Chapter Two Hundred and Seventy Four.

Chapter Two Hundred and Seventy Four.
Meera’s pulse pound in her ears.

The tape across her mouth bit into her skin, and the ropes burned her wrists, but her eyes were scanning desperately for anything she could use.

A vase. A glass. Even the heavy candlestick on the far table.

Something… anything…

Her chest heaved as she shifted slightly, testing the strength of the ropes.

Too tight. No chance of breaking free quickly.

Her only weapon left was her mind.

Arjun, though outwardly still, was watching her...he could read her panic, but more importantly, her determination.

His jaw flexed, and in the smallest of gestures...just the faintest flick of his gaze, he let her know:

Wait. I’ll handle this.

Suhana, of course, was too consumed in her victory to notice the silent exchange.

She circled Meera like a predator, eyes flicking between Arjun and Shaurya.

“Look at her..” Suhana sneered, jerking Meera’s head back by her hair.

Meera hissed softly in pain, her bangles clinking with the movement.

“Two men with power at their feet… and she’s got them both dancing on strings. Tell me, Arjun...how does it feel? Watching yourself crumble over a girl who doesn’t even know how dangerous she’s made herself?”

Arjun’s eyes darkened, rage threatening to snap his control. “Let her go, Suhana. You don’t know what line you’re crossing.”

“Oh, I know exactly..” Suhana whispered, pressing the gun harder against Meera’s temple then giggled and moved few inches away from her.

Meera’s heart hammered, her breath coming fast against the tape.

Then she saw something..a glass paperweight on the table.

Her eyes darted to it, then quickly back down before Suhana noticed.

Slowly, she shifted her weight, making the bangles on her wrists jingle louder, intentionally drawing Suhana’s gaze.

Suhana smirked. “What? You think you can wriggle your way out? Stupid bitch.” She shook Meera hard, forcing a muffled cry from her.

But it worked. In that second of gloating, her gun hand wavered, just slightly.

Arjun’s caught it. He moved a fraction closer, his muscles tensed.

Meera took the risk. She kicked out her foot, knocking into the table leg.

The paperweight hit the floor with a heavy thunk, spinning slightly before it stilled.

Suhana’s eyes snapped toward the sound, just for a heartbeat.

but that was all Arjun needed.

He lunged, forward, his hand clamping around her wrist before she could steady her aim.

The gun twisted, her finger brushing the trigger...

bang!...

a shot fired wildly into the ceiling, plaster dust raining down.

Meera flinched hard at the sound, her muffled scream breaking against the tape.

Arjun wrenched Suhana’s arm behind her back, forcing her to drop the weapon.

The gun clattered to the ground, skidding across the rug. Suhana gasped and struggled, but Arjun’s grip was strong.

He slammed her against the wall.

“You–” she hissed, thrashing, “–you bastard!”

Arjun’s face was taut, veins tight in his neck, but he didn’t answer her.

But in the corner of his eye, he caught the one sight that twisted his insides into fire..

Shaurya.

He had moved the moment Suhana’s hold faltered, rushing to Meera with desperation written across his face.

His hands were gentle as they fumbled at the ropes on her wrists, pulling them loose with easy tugs. “You’re safe now… you’re with me.”

Meera gasped sharply, air rushing into her lungs.

“Meera…” Shaurya whispered, his voice trembling with a twisted kind of relief.

As soon as her hands were free, she pushed against him, trying to get up..trying to move toward Arjun.

But Shaurya didn’t let her. Instead, he pulled her against his chest, arms locking around her.

His face pressed into her hair, breathing her in, his smile almost boyish with madness.

“Arjun…” Her voice cracked, as she turned her head toward him.

Arjun’s entire being shook at the sound of her voice..

His grip on Suhana only tightened, his jaw locked.

“Shaurya, let go!” Meera said, struggling in Shaurya’s arms, her bangles clashing as she tried to push away. “Leave me–”

Arjun’s held Suhana in place with one hand, but his other reached for the gun she’d dropped. His eyes never left Shaurya’s hold on Meera.

“Let her go..” Arjun said, his voice

Shaurya looked up at him, his eyes glinting with something crazy, his smile twisting.

“Why would I? She's here for me. Fate brought her here, even with Suhana messed up game..” He pressed Meera even tighter against him, ignoring her cries.

Arjun’s nostrils flared, “I said… let. her. go.”

Suhana, pinned but watching every flicker of tension, let out a low, mocking laugh.

“Oh, this is delicious..” she purred, ignoring the way Arjun’s grip cut into her skin. “Look at you, Arjun… trying to play the hero while she stays in another man’s arms. Does it burn? Does it cut you open?”

“Shut. Up.” Arjun sneered at Suhana, though his whole body was tense.

“You’re trembling, Arjun..” Suhana’s mocked again “Can’t stand watching her in his arms, can you?” Her laugh was cruel. “Your precious bride to be… see how easily she’s held by another?”

That was it. Arjun shoved Suhana harder against the wall, his forearm pressing into her collarbone to keep her down.

His voice thundered “She is my wife.”

He forcedly slammed her against the wall again, anger consumpting him, Suhana groaned in pain due to the impact and it weaken her as she fell on the floor..

“Your wife?” Shaurya spat, venom dripping from his words. “All that, was mistake. No marriage happened! Destiny brought Meera into my path.”

“Destiny?” Arjun scoffed darkly, taking a step closer, his gun raised directly at Shaurya now.

"You kidnapped her on her wedding day. You drugged her. And your stupid plan with Suhana. That isn’t destiny, YOU SICK FUCK!.”

Meera winced at the escalating voices, trying once again to push against Shaurya’s chest..

“Let her go, Shaurya!..” Arjun’s voice shook with lethal finality as his finger curled on the trigger.

Shaurya’s head tilted, his grin twisted, but this time it was edged with fury. “Or what? You’ll shoot me while she’s in my arms?” He shifted Meera slightly, using her as a shield, he pulled out his gun. And with calm, terrifying steadiness, he pointed it at Arjun.. “I won’t let her leave me. Not today. Not ever.”

Meera’s heart lurched. “No!” she cried. “Don’t you dare! Please—stop!”

But Shaurya didn’t even blink, his grip a vice around her trembling body.

“I told you before, Arjun..” Shaurya’s voice sneered in hatred. “She doesn’t belong to you. She never did. Today, I’ll prove it. I’ll put a bullet through you and she’ll finally understand who her world really is.”

Arjun’s glare was lethal, his chest rising with controlled fury..

His eyes stayed locked on Meera, not the gun, not the man holding her. Just her.

“Meera..” he said firmly, “Look at me. Only me, it will be alright.”

Her eyes met his instantly, drowning in terror but filled with love.

She nodded...

In that moment, nothing else existed. Not the threat. Not even Shaurya’s suffocating hold.

Just her and Arjun.

Her lips trembled. “Arjun…”

“Let my wife go, Shaurya or I swear, you’ll take your last breath tonight.”