his mercy was her name

Episode 9

Chapter 8: The Distance Between Us Pihu's POV

The evening air felt cold—

But not nearly as cold as the ache inside me.

"You deserve someone who actually chooses you."

Advik's words lingered painfully in my chest.

Because no matter how much I tried to deny it—

That was exactly what shattered me.

I loved a man who protected me.

Cared for me.

Watched over me.

But wouldn't choose me.

And perhaps—

That hurt more than outright rejection ever could.

"That's enough."

His voice.

Deep.

Cold.

Commanding.

Rudransh.

The sound of it still made my heart react before my mind could stop it.

He stepped from the shadows like danger itself—

Tailored black suit.

Sharp eyes.

Leo prowling beside him like death on four legs.

Every inch—

The devil I had once foolishly believed was mine.

His gaze locked onto Advik first.

Lethal.

Then shifted to me.

And for one fragile second—

I saw it.

Possessiveness.

Pain.

Jealousy.

"Pihu."

Just my name.

But this time—

I refused to let it weaken me.

"Come."

That one word.

Like I was still someone he could summon.

Like I was still waiting.

Like my broken heart hadn't changed anything.

For a moment—

Silence.

Heavy.

Dangerous.

Then—

I made my choice.

I didn't move toward him.

Instead—

I slowly slipped my hand into Advik's.

The action was simple.

But devastating.

Because I saw it.

The exact second something inside Rudransh cracked.

His expression didn't visibly change.

But his eyes—

God—

His eyes darkened in a way that almost frightened me.

Still—

I held on.

Not because I wanted Advik.

Not because my feelings had changed.

But because—

For once—

I needed Rudransh to understand what losing me felt like.

"I'm okay, Rudransh."

Formal.

Cold.

Intentional.

His jaw tightened instantly.

"I'll go with Advik."

The silence that followed was suffocating.

Even Leo growled lowly, clearly displeased.

Advik, smug enough to recognize the war unfolding, gently tightened his hold.

"As you can see," he said smoothly, "she's made her decision."

Mistake.

A dangerous one.

Because the temperature around us seemed to drop.

Rudransh stepped closer.

Not loud.

Not dramatic.

Just terrifyingly controlled.

"Be very careful, Advik."

His voice was soft.

Which somehow made it far more threatening.

"Don't mistake temporary distance for permission."

My breath caught.

Because that—

That didn't sound indifferent.

That sounded possessive.

Dangerously so.

But instead of letting hope betray me again—

I looked away.

"Goodnight, Rudransh."

And this time—

I walked away.

Without looking back.

Rudransh's POV

She chose him.

No—

Not truly.

I knew that.

I knew her heart.

Knew her pain.

Knew this was retaliation.

But knowledge did nothing to lessen the damage.

Because watching her fingers intertwined with another man's—

Nearly unleashed something monstrous.

My fists clenched so tightly my knuckles bled.

Yet I stood there.

Silent.

Because I had created this.

I had pushed her.

And now—

I was watching the consequences unfold.

Leo's growl deepened beside me.

He was agitated.

Restless.

Protective.

Good.

Because if Advik crossed even one line—

No force on earth would save him.

"She's hurting."

Elena's voice quietly broke through my spiraling rage.

I barely acknowledged her.

"She hates this."

I knew.

Of course I knew.

"That's what makes this worse," Elena said softly.

For the first time—

There was no political strategy in her voice.

Only brutal honesty.

"She wants you."

My jaw tightened.

"And yet..."

Elena's gaze followed Pihu's retreating figure.

"You're teaching her how to live without you."

Those words—

Hit harder than they should have.

Because for the first time—

I was forced to confront a terrifying possibility:

What if she actually did?

Pihu's POV

The car ride was painfully awkward.

Advik glanced at me occasionally, his smirk softer now.

"Impressive."

I frowned faintly.

"What?"

He chuckled.

"You nearly gave the devil a public breakdown."

I looked out the window.

But despite everything—

A small, bitter part of me felt satisfaction.

Good.

Maybe now he understood.

Maybe now he'd feel even a fraction of what I had.

Advik's tone softened.

"You know..."

I looked at him reluctantly.

"You don't have to force this with me."

That surprised me.

He sighed.

"I'm many things, Pihu."

His smirk returned faintly.

"But I'm not stupid."

A pause.

"You're in love with him."

The words still hurt.

But this time—

I didn't deny them.

"Doesn't matter."

My voice came out quieter than intended.

Advik studied me carefully.

"Seems like it matters to both of you."

I closed my eyes briefly.

Because maybe—

That was the tragedy.

Love existed.

But timing...

Fear...

Sacrifice...

Were ruining it.

Mansion Arrival

When we reached home—

Advik stepped out first, opening my door.

Again—

Polished.

Smooth.

Too smooth.

I stepped out quietly.

"Thank you."

He smiled.

"Anytime."

Then—

Before I could move—

He took my hand again.

Lifted it slowly.

And pressed a deliberate kiss against my knuckles.

My body immediately stiffened.

Not because it was inappropriate.

But because—

It felt wrong.

Forced.

Unwanted.

And from the mansion entrance—

A dangerous silence exploded.

I looked up.

Rudransh.

Standing there.

Watching.

Still.

Deadly.

Every shadow around him seemed darker.

Leo beside him looked one second away from violence.

And suddenly—

I realized.

Maybe I had pushed too far.

Because Rudransh wasn't simply jealous.

No.

He looked like a man fighting the urge to destroy something.

Advik, of course, noticed.

And smiled.

Cocky.

Provocative.

"Goodnight, Pihu."

Then finally—

He left.

Rudransh's POV

He kissed her hand.

In front of me.

At my home.

At my gates.

My restraint?

Gone.

Not visibly.

Not yet.

But barely hanging.

I descended the steps slowly.

Each movement deliberate.

Measured.

Terrifying.

Pihu stood frozen.

Perhaps realizing—

Too late—

What line had just been crossed.

When I finally stood before her—

My voice was calm.

Too calm.

"Inside."

No softness.

No argument.

Just command.

And for the first time in days—

I saw uncertainty flicker in her eyes.

Because she had wanted jealousy.

But perhaps—

She hadn't anticipated just how dangerous mine could become.