Chapter 66

Shanaya saw hesitation cross Dhruv’s eyes. His hand began slipping from her cheek and disappointment flooded her chest. She knew at once what he was thinking about — their conversation at the hospital.

She placed her hand over his and brought it back to her cheek. Dhruv’s eyes closed momentarily, his shoulder tensing. When he opened them, she saw the struggle in them. The struggle to let go — and the desire to hold on.

He sighed, his thumb gently grazing her cheek. “I can’t be just your friend, Shan,” he confessed, his voice soft and vulnerable. “I felt so angry when you said that to me. I was angry at myself… for fucking things up between us. You have no idea how much I regret it. I shouldn’t have left this place. I shouldn’t have left you.”

Shanaya felt a weakness settle in her knees. She knew she was going to faint any moment.

Dhruv continued, “I never thought I’d come back here. Kirti was the only reason. I thought I’d forgotten about you. I believed I didn’t remember the sou