14
We reached my mansion.
The heavy iron gates creaked open, and Dattatriya pulled the car inside.
I got down quickly, the cool night air hitting my face, but I didn't stop - my heart was thudding painfully against my ribs.
Without a word, Dattatriya silently followed me, his tall frame moving quietly behind.
The moment I pushed open the front door, I heard it -
a soft, broken whimper echoing through the grand halls.
"Sheraa..." I whispered in pure agony and ran toward the sound.
There, curled up in the corner of the living room near the grand piano, was my little baby - my snow panther cub.
He was trembling so violently that his entire tiny body shook, his soft fur ruffled, ears flattened against his small head.
He was terrified. Alone.
I knelt down instantly and scooped him into my arms.
"Sheraa, baby.
.. mama's here, love... shhh... I'm here, sweetheart," I whispered over and over, cradling him close to my chest.
But Sheraa whimpered louder, flinched under my touch, his little claws clinging to my shirt like he was scared I'd disappear again.
It shattered me.
Every broken sob, every tremble, it tore into my soul like knives.
I rocked him back and forth gently, kissing his small head, murmuring sweet words in the softest tone I could manage.
"Sshhh, Sheraa, it's okay, baby. Mama's sorry.
Mama's here. I will never leave you, my love. Never."
Behind me, I heard Dattatriya's footsteps approach.
"What happened to him?" his deep voice asked, low and careful, as if he knew one wrong tone could make things worse.
I looked up at him, cradling Sheraa close like a newborn.
My voice broke slightly as I explained,
"He.
.. he was just a month old when I found him.
.. in an abandoned forest..."
I paused, feeling the memory twist like a knife.
"His mother... she had abandoned him to die.
He was too weak, too tiny... He barely survived.
Since then... he hates being alone.
Even a few minutes without someone around.
.. and he... he thinks he's been left again. "
I swallowed the lump in my throat as Sheraa finally started calming down a little, his body still trembling but now pressed tightly against me, listening to my heartbeat.
Dattatriya stood still, his dark eyes watching me... watching the scene like it was carving itself into his heart.
He didn't say anything immediately, just nodded - a deep, slow nod that felt heavy with understanding.
Maybe... maybe he understood what abandonment felt like too.
For a long time, we just stayed like that - me on the floor, rocking my cub, and him silently standing near, his very presence a quiet protection.
Finally, Sheraa gave a tiny sigh against my chest.
Safe again.
And I pressed another kiss to his head, whispering against his soft fur,
"I'm here, baby. Always."
I gently prepared Sheraa's bowl, carefully placing his favorite soft meat pieces and warm milk in it.
I set it down near his cozy spot by the fireplace, hoping he'd go eat now that he was calmer.
But Sheraa refused to leave me.
He clung tightly to my leg, his sharp little claws digging lightly into my jeans, his big watery eyes staring up at me with absolute refusal.
I sighed softly, my heart too fragile to force him.
"Alright, love," I whispered, bending down to pick him up again, "You win, baby."
I went to the kitchen, grabbed his special feeding bottle - the one I had custom-made for him - and some more boiled meat that was easier for him to chew.
Balancing everything carefully, I made my way back to the living room.
Dattatriya was still there, sitting silently on one of the armchairs, observing everything with that same unreadable expression.
I didn't say anything. I simply sat down on the big sofa, settling Sheraa comfortably in my lap.
He immediately curled into me, his little tail wrapping around my wrist like a living bracelet.
I fed him slowly - offering him tiny pieces of meat, rubbing his ears gently.
He ate in small bites, still keeping one paw firmly anchored to my shirt, like he was terrified I might vanish.
As I fed him, I whispered soft, silly things to him,
"You are my brave boy, my little fighter, my best baby in the world... Mama loves you so much, Sheraa..."
Dattatriya didn't speak, but I could feel his gaze on me - not judging, not pitying - just there, solid and steady.
And strangely, even with all the chaos and heartbreak swirling around us,
a small piece of me felt... safe.
Sheraa finished eating after a while, licking my fingers lazily, his golden eyes fluttering shut as sleep tried to claim him again.
I adjusted him carefully against me, letting him nap in peace.
My hand absentmindedly stroked his soft fur, while my tired eyes blinked heavily, exhaustion creeping up fast.
The world was still broken.
Utsav was still fighting his battles.
But right now, at least for this one fragile moment, Sheraa and I were okay.
And someone else - Dattatriya -
was quietly guarding the shattered pieces I couldn't carry alone.
I looked down at Sheraa sleeping peacefully against me, his little chest rising and falling gently.
I sighed tiredly, brushing a kiss on his small head, then turned my gaze towards Dattatriya.
"Dattatriya," I called softly, my voice barely above a whisper.
He looked up instantly, his dark eyes locking onto mine with that same silent attentiveness.
"Can you hold him for a few minutes?" I asked quietly, carefully lifting Sheraa a little. "I just need a quick shower. I'll come down fast."
He didn't hesitate, just nodded once - that sharp, firm nod of his.
I stood up carefully and passed Sheraa into his arms.
At first, Sheraa whimpered lightly at the sudden movement, but when he realized it was Dattatriya - someone whose scent he recognized from earlier - he settled surprisingly quickly, snuggling into Dattatriya's chest like a kitten finding warmth.
I paused for a moment, watching the sight.
The mighty, terrifying Dattatriya Agnivanshi standing there in my living room, holding a tiny, sleeping snow leopard cub with the gentleness of a man cradling a dream.
Something tugged deep in my chest - something warm and strange.
I quickly turned away before I could fall deeper into that feeling.
"I'll be right back," I whispered, and without waiting for a response, I hurried upstairs.
Because for the first time in a long time, I was scared.
Not of the world.
But of what this man could do to the carefully built walls around my heart.
I stood under the shower, letting the hot water cascade over me, but nothing could wash away the image burned into my mind - Utsav, unconscious, bleeding, looking so fragile.
A choked sob escaped my lips, and I sank down onto the floor of the shower, my arms wrapping around myself as the tears poured freely.
My strong little laddu... my baby brother.
.. how could someone hurt him like this?
It took me a long time to gather myself.
Finally, with trembling hands, I turned off the water, dried myself off quickly, and threw on a hoodie and loose joggers.
I tied my damp hair into a messy bun and rushed downstairs.
The scene that greeted me made me pause.
Sheraa, now awake, was gently pawing at Dattatriya's hand, playing with the strings of his kurta.
Dattatriya sat there completely still, letting the cub climb over him, his face blank but somehow softer than usual, as if he was afraid moving too much might scare the tiny creature.
I blinked at the surreal sight.
For a second, the weight on my chest lifted a little.
Wordlessly, I moved toward them, and Dattatriya looked up at me, his eyes scanning my face silently.
I bent down and scooped Sheraa carefully into my arms. He chirped softly, nuzzling into my hoodie, clearly happy to be back with me.
I straightened up, tightening my hold around Sheraa.
"Can we go back to the hospital?" I asked quietly, my voice barely above a whisper.
There was no hesitation - Dattatriya nodded immediately.
I nodded back and moved quickly, grabbing the small bag I always kept ready with Sheraa's essentials - his bottle, some food, his little blanket.
Without another word, I headed toward the door, feeling Dattatriya silently following me.
This time, I didn't feel alone.
And somehow... it made the burden in my heart just a little lighter.
We had reached the hospital and I had already messaged Lana, my PA, to come as soon as possible. She had promised to meet me at the entrance.
As we pulled up, just like I feared, the press was already there - cameras flashing, microphones pushed forward like weapons.
The moment I stepped out, Sheraa tucked tightly against my chest, a barrage of questions assaulted me:
"Miss Choudhury, is it true your brother attempted suicide?
"
"Do you have anything to say about the rape allegations against him?
"
"Are you planning to sue the police for brutality?
"
"Is this going to affect your family's reputation?
"
"Is it true you're hiring the best lawyers to crush the accuser? "
I stopped dead, my blood boiling.
Sheraa flinched at the loudness and I instinctively tightened my arms around him, shielding his little body.
My glare sliced through the crowd, shutting a few of them up instantly.
With my voice cold and steady, I said only one thing:
"Whoever is responsible for my baby brother's situation... I'm going to ruin their entire life. Mark my words. I'll destroy them legally..." I paused, my eyes narrowing, "and my brothers will destroy them illegally."
The reporters went silent, stunned by the ice in my tone.
Without wasting another second, I turned and marched inside, feeling Dattatriya's heavy, silent presence just behind me.
Sheraa whimpered once, but as I stroked his soft fur, he calmed down, trusting me - just like Utsav always did.
And now... I was going to make sure nobody ever hurt them again.
I stepped inside the hospital, cradling Sheraa in my arms.
The moment I saw them - my papa, my brothers, Arya bhabhi - I felt a strange calmness settle over me, masking the storm inside.
But my eyes instantly caught Dyan bhaiya's bruised, bloodied hand.
He gave me a sheepish look, but I wasn't in the mood for it.
I glared at him, a silent warning that this wasn't over.
"How's Utsav?" I asked, my voice sharp.
"He's awake," Bhairava bhaiya answered quietly.
I clenched my jaw, feeling the anger bubble again.
Without wasting a second, I turned to Lana, who was already there holding a clipboard, files, and all necessary legal papers ready.
I handed Sheraa gently to Bhairava bhaiya - Sheraa whimpered softly but I kissed his head quickly, whispering, "Mama will be back soon, baby. "
Straightening myself, I nodded at Lana and we both marched toward Utsav's ICU room.
Professional. Cold. Focused. That's how I needed to be.
I pushed the door open and entered.
There he was - my baby laddu - laying there, his arm bandaged, his skin too pale, staring blankly at the ceiling.
My heart cracked at the sight, but I forced myself to stay detached. Not right now.
He turned to look at me and immediately his eyes filled with tears.
I cleared my throat sharply and said, cold and clipped,
"Mr. Utsav Choudhury, I'm your lawyer right now. Not your sister. So, can you briefly explain what happened?"
He flinched at my tone, hurt flashing across his face.
"Di-" he began, voice broken.
"It's Ms. Choudhury, Mr. Choudhury," I snapped without a flicker of emotion. "Your sister is not here. Your lawyer is."
His face crumbled slightly, his lips trembled, but he nodded obediently, wiping his eyes.
Even Lana stood quietly behind me, sensing the heavy emotions between us.
Utsav's voice was shaky but he spoke:
"I... I went to the party with some of my friends. Everyone was drinking and dancing, and I-I only had one drink, Di-I mean, Ms. Choudhury."
He looked at me desperately for any softness, but I remained stone cold.
"I don't know what happened... after that drink. I started feeling dizzy and everything was blurry. I think someone drugged me... because when I woke up, there was this girl beside me..." his voice cracked badly.
He wiped his face, struggling. I didn't move. I needed the truth.
"She was crying and screaming... saying I had.
.. had done bad things to her."
His breath hitched painfully.
"She said I was a monster. That I attacked her.
That I forced myself on her. But, Di-Ms. Choudhury-I swear on mom, I don't remember anything!
I would never do that! Never! I don't even know her properly. .. she's a friend's cousin..."
He broke into sobs, his hands shaking violently.
"I tried to tell them I didn't do anything but... her brother punched me... and the police also beat me and called me disgusting things... and then... then they locked me up..."
I closed my eyes briefly, breathing slowly, forcing my emotions down.
When I opened them, I only nodded, professionally noting everything down on Lana's clipboard.
"Thank you, Mr. Choudhury. You may rest now. We'll handle the rest," I said curtly and turned to leave.
But as I turned, I saw him mouth one broken word, so soft only I heard it:
"Di..."
My hand trembled slightly on the door handle, but I pushed it open and left, with Lana behind me.
I had a case to win.
I had a brother to save.
And I was going to tear the world apart if needed.
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