Chapter 33
The moment Aditya disappeared from sight, Sabrina pressed a trembling hand to her mouth, desperate to stop her sobs from breaking free.
Her chest heaved, the ache so sharp she thought it might split her in two.
God, what had she done? Thanks to her stupidity, she’d pushed away the only man she had ever truly loved.
He was right. She’d played with his emotions, stringing him along as per her convenience. She deserved every ounce of his fury.
“Sabrina?”
Her head jerked up. Shauna was striding toward her, radiant as ever.
“Shauna…” she whispered, quickly wiping her wet cheeks. “Hi. How are you? You didn’t tell me you were coming. When did you get back from Singapore?”
“Last night. I wanted to surprise you,” Shauna said, tilting her head as she studied her closely. “I’ve got a few days off, but what’s wrong? Why are you crying?”
Sabrina shook her head, forcing a wobbly smile. “Sorry, it’s just…” The words broke her. Shauna’s hand closed gently around her arm. That was all it took. She folded into the younger woman’s embrace, the dam inside her cracking wide open.
“It’s Aditya…” Sabrina choked, clinging tighter.
“I… I ruined everything. He loved me, Shauna, and I pushed him away because of my past. And tonight, his mother—” Her voice shook with fury and horror.
“His mother despises me. She went out of her way to humiliate me, to make me feel small. And then Aditya… He… he walked away when I finally tried to explain.”
Shauna took a small step back. “Hey, hey. Slow down. Tell me everything.”
So Sabrina did. Shauna had been a good friend to her, and they’d kept in touch ever since Singapore. Except for giving her details about her past, Sabrina told her everything. Shauna was already aware of what was going on between Aditya and her, so confiding in her was easy.
Finally done, Sabrina wiped her face and stepped back.
“I don’t know what to do, Shauna. How can I return to the party and go on as if everything is alright?
As if I’m not breaking? How do I face his mother?
I won’t be a victim to her scorn. And all his friends…
Keya, Rithwik, Raashi… I’m sure everyone must be here tonight. How do I go out and face them again?”
Shauna studied her carefully. “Honestly, I don’t know what to tell you. I’m too na?ve in matters of the heart. But… I know someone who can help. Do you trust me?”
Sabrina hesitated.
“Trust me,” Shauna said.
At Sabrina’s nod, Shauna stepped away from her, pulling out her phone. She spoke to someone softly and, a moment later, returned to her side with a bottle of cold water.
“Drink,” Shauna ordered. “You have to be strong. Everything will be alright. You just wait and see.”
Sabrina frowned. Who had Shauna called to gain such confidence?
A second later, the sound of approaching footsteps made her turn.
Sabrina was surprised to see Akash walking toward them.
But he wasn’t alone. At his side, regal as ever, was Janak Sehgal, the founder of Sehgal Corporation and Shauna’s grandfather.
Sabrina’s jaw dropped upon seeing him. Beside her, Shauna’s lips set in a mutinous line when she saw Akash.
“Why are you here?” she snapped at him. Her eyes landed on her grandfather. “Why did you bring him with you?”
Janak’s brow furrowed at her tone. “He was with me when you called. He heard Sabrina’s name and was concerned. He decided to come along, and you know as well as I do, Shauna, that when he puts his mind to something, then even I cannot stop him.”
Shauna rolled her eyes. “Fine, whatever.”
Akash held Sabrina’s hands. “Hey, what happened? Is something wrong?”
Shauna made a face.
“Duh! Why do you think I called him?” Shauna looked at her grandfather. “She needs your help.”
Sabrina was completely bewildered and flustered as Shauna tugged her hand and pulled her to stand in front of the older gentleman. He was not who she’d expected Shauna would call. She’d assumed it would be Aisha or Diya. Janak’s clear gaze settled on her as he gave her a kind smile.
Words deserted her. She’d always held the man in the highest respect.
Janak Sehgal was no ordinary man. He was renowned not only across India but also in several parts of the world.
He was the driving force; the reason Sehgal Corporation had thrived generation after generation.
He had trained his grandchildren to take over, distributing the massive business wisely among them.
The only part of the empire he still personally oversaw was the media arm, the jewel in the crown of Sehgal Corporation, one he had polished with his own vision—the vertical Shauna hoped to inherit one day from him.
“Good evening, Mr. Sehgal,” Sabrina greeted him warily.
“My dear…” Janak responded, his voice carrying both authority and kindness. “It’s good to see you, Sabrina. Now tell me, why do you look so troubled?”
Sabrina hesitated, not knowing how to begin, how to explain. Respect for him made her wary of revealing too much, yet his gentle tone made her want to open up.
Sensing her dilemma, Shauna squeezed her hand and leaned closer.
“My grandfather is very wise. He’s the reason all my cousins, brothers, and my sister, Rhea, have such happy marriages.
He listens, and he helps. I always go to him when I have a problem.
You can definitely talk to him without hesitation. ”
“He’s amazing,” Akash seconded. “I also always go to him when I’m worried about something. He’ll help you, too, if you can open your heart.”
Janak inclined his head, his smile widening slightly. “Sometimes, we carry our burden alone even though sharing it makes it lighter. Trust me, there’s nothing you can say that will shock me, and perhaps, together, we can find a way forward.”
Sabrina’s chest tightened, still feeling conflicted.
It was easy for these two to confide in him.
Shauna was his granddaughter, and Akash was Keya’s younger brother.
Plus, Janak was his mentor. She observed the older man.
They’d had limited interactions in the past, but he’d always come across as someone wise, steady, and gentle.
Maybe she ought to take a chance and speak to him.
Taking a deep breath, she began. Her voice wavered at first, but soon her words found their way out. She told him everything that had transpired between Aditya and her, first in Singapore and then here in Mumbai.
“There are things in my past… things that happened before I married my late husband. I haven’t shared them with anyone, not even with Aisha. I hope you will understand that I can’t tell any of you either. Aditya deserves to hear it first, if he ever speaks to me again, that is.”
“The past shapes us, Sabrina,” Janak said. “But it doesn’t define all that we are. Secrets weigh differently when shared with the right person.”
She lowered her chin in a nod.
Akash, who had been quietly standing to the side, said, “I can’t believe Aunty Mamta spoke to you so unkindly. She’s always so polite.”
Shauna tilted her head toward him, her expression wry. “For the first time, I actually agree with you.”
Janak addressed Sabrina. “I’m not justifying Mamta.
What she did was wrong, but you must also understand where she is coming from.
Her husband left her with a mountain of debt and a business on the brink of collapse.
She clawed her way back, fought tooth and nail, and single-handedly rebuilt it into something stable.
She also trained Aditya to take over, and he took the business to heights no one thought possible.
She carries immense pride… and fear, too.
She is protective of him, perhaps overly so.
And Aditya…” He paused, his gaze softening.
“Aditya has never told her what he truly feels for you.”
Sabrina’s lips parted slightly as she considered his words.
Janak leaned forward slightly, his eyes locking onto hers with quiet strength.
“But listen to me carefully. Despite their reasons, no one is allowed to disrespect you. Not even his mother. Respect is not negotiable. It is your right. So, don’t fear returning outside and facing her again.
The same goes for his friends. They’re a protective lot.
You hurt one, and all of them will stand against you.
And while that is admirable, they haven’t heard your side of the story.
You’ve done nothing wrong. If Aditya loves you, which I believe he does, then he will not stand by and let his mother or his friends walk over you.
He will stand by you, even if he’s angry with you. ”
“That’s just it…” Sabrina said in a small voice. “I don’t know whether he loves me or not anymore.”
“Of course, he loves you,” Shauna declared. “Who do you think told me where to find you? I’m sure he knew you were distraught, and that’s why he sent me to you.”
Hope flared again in Sabrina’s chest. Could that be true? Had Aditya sent Shauna to her because he knew she’d been upset, or had he simply just told her where she was? God, she hated the uncertainty.
“Give him some time,” Janak said gently.
“He will come around. I’ve known that boy for a long time now.
He’s hurt, and he simply wants to process everything in his own head before he talks to you.
He fell in love with you—a strong, brave woman who, despite her past, has reached here in life and raised a wonderful son too.
This is who you are, Sabrina. So, stand strong and show him that you are willing to fight for him.
Don’t let anyone make you feel less of yourself.
Go outside and do your job. Show the world what you’re made of. ”
Something within her shifted and settled. The weight of his wisdom grounded her, gave her strength.
“Come on, let’s go now.” He held his hand out to her. She put her hand in his, and he wound it around his arm. “Walk with me.”