Mumbai
Rudraksh grabbed Haya with an intense hatred burning in his eyes, his grip firm and unrelenting. His voice, cold and venomous, lashed out at her, "What did you just say? Say it again!" The anger in his tone was so sharp, it felt like a blade cutting through the tense silence. Haya, clearly startled by his sudden outburst, looked nervously around , her voice shaky as she tried to respond, "I was just trying to sayâ"
But before she could complete her sentence, Rudraksh's hold on her tightened, and he brought his face closer to hers. His expression was filled with disdain as he interrupted her, his voice low but dripping with fury, "How many times have I told you, Haya Diwan? Stay in your limits! Know your place! But it seems you've started to believe you're better than you really are, haven't you? And as for my work, let me make one thing very clearâwhat I do is none of your business. I'll do whatever I wish, and that is my personal life, not yours. And as far as this disgusting accusation about the flesh trade..." He smirked mockingly, his voice taking on a sharp edge, "Wow, what a filthy mindset you have. You must think everyone is as small-minded as you are."
His words were cold and cruel, but he continued without hesitation, his voice rising slightly. "Let me tell you something, HayaâRudraksh Shekhawat is not the kind of man who will ever stoop so low. I don't need to indulge in such despicable acts. The people who look up to me, who call me their idol, respect me for a reason. They admire me because of my hard work, because I've built something meaningful with my own two hands. To reach where I am today, I've fought every battle and earned every bit of my name, my reputation, and my honor. Don't you dare question it!"
Haya, wincing in pain from the firm grip on her face, tried to free herself. Her voice was sharp and defiant as she retorted, "You're hurting me! Let go of me! Don't touch me with your filthy hands, you murderer!" Her words struck a chord, but they didn't anger him as much as they seemed to amuse him. Rudraksh loosened his grip slightly, his dark eyes narrowing as he looked directly into hers. His tone lowered, but the menace in his voice was unmistakable as he said, "You're rightâI am a murderer. And when I kill, I don't stop to think about what my relationship is with the person standing in front of me. That's why I'm warning you one last timeâkeep your filthy tongue in check when you're talking to me."
The air around them was heavy with tension, his words cutting through it like a blade. Finally, Rudraksh released her face with a forceful shove, stepping back as if to regain control of himself. Haya staggered slightly, raising her hand to her sore cheek. Her breath came in shaky gasps, but her spirit remained unbroken. Straightening herself, she looked up at him, her defiance burning as brightly as ever.
Jannat Villa
A while later, the car halted in front of Jannat Villa. The guard quickly opened the door, and Haya, without saying a word, walked inside, her footsteps echoing through the quiet night. Rudraksh followed, tossing the car keys casually toward the guard before trailing after her. As soon as Haya reached her room, she closed the door with a sense of finality, exhaled deeply, and grabbed her clothes before disappearing into the bathroom.
Nearly an hour passed before Haya emerged. Her damp hair clung to her shoulders, and her expression was calm yet distant. Rudraksh was already in the room, seated on the bed, his coat carelessly thrown beside him. He was engrossed in his phone, paying no attention to Haya's presence. Similarly, Haya barely acknowledged him as she walked toward the dresser. The tension between them was palpable, but neither made an effort to break the silence.
Then, suddenly, the sharp ring of Rudraksh's phone shattered the quiet. He glanced at the screen, answered the call, and leaned back, unbuttoning the top of his shirt. His voice was casual yet firm as he spoke, "You reached safely, right? No issues?"
On the other end, Sofia's voice was soft but filled with resentment. "Baby, why did you take her there? You know how humiliated I felt after leaving that place because of her. I can't even begin to describe it. She said I'm not even worthy of being taken to such places, and she even claimed that I'm not fit to be your wife."
Sofia had barely finished speaking when Haya, who had been quietly observing the conversation, snatched the phone out of Rudraksh's hand. Her tone was sharp, her words cutting, as she retorted, "Oh, really? Did I, by any chance, say that your face resembles a witch? Or maybe I mentioned that you're a lowly, manipulative woman who only knows how to stir up trouble?"
Sofia, stunned into silence on the other end, didn't know how to respond. Meanwhile, Rudraksh, who had been silently observing Haya, his dark eyes locked onto her every move, finally stepped forward. Taking the phone from her hands with a steady grip, he asked in a low, sarcastic tone, "Did you leave your brain behind somewhere?"
Haya glared at him, her anger bubbling to the surface. Snatching the phone back from him, she faced it directly and spoke, her voice cold and direct, "Listen carefully, Sofia. There is nothing between Rudraksh and me, and I will make sure it stays that way. I can say whatever I want, but the world will always see you as 'the other woman.' It doesn't bother me, but here's a piece of adviceâdon't provoke me unnecessarily. You might be used to crying over petty things, but I'm not. Say one thing to me, and you'll hear ten in return."
With that, Haya handed the phone back to Rudraksh, her gaze unwavering as she added, "I've made myself clear. Now, you should also make sure Sofia understands." Saying this, she walked toward the dresser, her shoulders held high with confidence.
Rudraksh, standing there, watched her intently, his piercing gaze following her every move. He said nothing, but his expression held a mix of frustration, amusement, and intrigue
. Rudraksh's intense gaze lingered on Haya as she stood before the dresser, combing through her damp hair. Meanwhile, with his phone still pressed to his ear, he spoke softly, "I'll meet you tomorrow, and we'll talk about it then." Whatever Sofia said in response brought a faint smile to his lips as he replied in a gentle tone, "Love you too," before ending the call.
Haya, now fully aware of his piercing gaze, continued brushing her hair. She could feel his eyes following her every move, but she remained composed. Dressed in a light pink night suit that seemed to amplify her delicate beauty, she finally glanced into the mirror and caught his reflection staring at her. Turning slightly, she asked, "What is it?"
Rudraksh didn't answer. Instead, he began moving toward her with deliberate, measured steps. Haya instinctively stepped back, a sense of unease creeping in. Something about his demeanor unsettled herânot anger, not hatred, but a strange blend of emotions that made her heart race. Rudraksh's exhaustion was evident in his face, and there was an intensity about him that made Haya wary.
As she retreated further, her back pressed against the cold wall. She glanced at him nervously, uncertain of his intentions. His face gave nothing away, no hint of the storm brewing inside him. "What wall did you bang your head against?" Haya finally broke the silence, her voice tinged with sarcasm. "What's wrong with you?"
Rudraksh didn't respond, his steps unwavering as he closed the distance between them. Without a word, he placed his hands firmly on either side of her, trapping her against the wall. Her breath hitched as she tried to avoid his penetrating gaze. "Stay away from me," she muttered, though her eyes betrayed her as they flickered toward his broad chest, where the top two buttons of his shirt were undone. His muscular frame was impossible to ignore.
Gathering her composure, she pressed her finger against his chest and said firmly, "I told you to stay awaâ" Her words were cut short as Rudraksh caught her finger in his grasp, holding it firmly. Haya's eyes widened in shock. He bent her finger slightly, not to hurt her but to make his point. His voice was low, a warning laced with steel. "How many times do I have to tell you to control that tongue of yours? And who gave you the right to speak to Sofia like that?"
Haya looked up at him, her eyes filled with defiance, and replied softly but with conviction, "Is that the only reason you've come this close to me? Just because of that Sofia? Or is it that you can't stay away from me, Rudraksh Shekhawat?"
Her words brought a sudden change in his expression. The seriousness on his face melted into a devilish grin, followed by a low, mocking laugh. "Oh, Haya Diwan, you really do live in a world of your own delusions, don't you? And the biggest one of all is thinking that I, Rudraksh Shekhawat, would ever crave being close to you."
He leaned in slightly, his voice dripping with disdain as he added, "Sofia is my everything, my life. And today, whatever you said to her hurt her deeply. I've forgiven you this once, but if your tongue dares to utter her name again or insult her in any way, you'll see a side of me that you won't like at all."
With that, Rudraksh released her abruptly, stepping back as if her presence repelled him. Without sparing her another glance, he grabbed his nightwear and disappeared into the bathroom, slamming the door behind him.
Haya stood frozen, her heart pounding in her chest. His words stung, yet his proximity and the lingering warmth of his touch left her rattled. Her emotions were a storm of anger, confusion, and something she couldn't quite name. Whatever Rudraksh Shekhawat stirred within her, it was far from simple.
After a while, Rudra stepped out of the bathroom, his damp hair dripping faint droplets of water down his sharp, defined jawline. The light from the room highlighted his striking features, making him appear both dangerous and impossibly magnetic. As his eyes adjusted to the dim light, they immediately fell on Haya, who was fast asleep on the couch.
Her delicate face was serene, her features soft and innocent as though the weight of the world had momentarily lifted from her shoulders. Her breathing was even, her chest rising and falling gently beneath the light pink blanket draped over her. She looked vulnerable in her sleep, almost ethereal.
Rudra stood there for a moment, silently watching her. His gaze softened without him even realizing it. There was something about her that made his turbulent mind strangely calm, though his ego would never allow him to admit it. Slowly, as though pulled by an invisible force, Rudra stepped closer to her, his tall frame now looming over her sleeping form.
Leaning slightly down, he gazed at her face. Her damp hair framed her face perfectly, strands clinging to her forehead. As Rudra moved a little closer, his warm breath brushed against her skin. Suddenly, Haya stirred, her senses waking as she felt someone's presence. Her eyes fluttered open, only to see Rudra's face mere inches from hers.
Her heart skipped a beat. She blinked, taking in the sight of his face so close, his wet hair dripping small droplets of water onto her skin. "What are you doing?" she blurted out, her voice still groggy from sleep.
Rudra's lips curled into a devilish smirk, the kind that both infuriated and unnerved her. "Good night... my unwilling wife," he whispered in his deep, teasing voice.
Haya's face immediately hardened. Without missing a beat, she grabbed the pillow next to her and threw it at him, glaring. Rudra caught the pillow mid-air with ease, his reflexes quick, and his smirk only deepened.
"You're insane, Rudra Shekhawat!" Haya snapped, her eyes narrowing. "Go to sleep before I lose my mind!"
Instead of responding, Rudra casually tossed the pillow back onto the couch and turned to head toward the bed. "What can I do?" he murmured, loud enough for her to hear. "My family brought a joker home to entertain me. Might as well enjoy the show."
"Joker?" Haya threw the blanket over her head, muttering under her breath. "If you don't stop, I'll make sure tomorrow morning your 'joker act' is exposed in front of Dadu!"
Rudra stopped mid-step, casting her an amused glance. "You're quite bold for someone who can barely hold her own temper," he muttered, grabbing his phone and settling on the bed.
He sent a quick message, then leaned back, his thoughts already drifting toward the work he had to handle in the morning. For now, he closed his eyes, the faint smirk still lingering on his lips.
Elsewhere...
In a dark, lavish apartment across the city, the silence of the night was broken by muffled cries and the sound of heavy breathing. A man, his face shadowed by the dim light of the room, leaned over a trembling woman beneath him. His grip on her hair was ruthless, his eyes dark and menacing as he dominated her entirely.
The woman, her body covered in marks of his brutal passion, clutched the sheets tightly, her sobs barely audible now. The man leaned closer to her ear, his voice cold and cutting. "I should finish you right here, on this bed," he hissed, his grip on her tightening.
But instead of following through, he flipped her over harshly, eliciting another scream from her lips that echoed in the confines of the room. His sadistic smirk deepened as he relished her pain.
Who is this man, and what is his connection to the story? What secrets is Rudra hiding about his plans with Haya? Will the distance between Rudra and Haya ever close?
Find out in the next chapter of The Devil's Sweet Sin.
I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter! Please feel free to share your thoughts and feedback. How did you find the twists and turns of this chapter? Did the emotions and interactions between the characters feel intense? I'd love to know your thoughts on the developments, especially the complex dynamics between Haya and Rudraksh. Your feedback means a lot!