Chapter 16
KAVYA
My sister had been shifted to one of the best hospitals.
The white walls, the faint scent of antiseptic, the hushed footsteps of nurses, it all felt surreal.
And yet, beneath the relief of seeing her here, safe, was the bitter truth: it was all possible because of the money I got from Mr. Chauhan.
His money. The very thing I despised touching, the very thing that felt like shackles around my wrists.
But I had no choice. I would burn my pride a thousand times over if it meant saving Kirti.
She deserved the life she had always dreamed of, even if I had to pay for it with my soul.
I sat beside her bed, my hand wrapped around hers, unwilling to let go. Her fingers were frail, her skin cool, but her grip was steady enough to remind me she was still fighting. We had been talking for an hour, and I hadn’t once loosened my hold.
"Yesterday I tried to walk," Kirti said suddenly, her voice carrying a fragile excitement.
"And you know what's interesting? My heart wasn’t hurting when I was strolling.
" Her pale face lit up with a smile so wide it almost erased the shadows under her eyes.
After a long time, I saw her eyes sparkle, a flicker of hope, the same hope that had vanished a year ago when pain became her constant companion.
My chest tightened. "That’s… that’s incredible news, isn’t it?
" I whispered, squeezing her hand gently, leaning down to press a kiss against her temple. "I can’t wait to have you back home. We’ll bake your favorite cookies, dance in the living room until we collapse, and laugh until our stomachs hurt.
God, there are so many things I want to do with you, like a world tour, hiking, eating golgappe until we’re sick… "
Her laughter rang out, soft but genuine. "I can’t wait to do all those things with you," she said, her voice trembling with joy.
I swallowed hard, blinking back tears. "Just always smile like that, sis," I murmured, my voice breaking as I watched her come alive again. "You’re the only family I have left in this world. You’re my everything."
Her smile faltered, her gaze piercing mine. "How about your new family? How about your husband?" she asked quietly. Her words carried weight, as though she was peeling back the layers I had so carefully hidden. "Are you not happy, Kav?"
I forced a laugh, desperate to mask the storm inside me.
"Are you crazy?" I held out my hand, flashing the diamond ring that glittered under the hospital lights. "Look at this diamond. I hadn’t even seen a real one until my husband gave it to me. Why wouldn’t any woman be happy with all this money and jewelry? "
Kirti winced, her expression pained. "Kav, you sound like a gold-digger. Which of course you’re not. And I’m not talking about money or jewelry. I’m talking about …" She paused, her breath shallow, gathering strength. "Are you happy? Like, truly happy?"
Her question sliced through me like a blade. My throat tightened. "Yes," I said sharply, almost defensively. "I’m genuinely happy. I got the husband I dreamed of every night, and my father-in-law is a kind person."
But even as the words left my lips, Mr. Chauhan’s voice from that phone call echoed in my mind. Was he really kind? Or was I just clinging to illusions because the truth was too terrifying to face?
I had told Kirti everything except everything. I painted her pictures of my wedding day, my first night, the kitchen ritual, the party. She soaked up every word, smiling, living vicariously through my stories. But I kept the shadows hidden. She didn’t need to know the cracks in my world.
The doctor appeared, his tone firm, reminding me that my visiting time was over.
My heart sank. I promised Kirti I would visit every week, though I wished I could see her every day.
But her fragile heart couldn’t bear too much strain.
Even speaking caused her pain. The more she rested, the quicker she would heal.
I stepped out of her room, my heart heavy yet strangely hopeful after seeing her smile again. But the moment I turned the corner, my breath caught.
Abhiraj Sisodiya.
He was a wreck—crutches under his arms, one eye swollen and red, nose broken, his right arm plastered and hanging from his neck. For a fleeting second, pity brushed against me. But it vanished as quickly as it came, replaced by a surge of satisfaction.
"Hey…" he tried to smile, but his jaw protested, twisting his face in pain.
I ignored him, walking past, but his voice carried down the corridor.
"I’m sorry for what I did yesterday."
My fists clenched. Nurses turned their heads curiously.
"Trust me, I didn’t mean to hurt you, Kavya Chauhan."
That name on his lips snapped something inside me. I spun around, stormed up to him, and slapped him hard across the face. The sound echoed in the corridor. He didn’t flinch. He only smirked, that lopsided grin I despised.
"What’s your problem, asshole?" I hissed, my voice trembling with rage. "Yesterday you assaulted me, and now you’re apologizing? Do you think I’m stupid enough to fall for this? Are you stalking me? Should I call the police right now?" My hands shook as I pulled out my phone.
"Cute," he murmured, his smile widening despite the pain. "Call them. They won’t arrest me. They’ll drop me home instead. Because your police… work for me." What an arrogant bastard.
"You have a sister admitted here?" His words sliced through me, making my heart stutter.
My silence betrayed me. His smirk deepened.
"I heard everything," he said softly, leaning closer despite the crutches. "Your sister’s laughter, you are making a story about your new family. Sweet little family moments. Do you know why I touched you yesterday, Kavya?" His voice dropped, conspiratorial. "Because Mr. Chauhan asked me to."
My stomach twisted, my eyes widened in disbelief.
"He wanted to see how his son would react. To test him. To measure his anger, his protectiveness, his love for you. And in exchange, he promised me a big deal."
My father-in-law? The man I had called kind. The man I had convinced myself was generous.
Abhiraj’s bruised face loomed closer, his words venomous yet calm. "So don’t waste your hatred on me, Kavya. Save it for the man who owns you. The man who bought your sister’s life with his money. The man who is hiding so many secrets."
"Why would I believe you?" I snapped, though my voice wavered.
"Because I’m risking my business deal by telling you the truth."
"You mean my father-in-law asked you to touch me inappropriately so he could see his son’s reaction?"
"Yes. He was delighted to see his son’s reaction by the way."
"He wasn’t even there… "
"But his eyes were," Abhiraj cut in smoothly, tapping his temple with his good hand. "You really think a man like him wouldn’t be watching? His men were everywhere. Every corner of that place had his people. Every move, every reaction… reported back to him."
My chest constricted, my breath shallow.
"Truth hurts, doesn’t it?" he murmured. "He wanted to see whether his son would break bones for you … or break you."
"No." I shook my head violently, stepping back. "You’re lying. You’re just trying to save yourself."
"Believe whatever helps you sleep at night, Mrs. Chauhan," he said softly, almost pitying.
Before I could respond, a nurse approached, her expression stern. "Sir, you shouldn’t be standing here. You need rest."
Abhiraj straightened with difficulty, but his gaze never left mine. "We’ll meet again," he said quietly.
I didn’t reply. I turned away, walking as fast as I could, my pulse thundering in my ears.
The drive back to the Chauhan mansion felt longer than ever. Every word Abhiraj had said echoed in my mind like a haunting melody I couldn’t shut off.
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