💖 Ishita's Perspective

I immediately got up from my desk chair, a warm, reassuring smile spreading across my face to instantly cut through the tension in the room. Jay gently kept his hand wrapped around Avni's small, trembling fingers, guiding her forward as they walked further inside the cabin.

I gestured softly toward the comfortable velvet sofa. "Please, make her sit, Jay Bhaiya."

Jay carefully helped Avni sit down, taking his place right beside her on the couch. He didn't let go of her hand for even a second, his thumb lazily caressing the back of her palm in a soothing, continuous rhythm to keep her grounded.

I pulled my chair closer, sitting directly across from them. My red bridal chooda jingled softly as I rested my hands on my lap, offering her the gentlest expression I could muster.

"Hi, Avni," I spoke softly, my brown eyes fixed on her with warmth. "I am Ishita."

Avni swallowed hard, her shoulders hunched slightly as she looked up at me with timid, glossy eyes. "H-Hi, Ma'am..."

"You can call me Bhabhi," I corrected with a sweet, affectionate chuckle, leaning forward slightly. "Ma'am makes me feel like I'm taking your interview! Since Jay calls me Bhabhi, you should too."

A faint, nervous blush crept onto Avni's pale cheeks, and the tight tension in her shoulders loosened just a fraction at my tone.

"Okay... Bhabhi," she whispered, her voice still small and shaky, but filled with a sudden surge of relief.

Jay glanced at me with deep gratitude in his eyes, continuing to gently caress her hand. "Avni... I told you, Bhabhi is amazing. You don't have to be scared of her at all."

"I was just... so terrified," Avni confessed, her eyes glistening with fresh tears as she looked between Jay and me. "When Jay told me he was taking me to meet his elder brother's wife, I thought... I thought you would scold me, or tell me to stay away from him, or think that I'm trying to trap a Rathor..."

"Hey, no, shh..." I said gently, reaching across the coffee table to lightly pat her knee. "Look at me, Avni. None of us think that. Jay told me everything. He told me how much he loves you, and more importantly, he told me how brave and dignified you are. Hearing that you were ready to stand up for your baby no matter what... that made me respect you instantly."

Avni's breath hitched, a tear finally spilling over her lash line, though this time it was a tear of pure overwhelming relief. "You... you really mean that, Bhabhi?"

"Every word," I replied firmly. "Now, tell me how you are feeling right now. Are you experiencing any morning sickness, dizziness, or nausea? Have you been eating properly?"

"A little nauseous in the mornings, Bhabhi," Avni admitted softly, giving Jay's hand a small squeeze. "And I haven't been able to eat much since yesterday... I was just so overwhelmed by the positive report."

"Jay Bhaiya, go ask Charlotte to bring fresh fruit juice and something light to eat for her right now," I instructed, giving Jay a stern look. "No skipping meals, especially not in this condition."

"On it, Bhabhi!" Jay said instantly, kissing the side of Avni's head before quickly stepping out of the cabin to get the food.

Once Jay stepped out, the atmosphere in the room grew even more intimate. Avni looked at me with open eyes, her guard dropping completely.

"Bhabhi... what about your family?" Avni asked quietly, her lower lip trembling slightly. "The Rathors are such a grand, prestigious family. Jay's brother... Mr. Rudra Singh Rathor... he is so powerful and intimidating. What if he gets angry at Jay? I don't want Jay to get into trouble because of me."

I smiled softly, my eyes softening at how deeply she cared for Jay's well-being despite her own panic.

"Rudra may look cold and terrifying to the outside world, Avni," I murmured softly, my heart swelling as I thought of my husband. "And yes, he is very strict and disciplined. But under all that armor, he loves his family fiercely. Jay is his younger brother. Rudra will be angry about how this was kept hidden, but he will never abandon Jay, nor will he ever disown a child of this family.

Avni let out a deep, shuddering breath, holding my hand tightly as if anchoring herself to my words. "So... you think there's a way through this?"

"We will make a way," I promised her warmly, squeezing her fingers back. "You two took a big step, but you are not alone in this anymore. I am standing with both of you."

"What about your family, Avni?" I asked gently, leaning closer as I looked into her soft eyes. "Do they know about the baby? Or even about you and Jay?"

Before Avni could reply, the cabin door opened and Jay walked back in holding a fresh tray with a glass of cool fruit juice, light snacks, and a warm plate of food. He carefully set it down on the coffee table right in front of her.

"Have this first, both of you," I said softly, taking the initiative to pour the juice and dish out the food for them, handing the glass directly into Avni's hands.

Avni took a small sip, looking at me gratefully before answering my question. "My parents know that I'm dating Jay, Bhabhi... but they don't know about the baby yet. I was so scared of how they would react that I haven't had the courage to tell them."

I nodded thoughtfully, letting out a small sigh as I looked between the two of them.

"Listen to me carefully, both of you," I began, my tone turning serious and grounded. "No matter how much I try to explain things to Rudra, no matter how much I mediate... he is going to be angry. Jay, you know your Bhai better than anyone. He will shout, he will scold, and he will demand answers, because you know how strict and protective he is about this family and its values."

Jay lowered his head, swallowed hard, and gave a slow, anxious nod. "I know, Bhabhi... I know Bhai won't let this slide easily."

"I understand love, Jay Bhaiya... I truly do," I said, my voice softening as I looked at their nervous faces. "But why did you both take things to this level without thinking through the consequences? You should have been more careful, or at least spoken to us before things got so overwhelming."

Avni looked down, her fingers tightening around her juice glass as her cheeks flushed with guilt. "It was a mistake, Bhabhi... we got carried away, and by the time we realized, it was already too late."

"We didn't mean to be careless, Bhabhi," Jay added, his voice thick with emotion as he reached over to wrap a comforting arm around Avni's shoulders. "We just... we got lost in the moment. But I promise you, I'm ready to take full responsibility. I just need to get through Bhai first."

"Okay, fine," I said, letting out a long, grounding breath and waving my hand dismissively. "Let's not dwell on how or why you got carried away. What's done is done. But answer me honestly right now-are you absolutely certain nobody else knows about this?"

I leaned forward, my brown eyes locking onto Jay with absolute seriousness. "Are you sure about the places you two went? Where you stayed or visited? Are you completely sure nobody saw you two together, recognized you, or snapped pictures? Jay Bhaiya, you are a famous model and a star football player.

People recognize your face everywhere."

Jay froze, his fingers tightening around Avni's hand as he mentally raced through every detail of the past two months.

"I... I was super careful, Bhabhi," Jay stammered, his voice laced with anxiety.

"Whenever we met, it was at my private apartment or at quiet, high-end places outside the city. We never went anywhere public where paparazzi or media could spot us. And the clinic Avni went to yesterday for the test was a top-tier private facility owned by a family friend of her doctor. They guaranteed absolute confidentiality."

"Good," I nodded, though my heart was still hammering against my ribs. "Because if this leaks to the press or comes out through some trashy media headline before we handle it internally... you know what will happen.

Nobody-and I mean nobody-will be able to stop Rudra from giving out the severe punishment you both will face. Especially you, Jay."

Avni swallowed hard, her face draining of color at the mention of my husband's name, while Jay closed his eyes and slowly nodded in complete understanding. He knew his elder brother's temper and his unyielding stance on family honor better than anyone.

"Now listen to me very carefully," I continued, my voice dropping into a firm, commanding tone as I looked directly at Jay. "No matter how angry Rudra gets, no matter what harsh words come out of his mouth... neither of you is going to talk back to him. Do you hear me?"

Jay opened his mouth to say something, but I held up my hand, stopping him instantly.

"Especially you, Jay!" I insisted, my red bridal chooda jingling softly as I pointed a finger at him. "I know how you are. If Rudra gets furious and says something strict or questioning about Avni, it's going to make your blood boil. It will make you angry, and your ego will want to rise up to protect her. But you will not talk back to your elder brother. You will keep your head down, accept your mistake, and let him vent."

"Bhabhi, if he blames Avni-" Jay began, his jaw clenching with defensive instinct.

"He won't blame her if you take full responsibility like a real man!" I cut him off softly, my tone softening as I reached out to pat his arm reassuringly. "Rudra is a fair man, Jay Bhaiya. He is harsh, but he is never unjust.

If you raise your voice at him, you will only make him ten times angrier, and then even I won't be able to shield you. I will talk to him. I will mediate, I will handle his anger, and I will do everything humanly possible to make him understand and support your marriage. But you have to promise me right now that you will stay silent and respectful."

Jay looked down at his lap, taking a heavy, shuddering breath before looking back up into my eyes with complete surrender.

"I promise, Bhabhi," Jay whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. "I won't say a single word back to Bhai. I'll take whatever he gives me. Just... please stand by us."

"I am standing by you," I promised, turning to offer a warm, comforting smile to a tearful Avni. "Both of you are my family now, and we are going to face this together."

Avni was sitting there trembling, clutching Jay's hand so tightly her knuckles were turning white. She looked like she was right on the verge of bursting into heavy tears, her delicate frame shaken by the sheer magnitude of what they were facing.

Jay immediately leaned toward her, his tone softening into the gentlest, most protective whisper. "Hey... Avni, look at me," he murmured, his large thumb tenderly wiping a stray tear from her cheek as he smoothed her hair back. "It's okay. Bhabhi is with us. Nothing bad is going to happen to you, I promise. Shh... just breathe."

Watching the way Jay cradled her, shielding her with his entire body and speaking to her with such raw, unwavering devotion, my heart melted. I couldn't help but see a vivid reflection of Rudra in him. Beneath all that playful, carefree exterior, Jay carried the exact same fiercely protective Rathor blood-the same instinct Rudra had whenever he looked at me.

I quietly got up from my seat, walked over to my desk to grab a box of tissues, and came back over to the couch. I sat right beside Avni, pulling out a soft tissue and gently dabbing at the tears on her face. I smoothed her hair with my other hand, my red bridal chooda jingling softly against her shoulder.

"Arey, bas bas, ro mat," I said with a warm, sisterly smile, my tone lifting the heavy atmosphere in an instant. "Everything is going to be fine, Avni. Now, enough with the serious, scary talk for a minute."

Both of them blinked at me, taken aback by my sudden shift in energy.

"Ok, now you both tell me your love story!" I demanded playfully, crossing my arms and looking at them with twinkling brown eyes. "After all, I am the very first audience to officially know about you two! Chalo, chalo, batao ab!"

Jay let out a breathy, half-amused laugh, rubbing the back of his neck as a light blush washed over his handsome face. "Bhabhi... right now? Love story?"

"Haan! Right now!" I insisted, nudging his shoulder. "I want to hear how the great football player and top model Jay Rathor fell for a sweet interior designer. Start from the beginning! Where did you meet?"

Avni sniffled softly, a genuine, shy smile breaking through her tears as she looked up at Jay, then back at me. The fear in her eyes began to thaw, replaced by the sweet, tender memory of how their world had first collided.

"Pehle main batata hoon, Bhabhi!" Jay chimed in, a proud, goofy grin breaking across his handsome face as he squeezed Avni's hand. "It started almost a year ago. I was looking to renovate my private bachelor pad, and a friend recommended this brilliant, hot-shot freelance interior designer. When she walked into the apartment with her blueprints, wearing this professional blazer and looking so focused... Bhabhi, I completely forgot what I called her for."

"Unki wajah se work schedule delay ho gaya tha!" Avni interrupted softly, a light pink flush dusting her cheeks as she giggled through her lingering tears. "He kept asking ridiculous questions about paint shades and curtain fabrics just to stretch out our meetings. I thought he was the most demanding, annoying client ever!"

"Annoying?!" Jay gasped dramatically, placing a hand over his heart. "Main annoying tha? Bhabhi, main toh lighting check karne ke bahane bas inke paas khada hota tha! Every time she explained a design, she was so passionate about her work. Main toh bas dekhta reh gaya."

"Then what happened?" I asked, completely invested, leaning forward with my chin resting on my palm as my red bridal chooda jingled against my arm. "Who confessed first?"

"Obviously main!" Jay smirked, turning to look at Avni with pure warmth shining in his eyes.

"After the apartment was completely done, I had no excuse left to call her. So I booked an entire rooftop restaurant, covered it with her favorite white lilies, and invited her for a 'client wrap-up dinner'. The moment she walked in, I didn't even let her sit down. Main direct knees par aa gaya aur bol diya-I don't care about the apartment, I just want you in my life."

"And what did you say, Avni?" I asked, looking at her with a big smile.

"Main toh shocked ho gayi thi, Bhabhi," Avni murmured, looking down at their joined hands with an affectionate smile. "I already had feelings for him, but knowing who he was-a Rathor, a famous model, a star football player-I was scared of getting my heart broken. But when he looked at me that night, he didn't look like a celebrity or a prince. He just looked like Jay. Honest, sweet, and deeply in love. Toh maine haan bol diya."

"See, Bhabhi?" Jay said softly, his playful tone shifting into something deep, raw, and earnest. "She saw me, not my name or my family's status. For a whole year, she kept me grounded. Whenever my matches went bad or shoot stress got to me, Avni was my safe place. Main inke bina sach mein nahi reh sakta."

"And now, there's a little baby joining your story," I said gently, my heart swelling with warmth as I looked at the two of them. "Look at both of you. You love each other so genuinely. Yes, the timing is chaotic, and yes, we have a massive storm to navigate with Rudra and the family, but the foundation of what you two have is pure."

Avni wiped the last bit of wetness from her eyes, looking at me with a soft, steady gaze. "Bhabhi... thank you. I was so scared coming here today, but talking to you... hearing you say these things... it feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my chest."

"Arey, weight abhi kahan lifted hua hai?" I teased warmly, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "Abhi toh asli task baaki hai! Managing the king of Rajasthan!"

Jay swallowed hard at that, his eyes widening again. "Bhabhi... when are you going to tell Bhai?"

"Tonight," I said firmly, standing up and smoothing my purple floral saree. "I will talk to Rudra alone first. Once I calm his initial temper down, I will call you. But until then, Jay Bhaiya, you take Avni home safely. Make sure she eats a full, healthy meal, takes rest, and stays completely stress-free. Samjhe?"

"Ji, Bhabhi! Absolutely!" Jay said eagerly, standing up alongside Avni.

Avni stepped forward and impulsive wrapped her arms around me in a warm, tight hug. "Thank you so much, Bhabhi."

"Take care of yourself, okay?" I whispered back, hugging her tight before pulling away with a reassuring smile. "Go on now. Main hoon na."

I watched them walk out of my studio hand in hand, feeling a heavy responsibility resting on my shoulders. I took a deep breath, looking at the time on my phone. Now came the hardest part of all-preparing myself to face my cold, intense, wildly protective husband and telling him that his little brother was about to become a father.

As the evening wrapped up, I sent a quick message to Rudra letting him know that I was finished with my studio work. Within seconds, his reply flashed on my screen: Coming to pick you up.

True to his word, within forty minutes, the familiar low rumble of his heavy SUV echoed outside, followed by a gentle double honk of the horn. I gathered my belongings, said goodbye to my staff, and walked out into the cool night air.

The moment I stepped out, Rudra was already standing by the passenger door waiting for me. Without a word, his towering frame leaned in as he took my heavy bag from my hands. He reached up, his large, warm palm gently caressing my hair, smoothing a few stray curls back before leaning down to press a deep, lingering kiss against my temple.

"Tired, Janna?" he rumbled softly, opening the door and holding his hand over my head to shield me as I slid inside.

"A little," I smiled, pulling my purple floral saree neatly as he shut the door, walked around, and drove us smoothly back to the Rathor Mansion.

When we arrived, the entire family gathered at the grand dining table for dinner. The atmosphere was cheerful as usual, but I couldn't help glancing over at Jay every now and then. He looked terribly restless, his eyes darting toward me every time someone spoke.

Catching his anxious gaze across the table, I gave him a subtle, comforting blink-a silent signal to calm down and let me handle it.

Once dinner ended, everyone bade each other goodnight and slowly retired to their respective rooms. Rudra and I walked up the marble staircase hand in hand, entering our spacious master suite.

The second we stepped inside, Rudra clicked the heavy wooden door locked behind us. He unbuttoned his collar, loosening his tie as he walked over to the wardrobe, while I began untying the pallu of my saree.

"So, Janna..." Rudra's deep, velvet baritone broke the quietness of the room as he unbuttoned his cuffs. He turned his ocean-blue eyes toward me, his sharp brow arching slightly. "What was Jay talking about regarding his work? Why was he behaving so unusually nervous and quiet this morning?"

My breath hitched slightly in my throat. I paused, holding my saree pallu in my hands as I turned around to face my husband. His intense, perceptive blue gaze was locked onto me, waiting for an answer.

The moment of truth had finally arrived.

👑 Rudra's Perspective

"Main bata rahi hoon, pehle change toh kar lijiye," she said softly, avoiding direct eye contact as she fumbled with her saree pallu

"Fine," I rumbled, eyeing her suspiciously.

We both changed into our nightwear-me stripping down to my usual black sweatpants, shirtless as always, while she slipped into a soft cotton kurti. I sat down on the edge of our plush King-sized bed, resting my elbows on my knees as I waited. Ishita walked over after putting her silver hoops away, her red chooda jingling faintly in the quiet room. She sat down right beside me, taking a heavy breath.

"Ummm... Ru..." she began nervously, her brown eyes darting away.

My jaw clenched instantly. My ocean-blue eyes narrowed into icy slits as my expression hardened into a deadly, stoic mask. I knew my wife. That specific hesitation, that anxious tone-something was deeply, seriously wrong, and it involved Jay.

"Bas... gussa kam kijiye, please," she whispered pleadingly, her small hands immediately reaching out to wrap around my large forearm. "Chillana mat... aur please try to understand."

"Just tell me what he did, Ishi," I said, my baritone dropping an octave, cold and unyielding.

She tightened her grip on my hand, leaning closer to my side. "He... he has a girlfriend."

I blinked once, completely unmoved. "And?"

"And her name is Avni. She's an interior designer-"

"And?" I cut in, my voice laced with impatience. "Is that what he was sweating about all morning? Having a girlfriend?"

"Ru, listen to me properly first!" she urged, her voice trembling slightly as she tried to build a protective shield around him. She started rapidly explaining everything-telling me how much Jay loved Avni, how deeply committed he was, how he had taken care of her for a year, how maturely he was acting, and how sweet and respectable Avni's family was.

She was blabbering, trying her absolute hardest to soften the blow. But she forgot one crucial detail-I am Rudra Singh Rathor. Elaborate emotional build-ups don't cloud my perception. I could see right through her stalling tactics to the core of the problem.

"Ishi," I growled softly, stopping her mid-sentence. "Get to the point."

She swallowed hard, her brown eyes filling with a wave of desperate anxiety as her fingers clutched my wrist. "And... and she is... she is two months pregnant, Ru."

Silence.

The world inside my head went dead silent for one terrifying second.

Pregnant. Two months. Out of wedlock. A Rathor prince-reckless, careless, bringing a storm to this family's honor while treating a serious life altering event like a hidden game.

A volcano of pure, unadulterated fury exploded inside my chest. My blood ran white-hot. Without a single word, I ripped my hand out of her grip and stood up from the bed, my tall, muscular frame towering over the room.

"Rudra, please listen!" Ishita gasped, instantly scrambling off the bed to grab my arm. "It was by mistake! Baat toh sun lijiye puri!"

I didn't answer. I couldn't. If I opened my mouth right now, I would destroy everything in sight. My jaw was locked so tight it hurt, my fist clenched until my knuckles turned white. I unlocked our bedroom door with a sharp click and yanked it open, striding out into the grand hallway.

"Rudra! He is scared! Don't shout, Rudra, listen to me!" she cried out desperately, her small feet running on the cold marble floor as she struggled to match my long, furious strides.

I ignored her pleas, the dark rage blinding my vision as I marched straight toward Jay's room at the far end of the wing. Every step I took sounded like a death march echoing through the silent mansion.

I reached his door, raised my leg, and kicked the heavy wooden door open with a resounding, thunderous CRACK that shattered the silence of the night.

The door slammed wildly against the wall, revealing Jay sitting on the edge of his bed, looking like a deer caught in headlights.

"BHAI!" Jay gasped, practically jumping out of his skin as he scrambled to his feet, turning deathly pale the moment his eyes landed on my lethal, murderous face.

"ARE YOU IN YOUR SENSES, JAY?!" My voice boomed like a thunderclap, vibrating off the four walls of the bedroom.

Jay winced, taking an automatic step back, his lower lip trembling as he stood frozen under my murderous glare. Behind me, Ishita quickly slipped into the room and slammed the heavy wooden door shut, locking it so the loud commotion wouldn't wake up Papa, Bebe, or the rest of the family.

"Bhai... listen to me-" Jay stammered out, his hands shaking at his sides.

"LISTEN TO WHAT?!" I roared, stepping directly into his personal space, my tall frame completely towering over him. "Listen to how carelessly you've been living your life?! You think being twenty-four gives you a free pass to act like an irresponsible teenager?! You are a Rathor! You carry the legacy of this family, and you treat a massive, life-altering commitment like a secret game?!"

"Rudra, please, let him speak-" Ishita rushed forward, trying to place her small hand over my bare, tense shoulder to anchor me.

I turned my head toward her, my ocean-blue eyes ablaze with cold fury. "Don't, Ishi," I said sternly, keeping my tone strictly controlled for her, though the authority in my voice was absolute. "Do not come between us right now. You had your turn to speak upstairs. Now let me talk to my brother."

Ishita's brown eyes softened with worry, but she stayed firmly by my side, refusing to step back completely.

I whipped back around to face Jay, my chest heaving with rage. "You had an entire year, Jay! ONE YEAR! If you loved this girl, if you were so certain she was the one you wanted to spend your life with, why didn't you walk into Papa's study like a real man and tell him?! Why didn't you bring her home with dignity?!"

"Bhai, I was scared-"

"Scared of what?!" I cut him off, my baritone cutting through his flimsy excuse like a razor blade. "Were you ever denied anything in this house?! Did Papa ever force a decision on you?! Did I ever stand in the way of your happiness?! No! You were scared of taking responsibility! You wanted the freedom of being with her, but you didn't want the weight of mature commitment that comes with it!"

Jay lowered his head, tears finally overflowing and spilling down his cheeks. He remembered Ishita's warning from earlier and kept his mouth shut, refusing to talk back.

"And now what?!" I demanded, stepping even closer, my fist clenching until my knuckles turned white. "You got carried away, you were careless, and now she is two months pregnant! Do you have any idea what kind of position you put that innocent girl in?! She is sitting alone in her house, terrified out of her mind, wondering if the man she loves is strong enough to stand up for her and their child! Is that how I taught you to treat a woman?!"

"No, Bhai... I love her, I swear I love her-" Jay choked out, burying his face in his trembling hands.

"Love is proven through respect and protection, Jay, not through reckless mistakes!" I growled, my logic hitting him with the force of a sledgehammer. "If this news had leaked to the media today, her reputation would have been dragged through the mud before sunset! Journalists would have dissected her character, and our family name would be on every trashy news headline! Did you think about her dignity for even one second before being so irresponsible?!"

"Rudra, bas kijiye, look at him! He understands his mistake!" Ishita pleaded desperately, stepping right in front of me and placing both her hands over my bare chest, forcing me to pause. "He knows he messed up! He isn't arguing with you, Ru! He came to me today only because he wants to make things right!"

I looked down at Ishita, her eyes wide and pleading, her red bridal chooda resting against my skin. The wild fire in my chest simmered just enough for me to draw a heavy, ragged breath, though my jaw remained rock-hard.

"He came to you because he was coward enough to let his Bhabhi fight his battle for him," I said, my voice dropping into a dangerously quiet, icy tone as I stared over her shoulder at Jay. "Look at me, Jay."

Jay slowly lifted his tear-stained face, unable to meet my eyes for more than a second.

"You promised to protect her, but you made her fight this fear all alone for two months," I said, every word dripping with disappointment. "Tomorrow morning, you and I are meeting her parents. You will stand in front of them, own up to your action like a man, and ask for her hand with full respect.

And if they slap you across the face for what you did, you will take it quietly without a single word of complaint. Do you understand me?!"

"Ji, Bhai..." Jay sobbed quietly, nodding frantically. "I will do whatever you say."

"Fix yourself up," I commanded coldly, turning my back on him. I caught Ishita's wrist gently and pulled her along with me as I walked out of his room, slamming the door shut behind us to leave him with the weight of his actions.

The moment we crossed the threshold of our bedroom, Ishita violently jerked her wrist out of my grip. She spun around and slammed the heavy door behind us, the sharp click of the lock echoing like a gunshot in the silent room.

"RUDRA!" she shouted, her brown eyes blazing with a furious, fiery rage I had rarely seen in her. "WHAT WAS THAT?! WHAT KIND OF BEHAVIOR WAS THAT?!"

I stood my ground, my bare chest rising and falling as I wiped a hand down my face, trying to contain the sheer adrenaline still coursing through my veins. "Ishi, back off-"

"NO! I WILL NOT BACK OFF!" she screamed, stepping right into my space, her chest heaving under her kurti, her red bridal chooda jingling wildly as she gestured at me in pure frustration. "How could you talk to him like that?! He is your younger brother, Rudra! He came to me terrified, he was already crying and blaming himself, and you went in there like a monster and tore him to shreds!"

My jaw locked, my ocean-blue eyes darkening as my stern, unyielding voice cut through her yelling. "He deserved every single word I said to him, Ishita! Do not sit there and defend his utter carelessness! You are enabling him!"

"ENABLING HIM?!" Ishita gasped, her voice cracking with pure disbelief. She slapped her hand against her own chest, her brown eyes widening. "You think I'm enabling him?! I was the one who held him accountable all morning! I was the one who made him promise not to talk back to you! I was the one who met Avni, checked on her health, and promised them that we would handle this as a family! But instead of handling it like a mature older brother, you went in there and acted like a heartless dictator!"

"I AM NOT A DICTATOR, ISHITA! I AM THE HEAD OF THIS FAMILY!" I roared back, my deep baritone reverberating off the walls. I didn't shout at her-I could never raise my voice to hurt her-but the sheer intensity and booming authority of my voice filled every inch of the room. "If I don't instil discipline in him now, who will?! Do you have any idea what could have happened if this leaked?! He put an innocent girl's dignity on the line because he was too much of a coward to face me a year ago! And you expect me to go in there, pat his back, and offer him a trophy?!"

"He is TWENTY-SIX, Rudra!" Ishita yelled right back, standing on her tiptoes, fearlessly glaring into my eyes. "He made a mistake! A huge mistake, yes, but he loves her! He is ready to marry her, he wants this baby! Why couldn't you see his sincerity instead of just seeing his flaw?! Why do you always have to lead with anger and intimidation?!"

"Because love without discipline leads to disaster, Ishi!" I retorted sternly, stepping closer, my tall frame completely overshadowing her, though my hands remained strictly at my sides. "You look at the world through soft, emotional eyes. I look at it through reality! If I had gone soft on him tonight, he would never understand the gravity of taking a human life into his hands!

He needed to feel the weight of his action, and I gave him exactly that!"

"You didn't just give him the weight, Rudra! You crushed him!" she screamed, tears of anger and frustration finally spilling down her cheeks. "He was shaking! He couldn't even look you in the eyes! Is that what you want?!

For your own brother to fear you so much that he hides his life from you for an entire year?! Have you ever thought that maybe... just maybe... the reason he didn't come to you a year ago is because of THIS EXACT REACTION?!"

Her words hit me like a physical blow straight to the chest.

I froze. My breath caught in my throat, my ocean-blue eyes widening just a fraction as her words hung heavily in the air between us.

"He was scared of you, Rudra!" Ishita sobbed, wiping her tears aggressively with the back of her hand, her red chooda clinking harshly against her cheeks. "He was scared that his cold, emotionless brother would judge him instead of guiding him! And tonight, you proved his fear right! You didn't act like a brother... you acted like a judge executing a sentence!"

"That is not fair, Ishita," I gritted out through clenched teeth, my voice dropping into a dangerously low, raspy whisper, my chest tightening with a sudden, sharp pang of pain. "You know how much I love my family. You know I would burn the world down to protect Jay."

"Then ACT like it!" she yelled, her voice breaking completely as she turned her back on me, taking a deep, shuddering breath. "Protection isn't just about shouting and commanding, Rudra. It's about making your family feel safe enough to come to you when they fall. But right now... even I don't feel like talking to you."

She walked straight past me toward the couch on the far side of the room, grabbing a spare pillow from the bed.

"Where do you think you're going?" I demanded, my tone instantly shifting from stern anger to dark, possessive alarm as I spun around.

"I am sleeping on the couch tonight," she said coldly, not even looking back at me as she threw the pillow onto the leather sofa. "Don't touch me right now, Rudra. Just... leave me alone.

"Ishi..." I growled softly, my heart dropping as a surge of panic instantly sliced through the lingering smoke of my fury.

Before she could even pull the throw blanket over her shoulders, I bridged the distance between us in three long strides. I gripped her wrists firmly, preventing her from settling on the couch, and lifted her effortlessly into my arms.

"Rudra, put me down!" she snapped, trying to twist away from my chest, her hands pushing against my shoulders. "I said don't touch me! Go away!"

"No," I rumbled, my voice thick with possessive desperation as I carried her straight back to our King-sized bed. I set her down gently on the soft mattress and immediately hovered over her, trapping her between my body and the headboard, my hands planted firmly on either side of her hips. "You are not sleeping on the couch, Ishi.

Not tonight, not ever. You fight with me, you yell at me, but you sleep right here beside me."

"I don't want to be near you right now!" she turned her face away, her breath coming in ragged hitches as fresh, quiet tears tracked down her flushed cheeks. "You're arrogant, you're stubborn, and you refuse to see how much you hurt people with your temper!"

Seeing her cry-and knowing that her tears were falling because of the storm I had unleashed-hit me harder than any physical blow ever could. The cold armor around my heart cracked wide open. The dangerous, terrifying king of Rajasthan vanished in an instant, leaving behind just a man who couldn't bear to see his Janna in pain.

I slowly rested my forehead against hers, my warm, labored breath fanning across her lips. My hands moved up to cup her face gently, my thumbs brushing away the tear tracks from her soft skin, my eyes searching hers in the dim light of the bedroom.

"Ishi..." I murmured, my deep baritone cracking, devoid of any anger now. "Look at me. Please."

She kept her eyes closed for a long, painful moment, her lower lip trembling, before she finally opened them to meet my gaze.

"You think I enjoyed screaming at him?" I whispered, my thumb tracing her cheekbone softly. "You think I want my own brother to be terrified of me? When you told me she was pregnant... my heart stopped, Ishi. Not because I was ashamed of him, but because I realized how alone he must have felt carrying that burden for two whole months without coming to his elder brother."

Ishita's breath hitched, her brown eyes softening just a fraction as she listened to the raw truth in my voice.

"I failed him first," I admitted quietly, the heavy admission tasting like ash on my tongue. "If he couldn't come to me a year ago, it's because I built a wall around myself that was too high for him to climb. My anger tonight... half of it was at him for being reckless, but the other half was at myself for being the kind of brother he had to hide from."

Ishita looked up at me, her chest heaving as the harshness in her expression slowly melted away, replaced by that deep, boundless empathy that had changed my entire world.

"Then why didn't you just tell him that, Ru?" she asked softly, her small hand reaching up to touch the side of my face, her red chooda jingling delicately against my jawline.

"Why do you always hide your love behind a wall of anger? He loves you so much, Rudra. He worships you. When you scold him like a stranger, it breaks his heart."

"Because I don't know how else to protect him," I whispered honestly, leaning down to kiss her forehead, lingering there for a long, quiet minute. "I spent my whole life making sure no one could ever harm this family. I became cold so they could stay safe. But with you... with Jay... I am still learning how to be soft."

"You don't have to be soft with the world, Ru," Ishita murmured, her fingers gently running through my dark hair, pulling me closer until my face was buried in the crook of her neck.

"But inside these walls... with your family... you have to let them see your heart."

I wrapped my arms tightly around her waist, pulling her flush against my chest as I lay down beside her, burying my face into the sweet, comforting scent of her skin.

"I'm sorry," I rumbled raspy against her neck. "I shouldn't have sternly talked to you. I shouldn't have let my temper spill over onto my Janna."

"I'm still mad at you for yelling at Jay," she whispered, though her arms wrapped securely around my bare back, her ankles intertwining with mine under the sheets. "And you are going to fix it tomorrow. You are going to handle Avni and her family with respect, and you are going to talk to Jay like a big brother, not a drill sergeant."

"I will," I promised softly, kissing the delicate skin near her jawline where her soft moles rested, breathing her in until the last remnants of my rage completely died down.

"Whatever you say, Janna. I'll handle everything tomorrow."

The soft morning light trickled through the heavy curtains of our bedroom. I stood before the full-length mirror, adjusting the collar of my crisp white shirt and dark pinstriped navy suit.

Ishita walked up behind me, looking breathtaking in her elegant dusty-rose saree with delicate scalloped borders. Her neck was adorned with her delicate diamond mangalsutra, her ears holding sparkling rose-gold drop earrings, and her wrists heavy with her vibrant red bridal chooda. She slipped into her black wedge heels, standing tall and turning to face me with a firm, unyielding expression.

"Rudra," she said, her voice dropping into a strict, non-negotiable tone as she adjusted my tie. "You are going straight to Jay's room right now. You will talk to him nicely, calmly, and offer him your full support as his elder brother. If you yell at him again or make him feel like an outcast... I swear, I will not speak a single word to you all day. Clear?"

I swallowed hard, looking down at my wife. The cold, feared king of Rajasthan was entirely helpless against the sharp glare of his Janna. The thought of her giving me the cold shoulder was far worse than any business crisis I had ever managed.

"Clear, Janna," I rumbled softly, cupping her face and pressing a deep, surrendering kiss against her forehead. "I'm going right now."

I walked out into the silent hallway, taking a slow, steadying breath to push down my natural instinct to command. I reached Jay's room and knocked twice before pushing the door open.

Jay was sitting on the edge of his bed, fully dressed but looking exhausted. His eyes were bloodshot and swollen from a restless night, his face pale with immense guil

💖 Ishita's Perspective

The silence inside the car didn't last long, filled instantly by the sweet, firm sound of Ishita's chatter. She turned in her seat, her dusty-rose saree rustling as she looked back at Jay, her red chooda jingling with every emphatic gesture of her hands.

"Jay Bhaiya, pay attention to every word I am telling you," Ishita said, her brown eyes full of absolute focus.

"I am a daughter, and I know exactly what goes through a father's mind when another man comes to ask for his daughter's hand. He doesn't care about your Rathor surname, he doesn't care about your football trophies, and he certainly doesn't care about your modeling photoshoots. Right now, to him, you are just a man who put his precious girl in a scary, vulnerable position."

Jay leaned forward, taking in every single word like a dedicated student. "I know, Bhabhi... I'm ready to listen to whatever he says."

"You won't just listen, you will reassure him," Ishita instructed strictly. "A father only wants three things: absolute honesty, a clear commitment to taking full responsibility, and the assurance that his daughter's respect and happiness will never be compromised. You look him straight in the eyes, you bow your head where needed, and you make him feel that Avni is going into a family that will cherish her even more than he did."

I glanced at her from the side, a small, proud smile touching the corner of my lips as I kept my eyes on the road. "She's right, Jay," I chimed in, my deep baritone filling the car.

"Listen to your Bhabhi. When I went to her house to ask for Ishita's hand, I didn't go as the Prince of Rajasthan or the top businessman in the country. I went as a man who was completely devoted to his daughter."

Jay looked at me in disbelief through the rearview mirror. "Bhai... you were nervous too?"

"Nervous is an understatement," I admitted smoothly, taking a clean turn onto the highway. "My heart was hammering against my ribs. I stood in front of Papa, gave him my word, and made it clear that her dignity, her freedom, and her happiness were my sole priorities. A father is entrusting you with his heart, Jay. If he sees even a fraction of hesitation or arrogance in your posture, he will shut the door on your face-and he would be completely justified in doing so."

"I have zero arrogance left, Bhai," Jay said earnestly, his voice trembling slightly with emotion. "I just want her father to know that I love Avni with everything I have, and I will be the best father and husband I can possibly be."

"Good," Ishita said, her expression softening into a warm, encouraging smile as she reached back to pat his knee gently. "That sincerity in your voice right now? Keep that exact same energy when you stand in front of uncle. Me and your Bhai are right there with you to back you up."

I reached across the center console, wrapping my large palm around Ishita's smaller hand, squeezing it tightly as her silver rings pressed against my skin. She glanced at me with a sweet, affectionate look, resting her thumb over my knuckles.

Within 45 minutes, the heavy SUV pulled into the serene residential neighborhood where Avni's family lived, stopping directly outside a neat, beautiful two-story house.

I cut the engine, the low hum dying down into a heavy silence. I adjusted my navy pinstriped suit jacket, unbuckled my seatbelt, and turned to look at my younger brother in the back seat.

"Take a deep breath, Jay," I commanded softly, my ocean-blue eyes steady and grounded. "Head up, chin down, heart honest. Let's go."

The doorbell chimed softly through the house, and within a few seconds, the heavy wooden door swung open.

Avni was standing right there, looking pale and restless, but the second her eyes landed on Jay, a tiny, involuntary breath of relief escaped her lips and a soft smile touched her face. But then, her gaze flicked slightly to the side, landing on the towering, imposing figure of Rudra standing right beside him in his crisp pinstriped suit.

The color instantly drained from her face. Her eyes widened in pure, unadulterated fear, her breath hitching in her throat as she froze on the spot.

"Aree, mujhe dekho, inhe nahi!" I chimed in warmly with a soft chuckle, stepping right between her and my stern-faced husband. My red bridal chooda jingled as I took her cold, trembling hands in mine and gave them a reassuring squeeze. "Chalo andar."

Avni swallowed hard, her eyes darting back to mine as she found her voice. "Haan... haan ji, Bhabhi... please aaiye."

She stepped aside to let us in, her heart visibly beating against her chest. I kept a gentle hand on her back, guiding her in while Jay walked right by her side, offering her a quick, grounding glance that said 'I'm here, don't be scared.' Rudra followed behind with his usual slow, powerful, elegant strides, his ocean-blue eyes scanning the warm, cozy interior of the home.

We walked into the bright living room, where an elderly gentleman-Avni's father-was sitting on the sofa with a newspaper and a cup of tea.

The moment his eyes fell on our group, he froze. His gaze locked onto Rudra's unmistakable, world-famous face, and he almost dropped his teacup onto the glass table. He hurriedly stood up, his face displaying a mix of absolute shock and deep reverence.

"Sir?!" Avni's father gasped, taking a quick step forward and adjusting his reading glasses as he looked at my husband. "Rudra Singh Rathore sir... aap yahan? Kaise?"

Rudra immediately stepped forward before the older man could feel flustered or out of place. The cold, intimidating aura he carried outside melted into a respectful, grounded posture.

"Namaste, Uncle," Rudra said in a deep, polite tone, bringing his hands together in a traditional greeting before extending his hand for a warm handshake. "I apologize for dropping in without prior notice."

Avni's father quickly shook Rudra's hand with both of his, still visibly overwhelmed. "Nahi nahi, sir... please baithiye! Yeh toh humari aaho-bhagya hain ki Rathore Sahab humare ghar aaye hain. Avni, beta, paani lao sabke liye! Chai-nashta lagao!"

"Aap please pareshan mat hoiye, Uncle," I said with a warm, sweet smile, stepping beside Rudra while my dusty-rose saree pallu rested gracefully over my arm. "Pehle aap baithiye."

Avni's father looked at me, his eyes widening slightly as he recognized me. "Aap... Mrs. Rathore? Ishita beti?"

"Ji, Uncle," I replied softly, sitting down on the couch while Rudra sat right beside me, his thigh brushing against mine as he kept his posture regal yet respectful. Jay remained standing for a second, looking at Avni's father with a mix of utter guilt, respect, and quiet determination, before bowing his head slightly and sitting on the single sofa adjacent to us.

Avni stood near the kitchen entrance, clutching her hands nervously, looking between her father and Jay.

"Sir, koi khas wajeh?" Avni's father asked, looking at Rudra with deep curiosity and respect, sensing that a visit from Rajasthan's king and top corporate tycoon couldn't just be a casual social call. "Business... ya koi aur baat?"

Rudra took a deep breath, resting his forearms on his knees as he turned his ocean-blue eyes directly onto Avni's father. The room fell into a heavy, quiet hush as the real reason for our arrival settled into the air.

"Business nahi hai, Uncle," Rudra spoke softly, his voice firm, honest, and laced with absolute sincerity. "Aaj main yahan kisi Rathore Company ke CEO ya king ke roop mein nahi aaya hoon. Main yahan ek bade bhai ke naate a

aya hoon... apne chote bhai, Jay, ka rishta aapke samne rakhne."