Did they ever... even consider her their daughter?

No. Never.

Because if they had... they would have loved her too.

They wouldn't have treated her like a burden.

They wouldn't have... like this... sold her away.

They wouldn't have listened to such insults about her... nor would they have ever said such things themselves.

And people like them don't even deserve respect. At least not mine.

So I did what I had wanted to do ever since I saw Myra crying alone in the rain.

I stepped forward... my jaw tight, fists already clenched-

-and punched Myra's brother.

Hard.

So hard that his head snapped to the side and his body lost balance, stumbling back before crashing onto the floor.

For a second... everything went silent.

And then suddenly... those parents, who had stood like lifeless statues while their daughter was being insulted... their faces finally changed.

Shock. Fear. Pain.

For him.

They rushed toward their fallen son, panic evident in their movements, their hands trembling slightly as they tried to lift him up.

Blood trickled down from his nose.

I watched it.

Unmoved.

Good.That felt right.

"Son-in-law, what have you done?"

Myra's father's voice came out sharp and angry, his brows furrowed deeply, his grip tightening around his son's arm as he glared at me with accusations burning in his eyes.

"You have no right to say anything about Myra-what she is or isn't."

My voice was steady... but my eyes were cold. On Her Brother.

I pointed straight at Rahul, my finger rigid, my shoulders squared with a quiet warning.

"Whatever you've said till now is over... but from now on, I won't tolerate a single word against her."

Rahul slowly lifted his head, wiping the blood from his nose with the back of his hand.

His eyes locked onto mine.

Sharp. Provoking.

And I didn't look away.

I don't get angry easily.

And even when I do... I don't show it.

But when it comes to my people...

I don't hold back.

And today... I didn't.

People had started gathering around us now, whispers spreading, eyes watching every movement.

Myra's father stepped forward again, lips parting to speak-

But I raised my hand slightly, stopping him mid-step.

"The longer you keep me here, the bigger this scene will become,Mr. Srivastava."

I said, my tone calm but firm, my gaze unwavering.

"Just give me Myra's belongings. I'm leaving."

My eyes flicked back to Rahul for a brief second, something darker settling in them.

"I feel suffocated staying here."

This time... Rahul let out a low chuckle.

It wasn't amused.

It was mocking.

He wiped the remaining blood from his nose, straightened his posture, and stepped toward me despite his parents trying to hold him back.

"What were you saying?"

His voice dripped with sarcasm, his head tilting slightly, a crooked smile forming on his lips.

"That you won't even step into a house where your wife isn't respected... right?"

I didn't react.

I just looked at him.

Blank.

Still.

"Then tell me, dear brother-in-law..."

He took another slow step forward, eyes narrowing slightly, testing.

"What will you do about your own family? Your own house? Maybe she isn't respected there either."

For a fraction of a second... something flickered inside me.

A hit.

But it didn't stay for long.

"I'll Leave ."

My voice was quiet.

But absolute.

Rahul blinked.

The smirk on his face deepened.

"Just like that?"

His tone sharpened, disbelief mixing with amusement, his brows knitting together.

"So when it comes to your own family... you'll abandon Myra-"

"I'll leave both my family and that house."

This time, I looked straight into his eyes.

No hesitation.No doubt.

His expression changed.

The confidence slipped.

"Do you even hear yourself?"

He snapped, anger replacing sarcasm completely now, his jaw tightening.

"You'd leave your family for a girl? Aren't you ashamed?"

"She's not just a girl."

My voice lowered, but it carried more weight now.

"She is my wife."

I took a step forward.

"And before that... she is a human,and she deserves respect too."

My gaze hardened.

"And if someone can't respect her... then I can't respect them either."

There was silence.

Heavy.

"And you..."

I continued, my eyes fixed on him with quiet intensity,

"should learn how to respect women. Something you were clearly never taught."

Rahul shook his head slowly, letting out a dry, mocking breath.

"I am a man."

He said it with pride, lifting his chin slightly, arrogance dripping from every word.

"I don't make a woman my weakness like you do."

He glanced down briefly... then back at me, a smirk creeping onto his lips again.

"I know exactly where a woman belongs."

Something twisted inside my chest, but I kept my expressions unhinged and said ,

"Then I am Sorry but ,You are not a Man"

And that totally made him lose his smile .

He turned and walked inside, his steps slightly unsteady but ego intact.

Moments later, he returned with a box.

Without a word, he shoved it into my hands.

I took it,Turned,And started walking away.

"Being your brother-in-law is the only reason I didn't do anything."

His voice followed me, louder now, filled with venom.

I stopped.

But didn't turn.

"Otherwise... you would've remembered that punch forever."

A pause.

"And the girl you trust so much..."

His tone dropped, darker now.

"One day... she'll make you realize that you were wrong,about her."

I didn't respond.

Didn't look back.

I just walked away.

🌺

When I reached home and handed Myra her box...

The way her face lit up-It was instant.

Her eyes widened, lips parting in disbelief before curving into the brightest smile I had ever seen on her face.

I had never seen her this happy before.

And somehow...That made me happy too.

"Are you happy?"

I asked softly, watching her closely.

"A lot!!!!"

She almost bounced in place, her excitement spilling through her voice, her eyes sparkling as she nodded rapidly.

She placed the box on the bed carefully, almost reverently, and sat down beside it.

I sat next to her.

She quickly took out a small purse, her fingers slightly shaky with anticipation.

From inside, she pulled out a tiny key.

She unlocked the box.

"Why is it locked?"

I asked, genuinely confused, watching her movements.

"Because my books are inside."

She said it simply, but there was something protective in the way she held the lid.

"So?"

I frowned slightly.

She started speaking-

"Because these are dark-"

And then she stopped.

Her body stilled for a second.Her eyes flickered toward me.

A realization.

An awkward smile immediately replaced it.

"I... I mean... these are love stories..."

She let out a small nervous laugh, avoiding my eyes now, her fingers quickly moving to take the books out.

"And It wasn't allowed at my house. If they found out... they would stop me from studying altogether."

She chuckled again, softer this time, but there was a faint heaviness behind it.

She began taking out the books one by one.

Then counted them.

"Yayyy! All 8 are here!"

She clapped happily, her shoulders relaxing, pure joy radiating from her face.

I couldn't help but smile.

"Thank you so much, Viraat."

She looked at me again-

And this time... her eyes were slightly glassy.

"When I had no one..."

Her voice softened, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the cover of one book,

"I used these to reduce my sadness."

She inhaled lightly.

"And I know it might feel like too much for you-"

"No, Myra."

I leaned slightly closer, my voice gentle.

"I understand."

She looked up.

"Just like My guitar is for me... these novels are for you.We can't compare them.Right?"

A small smile formed on her lips.Ans she nodded.

Then suddenly looked around the room, her brows pulling together slightly.

"Where should I keep them? Somewhere no one can see..."

We both searched the room.

There wasn't any place.

So quietly... she bent down and slid all the books under the bed.

She straightened up and clapped lightly, trying to sound cheerful.

"They'll be safe here. No one will see them."

I looked at her for a moment.

"You can keep them in the cupboard,"

I said, my tone softer now.

"They're special. Special things shouldn't be hidden like this."

She stepped closer.

Her gaze steady.

"You've hidden your guitar too, haven't you?"

I went silent.

She was right.

"I'm hiding them so no one sees..."

She continued, her voice calm but layered,

"...so you don't have to take a stand for me and fight your family."

"Why are you saying it like you're the reason for fights?" I asked her while looking at her face .

She shook her head immediately.

"I know I'm not,"

She said firmly, a small but confident smile appearing.

"And I will never think that."

She turned slightly away.

"It's their thinking... not mine."

Then she looked back at me.

Her expression softer now.

"But you do get hurt... don't you?"

I didn't answer.

Because she was right.

She let out a soft sigh... her shoulders dropping slightly as if she was carrying something heavy inside her.

Then she turned toward the bed, her movements slower now, quieter.

While adjusting the bedsheet, smoothing out the wrinkles with her hands she said ,

"So it's decided... they'll stay under the bed, okay?"

Her tone was light... almost casual.

I looked at her for a few seconds.

Just watched her.

And then... I nodded.

But inside...

Something didn't sit right.

I couldn't accept that the one thing that gave her comfort... her escape... had to be hidden like this.

Like it didn't deserve to exist.

Like she didn't deserve to have it openly.

And that thought alone-

Didn't sit well with me.

Not at all.So right there...I made a decision.

🌺

Around thirty minutes later...

My phone rang.

I glanced at the screen and picked up the call.

"Yes."

My voice was calm, but my mind was already focused.

"Sir, your parcel has arrived. We're outside."

A polite voice came from the other side.

"Okay, come upstairs."

"Alright, sir."

The call ended.

"What's coming?"

Myra asked lazily from the couch, still lying down, her eyes on her phone, her tone filled with mild curiosity but no real expectation.

"It's a surprise."

I replied, a small smile forming on my lips as I looked in her direction.

"For whom?"

She immediately sat up, her eyes lighting up with curiosity, her brows lifting as she looked at me expectantly.

"For you, Myra. Who else would it be for?"

I said, raising a brow slightly, amusement evident in my expression as I placed my phone aside and stood up.

"Really?"

Her voice carried a mix of surprise and disbelief, her lips parting slightly as she stared at me.

"Yes... little fighter."

I let out a small laugh before turning and walking out of the room.

A few minutes later...

I entered the room again, this time with the delivery guys behind me.

"Yes... here... bring it inside-yeah, keep it right here."

I guided them, pointing toward the space near the wall.

Once they placed it down and left, I turned toward Myra.

She had already gotten up from the couch and was now standing beside me.

Close.

Her eyes were fixed on the object in front of her.

A mix of confusion... curiosity... and surprise written all over her face.

"What is this?"

She asked slowly, her brows knitting together as she looked from the shelf... to me... and back again.

"It's a shelf, Myra."

I answered simply.

She stared at me for a second.

Then narrowed her eyes slightly.

"I know that, Viraat... but why? What are we supposed to keep in this? Everything is already set... all my things are in your cupboard now."

Her confusion was genuine.

Clear.

I finished the payment and watched the delivery guys leave.

Then I turned completely toward her.

"This is for your books, Myra."

I said softly.

"Your bookshelf."

For a moment...

She froze.

Her head snapped toward me.Her eyes widened.

The shock on her face was so pure... so unfiltered... that she couldn't even speak.

Her lips parted slightly.

Closed.

Opened again.

She looked at the shelf.

Then back at me.

And then again at the shelf.

As if trying to process what she just heard.

"This... this is for my books?"

Her voice came out hoarse, almost like her throat had gone dry.

I leaned down slightly to match her height, my voice softer now.

"Yes... your novels. Your special things.Your Escapism."

I paused.

"And now... they finally have a place."

Her eyes stayed on my face.

Searching.Processing.

And then suddenly-

She stepped forward.

And hugged me.Tightly.

Her arms wrapped around my neck, holding on as if she didn't want to let go.

"I can't thank you enough, Viraat."

Her voice was muffled against me... but I could feel it.

The emotion.The gratitude.

Something inside me eased.

I didn't even realize when my hand lifted and gently rested on her head, softly stroking her hair.

"You don't have to..."

I said quietly.

"It's enough that you're happy."

I paused.

Then asked, softer-

"You are happy... right, Myra?"

"A lot, Viraat..."

She leaned into me even more.

And that...

That made me nervous.

Not because I didn't want it.

But because somewhere...

I wanted this moment to stay exactly like this.

Unchanged.Untouched.

Just...Like this.

🌺

After that...

She carefully arranged all eight of her novels inside the shelf, her movements gentle... almost affectionate, like she was placing something precious, something alive.

Once she was done, she stepped back slightly and admired it.

"I must say... your choice is really good. This shelf is truly very beautiful."

She spoke with genuine admiration, her eyes scanning the shelf from top to bottom, her lips curved into a soft, satisfied smile. There was a light in her eyes-one that hadn't been there before.

"See... it has a glass door,"

I said, stepping beside her, gesturing toward it casually but watching her reaction closely.

"It can work like decoration too... and you can even lock it, so no one can see your private things without your permission."

As I said that, I took the small key and placed it gently in her palm.

She looked down at the key in her hand.

Then back at me.

And then suddenly-

"Yayyyy!"

Her face lit up instantly, her eyes widening with childlike excitement as she lifted the key slightly in the air like it was a tiny trophy.

She quickly turned toward the shelf, opened the glass door again, and locked it carefully... almost ceremoniously.

After that, she walked to the cupboard and placed the key safely inside, making sure it was hidden properly.

But then... she paused.

Her brows pulled together slightly.

She turned toward me again, confusion replacing the excitement on her face.

"But tell me one thing..."

She said slowly, tilting her head just a little, her eyes narrowing in curiosity.

"Why did you buy such a big shelf? I don't even have that many books."

I crossed my arms lightly, leaning against the wall, a small smile forming on my lips.

"This is an indication..."

I said, raising an eyebrow slightly, my tone playful but meaningful,

"...that you should increase the number of your books, Myra."

Her reaction was instant.

Her eyes widened dramatically.

"Huhh!!"

She placed her hand over her heart as if she had just been emotionally attacked, her expression turning overly dramatic.

"Once again... you've stolen my heart."

She said it with exaggerated emotion, but her eyes...

They weren't acting,They softened.

And something about that...

Did something insane to my heart.

(FLASHBACK ENDS)

🌺

And now...

That one shelf with 6 sections now gets filled up to 4 ,within just one month.

I must say she is obsessed with these Scary Book Cover ,Novels .

She had decorated the shelf with lights and tiny stickers.

And honestly...

It had become the second most beautiful thing in my room.

The first...

Is my wife,My little fighter.

But there was one problem.

She never let me touch those books.

Not even once.

She said they would distract me.

But honestly...

I wanted to know what this Distraction was ,What pulled her in so deeply.So intensely, every time she reads them .

I walked toward her slowly.

Leaning slightly from the side-

And suddenly snatched the book from her hands.

She gasped.

Her body jolted, eyes widening in pure shock as she looked at me like I had just committed a crime.

I glanced down at the page-

But before I could focus-

She lunged at me.

"Viraat, no... give it back!"

Her voice came out breathless, panic laced with urgency, her cheeks flushing instantly.

I lifted my hand higher, keeping the book out of her reach.

She tried grabbing it again.

I stepped back.

"Wait, Myra... let me see what's in it."

I said, a teasing smile forming on my lips, my eyes still scanning the page.

But before I could read-

"NO!!!"

She rushed toward me again.

Now I was near the wall.

My thumb held the page open like a bookmark.

And seeing her desperation...

Made me want to read it even more.

Her face had gone pale-

But her cheeks were still flushed.Fear.

And embarrassment.

Both.

"What is in this... that you're so scared and ...... Blushed?"

I smirked slightly, raising a brow.

Her blush deepened instantly.

"Give it back, Viraat!"

She almost whined now, her voice softer but more desperate as she reached for it again.

She ran toward me-

And I quickly ducked to the other side, laughing.

" Take it Yourself Myra"

Now she was chasing me...And I was running from her.

Both of us ,laughing.

Her laughter breathless.

Mine unrestrained.

And for a minute...

Everything else faded in this precious moment of us.

After running around like that for a few minutes...

I finally reached the edge of the bed and stopped abruptly.

Right in front of me, Myra stopped too.

Both of us stood there, facing each other.

Her hair was completely disheveled, strands falling over her face, slightly sticking to her forehead because of sweat. Her breathing was uneven, chest rising and falling quickly. Both her hands rested on her waist as she tried to catch her breath.

And honestly...

I wasn't any better.

My breathing was just as heavy, my chest heaving, one hand slightly raised as I steadied myself.

"Don't trouble me, Viraat... please give me my novel back."

She spoke between breaths, her voice slightly shaky, a mix of desperation and embarrassment clear in her eyes as she looked straight at me.

I paused for a moment... pretending to think.

Then nodded slightly.

"Alright... I'll give it back."

For a split second-

Her face lit up.

A soft smile appeared on her lips, relief washing over her features.

But just as quickly...

It faded.

"But before that..."

I added, raising the book slightly, my tone turning playful, a teasing glint in my eyes,

"You'll read this page out loud for me."

"No."

Her response was instant.

Sharp.

Her head shook immediately, eyes widening in refusal, her lips parting in protest.

I smirked again, tilting my head slightly as I watched her reaction closely.

"You know..."

I said slowly, dragging my words, my gaze fixed on her,

"this behavior of yours is exactly what's making me want to read this page even more."

"No, no... please try to understand, Viraat..."

She stepped closer, her brows furrowed, frustration clearly visible on her face now, her hands slightly raised as if trying to stop me.

"Please don't read it."

Her voice had dropped.

Almost pleading.

"Not this time, Myra."

My tone softened... but my decision didn't change.

And without waiting for her reaction-

I looked down at the page.

I noticed some lines were highlighted.

So I read them aloud.

So why are you just standing there... what are you waiting for? Come... and make me yours.

I paused slightly, a faint smirk forming on my lips.

"Oh... this is interesting."

Myra immediately rushed toward me again, trying to snatch the book, her face burning red now, panic and embarrassment mixing together.

But I held her back with my other hand, keeping her at a slight distance as I leaned away.

And continued,

The next highlighted line was on the next page.

Ahh... ahh... please... more... I need more...

I read it slowly this time.

Then glanced at her, raising a brow slightly, curiosity mixed with teasing.

"What is she asking for, Myra?"

She let out a frustrated groan, her eyes squeezing shut for a second before she tried grabbing the book again, even more desperately this time.

"Please... don't read further..."

Her voice was almost trembling now.

There was genuine fear in her expression.

I shook my head slightly, a mischievous smile still playing on my lips.

Whom do you belong to, baby? Tell me...

I continued, my voice lowering unconsciously as I read.

You... you... I belong to you...

And then... he thrusted deep into her Pu-

I stopped.Mid-sentence. I couldn't complete that sentence. No.

The words hit me the moment I said them aloud.

My expression froze.

And then-

My face heated up instantly.

Embarrassment spreading just as fast as hers had moments ago.

Now I know Why she always reacts the way when she reads these novels .

My eyes were still lingering to that one line, not believing my Wife reads all this .

But My grip on Myra loosened slightly at that moment.And that was all she needed.

She stepped closer quickly, reaching for the book-

And because I was already at the edge of the bed...

My balance shifted.

I could have steadied myself.

Probably.

But Myra-

Being the chaos she always was in my life....Didn't give me that chance.

She leaned in further, her entire focus on grabbing the book from my hand.

Because of that, the weight of her body pressed against me-

And my already unstable balance gave in.

The next second-

Both of us fell.Hard,Right onto the bed.

A loud thud echoed in the room as we landed, the mattress dipping under our combined weight, sheets crumpling beneath us.

And for a moment...Everything just....Stopped.

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

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