The room was still.

Not with tension this time.

But with something softer.

Something fragile.

Arnika sat quietly, absorbing everything Ruaan had told her. Her mind was overwhelmed —memories she couldn’t see, emotions she couldn’t fully understand, and a love story she had unknowingly lived.

She looked up at him.

“So… all this time,” she whispered, “you stayed?”

“Yes.”he said in a gentle tone.

“You watched me hate you. Doubt you. Push you away.”

“Yes.”

“And you still married me?”

Ruaan gave a faint smile. “I didn’t marry you out of pity, Arnika.”

“Then why?”

He walked closer, kneeling slightly in front of her so their eyes were level.

“Because even without your memories… you were still you.”

Her breath hitched.

“You still argued with me,” he said softly. “Still defended what you believed in. Still fought for your father. Still couldn’t tolerate injustice.”

He reached for her hand — slowly, giving her time to pull away if she wanted.

She didn’t.

“I didn’t marry the girl from the past,” he continued. “I married the woman you are now.”

Tears slipped down her cheeks silently.

“I waited,” he admitted quietly. “Not for your memory to return. But for you to see me.”

Arnika’s heart felt heavy and light at the same time.

All this time… she thought she was trapped in a contract marriage.

But he had been protecting her.

Loving her.

Fighting for her.

Without asking for anything in return.

“I don’t remember our love,” she whispered.

“That’s okay,” he replied immediately.

She looked at him, confused.

“I don’t need the old memories,” he said gently.

“If you want… we can start again.”

The words lingered in the air.

Start again?

Not forced.

Not arranged.

Not undercover.

Just them.

A new beginning.

Arnika slowly stood up.

She walked to the window, looking outside at the quiet night. So much has changed in just a few days.

Vedh was arrested.

Her father was safe.

The lies were over.

But her heart was still trying to understand itself.

After a moment, she turned back toward him.

“When I saw you on the news,” she said slowly, “I was shocked.”

He remained silent, listening.

“But more than shock… I felt scared.”

His brows knit slightly. “Scared?”

“Yes.”

She walked toward him again.

“Scared that something might happen to you.”

His eyes softened.

“I didn’t understand why,” she admitted. “I thought maybe it was guilt. Or responsibility.”

She paused.

“But now… I think it was something else.”

She stopped right in front of him.

“I don’t remember loving you,” she said honestly. “But I feel safe with you.”

His breath slowed.

“When Vedh tried to twist things, I didn’t feel anything for him,” she continued. “Not anger. Not pain. Nothing.”

She held his hands.

“But when you walked away from me in that office cabin… it hurt.”

Ruaan didn’t move.

Didn’t breathe.

“As if I was losing something important,” she finished softly.

Silence.

Then he asked carefully, “What are you saying, Arnika?".

She took a deep breath.

“I’m saying… I don’t want to remember the past.”

His eyes flickered with surprise.

“I want to build something new.”

A small, hopeful smile appeared on his lips.

“With me?” he asked quietly.

She nodded.

“But this time,” she added, her old spark returning slightly, “no secrets.”

He let out a soft laugh — the first real one in days.

“No secrets.”

“And no contract wife nonsense."

“Agreed.”

“And no sleeping on the sofa.”

He pretended to think. “That depends.”

She raised a brow.

“On what?”

“On whether my wife will finally admit she cares about me.”

She rolled her eyes slightly — but her cheeks flushed.

“I care,” she said softly.

It wasn’t dramatic.

It wasn’t grand.

But it was real.

Ruaan stepped closer, lifting his hand to wipe away the tears on her cheeks.

“I loved you then,” he murmured. “I love you now.”

Her heart fluttered.

"And this time,” he added gently, “you’ll fall for me without danger, without lies, without losing yourself..

She gave him a small smile.

“Don’t be too confident.”

He leaned slightly closer.

“You already are."

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then Arnika did something unexpected.

She wrapped her arms around him.

Not out of fear.

Not out of confusion.

But choice.

Ruaan froze for half a second — then held her back tightly, as if afraid she might disappear again.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered against his chest.

“For what?”

“For not remembering you.”

He closed his eyes.

“You’re here now,” he replied. “That’s enough.”

She hugged him but frowned and pulled back just to ask " wait? Then you wouldn't marry me if we aren't involved in that whatever scandal is that".

Ruaan chuckled and said " well do you really think that was fate and I'm not involved in creating that scene?"

Arnika widened her eyes understanding "you"

"You did that? On purpose?"

He nodded. "Yes, or else you wouldn't agree right?"

She groaned but then laughed.

A Few Months Later

The case against Vedh and his father became one of the biggest busts in the country.

Illegal networks were dismantled.

Corrupt officials exposed.

Arnika’s father recovered steadily, surrounded by family.

And as for Ruaan—

He continued his work.

But this time, he didn’t come home to silence.

He came home to her.

They argued.

They laughed.

They teased.

They slowly built what they once had — but better.

Stronger.

One evening, as they stood on the terrace where their first proposal once happened — though she still didn’t remember it — Ruaan looked at her and said

“Prove that you can handle me.”

She blinked.

“what?"

He smiled.

“Marry me again. Properly this time.”

Her eyes widened.

“Are you proposing?”

“Yes.”

She folded her arms dramatically.

“Convince me.”

He stepped closer.

“I promise to protect you ...not because you’re weak, but because you’re my partner.”

He held her hands.

“I promise no lies.”

“And?”

“And I promise that even if you forget me again someday…”

He touched his forehead gently to hers.

“I’ll make you fall in love with me again.”

Her eyes filled — but she smiled.

“Then yes,” she whispered.

This time,

There was no danger.

No manipulation.

No hidden agenda.

Just love.

And sometimes....

The most beautiful endings…

Are simply new beginnings. 💜

THE END