The Ceo's Ruin

PROLOGUE

Three Years Ago in Mumbai ~

The rain had turned Mumbai into a blur of silver.
Aaliya Rathore stood barefoot in the middle of Aarav's apartment, staring at the man she had spent two years loving.
She had imagined this moment differently.

But now that Aarav was standing in front of her, she couldn't remember how to breathe.
His black T-shirt was slightly damp from the rain. His hair was messy, and he was wearing the watch she gifted him. On his 21st birthday. He looked like home.
Like he always did.
She looked down, holding tears from falling out of her eyes.

"I think we should end this."
For a second, Aarav didn't understand what she meant.
"What?"
"We should break up."
He stared at her.
Then he laughed softly.
Not because it was funny.Because he genuinely thought she was joking.
"Okay."
His smile disappeared.
"Why?"

Aaliya swallowed hard.
Because the real answer was standing on her phone screen. ''LEAVE AARAV OR HIS FAMILY WILL PAY FOR YOUR MISTAKE."
Below it was a photograph of Aarav leaving his office.

She had received them twenty minutes ago.
"I don't love you anymore."
Aarav's expression changed.
The warmth vanished from his eyes.
"Look at me."
She couldn't.
"Aaliya"
She forced herself to look up.
His eyes were searching hers.
"Say it again."
Her lips trembled. "I don't love you."

He stared at her.
"You've been telling me you love me every day for two years."
"I was lying"
He laughed anxiously."You're lying now."
"No." "You are."
"I'm not." He shook his head."You wouldn't look at me if you meant it"

Tears burned behind her eyes.She blinked them away.
"I've changed." "People don't just stop loving someone overnight." "I did."
Silence.
Aarav looked at her for a long time.
Then he nodded.
Once. "Okay."

That hurt more than anger would have.
She had expected him to fight.expected him to cry and ask to stay beside him. But he turned away and started walking away from her. Meher couldn't move.
Aarav looked at her one last time.
There was pain in his eyes now.
Real pain.

Aaliya too walked away.
The elevator doors closed.
Only when she was alone did she allow herself to cry.She pressed her hand against her mouth to stop the sob that escaped.

Inside the apartment, Aarav remained standing , looking at their photograph placed on the side table
He picked up the photograph.
His thumb brushed over her face.
And whispered the only thing she couldn't hear anymore.

"I love you too." He then let his tears fall.

I really hope you all enjoyed this part. Thnk youuu for reading! Kissessss 💋

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