VIDYUT’S POV 

I didn't let the maid say another word, gesturing for her to leave.

I went inside myself.

What I saw made my blood boil.

She was sitting on the floor... behind the bed, as if hiding from the world.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. Losing control wouldn't help her.

I moved toward her, crouching down and scooping her into my arms effortlessly. She tensed but didn't fight me. I carried her back to the bed, sitting down with her on my lap.

"Vani..." I murmured softly, placing a finger under her chin, tilting her face up. But her eyes... they were still downcast.

"Vani." My tone was a little firmer this time.

Slowly... hesitantly... she looked at me.

Finally.

"Hi," I said, realizing I had no idea how to initiate a conversation with a girl who was making me feel things I didn't want to name.

She gave me a small nod. Just a nod.

I took a deep breath, trying to figure out how to break through the wall she had built around herself.

"Vani, I have a few rules. And you need to follow them."

Another nod.

"First..." I leaned in slightly, my tone gentle but firm. "Speak. Don't just nod or gesture. Reply in full sentences. You can speak... can't you?"

For a moment, she stayed silent. But then...

"Yes, I know," she murmured softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Finally.

She was wiggling in my lap, looking like a scared little rabbit. My rabbit.

Damn it, Vidyut.

"Good," I said, my lips twitching. "Second, speak only the truth. I hate lies."

"Okay."

"Third, and most important... trust me. I know I have to earn it, but for now... just try."

She gave a small hum in response, and I narrowed my eyes at her.

"Vani."

"Y-Yes, sir," she whispered quickly, her eyes wide with fear.

My heart clenched at the look in her eyes.

"Vani, my name is Vidyut. You can call me Vidyut, Mr. Russo... or whatever you're comfortable with."

"Okay... Mr. Russo," she murmured.

I sighed but let it slide for now.

"So... tell me." My tone softened. "Do you have any clothes to wear?"

She shook her head.

"No."

"Why? Didn't you pack anything?"

Her fingers fidgeted with the edge of her dupatta. "No... it's not like that. I... I only have these clothes."

My brows furrowed.

"What do you mean?" I asked, my voice laced with irritation. "Didn't they buy you anything? Any decent clothes?"

She shook her head again, her eyes dropping in her lap . Her body curled in slightly, as if she was trying to disappear.

Shame.

They didn't even give her the basic dignity of proper clothing.

My jaw clenched, and without wasting another second, I pulled out my phone.

"Come to my house first thing tomorrow morning," I barked into the receiver.

"Sir?" My personal designer's confused voice echoed through the line.

"ASAP. I need a complete wardrobe. Women's wear. Everything. Don't miss a damn thing."

"Yes, sir. I'll be there."

I ended the call, shoving my phone back in my pocket.

Turning back to Vani, I brushed a stray lock of hair from her face.

"Don't worry, rabbit," I murmured softly. "You won't have to wear those rags again."

She looked shocked after listening my words but didn't said anything and just gave a nod

oh god this girl and her nods

I made her sit on the bed and went to my wardrobe to fetch a shirt and some shorts but I don't think that would be fit for her but the shirt will work as she is way more shorter than me I came back and gave and I handed her the shirt, but as usual, she didn't say a word-just gave me another damn nod.

This girl and her nods...

"Wear this. Don't stay in that salwar suit if you're uncomfortable," I said softly, placing the shirt on the bed beside her. "I'll be outside. Change in peace. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call me."

A faint murmur of "Yes" followed.

I stepped out, closing the door behind me.

Ten minutes.

Ten minutes of pacing outside the door, trying not to barge in and check if she was okay.

I knocked gently.

"Are you done?"

A soft, barely audible, "Yes," came from inside.

Why didn't she call me?

Maybe... she's just shy.

I walked back into the room, and the sight in front of me...

Fuck.

She was wearing my shirt.

And it drowned her.

The damn thing fell just below her knees, covering everything. But she was still tugging at the hem, trying to make it longer as if that would somehow protect her.

A chuckle escaped me before I could stop it.

Did I just... chuckle?

What the fuck was happening to me?

Thank God no one was around to witness that. They'd think I'd lost my mind.

Trying to compose myself, I cleared my throat, wanting to ease her nervousness.

"Okay," I said, keeping my tone casual. "I'll ask you a few questions. Just answer honestly, okay?"

Her head dipped again in a nod.

Here we go again.

"Vani..." I sighed. "With words."

"Okay," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Good. First..." I sat beside her, maintaining a little distance so she wouldn't feel cornered. "How old are you?"

Her fingers started fidgeting with the edge of the shirt.

"Real or... lie?"

What the hell does that mean?

"Real," I said softly, already dreading the answer.

Her eyes dropped to the floor.

"Seventeen," she whispered.

What?!

Seventeen.

My mind went blank.

Seventeen...

A kid. A fucking teenager.

How the hell did they think it was okay to sell her like this?

My fists clenched, but I forced myself to stay calm. Losing control wouldn't help her.

"Seventeen..." I murmured, more to myself than to her.

Her voice... so soft, so broken... pulled me back.

"Please don't tell my parents that I told you the truth," she whispered, her eyes wide with fear. "You... you said you want the truth. And that I can trust you. So I did what you asked. But... please... don't tell them."

My chest tightened at the desperation in her voice.

Guilt.

Guilt and unfiltered rage toward the monsters who had the audacity to treat their own daughter like this.

I looked into her frightened eyes and spoke, my tone softer than I thought I was capable of.

"I won't," I promised.

Her body relaxed... just a little.

"I promise, Vani," I whispered, gently brushing a stray strand of hair away from her face. "I'll never let them hurt you again."

And I meant every damn word.

My eyes scanned her delicate frame, and that's when I saw them.

Bruises.

Faint marks, some old, some fresh-scattered across her arms, peeking through the collar of my shirt.

My jaw clenched.

My blood boiled.

A rage unlike anything I had ever felt before consumed me.

Those bastards.

How could anyone hurt her like this?

I forced myself to stay calm... for her. She didn't need to see the storm brewing inside me.

Standing up, I tried to keep my voice steady.

"You sleep here," I said, my tone softer than I intended. "I have some work to take care of. I'll see you soon."

Her head dipped in another damn nod.

"Vani," I sighed. "With words."

"Okay..." she whispered, her voice barely audible.

I pointed to the small bell beside the bed.

"See this? If you need anything, anything at all, just press it. A servant will come immediately. Don't hesitate. Ask for whatever you want-food, help, anything."

She nodded again, but this time, her eyes flickered toward the bell, as if committing my words to memory.

"Don't move out of bed," I added, my tone a little more commanding. "Your wound needs rest. The washroom is that way if you need it."

I paused, taking a deep breath.

"And..." I hesitated, but I needed her to understand. "Don't come out of the room until I tell you. Okay?"

Another whisper. "Okay."

Good girl.

I turned and walked toward the door, closing it behind me with a little more force than I intended.

Thud.

I didn't care.

The moment I stepped out, I barked at the servants.

"Take care of her. She doesn't leave that room unless I say so. And if she asks for anything, give it to her immediately."

They nodded, but I didn't stick around.

I stormed into my study, slamming the door shut.

Fuck.

My hands fisted as I paced the room, trying to get a grip on the rage consuming me.

What the fuck have I done?

I bought a kid.

A fucking seventeen-year-old.

All because some greedy bastard couldn't pay his debt.

How could I?

But then...

She's safe now.

My heart spoke louder than my guilt.

You did the right thing.

She was in pain. Living a life worse than hell.

And now... she's out of it.

I won't let her go back.

You'll give her happiness.

But...

It's wrong.

I took her from one cage and brought her to another.

No.

I gritted my teeth, shaking my head.

This isn't a cage.

Everything is fair in love and war.

And this...

This was war.

A war to protect her.

Even if she didn't know it yet.

And I won't lose.

VANI’S POV 

My life had taken a complete 360-degree turn.

Again.

My parents... no, those people... sold me to a man named Vidyut Russo.

For 50 lakh rupees.

I wasn't shocked. This wasn't the first time.

The first time, the man rejected me. I wasn't "good enough" for him.

The second time... it was worse. He only kept me for one night. By morning, I was so weak that I couldn't even walk to the washroom on my own.

And now... this was the third time.

Will this man be the same?

Fear gripped me. My heart raced every time I looked at him. But...

He doesn't seem like them.

Vidyut Russo.

A man full of contradictions.

He was angry, always on edge, like a storm waiting to unleash. But then... he called me rabbit.

Rabbit.

No one had ever given me a nickname.

Except Malti Maa.

I call her Maa because I can't bring myself to call Sir and Ma'am-my so-called parents-mom and dad.

They never treated me like their daughter.

But Malti Maa... she was different. She protected me, scolded me when needed, and took the blame to save me from beatings. She was the mother I always dreamed of having.

And Vidyut...

He was nothing like them.

When he pulled me into his lap, I wanted to cry.

No one had ever touched me with such care.

Everyone around me had been selfish-except Malti Maa.

But him...

When he said he would protect me from my parents, I felt something I hadn't felt in a long time.

Relief.

And when he gave me his shirt to wear...

It felt like the most secure, the most beautiful piece of clothing I had ever worn.

Yes, it was big, almost reaching my knees, but I didn't care.

It was his.

I tried to cover the bruises with it, but I knew he had seen them.

For the first time, I was scared... but not of him.

I was scared of disappointing him.

I even told him my real age-seventeen.

Sir and Ma'am had strictly forbidden me from ever revealing my real age.

When I told the first man, they punished me so badly that I couldn't breathe for days.

But Vidyut...

He didn't get angry.

Instead, I saw something else in his eyes.

Pain.

Why would he feel pain for me?

I don't understand him.

But I... I want to.

When Vidyut left the room, I was alone again.

For two hours, I sat in silence, my mind running wild.

What does he want from me?

Why is he being so kind?

Is it just a game before he shows his true colors?

I couldn't stop the endless cycle of thoughts. My heart was telling me to trust him... but my mind?

It kept reminding me that kindness never lasted.

After what felt like forever, I pressed the bell.

Within minutes, the same elderly lady from earlier entered. I had refused to let her touch me before.

Why?

I didn't know.

Maybe because... I don't feel safe in anyone's touch.

Except Malti Maa... and maybe now... Vidyut.

"Ma'am, what do you need?" she asked in a professional tone.

"Where is he?" My voice came out in a whisper, laced with fear.

"Sir?"

I nodded, avoiding her gaze.

"He's in his study, probably working. He'll come late. You should rest. Or... should I bring dinner?"

My stomach churned at the thought of food. I shook my head.

"Alright," she said softly before leaving.

But sleep was impossible.

My overthinking mind kept going through every possible scenario.

Why did he buy me?

Will he be kind forever?

Or is this just the calm before the storm?

---

Morning

When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was... him.

Vidyut.

He was sitting beside me, still in his clothes from last night. His hair was ruffled, his sleeves rolled up, and the top buttons of his shirt undone, giving me a glimpse of his chest.

Why does he look... angry?

"Vani, get freshened up. The designer is coming to take your measurements for your wardrobe," he said, breaking the silence.

I looked up at him and murmured a soft "okay."

Why can't I speak properly in front of him?

I tried to stand, but the sharp pain in my foot made me wince.

Before I could react, Vidyut scooped me up effortlessly.

My eyes studied his features-sharp jaw, intense eyes, furrowed brows.

Why does he look angry?

I don't like it.

I like it when he smiles...

He carried me to the bathroom, helped me sit on the seat, and then turned his back to give me privacy.

I stared at his broad shoulders as I finished.

When I was done, he lifted me again, placing me gently on the counter near the washbasin.

Without a word, he handed me a toothbrush.

Why is he being so gentle?

He was treating me like...

Like I was... his.

I liked it.

But...

Why is he so quiet?

Did I do something wrong?

Is he upset with me?

Angry at me?

Why can't I keep anyone happy?

My throat tightened, and I felt tears prickling the corners of my eyes.

No...

I blinked them away, forcing myself to stay strong.

I couldn't cry.

Not again.

・。.・゜✭・

_________________________________________________________

Hello Everyone !!!!

Hope you all liked the chapter

Don't forget to comment down your opinion and which moment you liked the most .

Hope you all are happy and enjoying life

Thanks for your love

Your author

CHRONIC

BYE BYE BUTTERFLIES 🦋🦋❤❤