Chapter 22 #4
"But what breaks me is this… My father, despite everything, was still there for me. He held me when I took my first step. The first word I spoke was ‘Pa’. He dropped me at school on my first day… and still, I called him a bad father."
A tear slipped down his cheek.
"So where does that leave me… when I couldn’t even do that much for my own child?"
Akansha’s heart ached seeing him in so much pain.
Now that she had heard everything, a part of her wished she had spoken to him that night.
He had already been planning to move her to a safer place—even before she had asked.
Yes, he was at fault for allowing his mother to interfere in their marriage, but knowing the reason behind his actions now left her conflicted.
The pain his words had caused her over the years couldn’t simply disappear.
But neither could she continue punishing him—by keeping him away from his daughter.
And then there were other questions.
His political career. The media. Society.
Most importantly… Siya.
How would her daughter react on seeing her father after all these years? On learning that her best friend Shaurya was, in fact, her father?
"I understand the reason behind your words that night, Shaurya," Akansha said, her voice steady despite the storm within. "But years of agony won’t disappear in a second. It will take time. And you’re not completely innocent either."
She held his gaze, unflinching.
"I didn’t disappear immediately after that night.
I waited for days—for you to come to me, to ask what was wrong…
but you never did. Your behavior pushed me to leave.
I couldn’t even eat the food at home—your mother made it impossible.
My health was deteriorating, and I had no choice but to leave that place. "
Her voice hardened.
"If you had bothered to check on me, you would have known what I was going through. But you were busy campaigning."
A bitter smile touched her lips.
"I took that step for myself… and for my baby. I decided you didn’t deserve either of us. And at that moment, my baby’s survival mattered more than anything else. So I left—and I’m glad I did."
Her words stunned him.
Shaurya knew he had been wrong—terribly wrong. But somewhere, he had believed she would regret keeping his daughter away from him.
She didn’t.
And that realization cut deeper than anything else.
It hurt—and it angered him.
Where did that leave him now?
Would she allow him to be a part of his daughter’s life? What if she refused?
How was he supposed to live without his daughter… without his wife?
For now, his thoughts circled back to one thing—his daughter.
Siya deserved the best.
And yet, his mistakes and Akansha’s fury had taken away what could have been the most beautiful childhood—one with both her parents.
He didn’t doubt that she had a happy childhood. He trusted Akansha completely in that regard.
But no matter how much love she gave, she couldn’t replace a father.
He knew that now—after spending time with Siya over the past months.
Wait.
There was something else he needed to know.
Had she told people that Siya’s father was dead? Or had people simply assumed it? Or… had he misunderstood Mr. Goyal’s words?
"Did you, by any chance, tell people that Siya’s father is dead? Including Siya?" Shaurya asked suddenly.
The question caught Akansha off guard.
She had expected anger—expected him to lash out for being kept in the dark all these years. But instead, he had shifted direction.
Still, she chose honesty.
He deserved at least that much.
"No. I only told people that I’m a single mother. A few questioned me, but I stayed silent. Most of them assumed Siya’s father was dead, and I didn’t bother correcting them—it made my life easier."
Her tone turned colder.
"The truth is… the tag of a widowed single mother earns more respect than that of a divorced woman, or an unwed mother. And I chose what gave me dignity. Not that I had much of a choice. I couldn’t reveal my marriage, and I certainly couldn’t talk about a divorce."
She met his eyes.
"I hope that answers your question."
Shaurya took a step back, staring at her—the woman he loved with everything he had.
Even now, despite the pain her words caused, a part of him understood her. Accepted her choices.
She had done what she needed to survive—to protect herself and their daughter.
"I never stopped you from revealing our marriage," he said quietly.
The words felt heavy, as if even speaking required effort.
"You were never eager to announce it either," Akansha replied instantly. "And why would I reveal it? You had already made me sign the divorce papers. I couldn’t announce a marriage that no longer existed. And I couldn’t reveal the divorce either—that would only invite questions about Siya’s father, questions I never wanted to answer. "
Her voice softened—but only slightly.
"I didn’t want anyone questioning my daughter about her father’s absence."
Shaurya swallowed hard.
"You told Siya the same?" he asked, his voice unsteady. "Does she think her father is… dead?"
The word barely left his lips.
The weight in his chest made it difficult to breathe, let alone speak. For a moment, Akansha’s heart wavered at his pain. But it wasn’t enough.
Not compared to everything she had endured. Her mind pulled her back, steadying her.
She looked at him, weighing whether he could handle another truth.