Page 158 of One Hellish Love

“Breakfast is ready,” she whispered, her tone laced with desperation.

Rudra glanced at her, his gaze icy, before walking out without another word. The tray of pancakes trembled in her hands. He hadn’t eaten. She had made them for him, hoping he might at least share a meal with her, but his indifference cut deep. Shekhar, noticing her distress, stepped closer.

“Don’t worry,” he assured her. “I’ll make sure he eats something at work. Go get ready—we’ll leave together.”

Kashish nodded as she rushed back to her room. Rudra’s coldness was suffocating. He had never treated her like this before. Even when she despised him, he had found ways to stay close, to protect her. Now, she felt the crushing absence of his affection, and it tore her apart. She wasn’t used to his indifference—she was used to his love.

*****************

Raheja Office

Rudra stormed into the Raheja office, Jay trailing close behind. Inside the conference room, Shekhar and the board members were already seated, waiting for him. Kashish wasn’t here, as only the top executives were called for this urgent meeting.

“Apologies for the short notice, gentlemen,” Rudra began, taking his seat at the head of the table. “But I have some important announcements to make.”

Shekhar listened, tension coiling tight in his chest. He knew his brother too well—Rudra made drastic decisions when he was hurt or angry, and today, Shekhar was certain they were about to witness one.

“As you all know,” Rudra continued. “I came here for a specific project, which is now nearing completion. The Mehta project is also progressing smoothly in Jaipur. Given that, I’ve decided to return to Paris.”

Shekhar clenched his fists under the table. Of course. He had predicted this. Rudra’s escape. The board members, equally startled, exchanged uneasy glances.

“But Rudra,” Mr. Khanna spoke up, clearly alarmed, “we still have critical projects lined up that need your direct involvement.”

“I’m not quitting, Mr. Khanna,” Rudra said, his tone sharp but controlled. “I’ll continue to support the company, but remotely. I’ll be available by phone and video conferences. Nothing will fall behind; I give you my word.”

Shekhar remained silent, watching his younger brother with unreadable eyes. He knew this was about more than just work. There was a storm brewing inside Rudra, and it had little to do with the company’s operations.

“Jay has prepared all the necessary paperwork to transition my responsibilities. I’ll sign them before I leave,” Rudra added, leaning back in his chair as if to end the conversation.

The board members, though reluctant, seemed to accept his decision. Soon, the meeting concluded, and one by one, the executives left the room, leaving Shekhar and Rudra alone. Shekhar stood last, a heavy silence falling between them.

“So, you’re running away,” Shekhar finally said, his voice laced with disappointment.

Rudra didn’t meet his gaze, staring somewhere far beyond the room’s walls.

“I’m protecting myself from being humiliated any further by those I thought were my own.”

“I understand your anger,” Shekhar replied. “But running isn’t the solution, Rudra. Where’s that fighter I knew when you were a teenager? The one who didn’t back down so easily?”

Rudra shot up from his seat, fury flashing in his eyes.

“I’m not a teenager anymore! I’ve been forced to grow up too damn fast. And I’m done fighting with the people who should have had my back. If they don’t want me, I’m not going to beg to stay in their lives.”

Shekhar sighed heavily, sensing the depth of his brother’s pain.

“She made a mistake. Forgive her.”

Rudra’s jaw tightened.

“Forgiveness doesn’t erase the kind of hurt I’m carrying right now.”

“Then punish her,” Shekhar shot back, his voice harder now. “But don’t leave like this. If you walk away, neither of you will find peace. And I know you, Rudra—you want Kashish to be happy. Don’t give her a reason to live with regret for the rest of her life.”

With that, Shekhar turned and left the room, leaving Rudra standing there, his emotions unraveling. He felt cold, disconnected, but most of all, lost. Kashish had torn him apart this time—so deeply that no punishment, no act of revenge, would bring them back to where they once were. Not anytime soon.

*****************

“What? How... how can he decide that?” Kashish screamed, her voice breaking, after Shekhar told her about Rudra’s decision to leave for Paris.

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