Third person's pov!

The event reached its peak as the soft glow of fairy lights blended with the warm hue of moonlight. The crowd, which included celebrities, designers, and affluent clients, had their eyes glued to the ramp.

Models dressed in BelleAura's stunning bridal line walked smoothly, each stride demonstrating the quality of the pieces.

Glistening embroidery, delicate lace, and the finest silks swayed in rhythm with the ocean breeze. Diamonds and gold jewels sparkled. Gasps and murmurs of admiration echoed as the final segment began—couples in coordinating bridal and groom attire. The spectacle was grand, elegant, and utterly mesmerising.

Dhruv took advantage of the cheering and chants. He moved close to Shraddha, his voice low.

"Let's take a step away. I need to talk to you."

Before she could object, Dhruv softly grabbed her wrist, solid but not aggressive and moved her away from the gathering. Startled, Shraddha looked about to see whether anyone noticed their unplanned escape. They moved across the grounds of the venue, Dhruv's speed quick yet deliberate, until they reached the rear of a small wooden cabin tucked away from curious onlookers.

The distant hum of the event was muffled here, replaced by the soft rustling of leaves and the gentle crash of waves against the shore. Shraddha yanked her hand free, her eyes flashing with indignation.

"What do you think you are doing, Dhruv?" She snapped, crossing her arms over her chest. "Dragging me away like this?"

"I needed to talk to you," Dhruv said, his voice steady but faintly frustrated. "And let us face it, Shraddha, you weren't going to give me that chance willingly."

"You think you can just draw me aside whenever it suits you?" Furious at him, she jerked back. "We are not-"

"Don't," Dhruv said, his voice stern but not harsh. "Don't complete the phrase. Because, regardless of your perspective, we are. Shraddha, we are still married."

She laughed bitterly, then dropped her arms to her sides.

"Really? Then please show me our marriage certificate." Shraddha demanded and Dhruv paled.

"Shraddha..."

"Our marriage isn't even registered, Dhruv. Did you ever plan to? I don't think so. Maybe you thought once you were bored of me, you could easily dispose of me off your life if there is no legal binding to our marriage.." Shraddha said bitterly.

"That's not how it is.. You know about the truths that came out, Shraddha. I wanted to-"

"Save it, Dhruv. I have come to realise that you have an excuse ready for everything. But I don't trust you." Shraddha said and Dhruv cursed under his breath.

"We're two people who are too stubborn for our own good. And I won't pretend that I don't care when I do. I care, Shraddha. " He stepped closer, his gaze intense as he looked into her eyes.

"You have a strange way of showing it—lying, manipulating, keeping me in the dark about everything." Shraddha's breath hitched, but she quickly masked it with a scowl.

Dhruv ran his hand through his hair, his frustration palpable.

"I did not lie to you. And I didn't purposefully keep things from you. It all just happened."

"Lies," she replied, her voice shaking with anguish. "You have hurt me, Dhruv. You betrayed my trust in you."

"I know," he replied softly, taking another step closer. "And I hate myself for it every single day. But I am standing here, asking for a chance to make it right."

"It's not that simple." She looked away, her resolve wavering.

Dhruv reached out, gently cupping her chin and turning her face toward him.

"It can be," he murmured, his voice tender. "If you let it. If you let me."

"Do you know how empty that house feels without you? How quiet has it become?" Dhruv asked softly.

Shraddha opened her lips to respond but came short of words.Dhruv ran a palm down his face, his irritation tinged with despair.

"You went and the light seemed to have been sucked out of my life, Shraddha. I go to bed expecting to wake up to see you there, yet every morning I am disappointed all over again."

"Spare me the melodrama, Dhruv," Shraddha said, her voice faltering somewhat. "You don't get to play the victim here."

"Oh, I am not playing," Dhruv said, his voice hardening. "Do you think this is simple for me? Acting as though I am under control while, in fact, I am falling apart?"

"You really have a knack for making this all about you, don't you?" Shraddha scoffed, disguising her guilty feelings.

"I am telling you the truth," Dhruv said firmly.

"Really, Dhruv? Because from what I hear, you have been busy buying air conditioners. Sid saw you yesterday at a store. Six air conditioners, was it? Is that your way of missing me?" Shraddha scoffed, pulling back. Dhruv sighed, shaking his head.

"Your brother is becoming a noose around my neck, Shraddha," he muttered.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Her glare sharpened.

"It means," Dhruv said, his tone measured, "that I was preparing for the future. Your family, Shraddha. When they come to visit or stay, I want them to feel comfortable. Every room should be ready to welcome them because that's what you would want. That's what we would want. I even baby proofed the house because there are two babies in your family."

"You are so confident that I'll come back to you." Shraddha stared at him, her eyes widening in disbelief.

"It's not confidence. It's a belief. I cannot live without you, Shraddha. And I will do everything in my power to bring you back. To make you trust me again." Dhruv's lips curved into a small, sad smile.

His voice was soft, yet resolute. The promise in his words sent an involuntary shiver down her spine, her resolve shaking ever so slightly. But she refused to let him see how deeply his words affected her.

They stood silently for a minute, the tension palpable between them. Shraddha's eyes scanned his, as though in quest of the authenticity she so yearned for. Dhruv, on the other hand, waited with baited breath, his heart hammering as he silently begged her to take the plunge.

She opened her mouth to talk, but before she could reply Dhruv closed the remaining gap between them, his lips capturing hers in a delicate but frantic manner.

Shraddha froze momentarily, stunned at the depth of his feelings. Her defences started to fall, though, gradually, and she kissed him back with hands grabbing the lapels of his jacket.

Dhruv deepened the kiss, his lips gliding over hers with relentless intensity. He angled his head, his breath mixing with hers, and gently urged her response, leaving her shaking. His hands slid from her face to her waist, drawing her closer; their bodies squeezed together as if to heal the distance that had too long separated them.

His lips trailed away from hers in feather-light strokes across her jawline. Shraddha gasped quietly, her head slanted to the side as his mouth landed on the sensitive area right under her ear. Dhruv stayed there, his tongue and lips caressing the sensitive skin and causing her to sigh softly.

Her fingers caught in the fabric of his jacket, her knuckles brushing against the constant thrum of his heartbeat. Dhruv's hands, as if guided by instinct, traced a slow path along her sides, his hand moving up to cup her breasts and gently squeeze them.

Shraddha gasped at that intimate touch after so many days. His fingers created havoc over her body.

"Dhruv...," she said, her voice shaking with a mix of longing and vulnerability.

Dhruv placed his forehead against hers as they eventually pulled away, both of them breathless.

"I'll fight for you, Shraddha," he said, his voice raw with passion. "For us."

"Then show it, Dhruv. Show me that this is not only another game for you." Shraddha closed her eyes, her heart a jumble of hope and terror.

"I will," he said, his hold on her as if he were terrified to let go. "You will see, Shraddha. I am not going anywhere."

A/N

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SF❤️