Chapter 20 #2
"I’ve already asked Ashwini and his team to track Akash, Akansha, and Richa—their movements, calls, everything, even their search history.
I’m getting real-time updates," Shaurya said, recalling the moment he had contacted him. Ashwini was one of the best—an elite private investigator and hacker. Though officially on Dev’s payroll, he worked for both of them when things stepped outside legal boundaries.
"But what about their past?" Dev pressed.
"I’ll know that too... just not now," Shaurya said. Dev exhaled in irritation.
"You have no idea how desperate I am to know, but this time... I want to keep every promise I made to her. I want to be honest in my attempt to earn her forgiveness. I’ve already hurt her enough with my deceit... not anymore," Shaurya added.
Dev didn’t argue further. He understood—but that didn’t mean he agreed. Somewhere in his mind, he had already decided he would find out the truth himself.
After wrapping up a few more things, Shaurya left before sunrise. The storm had passed with minimal damage, though waterlogging had begun affecting certain roads. He immediately ordered the municipal authorities, along with the concerned minister, to resolve it at the earliest.
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Akash pulled his sister toward the room before she could say anything more—either to Richa or in a way that would expose too much. But Akansha had already made up her mind.
"You will not meet Siya or take her anywhere again. You will not even see my daughter. You are not welcome here anymore. Return the spare key to my house," she said coldly before walking away with Akash.
Richa stood frozen.
She had expected anger, shouting—even the slap. But this? This was worse.
She had sacrificed a lot for Akansha and Siya—never regretted it. They meant everything to her. But being cut off like this... it left her numb.
Every time she saw Akansha’s cold side with others, she believed she would never face it herself. How wrong she had been.
Yes, she had made a mistake—but this punishment? It felt unbearable. Still, she decided to wait. Akansha needed time.
But one thought refused to leave her mind—was what she believed about Akansha’s hatred for Shaurya really the whole truth? Or was there more?
After today, she was certain—there was more. And she would find out.
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The siblings stepped out onto the balcony, away from Siya.
"Di... I’ve never seen you lose control like that. You slapped Richa?" Akash asked.
Akansha sat on the chair, her gaze fixed on her daughter, who slept peacefully—unaware of the storm raging in her parents’ hearts because of her. One worried about her future, while the other was consumed by the years he had lost with his daughter and everything she might have endured without him.
Tears slipped down her face as she covered her mouth to muffle her sobs.
Fear gripped her.
What if Shaurya fought for custody? He had power, money, influence. He could do anything. She had nothing in comparison.
Yes, it could hurt his political image—but Shaurya wasn’t naive. He knew how to protect himself. And Dev Bisht standing on the opposite side only strengthened his position. Dev would never let his best friend’s image be tarnished.
But what about her?
Would they think about her now? A day ago, she could have said without hesitation that Shaurya and Dev would do anything to protect her respect, dignity, and place in society.
But now... she wasn’t so sure anymore. With Siya’s truth out in the open, Shaurya must be shattered, and Dev—seeing his best friend in that state—wouldn’t stay calm either.
In all of this, what would happen to her?
To her daughter? What kind of future awaited them now?
She didn’t regret slapping Richa. The betrayal cut too deep. Richa was the only person she trusted with Siya—more than even Akash—and she broke that trust.
Because of her, everything was collapsing.
She might have to leave the city—the life she built with so much effort—start over again. The thought ached, not just because of the change... but because she knew what it would do to Shaurya.
But she had no choice.
To protect her daughter from being dragged into political chaos, she had to walk away.
"What do we do now, Akash? Because he won’t sit quietly... and neither will Dev," she said, refusing to take Shaurya’s name.
"I don’t think sir has told anyone yet," Akash replied.
"Dev is not ‘anyone’ for him," she said instantly. "I’m sure he already knows. And Dev... for Shaurya, he can do anything."
Her breathing grew uneven.
"We have to leave. As soon as possible. Help me, Akash..."
"Di, calm down and listen," Akash said, steadying her. "I’ve planned this. Give me time to find a safe city and place for you both. Then I’ll move you."
"We don’t have time!" she snapped, fear evident.
"He thinks I’m hiding this from you. That you don’t know he knows about Siya. So you’ll continue as normal... until I figure things out," Akash explained.
If only he knew—Shaurya had his own game in motion.
"I still don’t think this is right, Akash. We should leave immediately... giving Shaurya time is like setting our own house on fire," Akansha said.
"Where will you go?" he countered. "We live in a world where even animals feel safer than humans. You and Siya... you’re alone. I can’t let that happen. And I can’t be with you all the time either. I need to make sure you’re somewhere secure. Just one week, di... that’s all I need."
Akansha closed her eyes for a moment before nodding.
She knew he was right. She had already lived that life once—alone, vulnerable. She wouldn’t risk it again. Not with Siya.
"Okay, one week it is then," Akansha said, and Akash pulled her into a hug.
"Thanks, di... I promise I won’t disappoint you. I’ll keep you and Siyu safe... you both are my life. You both are my family... just you two and Papa," Akash said.
Akansha’s spine stiffened for a brief moment at the mention of her father, but she quickly composed herself.
"Ma is my responsibility. And Suman di... she is nothing to me. Okay, let’s not talk about them. You go to sleep, I have some work... I’ll be right back," Akash said before leaving the room.
Akansha lay beside her daughter, but sleep stayed far away. Anxiety clouded her mind, and deep within, her heart ached for Shaurya. He must be in immense pain now, knowing about his daughter after five long years... it couldn’t be easy for him.
For a moment, guilt crept in—she should have told him about her pregnancy that night before leaving instead of backing out. But then her mind pushed back—what if he hadn’t wanted the child like he once claimed? What if he had hated the baby because it carried her blood?
No... she refused to go back to those thoughts.
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Akansha didn’t sleep the entire night. By the time the first rays of the sun touched her, she was already up, moving through her morning chores mechanically. She left for the secretariat after requesting Richa’s parents to stay with Siya, and they agreed gladly as they loved spending time with her.
Akansha didn’t mention the fight with Richa; she was sure Richa wouldn’t have either. She had to prepare herself mentally—facing Shaurya was something she wasn’t ready for. She just hoped he wouldn’t come, but she couldn’t avoid the review meeting.
Once again, she cursed herself for accepting this job.
The team gathered in the conference room, waiting. For a brief moment, she thought he might avoid the meeting after everything that had happened and almost felt relieved. But the very next second, he walked in, making her curse her fate again.
Unlike every other time, he didn’t give anyone a moment to settle. He didn’t even glance at her—and she expected nothing less.
"Let’s start," Shaurya said coldly.
Mrs. Arora fumbled with the cable while connecting it to the laptop, unsettled by his tone.
"Can’t you people check these things beforehand? What do you think—my time is a joke to you?" Shaurya snapped, rising from his chair.
Akansha and Dr. Khan quickly stepped in to help her. Everyone was stunned—this was not the Shaurya they knew. He was called the coolest CM for a reason, someone who remained composed even in the toughest situations.
Shaurya closed his eyes for a moment, aware he had slipped. But the moment his gaze fell on Akansha, the truth hit him again. Her tired face, her red eyes—did she already know?
No... if she did, she would have taken their daughter and disappeared again.
That thought alone triggered his anger.
Do. Not. Lose. Control.
Mrs. Arora began the presentation, followed by Dr. Khan and then Mr. Khanna. When it was Akansha’s turn, she started,
"Starting with the details we discussed in the last—"
Shaurya suddenly stood up.
"I’m done here. Mail me the presentation," he said, shocking everyone, and walked toward the door.
He couldn’t stay—not in her presence. He was afraid he would lose control and say something he couldn’t take back. His love for her still existed, but today the father in him was wounded.
Akansha had hurt him—and their daughter—knowingly or unknowingly. And he couldn’t bring himself to forgive that. Not yet.
Akansha stared at his retreating figure in disbelief. Did he just walk out on her like that? He wouldn’t dare to... he just wouldn’t.
But he paused at the door.
"Everyone who has children at home can leave by 5 PM from today," he said before walking out.
Akansha stood still.
"Sir has spoken to the IT department. They are setting up a secure channel—you’ll get VPN access to work from home after 5 PM," Shweta informed them.
"I’ll send the details soon. There will be a demo session in three days," she added before leaving.
Akansha closed her eyes, steadying herself. What he just did... was the sweetest thing he could have done.