Page 153 of Mrs. Rathore

He gently guided me back onto the sofa, sitting beside me, his hand never leaving mine. “These last five months have been torture, Avni. I couldn’t imagine coming back home if you weren’t in the picture.”

He leaned in and kissed me deeply.

“I love you, Avni.”

I froze, heart thudding. His eyes didn’t waver. “I really love you.”

A tear slipped down my cheek. “Did I tell you I love you too?” We both laughed through the ache.

“I already got a three-month holiday.”

“Wow.”

“I want to be here for everything.”

I leaned back, smiling. “Can I come with you after the baby?”

He arched an eyebrow. “What about your dance career?”

“I’ll think about that later. For now, I want to be wherever you are.”

His eyes lit up. “I’ll apply for a quarter. But it’s a remote area. No big hospitals, no fancy facilities…”

“I’ll live anywhere, as long as I’m with you.” I reached for his hand again. “I can’t believe you’re sitting next to me.”

He looked at me with so much emotion. “Your performance today…” His voice faltered. “It brought tears to my eyes. You were… fierce. Stunning. Just… beyond words. You’re beautiful, Avni. And I’m proud to be your husband.”

“And I’m proud to be the wife of the bravest man I know.”

He stared at me for a long moment.

“Promise me you’ll never leave me again.”

I smiled, wiping a tear from his cheek. “Only if you promise you won’t push me away again.”

We laughed, and I rested my head on his shoulder, letting his warmth, his breath, and his love wrap around me like a blanket.

I’m his.

And he’s mine.

_______

Chapter 62

ARYAN

“You have no idea how much I missed you, Ballerina,” I said, my gaze locked on the most beautiful woman in the world.

Avni shivered beneath my touch, her body trembling under the weight of my stare—one that burned with five months’ worth of hunger I could no longer contain.

God, I missed her. I missed her like the sun misses the moon, like the earth aches for rain.

“No one at home?” she asked, glancing around the quiet, empty house.

“Rhea and Mom went to visit Father where he’s posted. That leaves just us… alone in this whole mansion.”

I had sent the servants away early because tonight, I didn’t want any interruptions.