đ¤ Title: The Devilâs Gentle Touch
đ Chapter 6: The Monsterâs Apology
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It started with a phone call.
Aanyaâs college had reopened, and despite being married to one of the most dangerous men in the country, she insisted on attending like any normal girl.
But when her body began aching againâslight chills, a headache, another dose of feverâshe didnât say anything.
Dev had been busy. He hadnât slept for three days.
She didnât want to trouble him.
So she smiled. Took the medicine quietly. Hid the blanket when he walked in.
---
But Dev saw everything.
The trembling in her hands.
The red in her eyes.
The wince when she turned too fast.
That night, he snapped.
âYouâre sick again and didnât tell me?â
Aanya flinched.
âI didnât want to disturbââ
âYou couldâve collapsed again, Aanya! Are you out of your mind?â
His voice wasnât just angry.
It was terrified.
But Aanyaâs eyes welled up at the volume.
She hadnât heard him shout at her like that before.
Her throat tightened. Her face turned away.
Silence.
Then she whispered, âI just... didnât want to be a burden...â
And thatâs when his world crashed.
---
The glass in his hand shattered on the floor.
His heart dropped.
She thought she was a burden?
The girl who warmed his coldest nights?
The only softness he had in a life of blood and bullets?
Dev stepped back, breathing hard.
âIâm... Iâm sorry,â he said, voice cracking.
âI didnât mean to raise my voice. I justââ
He couldnât find the words.
So he dropped to his knees.
In front of her.
Head lowered.
Eyes closed.
Like a monster begging for forgiveness.
âI get angry when Iâm scared,â he said quietly.
âAnd you scare me, Aanya. Because if I ever lost you... I wouldnât survive it.â
---
Aanya knelt down too. Took his face in her small hands.
His eyes were glassy. Vulnerable.
She kissed his forehead gently.
âThen next time, just hold me.â
âDonât roar. Just hold me.â
He nodded.
And then he did exactly that.
Held her. Rocked her. Let her cry. Let himself feel.
Because love doesnât come in soft hands alone.
Sometimes, love comes from the monster kneeling in front of you, begging for another chance.