đ¤ Title: The Devil's Gentle Touch
đ Chapter 8: The Study Table Confession
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It was past midnight.
The mansion was quietâtoo quiet for someone like Dev Raichand, whose nights were usually spent making power plays, negotiating arms deals, or commanding territories over phone calls dripping in threat.
But tonight?
He stood at her study room door.
Watching.
She hadn't noticed him yet. Her hair was messy, bun half-fallen. Oversized sweatshirt slipping off one shoulder. Books scattered across the table.
And her eyes⌠tired, but determined.
She was studying.
His innocent little wife⌠married to the devil himselfâŚ
still wanted to pass her exams.
---
He leaned on the doorframe and crossed his arms.
"You're a Raichand now, Aanya. You don't need to study like this anymore."
She looked up, startled. Then narrowed her eyes.
"And what? Forget who I am?"
"You're mine."
"I was someone before I became yours, Dev."
That shut him up.
For a second.
---
He walked in slowly.
Pulled the chair beside her.
Sat down.
"You're right."
His voice was low now. Honest.
"But that's what terrifies me."
She tilted her head.
"Why?"
He looked at her, then reached forwardâtouched her wrist gently.
"Because sometimes⌠I think you'll remember who you were before me and realize you don't want to stay."
---
Aanya didn't speak.
Instead, she stood up⌠and walked behind him.
Slid her arms around his shoulders. Laid her cheek on his head.
"I never felt like me until I met you, Dev."
He closed his eyes.
His breath hitched.
Then she took his face in both her hands, tilted it upward, and kissed him. Not on the lips. But all over his face.
One on his forehead.
One on each cheek.
One at the tip of his nose.
Soft. Slow. Warm.
"This is what love looks like," she whispered.
---
That's when the door burst open.
"Bhaiyaâ"
Dev and Aanya froze.
It was his elder sister.
Eyes wide.
Mouth slightly open.
Clearly not expecting to walk in on that scene.
Dev stood up so fast, the chair nearly fell.
"Get out," he said, face redâbut not with anger.
Just... embarrassment.
She smirked, backed out, and shut the door behind her.
Moments later, Aanya's phone pinged.
From Dev: