All Chapters of Beyond the Chains: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

The car ride was silent, except for Aranya’s occasional giggles as he played with his toy airplane. Aarunya sat beside him in the backseat, her fingers absentmindedly stroking his soft curls. Trayaksh was driving, one hand on the wheel, the other resting near the gear shift. His expression, calm and gentle.The morning had passed in a blur of preparations. Arpita had been delighted at the idea of a family picnic, praising Trayaksh for being such a loving husband and father. Taranya had smiled approvingly, watching Aarunya with a knowing look, as if she truly believed in this fabricated love story.If only they knew the reality behind this perfect facade.Now, as they neared the secluded countryside, Aarunya found herself gripping Aranya’s tiny hand a little tighter.She had agreed to this trip because she had no other choice. But being alone with Trayaksh, away from the safety of the estate, filled her with unease."We’re almost there," Trayaksh said, glancing at her through the rearv

The rain had finally stopped.Rajput Estate stood like a sleeping beast under a dull, stormy sky. The earth was still soaked, the scent of petrichor hanging in the air like an unspoken memory of a nightmare.A nightmare Aarunya faced for her first step to justice.Trayaksh stepped out of the car first, scanning the sprawling mansion with his hawk-like eyes.Every brick of this place recognized his scent. He looked at Aarunya, everything was right when she was with him, but still something inside him felt… wrong. He couldn't pinpoint what.But something was wrong.Something he didn't know.Something which was being hidden from him.Azad greeted him with a small smile and Trayaksh nodded in return. He turned back. Aarunya emerged next, holding their precious little Aranya in her arms, the boy half-asleep on her shoulder, his tiny fingers curled around her saree like he never wanted to let go of his mother.Trayaksh’s gaze lingered on them for a second too long. His eyes are soft and

A huge storm arrived making the trees swing, flowers sway and dark clouds gather around the Rajput estate. It rained heavily the whole night. The morning rays of sun finally passed through the curtains indicating that the storm had passed, but the silence it left behind was far more dangerous.Aarunya stood by the window of her room in the Rajput estate, her eyes resting on the swaying trees outside. The early morning sunlight painted golden patterns on the marble floor, but her mind was elsewhere, trapped in memories, in pain, and in plans she made to ruin, to destroy her destroyers.Aranya slept peacefully on the bed behind her, wrapped in the soft folds of a soft handmade quilt. His tiny fingers twitched in sweet dreams.A soft smile tugged at Aarunya's lips as she looked at her small baby bird sleeping peacefully. “Just some more time, my sweet angel. Then mommy will take her Aranya away from this hell of a place.” She whispered and pressed a soft kiss on the top of Aranya’s head

Sunlight crept into the room like a thief, golden and gentle, too gentle for the war that raged beneath Aarunya's heart.Aarunya blinked slowly, her lashes heavy with sleep she didn’t even remember falling into. She just fell asleep the previous night after tucking Arabya to his crib. The scent of jasmine still lingered on the bedsheets. A breeze passed through the half-open balcony door. And then came the soft knock.It was Trayaksh.He entered with a smile so soft, it could’ve melted any heart, if only it hadn’t once been used to mock her after everytime she was raped in the past.“Good morning, Ocean,” he said, his voice deep and warm, like a song he’d never known how to sing before. A song he was learning only for her.For Aarunya.Aarunya cringed from his voice but she covered her expressions. She sat up slowly, letting the silk bedsheet slip from her shoulder gently.“Good morning,” she replied, her voice honeyed soft.“I made you breakfast,” he beamed, placing the tray on her

The soft clink of porcelain echoed in the Rajput dining hall as the morning sun filtered through the embroidered silk curtains, painting golden patterns across the marble floors, giving a dreamy look to the whole mansion.It was a beautiful morning.But not all beautiful things were tolerant.At least not for Aarunya, especially when she looked at the face of her sinner everyday. Aarunya sat at the head of the table, regal in her mermaid strapped silk ivory dress. Her expression was calm, almost too calm like a serene lake that hid the ruins of a storm beneath its shiny surface.Trayaksh was beside her, gently feeding bits of mashed banana to their son Aranya. The sight would make anyone fall for the gentle looking man.Except Aarunya. For, she had already seen the monster behind his gentle smile.She watched them with a smile, but behind her eyes lived storms, ready to ruin, ready to destroy.“Aranya’s becoming more cute like you every day,” Trayaksh whispered with a soft smile.Sh