The Bride they burned

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"They both loved her. But only one of them was willing to lose."

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VORA ESTATE – MIDNIGHT

Kai stood alone in the library.

He thought no one was watching.

But Celeste was always watching.

He sat there, in his black hoodie and tired eyes, replaying footage on his tablet.

Footage of Meher.

Old videos.

Smiling. Laughing. Kissing Aarav's forehead.

He wasn't breathing.

And when he reached out to touch the screen—Celeste snapped.

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> "You know what I hate about men like you?"

Kai's spine stiffened. He didn't turn around.

> "You pretend to be quiet so no one sees how obsessed you are."

He finally looked up. Cold. Empty.

> "Leave, Celeste."

> "Not until you stop jerking off to a ghost."

His eyes flashed.

> "You don't know what you're talking about."

She marched in. Heels echoing on the marble.

> "You think you're protecting her, Kai? Guarding her from what? From people like me who've kissed her scars and still wanted more?"

> "You kissed her like a dare," he spat. "Like she was a game to win on a drunk Friday night."

> "And you? You stare at her like she's your religion—

But you've never even prayed."

> "I don't need to touch her to prove I love her."

> "Then why are your hands shaking?"

Silence.

He stood.

And for the first time, they were face to face.

Both wolves.

Both bleeding.

---

> "You ever wonder why she never chose you?" Celeste asked, voice low.

> "You ever wonder why she had to burn you to leave?" he growled back.

Her smile vanished.

> "I kissed her last night," she said.

> "I know. I watched."

> "And you did nothing."

He stepped closer. Dangerously close.

> "Because I know her. You're fire. She's ash. She needs someone who can carry her ruins, not dance in them."

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DOOR CREAKS – NYRA

They both froze.

I stood in the doorway. Barefoot. Hair messy.

Wearing one of Kai's shirts I'd stolen from laundry.

> "Am I interrupting something?"

Neither spoke.

> "Didn't think so."

I walked in, casually grabbed the tablet from Kai's lap.

Watched it.

Paused it on Meher's face.

My old face.

> "You both really need to find new addictions," I whispered.

> "You were never an addiction," Celeste murmured. "You were the overdose."

I smirked.

> "And you were always the relapse."

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MEANWHILE – ELSEWHERE

Someone watched them from a black SUV.

Parked three blocks away.

He held a picture.

Of Meher.

Holding Aarav.

Smiling.

And a birth certificate.

With a name.

> Father: Rehaan Arora

He smiled coldly.

> "She's back.

And this time, I'm taking everything."

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🖤 End of Chapter 16

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