"To the ones who loved too deeply and were torn apart,
To the hearts that still ache in silence,
This story is for you. The scars may never fade,
But perhaps, through pain, we learn to live again."
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The moment I entered the house, an eerie silence greeted me, making my gut churn. Something was wrong. Without wasting a second, I dashed upstairs to our room. The sight before me shattered me.
Ashi was sitting on the floor, her knees pulled to her chest, trembling uncontrollably. Her hands clutched her phone, the screen glowing with an article that had her name smeared across it, dragging her through the mud. Her sobs echoed in the room, and mom stood by her, helpless, tears in her own eyes.
I didn’t need to read the article to know its content it was already burned into my mind.
"Ashi..." I called softly, kneeling before her. She didn’t respond. Her teary eyes locked onto me, filled with confusion, pain, and a desperate need for reassurance.
I pulled her into my arms, holding her tightly. "It’s okay, Butterfly. I’ve got you," I murmured. Her sobs softened against my chest, but her body was still shaking.
“They think I’m a gold digger,” she whispered between shaky breaths. “They think I forced di to leave. That I planned this for money. How can they write such lies?”
I pulled back slightly to look her in the eyes. “Do you believe what they say?”
She shook her head, her lip trembling. “No, but...”
“No buts, Ashi. You know the truth, and so do I. They can write whatever they want, but that doesn’t change who you are. Let them bark they’re irrelevant. You are mine, and I will protect you from all of this.”
Tears welled in her eyes again, but this time, there was a glimmer of trust. I wiped her face gently and kissed her forehead. "You’re not alone in this. Let me handle everything."
🦢
Later That Night
After settling Ashi in the bed and making sure she was asleep, I met Vivek in the study.
"Did you find out who leaked the story?" I asked, my voice cold.
Vivek nodded, his usually jovial face replaced with a grim expression. "It was Mr. Chopra, one of our shareholders. He wasn’t happy when we refused his investment pitch last month."
I clenched my fists, fury bubbling under my calm exterior. "Where is he now?"
"In the warehouse. The men are waiting."
Without another word, we left.
🦢
At the Warehouse
Chopra’s pleas for mercy echoed through the space as Vivek and I entered. He was already bruised and battered, sitting tied to a chair under a single hanging lightbulb.
"You dared to target my wife," I said, my voice dangerously low. "You made her cry."
"It...it was a mistake! Please, forgive me"
Before he could finish, Vivek landed a punch that sent him reeling back. "Mistake? Publishing lies about bhabhi wasn’t a mistake. It was a death wish."
I leaned down, staring him dead in the eyes. "You don’t deserve forgiveness. You’ll pay for this in ways you can’t even imagine."
🦢
Back Home
By the time I returned, Ashi was sitting on the rooftop, gazing at the stars. Her serene face broke my heart .she was trying to find peace in a storm she didn’t deserve.
I joined her silently, wrapping my arm around her shoulders.
"Did you handle it?" she asked softly.
"Yes," I replied, my voice firm. "No one will ever dare speak against you again."
She looked at me, her eyes reflecting gratitude and something deeper, trust.
🦢
The Next Morning
At breakfast, the atmosphere was heavy, but Ashi’s quiet smile helped lighten the mood. Mom, however, looked troubled, her eyes darting toward Ashi.
Finally, she spoke, her voice trembling. “Ashi, I need to apologize.”
Ashi froze mid-bite, looking at mom in confusion. “Why, maa?”
“For putting you in this situation,” mom admitted, tears forming in her eyes. “For making you marry into a family you barely knew, for taking away the life you should have had. You sacrificed so much for us, and I never realized how much pain you were in until now. I’m sorry, beta. I’m so sorry.”
Ashi’s expression softened, and she reached out to hold mom’s hand. “Maa, don’t say that. I don’t regret anything. I found a family here, something I’ve always dreamed of. You, papa, and even Viv make me feel loved in ways I never imagined. I wouldn’t trade this life for anything.”
Tears streamed down mom’s face as she hugged Ashi tightly. The rest of us joined in, creating a moment of unity that reminded me what family truly meant.
🦢
That night, as Ashi lay asleep in my arms, I stared at her peaceful face. She wasn’t just my wife; she was my strength, my hope, my redemption.
The world could call her anything they wanted, but I knew the truth she was my Butterfly, and no one would ever dim her light again.
