The Stranger's Wife

Chapter-14

Arthur took Aaira to her home, but Aarsh, furious that his party had been interrupted and ended so soon, had locked the main door from inside and put on his earphones with loud music. In his frustration, he hadn’t realized his mother wasn’t home.

Arthur knocked the door several times but Aarsh didn’t open the door so, seeing no other option, carried Aaira on his back and took her to his mansion. He carefully placed her in the guest room, covering her with a warm blanket. Sitting by her side, he let out a deep sigh, his mind swirling with the story she had told him. The weight of her past, the years of suffering, the emotional wounds—he had never thought Aaira had endured so much pain. And now, after hearing it all, he felt a sharp pang of guilt for the way he had treated her. He had been harsh, stubborn, and distant.

He clenched his fists. "What have I done?" he muttered under his breath.

From this day forward, he made a vow—he would protect Aaira, never let her be hurt again, not by anyone, and certainly not by himself. He wanted to show her what love truly was, what it meant to be cherished, to be valued. She deserved to know that not all men were like her father or her ex-husband. He wanted her to see a different side of life, one where she could be happy and free.

Arthur ran a hand through his hair and smirked to himself. "From tomorrow, Aaira, you will see a new day."

The next morning, Aaira woke up with a pounding headache. She groaned, holding her forehead.

"What happened?" she muttered, trying to sit up with the unfamiliar surroundings. The last thing she remembered was feeling unusually lightheaded at Aarsh’s birthday party. Then everything blurred.

Her eyes widened. "Oh, my Lord! What if I embarrassed myself?"

Just as she was about to panic, the door opened, and Arthur walked in with a cup of tea. His usual smirk was firmly in place.

"Good morning, sleeping beauty," he said, placing the cup on the bedside table.

Aaira blinked at him. What.. Am I dreaming. The arrogant Arthur Black is at my service? I must be dreaming for sure to wake up Aaira. She pinched her hand," Ouchh!! "It hurts. "What am I doing here? Where is Aarsh?"

Arthur leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. "Aarsh locked the house from inside and went to sleep without realizing his mother wasn’t home. So, I had no choice but to take you here."

Aaira gasped. "That boy! Wait till I get home!"

Arthur chuckled. "Before you go on a rampage, do you remember anything from last night?"

She frowned, rubbing her temples. "Not really... Why? Did something happen?"

Arthur’s smirk deepened. "Oh, just a tiny detail—you got drunk."

Aaira froze. "What?!"

Arthur nodded, his expression far too amused. "One of Aarsh’s friends tried to spike his drink, but you ended up drinking it instead. You got all emotional and sat by the pool, pouring your heart out."

Aaira’s jaw dropped. "I drank alcohol?!"

Arthur nodded. "Yes." And not just that, you were rather dramatic about it."

She gasped, horror filling her face. Being from an orthodox family, she had never even touched alcohol before. And now she had unknowingly consumed it?

"Oh no! No, no, no! "I have committed a sin! "I must pray for forgiveness immediately!" Aaira jumped out of bed, only to stumble slightly from the dizziness.

Arthur tried to catch her, but she pushed him away. "Don’t touch me! I’m impure! I have to cleanse my soul!"

Arthur raised an eyebrow, barely holding in his laughter. "Aaira, you didn’t commit a crime." It was an accident."

But Aaira was too distressed to listen. "I have to pray! I have to seek forgiveness! Oh, Lord, what have I done?!"

Arthur sighed, rubbing his temples. "And here I thought the hangover would be your biggest problem today."

Aaira glared at him. "Don’t mock me, Arthur. This is serious!"

He chuckled. "Oh, I know it is. But trust me, you were hilarious last night."

She let out a dramatic sigh. "I will never forgive myself for this!"

Arthur watched her pacing back and forth, mumbling prayers under her breath, and couldn't help but feel amused. She was stubborn, dramatic, and utterly adorable. But most of all, she was real. And that’s what drew him to her even more.

As she continued mumbling prayers, Arthur shook his head with a fond smile.

"You’re something else, Aaira," he whispered to himself. And he was starting to like it more than he expected. Unknown to him, he had fallen deep with her.

To be continued…