The cold was biting, unforgiving.As soon as they landed, a harsh gust of wind sent a shiver through Hema’s body. She wrapped her arms around herself, her breath turning into white mist.Zayden, who stepped out right behind her, noticed immediately. Without a word, he slipped off his heavy black coat and draped it over her shoulders.Hema flinched, stiffening under his touch. She turned her head slightly, her eyes narrowed.“What is this?” she muttered, gripping the edges of the coat.Zayden’s expression was unreadable, but his voice was firm. “You’re cold.”Hema scoffed, shoving his hand off her. “Since when do you care?”Zayden didn’t answer. He simply grabbed her wrist, his grip firm but not painful, and started leading her forward.“Let’s go,” he said.“Go where?” she snapped, resisting.“Shopping.”Hema frowned. “I don’t want—”But Zayden didn’t wait for her to finish. He pulled her along effortlessly, forcing her into the nearest luxury shopping mall.A Hollow TripInside, the c
The afternoon sun hung lazily over Zayden’s mansion, casting a golden glow across the sprawling estate. The place was eerily quiet, the kind of silence that carried danger within its folds. Zayden had made sure of that—his security was tighter than ever, and his movements had become calculated.For few days now, he had barely stepped out of his home, which had raised suspicions in the underworld. His enemies wondered if he was plotting something. His allies whispered about his uncharacteristic retreat. But Mia—she knew better.Something was keeping him here.Or rather, someone.And today, she intended to find out who.⸻Hema sat in the lush garden of the mansion, absorbed in a book. The gentle rustling of leaves, the warm afternoon breeze, and the rare moment of peace made her feel almost normal. Almost.But she should have known—peace was an illusion in Zayden’s world.The moment she heard heavy footsteps approaching from behind, her body tensed. Before she could react, a strong hand
Hema barely reacted when Zayden turned the key and pulled the heavy door open.The lock clicked open—a sound that should’ve brought her relief. But she knew better. Zayden never did anything without a reason.He stood there, watching her with unreadable eyes, his tall frame leaning against the doorframe like he had all the time in the world.She waited for him to speak, to issue another one of his smug, condescending commands. But he didn’t.Hema didn’t ask why he was suddenly setting her free. There was no point. Speaking to him was like speaking to fire—no matter how much sense you made, you’d only end up burned.Instead, she walked past him, silent and deliberate.But she barely made it two steps before his hand closed around her wrist.Hema stiffened.His grip wasn’t painful, but it was firm—possessive, in the way that only Zayden knew how to be.“Ignoring me now, sweetheart?” His voice was calm, laced with amusement. But there was something sharper underneath it, something danger
For three days, Hema experienced a rare peace.Zayden hadn’t forced himself on her.He hadn’t touched her.He hadn’t even come to her room at night, which was the most unusual part.Instead, he made everything comfortable for her.Every morning, a lavish breakfast was delivered to her room—though she barely ate it. A sophisticated BarcaLounger had appeared in her room, one of the finest recliners money could buy. But she refused to sit in it.She didn’t want to be tricked into believing this was kindness.Even when he got her a warming pad to ease her discomfort, she insisted on using it herself.It was like he was trying to pacify her.But she knew better.This wasn’t a change of heart.It was the calm before the storm.And she would never let herself forget that.At night, she lay awake, staring at the ceiling, feeling relief that the monster beside her had chosen to stay away. But the relief was accompanied by something else—something that had been gnawing at her ever since she was
Hema’s breath came in quick, shallow bursts as she approached the house. The place that had been her only form of refuge—now locked.Her fingers trembled as she grabbed the iron gate and tried to push, but it wouldn’t budge.“Karan…?” she whispered, her voice barely audible against the suffocating silence.She knocked harder. Nothing.Her heart pounded against her ribs. Where did they go?She turned to the neighbors, desperation seeping into her gaze. “Please,” she called out. “Does anyone know where they are?”No one stepped forward.No one even looked at her.It was as if an invisible force had wrapped around their necks, silencing them with a grip colder than death itself.Then it hit her—they knew.They knew who she was.They knew Zayden had been hunting her like a predator closing in on wounded prey.Her stomach churned. No… no, no, no…She turned and ran back down the street, her feet pounding against the pavement. Her lungs burned with every breath, but she couldn’t stop. She h
The night air was still, thick with a silence that carried the weight of something sinister.Hema’s feet faltered as she stood at the threshold of the secluded house.A gut-wrenching feeling twisted inside her.Something was wrong.Her breath came in shallow gasps as her body resisted moving forward.Zayden, walking slightly ahead, felt the resistance.He stopped. Turned.And when his eyes landed on her, his smirk deepened.She was sweating.Terrified.Zayden tilted his head, watching her with amusement.“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” he murmured, his voice unsettlingly soft.Hema’s pulse hammered against her throat.She couldn’t move. She didn’t want to move.This place—it felt like a graveyard.Zayden took a slow step towards her.“Come,” he said gently, as if coaxing a frightened animal.His tenderness made her even more afraid.It was an act. A trick. It always was.She shook her head.Zayden sighed as if disappointed, then reached for her wrist.Hema gasped as he yanked her
Caged in His Arms, Trapped by His WillHema’s breath came in sharp, broken gasps as she struggled against his hold.Zayden had turned her in his arms, forcing her to face the sight of Karan lying on the floor, blood seeping into the wooden panels beneath him.She whimpered, trying to wrench herself free from his grasp, but his arms were like steel chains.A cage that wouldn’t break.Her heartbeat thundered in her ears, her nails digging into his forearm as she desperately tried to push him away.“Let me go,” she choked out.Zayden only tightened his hold.His strong arms wrapped around her torso like a vice, his broad chest flush against her back.Then, his head dipped low, his lips pressing dangerously close to her ear.His voice was ice. Cold. Absolute. Unforgiving.“You should have thought about the consequences when you walked into your lover’s house.”Hema flinched.“He’s not—” she started, but the words stuck in her throat.Zayden hummed, his chest vibrating against her back. Mo
Hema knelt on the cold floor, as she lowered her head in defeat like she lost will to fight.“I am all yours, do anything with me. Leave them”. The weight of his presence pressed down on her, suffocating and inescapable. Her mind screamed at her to resist, but her body was frozen—trapped in his control.Zayden cupped her chin, forcing her to look up at him. His dark eyes were unreadable, flickering between amusement and something more dangerous. He swiped his thumb across her bottom lip, his touch both possessive and taunting.“You look perfect like this,” he murmured, his voice a slow drawl, savoring the moment. “On your knees, where you belong.”Hema flinched at his words, but she didn’t move. She couldn’t. She knew that defying him would only make things worse, and right now, Karan and Ara’s lives depended on her submission.A shudder rippled through her. He could see the fear and revulsion in her eyes, but also a flicker of something else - a dark recognition of the twisted bond
The hospital lights were far too bright for Zayden’s comfort, but nothing about this day was supposed to be comfortable. He paced the hallway outside the operating theater, Ira cradled carefully in his arms. She looked up at him with those curious eyes, still too young to understand why her usually composed father was walking in frantic loops across polished tiles.Across the hall, Mark looked equally stricken. His face was pale, and his fingers drummed nervously on the side of the chair as he watched the double doors of the maternity wing like a man waiting for a verdict.“Mommy will be here soon,” Zayden muttered, adjusting Ira’s blanket answering her,Zayden nodded. “You think Mia’s okay?”“Mia is okay but I am not,” Mark fired back, trying to force a grin but failing. “Mia threatened to castrate me if I faint during delivery. So yeah, my brain is doing backflips.”Just then, the double doors opened.A nurse walked out, pulling off her mask. “Mr. Zayden?”He stepped forward, heartb
He crashed his mouth to hers—hard, needy. Her hands tangled in his hair as he pressed his body against hers, her thighs wrapping around his waist instinctively. His kiss was urgent, deep, the kind that made her forget where she was. He pulled back just enough to yank her top over her head, exposing her soft breasts, nipples already hard.Zayden groaned at the sight of her and buried his face between them. He licked, kissed, nipped—lavishing each breast with slow, deliberate attention. Hema arched into him, her fingers gripping the bedsheet. His mouth worked her expertly, moving from her breasts to her neck, sucking gently, leaving a trail of wet heat down to her belly.By the time he reached between her legs, she was trembling. His fingers teased her clit, slow circles that made her moan into the air. He loved watching her unravel under his touch—loved seeing her lose control.“Zayden…” she gasped, her thighs twitching. “I need you… inside me.”His lips made a curl. “ you are losing y
The drive stretched endlessly, winding through green hills and coastal turns, the golden hue of the sun bathing the road in warmth. Zayden had planned this break meticulously—no calls, no business, no parenting duties. Just Hema and him, for five full days. Their daughter Ira was safely with Mia, and for the first time in over a year, Hema felt… untethered.She sat in the passenger seat, hair loosely tied, her eyes half-lidded as she stared at the moving landscape. The windows were down just enough for the wind to tousle her strands. Zayden glanced at her sideways, and the way her lips parted ever so slightly—it stirred something primal in him.“You know,” he said, reaching over to entwine his fingers with hers, “I’ve been imagining this trip for weeks.”Hema looked over, already smiling. “I can tell. You’ve been grinning like a maniac since we left.”“I just missed having you to myself,” he said, his voice dropping. “No diapers. No meetings. No interruptions.”She giggled. “And what
The following evening, the golden light of sunset poured into the wide windows of the mansion. Ira was curled up peacefully in her little crib beside the cushioned couch, her tiny hands resting near her face, making gentle sleepy sounds as she dreamed. Hema sat cross-legged on the plush rug nearby, brushing out her hair while Zayden sat beside her, lazily scrolling through photos of Ira’s first steps with an affectionate grin plastered on his face.Mia strolled into the room in her usual confident gait, dressed in her casual yet elegant loungewear, holding a small gift box in one hand.“For the little queen,” she said, placing the box near Ira’s crib and kneeling to press a soft kiss on the baby’s forehead. “I still can’t believe she walked. I missed it!”Hema smiled warmly, setting her brush aside. “She’ll walk into your arms next time. Or maybe run.”Mia’s eyes twinkled as she looked at Hema. “She better. I’m planning to bribe her with toys and secrets.”Zayden chuckled, “Spoiling h
The grand mansion buzzed with life as little Ira, now a spirited one-year-old, filled its halls with her infectious laughter. Her tiny hands and knees propelled her swiftly across the marble floors, making her the darling of everyone—from the seasoned housekeepers to Zayden’s meticulous assistant, Mark. Each had succumbed to her charm, their days brightened by her presence.One particular afternoon, Ira’s curiosity led her on an unexpected adventure. The distant sound of raised voices echoed through the corridors, drawing her attention. Recognizing her mother’s voice, she set off, her crawling turning into determined steps as she clung to walls and furniture for support. The babysitter, momentarily distracted, turned to find Ira missing from her side. Panic surged as she began her search, only to spot the child making her way toward the commotion.Inside the master bedroom, tension crackled. Hema stood her ground, arms crossed, eyes blazing with frustration. Zayden, looking remorseful
The grand black gates of the mansion opened slowly, the familiar creak echoing through the long driveway lined with blooming jasmine. The late afternoon sun bathed everything in golden light as Zayden stepped out of the sleek black SUV, carefully cradling Ira in one arm, while holding Hema protectively with the other. Hema’s steps were slower, her body still weak from the birth, but her heart was full—this was a different kind of return. One not born out of pain or escape, but healing.Mia stood at the entrance, wearing a simple beige dress and a soft, rare smile on her face. Her sharp eyes shimmered the moment she spotted Ira. She rushed down the stairs barefoot, arms extended. “There she is—my little angel!” Mia’s voice trembled with emotion.Zayden grinned as he gently passed Ira into her arms. “She missed her aunt, didn’t she, baby?” he murmured, planting a kiss on Hema’s forehead.Hema chuckled softly and nodded. “We named her,” she said, watching Mia’s eager face.“Oh?” Mia rais
Hema lay curled up beside Zayden, her body still sore from the C-section she had just a week ago. Their baby girl, Ira, was sleeping peacefully next to her in a bassinet . Hema and Zayden had been through so much together, and now, with their little family complete, they felt like the luckiest people in the world.Hema caught him staring and gave him a coy smile. With a mischievous glint in her eye, she slowly reached up and unzipping her kurti, exposing one of her full, heavy breasts."Have a taste," she purred seductively, her voice low and inviting. Zayden's breath hitched as he took in the sight of her perfect breast, the nipple already engorged with milk. His cock instantly hardened, straining against his boxers. He swallowed thickly, desire burning in his veins.Zayde arched an eyebrow. "Are you sure, my love?"Hema nodded with a smile,Zayden's eyes darkened with lust. "I'll be gentle. I promise."In one swift movement, he leaned over her, pressing soft kisses along the swel
The tarmac glistened under the late afternoon sun as Zayden led Hema gently toward the sleek, private jet waiting for them. The sound of soft wind mixed with the distant hum of the plane’s engines. Zayden had one arm securely wrapped around Hema’s waist, supporting her as they walked slowly, while the other held baby Ira against his chest with practiced care.Behind them, two of Zayden’s men followed with their luggage, handling everything swiftly without a word. The elderly couple had waved goodbye, tears in their eyes, just a few minutes ago. Now, as they approached the jet’s steps, Zayden helped Hema up first, handing the baby over for a moment so he could lift her easily.“You don’t have to carry me every time,” Hema mumbled, half-blushing, half-teasing as he lifted her as if she weighed nothing.“You say that as if I’m going to stop,” Zayden smirked. “Let me enjoy being your crutch for a while longer.”He helped her to the spacious cabin of the jet, where a luxurious bed had alre
Zayden stood by Hema’s side as she slowly made her way down the hospital corridor, holding tightly onto his hand. Every step she took was careful, her body still sore, but determined. She didn’t complain. Her grip on his hand tightened whenever the pain in her abdomen throbbed, but she said nothing—only looked ahead, her face slightly pale but strong.Zayden, ever watchful, didn’t take his eyes off her for even a second.“You don’t have to push yourself,” he said gently, adjusting his arm around her waist.“I’m not pushing,” she whispered. “I just want to feel normal again.”Zayden chuckled softly.They reached the end of the hallway, and Hema paused near the window, looking outside at the golden morning sun spreading across the hospital lawn. She took a breath, soaking in the warmth. But the next moment, her knees buckled slightly.“Hema!” Zayden immediately pulled her close.She didn’t fall. She collapsed forward—right into his chest, her forehead resting just above his heart. Her a