his mercy was her name

Episode11

Chapter 11: The Silence Between Heartbeats

Pihu's POV

For the first time in years—

I woke up without smiling.

Not because I had forgotten how.

But because reality reached me before consciousness fully could.

That cruel memory.

That fleeting image.

Elena leaning close.

Rudransh not stopping her.

And suddenly—

The warmth of sleep vanished.

I lay there staring blankly at the ceiling, my chest feeling unbearably heavy.

As though someone had placed stones over my heart while I slept.

Last night, I had convinced myself not to cry.

And technically—

I succeeded.

But somehow, not crying felt worse.

Because tears release pain.

This?

This numb ache just stayed.

Quietly.

Constantly.

I turned slightly—

And immediately felt a sudden weight crash onto me.

"Oof—!"

Before I could even process—

A familiar rough tongue attacked my cheek.

"Leo!"

My voice finally broke into something real.

A startled laugh escaped me despite everything.

Leo, my oversized emotionally unstable child, proudly stood over me on the bed, his giant paws pinning me down while he aggressively showered my face with affection.

"Stop— stop! Leo!"

I laughed harder, trying to push his massive face away.

But Leo, clearly deciding my sadness was unacceptable, only became more dramatic.

He huffed.

Growled softly.

Then dramatically flopped his enormous body half across me.

As if physically preventing me from being upset.

I blinked.

"Are you... cuddling me?"

Leo blinked back.

Completely serious.

And just like that—

For the first time since yesterday—

My chest loosened.

Only a little.

But enough.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, burying my face into his soft white fur.

"You know..."

My voice cracked slightly.

"You're honestly better than every man in this house."

Leo made an oddly smug noise.

And I swore—

If panthers could smirk—

He absolutely did.

A soft laugh escaped me.

"Except maybe you're too violent."

Leo huffed again.

Clearly disagreeing.

God.

At least someone here loved me openly.

---

Rudransh's POV

I stood near her doorway longer than I should have.

Not entering.

Not speaking.

Just...

Listening.

Her laughter.

Soft.

Sleepy.

Real.

And for one fragile second—

I forgot the chaos.

Because that sound...

That precious sound...

Was everything.

Leo's low playful growls followed.

Then Pihu's voice:

"You're better than every man here."

My jaw tightened.

Traitor.

I stared at Leo, who emerged moments later looking entirely too pleased with himself.

The beast paused near me.

And if possible—

Actually looked smug.

"Enjoying yourself?"

Leo flicked his tail once.

Unbothered.

Disloyal creature.

Still—

A faint smile betrayed me.

Because if Leo could make her laugh today—

Then perhaps he had done what I couldn't.

Protected her.

At least emotionally.

For now.

---

Pihu's POV

Getting ready felt different today.

Not easier.

But sharper.

Like I was slowly learning how to function around pain instead of drowning in it.

Leo refused to leave my side.

He followed me into my closet.

Sat outside my bathroom.

Even attempted to block my door when I grabbed my hospital bag.

"Leo."

He stared.

I crossed my arms.

"You are not coming to surgery."

He blinked.

Then deliberately placed one massive paw over my shoe.

I gasped.

"Did you just—"

He absolutely did.

I narrowed my eyes.

"You manipulative furball."

Leo's tail swished once.

Zero remorse.

I crouched slightly, holding his face dramatically.

"Listen to me carefully."

He blinked.

"You cannot emotionally blackmail your mother."

Pause.

A tiny huff.

He absolutely could.

I sighed.

"Fine."

I kissed his forehead.

"But only till breakfast."

Instant victory.

He practically strutted beside me.

And for the first time in days—

I smiled genuinely.

---

Breakfast Scene

When I entered the dining hall—

Rudransh was already there.

As always.

Perfectly composed.

Perfectly devastating.

Perfectly dangerous to my peace.

But today—

Leo chose chaos.

Without warning—

He dramatically shoved his giant body between us and placed himself directly beside my chair.

Blocking Rudransh's view.

I blinked.

Rudransh slowly looked at Leo.

Leo stared back.

A challenge.

A full challenge.

And suddenly—

I realized.

My panther had picked sides.

I nearly choked on my coffee trying not to laugh.

"Leo..."

Rudransh's tone was dangerously calm.

"Move."

Leo did not.

I bit my lip.

Hard.

Because this was absurd.

And hilarious.

"Leo."

Nothing.

Rudransh leaned back slowly, narrowing his eyes.

"Interesting."

Leo yawned.

I lost it.

A laugh burst free before I could stop it.

And the sound—

It changed the room instantly.

Because both of them paused.

Rudransh's expression softened involuntarily.

Leo looked victorious.

And me?

For one brief moment—

I forgot heartbreak.

---

Rudransh's POV

That laugh.

God.

I would destroy nations for that laugh.

Even now.

Even when she was slipping away.

Even when I was the reason.

And perhaps that was my greatest punishment—

Knowing that every beautiful part of her still had the power to ruin me.

Leo, however—

Was testing boundaries.

"Congratulations," I muttered dryly to him. "You've become insufferable."

Leo blinked.

Unimpressed.

Pihu smiled faintly into her coffee cup.

And for one dangerous second—

Domesticity hit me harder than violence ever had.

Because this...

This was all I wanted.

Not blood.

Not empires.

Not fear.

Just this.

Her laugh.

Morning light.

Leo's chaos.

Peace.

But men like me?

We rarely deserved peace.

---

Pihu's POV

For a moment—

It almost felt normal again.

Almost.

But pain has strange timing.

Because the second my gaze accidentally met Rudransh's—

Everything rushed back.

The distance.

The silence.

The unanswered questions.

And so—

I looked away first.

Not dramatically.

Not angrily.

Just carefully.

Protectively.

Because if I kept meeting his eyes—

I might start hoping again.

And hope...

Was becoming dangerous.

Still—

When I stood to leave—

Leo immediately rose too.

I sighed.

"No."

Leo froze.

I pointed sternly.

"You stay."

Leo looked personally betrayed.

Rudransh, traitorously, almost smirked.

And suddenly—

Leo did something unforgivable.

He walked directly to Rudransh.

And sat beside him.

As if switching parental alliances.

My mouth dropped open.

"Leo!"

Betrayal.

Absolute betrayal.

Rudransh finally let out the smallest real smile.

"Seems he's chosen discipline."

I narrowed my eyes.

"Oh, really?"

I leaned down dramatically toward Leo.

"Remember who buys your imported chicken."

Leo hesitated.

The audacity.

Rudransh actually chuckled.

A real one.

Low.

Warm.

Rare.

And God help me—

My heart still reacted.

Which was exactly why I had to leave quickly.

Before I forgot all over again how dangerous loving him was.

---

Chapter Ending

As Pihu's car disappeared beyond the gates—

Leo remained unusually quiet beside Rudransh.

The massive white panther watched the road intently.

As if even he understood—

Something fragile was changing.

Rudransh exhaled slowly.

"She's slipping away."

Leo let out a low sound.

Not disagreement.

Not comfort.

Just truth.

And for perhaps the first time—

The devil truly understood:

Protecting her from enemies might be possible.

But protecting her from heartbreak—

Especially the kind he caused—

May already be too late.