Chapter 28: A New Beginning
The Ruthless King's Claim [Completed]
Kiara's POV
The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. I stirred awake, feeling the familiar weight of Reyaanshâs arm draped over me. For a moment, I just lay there, savoring the quiet, peaceful rhythm of his breathing.
Carefully, I slipped out of bed, not wanting to wake him. After a quick shower, I dressed in a pastel pink kurta, accessorized with delicate bangles and a small bindi. As I was pinning my dupatta, the door creaked open, and Reyaansh leaned against the frame, his hair tousled and his shirt unbuttoned at the collar.
Her look~
"Good morning, Mrs. Rathore," he greeted, his voice thick with sleep.
"Good morning," I replied, unable to hide my smile. "Youâre up early."
"Didnât want to miss my favorite view," he said, his eyes roaming over me.
I shook my head, trying to suppress the heat rising to my cheeks. "Stop being such a flirt."
He smirked, pushing off the doorframe and walking toward me. "Iâm not flirting. Iâm appreciating."
Before I could respond, he caught my wrist, pulling me gently toward him. His thumb traced the curve of my jawline as he leaned in, pressing a lingering kiss to my forehead.
"You make it hard to leave for work, Kiara," he murmured, his voice soft.
"Then donât," I teased, earning a low chuckle from him.
"Tempting, but duty calls," he replied, reluctantly letting go of my wrist.
---
As Reyaansh left for the office, I decided to surprise him with lunch later in the day. After all, he deserved a break, especially with everything he had been dealing with recently.
I spent the morning preparing his favorite dishes with Meera Ma, who was delighted by the idea. By noon, I packed the food in tiffin boxes and headed to Rathore Enterprises.
The receptionist greeted me warmly this time, her earlier hostility replaced by respect. "Mrs. Rathore, you can head straight to the CEOâs office," she said, offering a small smile.
When I entered his office, Reyaansh was on a call, his brows furrowed in concentration. The moment he saw me, his expression softened, and he quickly ended the call.
"This is a pleasant surprise," he said, standing to greet me.
"I thought you could use some homemade food," I said, setting the tiffin on his desk.
He pulled me into a quick hug, whispering, "Youâre too good to me, Kiara."
As we sat down to eat, I realized how far we had come as a couple. Our love was a steady anchor amidst the chaos, and I knew, no matter what the future held, we would face it together.
---
Reyaansh's POV
When I woke up that morning, I found Kiara already up, her side of the bed cold. The faint hum of the shower told me she was getting ready. I leaned back against the pillows, a small smile tugging at my lips. This woman had become the center of my world in ways I never thought possible.
A few minutes later, she emerged from the washroom, wrapped in a pale pink kurta that made her glow. Her bangles jingled softly as she adjusted her dupatta, oblivious to the way she stole my breath. I leaned against the doorframe, unable to resist teasing her.
"Good morning, Mrs. Rathore," I said, watching her jump slightly at my sudden appearance.
Her smile was the kind that could light up a room. "Good morning. Youâre up early."
I smirked. "Couldnât miss the chance to see you like this."
She rolled her eyes, but her cheeks flushed, betraying her amusement. I walked toward her, catching her wrist gently. The way she looked up at meâinnocent yet challengingâwas enough to undo me. I pressed a kiss to her forehead, savoring the warmth of her skin.
"You make it very hard to leave for work," I murmured, my fingers brushing against hers.
"Then donât," she quipped, her teasing tone making me chuckle. She didnât realize how tempting that offer was.
Later, at the office, my day was packed with meetings and calls. The constant buzz of work was something I was used to, but today, my mind kept wandering back to Kiara. The way she had looked this morning, her soft laughter echoing in my earsâit was a distraction I didnât mind.
When the door to my office opened unexpectedly, I glanced up, ready to reprimand whoever it was. But then I saw her, holding a tiffin box and looking as radiant as ever.
"This is a pleasant surprise," I said, my voice softening as I stood to greet her.
The sight of her in my space, bringing warmth and comfort into my otherwise cold office, made my heart swell. As we ate together, I realized once again that this wasnât just a marriage. She was my partner, my anchor, and the one person who could bring light into the darkest corners of my life.