usually wore was gone.

Good. She knew what she'd done. And she knew she'd have to answer for it. I gave her a look that promised consequences, a silent vow that this wouldn’t go unpunished. As a warning, a took a wine bottle and crushed it into shrads looking at her.

Tania startled in my arm and murmured irritably, "Shut the fuck up..Too noisy!"

My Édesem is cursing flawlessly!

Turning my back on Shanaya, I carried Tania out of the room, her head resting against my shoulder, her breath warm and soft against my neck. The room remained silent as we left, the partygoers too stunned to move.

Once we were outside, the cool night air hit me, calming my nerves slightly. I glanced down at Tania in my arms, her eyelids fluttering as if she was fighting sleep. Her head nestled into my chest, and despite everything, despite my fury, a part of me softened.

"Innocent," I whispered, more to myself than her. Too innocent for a world like this.

I placed her gently in the passenger seat of the car and shut the door.

But the moment I lifted her into the passenger seat, her eyes fluttered open, revealing a hazy gaze.

"Rayan..." she purred in a sultry yet innocent voice that sent shivers down my spine.

I didn't respond. Instead, I closed the door and moved to the driver's seat, my mind racing with a mix of anger and concern. She had already sat up straight, the intoxicating haze still lingering in her expression. Suddenly, her hand reached up to my jaw, turning my face to meet hers.

"Are you avoiding me, huh?" she asked, her tone playful yet probing, catching me off guard.

"No. We'll talk about it when you're sober, Hazel. Let's go home," I said, starting the engine and trying to keep my voice steady.

But before I could react, she unbuckled her seatbelt and slid closer, positioning herself right on my lap.

I slammed my foot on the brake, my heart racing.

"Damn it. Tania!" I cursed under my breath, my breathing becoming shallow as I felt her warmth against me.

"Hazel..." I struggled to find the right words, but it was too late. Before I could stop her, she pressed her lips against mine.

Damn, I missed this...her lips, the taste of her. But I knew I couldn't let this happen. She wasn't in her right mind.

I pulled back, my heart pounding. "Hazel, stop!" I said firmly, trying to regain control, but my voice lacked the authority I wanted it to have.

She hesitated, her eyes searching mine, a mix of confusion and desire reflected in her gaze. Then, almost reluctantly, she kissed me again, her lips soft yet demanding.

And my control slipped for a second. I end up kissing her back, hungrily.

Her lips molded against mine, soft and insistent, pulling me into a haze I hadn't prepared for. A groan escaped me, betraying the restraint I was trying so hard to maintain. My hands instinctively gripped her waist, pulling her closer as if my body had a mind of its own, craving her warmth, her touch.

The taste of her, a mix of sweetness and desire, clouded my senses. Her fingers slid up into my hair, tugging slightly, a silent plea for more. I answered with a desperate urgency, deepening the kiss, my tongue sweeping past her lips to explore the mouth I missed for weeks. She responded eagerly, her soft moan sending a jolt straight through me.

Heat coursed between us, the kind that left nothing but a dangerous hunger in its wake.

"I feel hot" she murmured.

Her hands wandered down my chest, stopping at my belt. My pulse quickened, desire throbbing through my veins like wildfire. I almost lost myself......

But something snapped inside me, a reminder of who she was, of who I was.

Not like this. Not when she wasn't in her right mind. I had to get us out of this situation before I lost control completely.

With a deep breath, I pulled back. I shifted her back to the back seat, laying her down gently. 

"If you don't want me to leave you on the road, stay still," I warned, my voice low but firm, hoping to maintain some ensemble of authority.

She pouted, a playful glint in her eyes. "You are so bad. Narcissistic Mafia husband!" she teased, crossing her arms defiantly, a hint of mischief playing at the corners of her lips.

This is the first time she addressed me as 'husband' that too  for not satisfying her.

Despite my frustration, I couldn't help but smile at her stubbornness. "You have no idea how bad I can be, Hazel," I replied, leaning closer, letting the tension simmer between us.

But I reminded myself to keep my head clear. I needed to protect her, even if that meant fighting against my own desires.

____________________

As we reached home, I took her in my arms again, but she wriggled slightly, pouting up at me with that innocent expression that always stirred something deep within me.

"No, don't touch me now... You didn't let me touch you," she said, her voice laced with playful frustration, her lips forming an adorable pout.

I smirked, trying to keep my tone steady. "If things between us weren't this twisted, Hazel, you have no idea what I would have done to you," I growled lowly.

Her giggle filled the hallway as I carried her to her room, the sound light and carefree, so different from the usual tension between us. I gently set her down on the bed. I took off her heels and let them fall on the floor.

"Good night, Hazel. Be a good girl and sleep," I murmured, brushing my thumb across her soft cheek.

But she wasn't done. "No. I don't feel sleepy... I'm tired of being a 'good girl.' Let me show you I can be bad too," she said in a hazy, almost mischievous tone.

Before I could respond she got down from the bed and she started swaying her hips, just like she did on the dance floor earlier.

She was already looking like a goddess in that maroon dress and those moves were intoxicating...

She moved closer, her sultry gaze fixed on me, making my breath catch. The heat between us became palpable, and every step she took ignited a fire I struggled to control.

"Fuck! Hazel, stop for God's sake..." I muttered under my breath, my fists clenched as I tried to suppress the desire surging through me.

She wasn't stopping. With no other option, I grabbed her and gently laid her down on the bed, hovering over her as she looked up at me with wide, excited eyes.

Despite everything, she looked so innocent...too innocent for the kind of thoughts racing through my head.

I sighed, pulling the bedsheet over her, wrapping her tightly so she couldn't move. I stood up, stepping back to regain my composure.

"What are you doing? Don't you want me, Rayan?" she asked in a pleading, puppy-eyed gaze, her tone teasingly sultry.

I groaned internally, hovering over her again, my face inches from hers. "More than anything, Hazel. But if I respond to you now, in the morning, you'll hate yourself more than you hate me. And I don't want to see you like that," I whispered, my voice dangerously low, every word laced with restraint.

I pulled back, running a hand through my hair as I looked down at her, still wrapped up like some gift I couldn't touch.

No. I couldn't do this....not after everything she'd been through, not when my anger still simmered just beneath the surface, not when the vengeance I'd built my life around threatened to destroy her.

She would hate me more if I did this. She'd hate herself, and I couldn't let that happen. I wasn't going to be the reason she broke even further.

"I'm not going to take advantage of you, Hazel. Not tonight. Sleep," I said, stepping away from the bed.

As I walked out of the room, closing the door behind me, I leaned against the wall, trying to steady my breath. Every fiber of my being screamed to go back, but I couldn't.

Not until I knew I could be the man she needed not the monster I still was.

__________________________

Sarfaraaz's breath was ragged as he stepped out of Tania's room. Every nerve in his body was on fire, his pulse pounding in his ears.

The sight of her...her hazel eyes sparkling with mischief and desire, the way she had pressed herself against him, so innocently tempting....had ignited something uncontrollable within him.

His jaw clenched as he walked towards his room, trying to shake off the heat coursing through his veins. It was maddening. The scent of her still lingered on his skin, her warmth, her touch..it all tormented him. His mind screamed at him to go back, to finish what she had started, to claim her as his.

But he could not do this when she wasn’t in her right mind. He still remember her regrets after he gave her maiden release..her first pleasure. So he can't broke her like that again.

Sarfaraaz stood at the threshold of his room, his hands gripping the doorframe, his knuckles white with the effort of restraint. Every muscle in his body was tense, aching for release. He let out a low growl of frustration, his eyes darkening with desire.

Damn it, Hazel.

He cursed under his breath. His little wife had no idea what kind of fire she had lit within him, and now he was burning alive in it.

But no matter how tormented he felt he can't lose control.

With a frustrated sigh, Sarfaraaz headed to the bathroom. He ripped off his clothes and turned the shower on full blast, the icy water cascading over his body. It felt like needles on his skin, but it wasn't enough to extinguish the flames raging inside him.

He closed his eyes, pressing his palms against the cold tiles, letting the freezing water pour over him. His chest rose and fell with uneven breaths, his mind replaying the way she had looked at him, the softness of her lips, the heat in her eyes.

He wanted her....more than anything... but he couldn't cross that line. Not until she chose him with a clear mind.

So he stayed there, under the cold shower, for what felt like hours, trying to calm the storm raging within him. The cold water couldn't quench the fire, but it was enough to help him maintain control.

He would endure this. For her.

When he finally left the shower, his body still ached, but the need had been pushed to the back of his mind. Sarfaraaz ran a hand through his wet hair, glancing at his reflection in the mirror. His eyes were darker than usual, a storm of emotions swirling within them, but there was a quiet determination there too.

He would wait.

Because despite the fire she ignited in him, Tania's trust meant more to him than giving in to his desires.

____________________________

For spoilers follow
author_safiyah2617