The crisp mountain air on the upper terrace garden was still humming intensely with the sharp, residual vibration of Vedant's whispered words when he slowly pulled back. He didn't wait around for her reaction. With a final, lingering look at her beautifully flushed face and wide, startled eyes, he turned sharply on his heel and walked directly toward the wooden stairs.

Kritika stood completely frozen on the spot, her delicate fingers gripping the cold iron railing tightly. Her heart was hammering violently against her ribs like a trapped bird desperately trying to escape its cage.