Richa noticed it slowly at first.A car behind her every time she stepped out.Two guards near the gate instead of one.Her phone lighting up with Aryaman’s name every hour.

“Where are you?”

“Who are you with?”

“When will you be back?”At first, she smiled. It felt like care.Then it started to feel like something else.

That evening, she tried to step out alone.“I’ll go to the market,” she said casually, picking up her bag.

Before she could reach the door, one of the guards stepped forward. “Ma’am, sir said you should not go alone.”

Richa froze. Slowly, she turned back.

“Aryaman said that?” her voice sharpened.

The guard lowered his eyes. “Yes, ma’am.”

Her grip tightened on her bag. “Move.”

“Ma’am…”

“I said move.”

But he didn’t.

Something inside her snapped.

Aryaman walked in an hour later, loosening his cuffs, his face tired but alert. The moment his eyes found her sitting on the couch, silent and still, he knew something was wrong.

“You tried to go out,” he said, not a question.

Richa laughed softly. Not amused. Not warm. “Tried?”

He exhaled, walking closer. “Richa, it’s not safe right now.”

“And locking me inside this house makes it safe?” she stood up, anger flashing in her eyes.

“I am protecting you.”

“No,” she shook her head, stepping closer to him, her voice trembling, “you are controlling me.”

His jaw tightened. “Watch your words.”

“Then watch your actions.”

Silence filled the room, thick and heavy.

He moved closer, towering over her. “You don’t understand the kind of threat you are under.”

“Then make me understand,” she shot back instantly. “Because right now all I see is my husband treating me like a prisoner.”

“You are not a prisoner.”

“Really?” her eyes burned into his. “Then why do I need permission to breathe outside this house?”

That hit something.

Aryaman ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident. “You think I enjoy this? You think I want to do this to you?”

“Then don’t.”

“It’s not that simple.”

“It is,” her voice softened for a second, but the hurt stayed. “Trust me to handle myself.”

His eyes darkened. “That’s exactly what I can’t do.”

She blinked. “What does that mean?”

“It means,” he stepped closer, his voice dropping, intense and raw, “if something happens to you, I will not survive it.”

The words hung between them.For a moment, her anger faltered.But only for a moment.

“So your solution is to cage me?” she whispered. “To take away my choices?”

“I am keeping you alive.”

“And killing me slowly while doing it.”

That broke whatever control he was holding.

He grabbed her wrist, pulling her closer. Not harsh enough to hurt, but firm enough to stop her from walking away.

“Don’t say things you don’t mean.”

“I mean every word,” she tried to pull free, but his grip tightened.

“Richa…”

“No,” her voice cracked now, emotion spilling through. “I married you, Aryaman. Not this fear. Not this control. I am not someone you can lock away and visit when you feel like.”

His eyes flickered. Pain. Anger. Conflict.

“I am scared,” he admitted quietly.“I have enemies who don’t fight fair,” he continued, his voice low, heavy. “And right now, you are the easiest way to break me.”

Richa’s chest tightened.

“But you don’t get to break me in the process,” she replied, softer now but firm.

They stood there, inches apart, both breathing unevenly.Finally, she reached up and pushed his hand away from her wrist.

“I need space,” she said.

He didn’t stop her this time.

That night felt colder than usual.The same bed. The same room.But distance filled every inch between them.Richa lay on one side, staring at the ceiling, her eyes burning.

Aryaman stood near the window, watching the darkness outside like it held answers.

After a long time, he turned.She was still awake.He walked toward the bed slowly and sat beside her.

For a moment, he said nothing.

Then, quietly, “I don’t know how to protect you without losing you.”

Her eyes finally met his.

“And I don’t know how to stay with you if you keep taking away who I am.”

He lay down beside her, hesitating for a second before pulling her gently into his arms.

She resisted,Just a little.

Then gave in.His hold was tight. Not controlling. Not forceful.

Richa rested her head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat, still upset, still conflicted.

“Don’t cage me,” she whispered.

“Don’t leave me unprotected,” he replied.Neither of them had the perfect answer.

Ch 37 HOME

The silence between them lingered, softer now but still heavy.

Richa slowly sat up, pulling away from his arms. The warmth he gave her… she wanted it. But right now, it wasn’t enough to quiet the storm inside her.

“I want to go home,” she said quietly.

Aryaman’s brows pulled together. “Home? This is your home.”

She shook her head gently. “My old home. Just for a few days.”

Something in his expression shifted. Not anger this time. Something deeper.

“Are you angry with me?” he asked, his voice lower than before.

Richa looked at him for a long second. Her eyes softened, but the distance remained.

“No,” she whispered. “If I was just angry, it would be easier.”

He didn’t interrupt.

“I just… need space,” she continued, her voice trembling slightly. “To think. To breathe. To feel like myself again.”

Those words hit harder than any accusation.

Aryaman looked away for a moment, jaw tight, as if fighting something inside him. Then he nodded once.“Okay.”

Richa wasn’t expecting that.

“You’re… agreeing?” she asked, almost unsure.

He looked back at her, his eyes tired but steady. “If that’s what you need, I won’t stop you.”

Her chest tightened.This hurt more than if he had argued.

She stood up slowly, walking toward the wardrobe to pull out a small bag. Her hands moved, but her mind stayed on him.

On the man who just let her go.A few minutes later, she turned around.He was still there, leaning against the bed, watching her silently.

That look… it pulled at her.

“Richa,” he called softly.

She paused.

“Come here.”

For a second, she hesitated.Then she walked back.The moment she was close enough, he reached for her, pulling her gently but firmly toward him.This time, she didn’t resist.

His hands came up to her face, holding it carefully, like she was something fragile.

“Just because I’m letting you go,” he said quietly, his eyes locked on hers, “doesn’t mean I want you to.”

Her breath hitched.“I know,” she replied.

There was a pause.Then he leaned in.

The kiss wasn’t rushed.

It was slow… deep… filled with everything they weren’t saying.Her fingers curled into his shirt as she leaned closer, closing whatever little distance was left between them.

It wasn’t about desire alone. It was longing. Fear. Love.

He pulled her closer, one hand at her waist, the other sliding into her hair, holding her in place as if memorizing her.Richa responded just as intensely, her walls slipping for a moment.

Because no matter how hurt she was…He was still her person.

When they finally broke apart, their foreheads rested against each other, breaths uneven.

“Don’t take too long,” he murmured.

There was a quiet vulnerability in his voice that he rarely showed.

Richa gave a faint smile. “I won’t.”

He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead this time. As she picked up her bag and walked toward the door, she felt his gaze on her the entire time.

She didn’t turn back.

Because if she did…

She might not leave at all.

And Aryaman stood there, unmoving, until the door closed.The house felt emptier in a way it never had before.

Not because she left.But because for the first time…

He let her.

......

CH 38 ABSENCE

The house felt wrong.Too quiet. Too still.

Aryaman stood in the middle of the room, his gaze drifting again and again to the door… as if she might just walk back in.

But she didn’t.

He hadn’t realized how much of his world was built around her presence.

Her voice.
Her footsteps.
The way she filled every empty space without even trying.

Now, everything echoed.He ran a hand through his hair, pacing slowly.He had meetings. Calls. Work that demanded attention.

But his mind refused to cooperate.Every thought led back to her.

Richa.

His jaw tightened as he picked up his phone, staring at her name.

He could call.

He wanted to call.

But he didn’t.

Because he knew… if he heard her voice right now, he would go and bring her back, space or not.

Frustrated, he dropped the phone on the table and leaned back against the couch, closing his eyes.

And that’s when it hit him.

A memory.

Clear. Sharp. Alive.

Flashback

It was late.

The room dim, lit only by soft warm lights.

Aryaman had just walked in, loosening his tie, tired from the day.

“Richa?” he called.

No answer.

He took a step forward.

And then suddenly—

Her hands.

She pulled him back by his collar.

Before he could react, his back hit the wall.

His breath caught.Richa stood in front of him, eyes locked onto his, something playful yet bold flickering in them.

“You’re late,” she said softly.

There was no anger in her voice.

Just… something else.

Something that made his pulse shift.

Before he could respond, she stepped closer.

Closer than usual.

Closer than expected.

Her fingers slid up his chest, slow, deliberate, feeling the tension in him.

“Missed me?” she asked, almost teasing.

Aryaman let out a quiet breath, his hands instinctively moving to her waist.

“Always.”

But this time, she didn’t let him take control.

She stopped his hands.

Held them.

Pushed them lightly back against the wall.

His eyes darkened, surprised.

“Richa…”

“Tonight,” she whispered, stepping even closer, her voice soft but firm, “you don’t lead.”

That was new.

And dangerous.

Before he could say anything else, she leaned in and kissed him.

Not hesitant. Not soft.

Confident.

Her lips claimed his, slow but sure, as if she had decided something and wasn’t going to back away.

For a second, Aryaman froze.

Then his entire focus snapped to her.

The way she held him there… the way she didn’t pull back… the way she took her time…

It drove him insane.

His hands tried to move again, but she caught them, pinning them lightly.

A small smile brushed her lips against his.

“Patience,” she murmured.

That was it.

Whatever control he had left slipped.

The moment she loosened her hold, his hands immediately found her again, pulling her closer, deepening the kiss.

But even then… she didn’t lose control.

She matched him.

Step for step.

Intensity for intensity.And in that moment, Aryaman realized something.

She wasn’t just someone he protected.

She was someone who could undo him completely.

Present

Aryaman’s eyes opened slowly.

His breath was uneven.

That memory… it felt too real.

Too close.He let out a quiet, frustrated laugh, dragging a hand over his face.

“She drives me insane,” he muttered under his breath.

Without thinking, he picked up his phone again.

This time, he didn’t hesitate.

He opened her contact.

Stared at it for a second.

Then pressed call.

As the phone rang, his heartbeat picked up slightly.

Not fear.

Not anger.

Something deeper.

Because no matter how much space she needed…

He wasn’t made to stay away from her for long.

(RICHA'S HOME)

It was supposed to feel comforting.Familiar walls. Familiar silence. The same room she had once called hers.

But something was missing.

Richa sat on the edge of her bed, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the bedsheet. Her bag lay unopened beside her.

She hadn’t even bothered to settle in properly.

Because nothing felt… right.

She had asked for space.

She got it.

So why did it feel harder to breathe now?

Her eyes drifted to her phone lying on the table.

Still silent.

No calls.

No messages.A small, almost bitter smile touched her lips.

“Of course,” she murmured to herself. “He said he wouldn’t stop me.”

And he didn’t.

He let her go… just like that.

But somewhere deep inside, she had expected something else.

A call. A message. A small break in his control.

Something that said he couldn’t stay away.

Her chest tightened slightly.

“Why do I even expect that?” she whispered, lying back on the bed and staring at the ceiling.

Her mind betrayed her then.Pulling her back into a memory she hadn’t planned to revisit.

Flashback

It was one of those quiet nights.Richa had been sitting on the bed, scrolling through her phone, when she felt his gaze.

She didn’t look up immediately.

She knew that look.

“What?” she asked casually, still pretending to focus on her screen.

No response.

That made her glance up.

Aryaman was leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching her with an intensity that made her pulse shift.

“What?” she repeated, this time softer.

He didn’t answer.He just walked toward her.Something about it made her sit up straighter.

But she didn’t move away.

He stopped right in front of her.Close enough that she could feel his presence… his warmth.

Still silent.

Still watching.

“Say something,” she muttered, trying to ignore how aware she suddenly felt.

Instead, he reached out and took her phone from her hand, placing it aside without breaking eye contact.

“Aryaman—”But before she could finish, he leaned closer.

That was it.

Something in her snapped.

She grabbed his shirt lightly, pulling him toward her before he could take control like he always did.

This time… she didn’t wait.

Her lips met his first.

Soft at the start.

Then firmer.

More certain.

For a brief second, she felt him pause.That small moment of surprise.And it made something spark inside her.Her fingers curled into his shirt as she deepened the kiss slightly, not letting him pull away, not giving him the chance to lead.

When she finally pulled back, just enough to look at him, her breath uneven, she saw it.

That look in his eyes.

Dark. Intense. A little undone.

“What?” she whispered, a faint smile playing on her lips now.Aryaman let out a slow breath, his hand coming up to her face, his thumb brushing her cheek.

“You’re dangerous,” he said quietly.

Her smile grew just a little.

“Only with you.”

And just like that, whatever control she thought she had slipped again…Because the next moment, he pulled her back into him, the balance shifting, but the intensity staying.

Present

Richa’s eyes closed slowly.

Her hand moved unconsciously to her lips, as if the memory still lingered there.

"Stupid,” she whispered to herself, turning to her side.

“Why am I thinking about this now…”

Because she missed him.More than she wanted to admit.

She sat up abruptly, grabbing her phone this time.Her thumb hovered over his name.

Aryaman.

Her heart beat a little faster.

Should she call?

No.

She was the one who asked for space.But still…

Just as she was about to put the phone down...

It lit up.

Her breath caught.

Aryaman calling.

For a second, she just stared at the screen. As if answering it would break something.

Or fix everything.

The phone kept ringing.And her heart kept racing.

Slowly… she picked it up.But didn’t speak immediately.

“Richa.”

His voice.

Low. Familiar. Too close, even through a call.

Her eyes closed for a brief moment.

All that space… and yet he still reached her.“Yes?” she replied softly.

There was a pause on the other end.Then, quieter than she expected—

“Did you eat?”She let out a small breath, something between a laugh and a sigh.

“No,” she admitted.

Another pause.Then, softer“Eat first.”

Her chest tightened again.

This man…

“You called just to ask that?” she asked, but there was no real complaint in her voice.

“No,” he replied.

A beat passed.

“I called because…” he stopped.

Richa waited.Her fingers tightening slightly around the phone.

“…this house doesn’t feel right without you.”

Silence.But this time…It wasn’t heavy.

Ch 39 you here? (18+)

Richa stared at the phone long after his words settled in her chest.

*This house doesn’t feel right without you.*

Her grip on the phone tightened slightly.

“Then get used to it,” she said, trying to sound firm… but the softness betrayed her.

On the other end, Aryaman let out a quiet breath. “I don’t plan to.”

Something about the way he said it made her heartbeat shift.

“Richa,” his voice came again, lower now, more certain, “tell me where you are.”

She frowned slightly. “Why?”

A pause.

Then simply, “Because I’m coming.”

Her breath caught.

“Aryaman, no—”

But the line went silent.

Call ended.

Her heart started racing.

“Unbelievable,” she muttered, standing up, pacing slightly. “He just… cut the call?”

But deep down, she knew.

He was already on his way.

And despite everything…

A part of her was waiting. It didn’t take long.

The sound of a car outside.

Footsteps.

Then the door opening.

Richa turned just as Aryaman walked in.Same intensity. Same presence.But tonight… there was something sharper in his eyes.For a moment, neither of them spoke.

They just looked at each other.

Days of distance… closing in seconds.Then suddenly, Richa smiled.

Not soft. Not emotional.

“Well,” she said casually, crossing her arms, “I didn’t know a big, scary mafia like you visits his wife secretly at night.”

There was a teasing glint in her eyes.

“And here I thought you’d at least try to act powerful and distant.”

That did it.Aryaman’s jaw tightened slightly.

His eyes darkened.

In two quick steps, he was in front of her.

Before she could react,Her back hit the wall.

His hand came up beside her, trapping her between him and the wall.

Not hurting.But not letting her move either.

“Say that again,” he said quietly.

Too quietly.Richa’s breath hitched for a second.

But she didn’t back down.Instead, she tilted her head slightly, that same teasing smile still on her lips.

“What?” she whispered. “That a powerful man couldn’t stay away from his—”She didn’t finish.

Because his other hand came to her waist, pulling her closer.

“You think this is funny?” his voice dropped, intense, right near her ear.

Her fingers instinctively curled into his shirt.

“A little,” she murmured, even as her heartbeat betrayed her.

He pulled back just enough to look at her.

That look. It wasn’t just anger.

It was restraint breaking.

“You asked for space,” he said, his grip tightening slightly, “and now you’re standing here provoking me?”

Her lips parted slightly.But she didn’t look away.

“Maybe I wanted to see how long you’d last.That was the final push.

Aryaman leaned in and kissed her.Harder than before.Not rushed… but intense.

All the distance, the frustration, the need… crashing into that one moment.

Richa gasped softly against his lips, but didn’t pull away.Instead, she responded instantly, just as fiercely.Her hands moved up, gripping him closer, erasing whatever space she had asked for.

The wall behind her felt cold.Him in front of her felt anything but.

His hand slid up from her waist to her back, holding her firmly in place as the kiss deepened, slower now but heavier… like he was making up for every second without her.When he finally pulled back, their breaths were uneven.

Foreheads almost touching.

“You’re impossible,” he murmured.

Richa gave a faint, breathless smile. “And yet you came.”

His hand moved to her face, thumb brushing lightly against her cheek, but his eyes still held that intensity.

“I told you,” he said quietly, “I’m not made to stay away from you.”

Her expression softened slightly.

But just slightly.

“Then don’t cage me,” she whispered.

That hit again.But this time… differently.

His grip on her loosened.

Not fully letting go.But not holding her like before either.

“I’ll try,” he said.

Honest. Raw.

Richa looked at him for a long second.Then slowly, she leaned in again.

Before she can take any action,he scooped her in his arms with an effortless graze,making my breath hitch.She circles her arms around his broad shoulder.putting her down on bed.

"I can't wait to taste you again"He whispered in her ear, making her look at him.

As he laid her completely,he tossed his tshirt upward throwing it.the hard lines of his chest and dangerous dip of his V- line.

I gasped when his fingers reached my top,he pulled it and kept it on edge of matress.

He hovered over me, weight supporting by his arms on either side of her head.

She bit her lip while caressing his chest reaching to broad shoulders. She moved her palm on ridge of his abs before resting her hand directly on his heart feeling rhythm of his beats.

He smiled and bent down to kiss her. He claimed her lower lip and his tongue swept inside. She moaned and gasped in his mouth.

Her bare chest rising and falling rapidly. The tips peaking under his steady, scorching stare.He traced her collarbone before resting his palm between her breast eventually cupping the left one.

She leaned her face upward placing light kiss on his jaw. His tongue swept over her left bosoms,and then took the bud in between his teeth.The wet heat of his tongue and stinging pressure of his teeth send Jolt in her spine.

He massaged my other breast while sucking the left one. After a moment He moved to other,while her hands played with his hairs.

Slowly his hand moved on waistband and pulling through her legs in one go.Her core clenched feeling his hand near her sensitive plot. He caressed her inner thigh moving upward until his palm pressed firmly against her centre.

She instantly moaned ahhhh.

He just cupped her core,and her sensation couldn't hold herself.

"You know you are so wet,and still you want space from me" He said tracing the edges of her inner thigh.

She looked away,and blushed.He is right.Her folds are already slick under his touch.

"Next time,I am gonna make you wear heavy gold anklets,so taht when I make love to you,the sound of them against my shoulder fills the room" He said looking at her legs.

His hands moved to her waist "and one waist chain,so I can take it off with my teeth" He placed wet trails on her waist.

His hand found her clit,and her world shakes with just the touch,then his tongue swept inside me,and her head fell back.He continued to suck her until pleasure become to coil on edge.

He hovered over her with his naked lower self.His hard manhood touched her inner thighs .It was hard yet soft against her skin.He held her hand pinning above as bangles clinked together.

He raised his midriff and stroked himself one or two times before placing it on her.

He parted her folds with his thick fingers and circled his hardness around it. Her eyes squeezed shut as he began to enter. His hand held her neck and cheek before pushing more in.

Her legs tried to clench when he is between her ,toes curled harder ,nails digged in his shoulders.

His mouth went to my bud and his hardness started stroking in her ,she wrapped her legs around his waist as she moved in sync.

He let out jagged breath and increased his pace, when it become so much for her,she cried along with moans ,tears fell down from her eyes.

He placed his lips on tears sucking them" just few minutes"

She nodded an her face reached to his shoulder as the moans muffle and his thrusts become deeper .

She moaned loudly and I felt his wetness inside me, before I can say something he increased his pace more.

And realising it He immediately pulled out half of it releasing on her thighs and he collapsed on her.She wrapped her arms around him.

He moved away laid beside her,locked eyes and both blushed.

They cleaned himself.

After it she lied back facing him intentionally,and he spooned her from behind "you have made me addicted for you, Richa"

She blushed and no one knows when they dozed off...