his mercy was her name

Episode 6

Chapter 6: The Distance He CreatedPihu's POV

"May I have this dance?"

Advik Malhotra's hand stretched toward me, polished, confident, perfectly mannered.

And yet—

It felt wrong.

Not because he was unattractive.

Not because he wasn't powerful.

Not because he lacked charm.

But because—

He wasn't him.

For one devastating second, I couldn't move.

The glittering chandeliers above blurred.

The music softened.

The crowd faded.

Because all I could feel—

Was Rudransh.

Standing across the ballroom.

Silent.

Still.

Watching.

His expression was calm enough to fool the world.

But not me.

Never me.

I knew him too well.

I saw the tightness in his jaw.

The storm hidden in his eyes.

The way his fingers curled slightly around the crystal glass in his hand.

And suddenly—

My heart hurt.

Because this was the man I loved.

The man I had planned to confess to tonight.

The man who had unknowingly become every prayer I never spoke aloud.

And now—

He was the one placing my hand into someone else's.

My fingers trembled slightly.

But I smiled.

Because if he wanted distance—

Then I would give it to him.

Even if it destroyed me.

So I placed my hand in Advik's.

And let another man lead me—

While my heart stayed behind.

The music wrapped around us.

Elegant.

Graceful.

Cold.

Advik's hand rested on my waist.

And every nerve in my body rejected it.

Not visibly.

Not enough to draw attention.

But emotionally—

It felt unbearable.

Because my body had already learned Rudransh's presence.

His gravity.

His protection.

His warmth.

And anything less—

Felt hollow.

"You're nervous," Advik murmured.

I forced a polite smile.

"I'm fine."

Lie.

I was unraveling.

His fingers shifted slightly.

Too familiar.

Too comfortable.

I resisted the urge to step back.

Because this wasn't discomfort alone.

This was grief.

The grief of watching your heart silently handed away by the very person it belongs to.

Advik studied me carefully.

Then his voice dropped.

"You love him."

My breath stopped.

The words didn't shock me.

The truth did.

Because hearing someone else say it aloud—

Made it real.

Painfully real.

I looked away immediately, blinking back the sting behind my eyes.

"I don't know what you mean."

He smiled faintly.

"You look at him like he's your whole world."

My chest tightened so painfully it almost stole my breath.

Because he was.

And maybe that was my greatest mistake.

But then—

A soft feminine laugh echoed from across the ballroom.

Something about it made my heart sink instantly.

My eyes shifted involuntarily.

And there—

Near the grand staircase—

Stood Rudransh.

With another woman.

She was breathtaking.

Tall.

Elegant.

Draped in silver.

The kind of woman who looked like she belonged in his dangerous world.

Her manicured hand rested lightly on his arm.

She leaned closer.

Smiling.

Whispering something that actually made Rudransh respond.

Not warmly.

But enough.

Enough to break me.

My breath hitched.

For one horrifying second—

My thoughts spiraled.

Was this why?

Was this why he pushed me away?

Because there was someone better suited for him?

Someone powerful.

Sophisticated.

A woman who fit beside the devil—

Unlike me.

My chest physically ached.

I couldn't hear what they were saying.

Couldn't understand the context.

All I could see—

Was her touching him.

Standing close.

Occupying space I had foolishly dreamed of.

And suddenly—

Everything shattered louder.

Advik noticed immediately.

His gaze followed mine.

And for once—

Even he looked almost sympathetic.

"Careful," he murmured.

"Assumptions hurt more than reality."

But it was too late.

Because my heart had already chosen pain.

Rudransh's POV

"Your alliance proposal is acceptable."

Elena Moretti's voice remained poised.

Strategic.

Calculated.

This conversation was necessary.

Her family controlled critical European syndicate routes.

A business alliance.

Nothing more.

Nothing personal.

And yet—

The second I felt it—

I turned.

Pihu.

Watching.

Her expression—

God.

No.

Her eyes.

Shattered.

Tears she was desperately holding back.

Misunderstanding.

I knew instantly what this looked like.

But before I could move—

Before I could explain—

Advik spun her gently back into the dance.

And I saw it.

The exact second her heart broke.

My fists clenched.

Because protecting her from danger was one thing.

But becoming the reason for her pain?

Unforgivable.

Pihu's POV

I couldn't breathe.

I couldn't think.

Every second of this dance felt unbearable now.

Because maybe—

Maybe I had been a fool all along.

Maybe his distance wasn't sacrifice.

Maybe it was choice.

And that possibility?

Destroyed me.

"Excuse me..."

My voice cracked.

I stepped away from Advik before I completely collapsed.

I needed air.

Needed space.

Needed—

Anything but this.

I moved quickly through the grand hall, ignoring confused glances, ignoring everything—

Until I finally reached an empty balcony.

And the moment the doors shut behind me—

I broke.

Tears spilled instantly.

Painful.

Silent.

Humiliating.

I covered my mouth desperately, trying to suppress the sob that clawed its way out.

"Stupid..." I whispered brokenly.

"Stupid, stupid girl..."

How could I have been so blind?

So hopeful?

So in love?

The cold night air did nothing to numb the ache.

Because heartbreak like this—

Didn't fade easily.

And perhaps the cruelest part—

Was that despite everything—

I still loved him.

Still wanted him.

Still wished he would walk through those doors...

And tell me I was wrong.

Rudransh's POV

The moment she disappeared—

Nothing else mattered.

Not alliances.

Not politics.

Not enemies.

Nothing.

I left the conversation immediately.

Ignoring every shocked glance.

Ignoring every consequence.

Because Pihu was crying.

And I knew—

I was the reason.

By the time I found her—

Standing alone on the balcony, shoulders trembling—

Something inside me nearly shattered beyond repair.

My brave girl.

My soft-hearted, beautiful girl.

Crying because of me.

I took one step forward—

Then stopped.

Because I had no right.

Not anymore.

And somehow—

That hurt worse than anything.

"Pihu..."

Her body stiffened.

But she didn't turn.

Didn't look at me.

And that silence?

It nearly killed me.

Pihu's POV

His voice.

The very sound of it nearly broke me all over again.

I wiped my tears quickly.

Pathetically.

As if hiding them mattered.

"Are you okay?"

Such a simple question.

And yet—

It hurt.

Because if he truly cared—

Wouldn't he already know the answer?

I laughed bitterly.

A broken sound.

"Does it matter?"

Silence.

Heavy.

Painful.

I finally turned.

And the look on his face—

Regret.

Pain.

Confusion.

But I was too hurt to understand any of it.

"She's beautiful."

The words escaped before I could stop them.

Rudransh frowned.

"What?"

"The woman inside."

My voice trembled.

"You don't have to explain."

His entire expression darkened.

Because finally—

He understood.

And for the first time that night—

Rudransh Singh Rathore looked genuinely afraid.

Not of enemies.

Not of war.

But of losing me completely.