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Chapter 70 is updated in scrollstock have a look and enjoy.

Wishe me today , today is my birthday, so here is the birthday special udaye hehe

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Arjun’s POV:

After dropping that drama queen, Shalini, at her resort, I returned to ours. As I stepped into the room, a fond smile pulled at my lips when I saw my darling wife sprawled on the couch, sleeping uncomfortably. Her one hand dangled in the air, the other rested on her stomach, and her lips parted slightly as she breathed softly.

"Aww… my cutie baby," I murmured, moving closer. Gently, I lifted her in my arms, trying not to disturb her, but she stirred and instinctively wrapped her arms around my neck, burying her face in the crook of my neck. I couldn’t help the warmth spreading through me.

“You weren’t sleeping? ” I whispered softly, tilting my head to catch a glimpse of her face.

She shook her head slightly, not saying a word. Her silence told me more than her words could, and I knew immediately she wasn’t in the best mood.

“What happened, baccha?” I asked gently. She lifted her head a little, her eyes reflecting a tinge of discomfort and weariness.

“I got my periods today,” she mumbled, resting her head back on my shoulder, “that’s why I couldn’t sleep.”

The realization hit me. After our passionate night together, this was her first period, and it must be painful. My heart ached for her.

“Should I call the doctor?” I asked, carefully placing her on the bed, concern evident in my tone.

“No,” she whispered, clutching my hand, “I just want to hide myself in you.” Her voice was soft, almost vulnerable, and my lips curled into an involuntary smile. I knew exactly what she needed.

“Okay,” I said, smoothing her hair, “first, we’ll do something for these cramps, and then I’ll hold you all night.” I picked up the phone and called for a hot water bag and ice cream, knowing both might offer her some comfort.

Within a few minutes, one of our female staff members brought up the bag and ice cream. I gently placed the warm bag on her stomach, watching as her eyes softened in relief. Then, I fed her a spoonful of ice cream, savoring the sweet taste along with her. She took the spoon from me, offering me a bite in return, and we shared a quiet smile.

Once she seemed more comfortable, I slipped under the comforter beside her. The night was chilly, and our breaths mingled in the warm cocoon of blankets. I placed my hand gently on her stomach, hoping the warmth of my touch would soothe her more than words could.

“Today is our wedding day, and I’ve ruined it, haven’t I?” she whispered, her voice tinged with guilt. She kept her back to me, but I could sense the glisten of tears welling in her eyes. This was her mood swings talking; I knew it. But my heart still twisted at her words.

“Pallavi,” I murmured, pressing my forehead against her shoulder. And when ever I took this name on my lips , I feel like serene “I don’t want anything else from you tonight… I just want to sleep beside you.”

My voice softened as I let the emotions spill out, wanting her to feel every word. “I don’t want anything physical. I just want to sleep with you… in this cold weather, wrapped in this soft comforter, with your warm body close to mine.” I shifted a bit closer, breathing in the natural scent of sandalwood that always seemed to linger around her. “Your scent teases my heart, and your silky hair brushes against my face every now and then… this moment feels perfect. That’s all I need. Just this.”

I turned her face towards me, cupping her cheek, and let my thumb trace soothing circles. “Right now, with you here, I feel like the luckiest person in the world,” I whispered, and a small, beautiful smile spread across her lips. She leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss on my nose, and I couldn’t stop the wide grin that took over my face.

“Now, sleep,” I said, pulling her close and tucking her safely into my embrace. “We have to head back to India tomorrow.”

With a sigh of contentment, she nestled closer, and as I held her in my arms, our breaths gradually synced. It was a simple moment, but it was everything.

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As we began our journey back to Mumbai, I glanced over at Pallavi, who is looking  serene, her face finally free from the strain of pain she'd been dealing with these past few hours . Naina's advice had been a lifesaver. She’d shared some tips on handling a woman’s mood swings, and all I'd done was follow her guidance. Just seeing Pallavi resting comfortably filled me with relief.

Vipul didn’t join us on this return trip. He’d given a half-hearted excuse to stay back in Santorini, but I knew the real reason – it was Naina and her son, Ansh. Vipul had spent his life longing for a family, the kind of warmth and security that he’d been denied as an orphan. Though he kept a safe distance from the idea of marriage, he seemed drawn to Naina.

I could tell he was afraid that his future partner might not fully understand him. But with Naina, it was different – she had a maturity that went beyond her years. And Ansh... well, he was the most adorable kid, a complete bundle of joy. If Mahadev wills it, maybe the three of them could one day be a perfect family.

But there was one minor, well, maybe not-so-minor issue. Ansh had become extremely attached to Pallavi. The little guy was practically glued to her, basking in every ounce of her attention. I couldn’t deny it – I felt a stab of jealousy. And just when I thought I couldn’t get more envious, Pallavi leaned over and kissed Ansh on the cheek. The kid beamed, a bright grin spread across his face as if he’d just won the world.

I clenched my fist, unable to control the surge of jealousy. Noticing my reaction, Pallavi shot me a warning look.

“Arjun, don’t tell me you’re jealous of a child. And what will you do when you have your own kids? Are you going to be jealous of them too?” Naina chimed in, clearly amused.

I thought to myself, “Yes, absolutely. Even if they’re my own blood, I’ll be jealous if it means sharing my wife’s attention.”

As I glanced back at Pallavi, I saw her cheeks turning a deep shade of red. Embarrassed, but utterly adorable.

“Oh, whoa, whoa, madam!” I grinned, leaning closer to her.

"  cheezon ko jaldi mein mat karein. Filhaal mujhe bachchon ki koi jaldi nahi hai. Abhi toh tum hi mere ‘baby’ ho, aur tumhe hi sambhaalna kaafi hai. Filhaal isi tarah rehne dete hain. Family badhaane ke baare mein baad mein sochenge "

( Let’s not rush things. I’m not looking for kids anytime soon. Right now, you’re my ‘baby,’ and managing you alone is a handful. Let’s keep it that way for now. We can think about adding to our family later.)  I flashed a playful smirk, knowing full well I’d pushed her buttons.

Pallavi huffed in a mock annoyance before kicking my leg. Hard.

“Ouch!” I winced, muttering under my breath, “Atankwadi biwi (Terrorist wife) for a reason.”

Naina and Ansh burst out laughing at my predicament, which made me glare at them until they fell silent, attempting to stifle their giggles.

Then, I turned to Vipul, meeting his eyes with a silent understanding. My gaze said it all “Take care of them, will you?” Vipul nodded, as if acknowledging that Naina and Ansh were now his responsibility.

Finally, I settled into my seat as the jet began its ascent, feeling a sense of peace yet bittersweet reluctance as we left Santorini behind. But I knew one thing for sure – no matter where we were, this family, this chaos, and these stolen moments were what made life worth living.

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Pallavi’s POV

After a grueling seven-hour journey, we finally arrived in Mumbai. Our family had missed us so much that their warm welcome made the exhaustion melt away. They gathered around, showering us with hugs and stories, filling the air with laughter and love. Arjun, though, excused himself after a while, mentioning some urgent work that couldn’t wait.

Once everyone dispersed, I found my way to our room, where the familiar comfort of my bed was irresistible. I sank into it, lying there aimlessly with my eyes closed. But as soon as the silence settled, unsettling memories from Santorini crept in , the eyes, those haunting, longing eyes that had observed me silently at the church. I hadn’t mentioned it to Arjun, but that gaze lingered in my mind, leaving me with a strange sense of unease.

"There are only a couple of people who could look at me that way… but how could they have reached Santorini?" I wondered, a sense of dread seeping in. Had I unintentionally hurt someone? Was there a connection that I’d overlooked?

Feeling restless, I reached for my phone, with only one thought: Shalini. I dialed her home’s landline number, hoping for some answers. Thankfully, someone picked up after a few rings, and I quickly placed the edge of my saree’s pallu over the phone, disguising my voice a bit.

“Hello,” I said, my voice a soft whisper.

“Hello, who is this?” Shalini’s mother’s voice came from the other end, her tone curious.

“Aunty, has Shalini returned from Canada?” I asked, unable to keep the anxious edge out of my voice.

“Yes, she has… but she’s currently in Mumbai,” Aunty replied casually, and the shock hit me like a tidal wave. Mumbai?

“But… she is right now in Santorini, she was there for an ad shoot,”she said 

" That means I was right " I thought, my heart racing. It really was Shalini!

Aunty’s voice cut into my thoughts, “Hello? Are you still there, dear?”

I quickly collected myself and replied, “Aunty, do you happen to have her Mumbai office address or any other contact? I’m her friend calling from Canada.”

Aunty didn’t seem to suspect anything and kindly provided the address. She mentioned that Shalini’s phone hadn’t been working for a few days, so I noted down the PG address and thanked her before hanging up.

A mixture of emotions surged within me joy, anxiety, hope. I looked down at the address written on the paper, my hands slightly trembling.

“Wait… isn’t this Aman’s address?” The realization dawned on me, making my heartbeat quicken. Why did Aunty give me Aman’s address? Could it be… was Shalini the same person Goutham Uncle mentioned when he talked about Aman’s marriage?

I immediately called Goutham Uncle, needing confirmation, and what he told me filled me with a sense of profound relief. Yes, it was Shalini. The girl he had chosen for Aman was none other than Shalini herself.

A wave of happiness washed over me.
."Shalu, aakhir tum Krishna se aage badh rahi ho. Mujhe pata hai, jahaan bhi woh hai, tumhe phir se khushiyan paate hue dekh kar use sukoon milega."

(Shalu, finally you’re moving on from Krishna. I know wherever he is, he’ll be at peace seeing you finding happiness again,)

I thought, my heart swelling with joy for her. "This is what he would have wanted for you."

But a pang of worry struck me. “When I stand before you, there might still be misunderstandings… but just a few more days, Shalu. Once the time is right, I’ll tell you everything, even if it means facing whatever punishment you decide.”

I clutched the address in my hands, feeling a sense of purpose and resolve. “And maybe… just maybe… if you see me genuinely happy, you might even forgive me.”

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Author's POV

Anirudh's Office

In the dimly lit office, Anirudh sat at his desk, staring intently at a picture of Pallavi on his phone. His eyes betrayed a mixture of longing and pain as he murmured, “"Maine kabhi socha nahi tha ki main tumhe is tarah dekhunga, I never thought I'd see you like this, Pallavi. I never imagined you'd return into my life in this way, and yet here you are…”

Just then, a voice broke through the silence.

"Zindagi hamesha humein wahi deti hai jo hum sabse kam umeed karte hain."

“Life has a way of giving us what we least expect,” Arjun’s cold, composed tone filled the room as he entered.

Anirudh's gaze snapped up, his eyes narrowing as he shot daggers at Arjun. Without missing a beat, Arjun settled into the chair opposite him, a calm but intense stare meeting Anirudh’s.

“Arjun Srivastav… The weapon king, head of the Blacksoul Syndicate,” Anirudh said, his voice laced with disdain. “And now, right in front of me.”

Arjun smirked, unfazed. “I had to come. If I were still the Arjun of old, you’d never get the chance to speak to me. But now, because of Pallavi… I had no choice.”

A thick silence settled between them, an unspoken battle of wills playing out in the charged air.

Anirudh clenched his fists, barely containing his anger. “Pallavi never loved you, Arjun. She never has, and she never will. She’s… ” he was about to continue, but Arjun cut him off.

“She’s my wife and she loves me too ” Arjun’s voice was chillingly calm, but there was a lethal edge to it. "Agar tum hamare beech aane ki koshish bhi ki, ya uske baare mein socha bhi, toh tum meri woh shakal dekhoge jiske liye tum tayaar nahi ho."

( If you try to come between us, if you even think about  her, you’ll unleash a side of me that you’re not ready to see.);

Anirudh’s face twisted in anger, and he slammed his fists on the desk, leaning forward. "Mujhe tumse dar nahi lagta, Arjun. Asal mein, main yahan isliye hoon taaki Pallavi tumhara asli chehra dekh sake. I will make sure  ki usse yeh pata chale ke woh kiske saath hai."

(I’m not afraid of you, Arjun. In fact, I’m here to make sure Pallavi sees the real face behind your mask. I’ll make sure she knows exactly who she’s with.)

The tension between them erupted as both grabbed  by the collar, their heated exchange spiraling into a physical struggle. Both men wrestled, pushing against each other until they crashed into a rack, files scattering around them like leaves caught in a storm. In a flash, they both drew their guns, pointing them at each other’s heads, locked in a deadly standoff.

Arjun’s voice was a low growl. "Tum shayad bhool gaye ho main kaun hoon. Jo log mujhe girane ka sapna dekhte hain, wo ya toh zameen ke neeche dafn ho chuke hain ya bina kisi nishan ke gaayab ho gaye hain."

(You seem to have forgotten who I am. People who’ve dreamed of taking me down are either six feet under or vanished without a trace.)

Anirudh sneered, his own determination unwavering."Main apne khud ke usool banata hoon, Arjun. Aur agar kanoon ne mera saath dene se inkaar kiya, toh apne tareeke badalne se bhi mujhe koi regret nahi hogi."

(I create my own rules, Arjun. And if the law fails me, I’m not above changing my methods.)

The tension thickened as their fingers tightened on the triggers. But suddenly, two figures stormed into the room—Abrahm and Aman. With quick, forceful moves, they managed to wedge themselves between the two, breaking up the fight just in time.

“Enough, both of you!” Abrahm’s voice sliced through the chaos with a commanding force.

“What the hell is wrong with you two?!” he continued, his gaze hardening as he turned to Arjun. “And you, Arjun! Is this how you settle things?”

Arjun barely reacted, his hand still lingering on his gun as he glared at Anirudh. “There’s only one thing that matters to me, Abrahm—Pallavi. And your ACP here needs to learn where his boundaries are. He doesn’t get to decide anything about her.”

“Talking about Pallavi is my right, Arjun!” Anirudh shot back, his voice rising. “She may only be my friend now, but I’ll never let anything harm her. Not when she’s with someone as ruthless as you.”

Arjun’s eyes flashed dangerously, his voice a deadly whisper. “Then I suggest you stay far away from her. Because if you make the mistake of standing in my way, not even your badge will save you.”

Before Arjun could advance again, Aman stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. “Both of you, this is enough. We all care for Pallavi bhabhi , and this isn’t helping anyone.”

Arjun shot Aman a glare but stayed silent, tension still radiating from him as he remained focused on Anirudh.

Aman looked between the two, trying to mediate. “Pallavi  loves Arjun. Whatever issues you have, Anirudh, they’re between you and Arjun. But it’s time to let bhabhi make her own choices.”

Anirudh clenched his fists, unable to deny the truth. Yet the bitterness lingered in his voice. “Yes, she may love you, Arjun, but she doesn’t know your true nature. She has no idea of the monster that lies beneath. You’ve taken the lives of countless officers. Doesn’t that make you a demon in her eyes?”

Arjun’s expression darkened, but he kept his tone ice-cold. “A small correction, ACP. I’ve only ever targeted those who deserved it—those corrupt officers who betrayed the badge they wore. And if you think you’re immune to the same fate, don’t test me.”

Anirudh’s frustration boiled over as he spoke through gritted teeth. “I don’t need your permission to protect her, Arjun. I’ll make sure your true face is exposed to her. You have 48 hours , just 48 hours  so yourself prepare to lose everything.”

Arjun let out a low, humorless laugh. “Playing with fire, aren’t you? Just remember—one wrong move, and I’ll be the last thing you see. And if you turn out to be just as corrupt as those other officers, I won’t hesitate.”

With one final, piercing glare, Arjun turned to leave, nodding at Abrahm and Aman as he walked out. The tension hung in the air long after he had gone, and Anirudh collapsed back into his seat, a storm of emotions churning inside him.

Anirudh clenched his fists, his voice low as he whispered to himself, “I’ll see this through, Arjun. One way or another, Pallavi will know the truth.”

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The sky had turned a dark slate gray,   Arjun Srivastav sat in the back seat of his black SUV. The rain pelted against the windows, drumming a steady, insistent beat that matched the anger simmering beneath his skin. Aman and Abhram exchanged cautious glances, the tension in the confined space palpable as they sped toward the mansion.

Arjun's voice, low and lethal, cut through the silence like a blade. "I want every single piece of information about Aniruddh Singh Shekhawat. I need his strengths, weaknesses, every bloody detail," he demanded, his jaw clenched so tightly that the muscle ticked beneath his skin.

Aman shifted uneasily, nodding. "We’ll gather everything we can, Arjun. But this man is different he's meticulous, like he’s expecting someone to pry into his life."

Arjun's eyes, dark and stormy, met Aman's in the rear-view mirror. “I don’t care how careful he is. I want him dissected, understood. No one threatens what's mine.” The last word escaped in a growl, resonating with a possessive intensity that made Abhram swallow hard.

Arjun's hands curled into fists, knuckles white against the dark leather of his gloves. "Pallavi is my world. No one takes her from me," he muttered, almost as if trying to convince himself.

---

On the other side of the city, in a dimly lit room that smelled faintly of sandalwood and metal, ACP  Aniruddh stood by a large board covered with photos, documents, and red strings connecting them. At the center, a picture of Arjun Srivastav, eyes cold and calculating, stared back at him.

Aniruddh’s fingers brushed the edge of the photograph as his dark eyes narrowed. "I need every detail on Arjun Srivastav," he said, his voice steely. "From his mafia empire to what he eats, drinks, and how he treats Pallavi. I want to know how their marriage happened—every aspect. Leave no stone unturned, Aslaam."

Aslaam, his trusted man , nodded firmly. “Consider it done, sir. But this man... he doesn’t play by the rules.”

Aniruddh's jaw set as he gripped the table's edge until his knuckles turned pale. "I know. But this time, I won’t make a single mistake. Pallavi’s safety is my only priority, and I won’t let anyone—even him—jeopardize that."

His gaze hardened, and in a rare show of emotion, he picked up a dagger and drove it into the board, splitting Arjun’s picture in two. "Pallavi shayad apna dard mujhse nahi baantti, lekin main usse akela takleef nahi uthne dunga. Yeh Arjun Srivastav ko yeh nahi pata ki uske saamne kya aane wala hai."

(Pallavi may not share her pain with me, but I won’t let her suffer alone. This Arjun Srivastav doesn’t know what’s coming.)

---

Back in the moving SUV, Arjun took a deep breath, trying to cage the rage threatening to consume him. His voice was calmer, but the underlying menace was unmistakable. "All I want is her happiness, and she will be happy only with me. No one else."

His tone softened, just for a moment, revealing the raw vulnerability he kept hidden. It was as if the storm outside mirrored the chaos inside him—fierce, relentless, and unyielding.

Aman glanced at him, noting the tight lines around his eyes, the way his fingers trembled slightly before they stilled. " She loves you Arjun , no one can come btw you "

Arjun’s eyes flickered, softening for a split second before the cold mask slipped back into place. " I know she loves me  , and in return I don't want to hurt her"

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