42. Threat
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"How is her condition, doctor?" I asked the psychiatrist as he finished examining Dhrithika.
He removed his glasses slowly, his expression serious.
"Not good at all, Mr. Raizaada." My heart sank.
"She's showing clear signs of relapse," he continued calmly. "The emotional instability, sudden outbursts, extreme mood shifts, the fainting episode, these are not isolated reactions. Her depression symptoms are resurfacing."
"What do you mean by relapse?" Dadi asked.
"Was she previously under treatment?" he asked.
"Yes," I answered. "Two years ago, when she was in America."
"Then I'll need her old psychiatric reports," he said. "Prescription history, therapy notes, diagnosis details. Especially if she was on antidepressants or mood stabilizers."
He turned a page on his pad.
"From what I observed, she's suppressing a lot. Anger, abandonment issues, emotional dependency. These things don't disappear just because the environment changes."
Stress.
Florence. Me. The sudden return.
All my fault.
"Has there been any recent emotional trigger?" he asked, Dadi Dadu exchanged glances but no one answered.
"See Mr. Raizaada, depression doesn't always look like sadness," he added. "Sometimes it looks like rage, impulsiveness and sometimes like emotional attachment to one person and hostility toward another."
I looked down, feeling so helpless.
"She fainted because of emotional overload," he continued. "But the bigger concern is her mental state. If untreated, it can spiral again."
"What do we do now?" Dadu asked quietly.
"I want her previous reports first," the doctor repeated. "And she needs structured therapy again. Regular sessions. Possibly medication if required. But most importantly..."
He looked directly at me.
"She needs emotional stability at home. Not conflict."
The room went silent.
"She's extremely sensitive to rejection and authority," he added. "If she perceives someone as controlling or withdrawing affection, her response will be extreme."
I swallowed.
"So this is my fault?" I asked.
He shook his head.
"Depression is never one person's fault but recovery requires awareness from everyone."
He gathered his kit.
"Get me her old reports by tomorrow and try to avoid emotional confrontations for now."
As he walked out, the room felt heavier.
Relapse.
Again.
I looked at her pale face and sat beside her on the bed.
Her breathing was steady now. Too steady. Like nothing had happened.
"It's all my fault."
"No, Yugant... it's not," Dadi replied, placing her hand on my shoulder. "Stop blaming yourself."
"It is my fault, Daadi," I said, my voice breaking despite trying to control it. "We all know it, I should have never sent her to America. I should have kept her close, she is my responsibility and I left her with the worst person possible."
My eyes burned.
I rarely cry but right now the weight of everything feels unbearable.
Before Dadi could say anything, Ishaan cleared his throat from the doorway.
"Sir... Mr. Kingsley has arrived downstairs along with Adhvait."
My jaw locked instantly, my fists clenched so tight my knuckles turned white.
Everything is happening because of him.
This forced marriage, this pressure, this constant surveillance. Even Dhrithika's emotional instability - indirectly, it traces back to him and the chaos he planted in this house.
I'm stuck and there's no clean exit anymore.
"We are coming," Dadu said calmly to Ishaan.
I took a slow breath and stood. Looking at Dhrithika one last time I walked out of the room, Dadi and Dadu following behind me.
As we stepped into the living area, they were already seated like they owned the house.
Mr. Kingsley sat straight, composed.
Adhvait beside him, calm as always.
Olivia stood up the moment she saw me.
"Yugant!"
She rushed forward and wrapped her arms around me. I didn't hug her back because my eyes were fixed on Adhvait.
I can't let this happen. I need to get out of this.
I don't want this wedding.
Dhrithika doesn't want it.
Dadi and Dadu don't want it either.
Then why the fuck am I doing this?
There has to be a way out.
" How are you, baby?" Olivia asked sweetly before I could respond, Ishaan coughed behind me. Loud.
I stepped slightly away from Olivia. "Are you alright, Ishaan?" I asked, ignoring the burning gazes on my back.
"Yes, sir. I'm fine."
"Can we discuss why we're here?" Adhvait's voice cut through the air.
We all took seats.
"Yes," I said calmly. "I'm all ears."
Mr. Kingsley leaned forward. "Yugant... I gave you six months, I trusted you and you broke that trust. You tried to cheat my daughter?"
I tilted my head slightly.
"When exactly did I cheat? I don't recall, can you elaborate?"
His jaw tightened, he pulled out his phone and showed the picture.
Me hugging Dhwani in Florence. Who the fuck was spying on us all the time?
"You went to Florence to meet this girl, didn't you?"
"I went to Florence because I had business meetings," I replied evenly. "And my sister wanted to attend the exhibition. That's it."
"Then what is this girl doing there?" he snapped. "Isn't she your ex best friend's sister? What is your relationship with her?"
"She's my.....my sister's friend," I said coldly. "And I hugged her randomly just like Olivia hugs her male friends all the time. Or is physical contact only acceptable when your daughter does it?"
Silence followed.
"Are you that insecure, Mr. Kingsley?" I added, my tone sharp.
Olivia gasped beside me while Adhvait's eyes hardened.
Mr. Kingsley stood up slowly.
"We do not trust you anymore," he said, "and we will not wait two more months. The wedding will happen this month here in your traditions and next month in America."
The room went still, I stood up too.
"And what if I don't want that?" I asked as my fingers curled into fist.
Mr. Kingsley's expression changed without a word, he reached inside his coat. The metallic click echoed in the hall.
A gun.
He pointed it - directly at Dadu.
Dadi gasped immediately, and stood. Me and Ishaan took a step ahead but he showed us his hand stopping us right there.
My blood froze.
"I helped your family years ago," he said calmly. "Financially. Legally. Politically and that debt is still unpaid."
The barrel shifted slightly toward Dadi.
"And I do not like men who step away from their words."
My jaw clenched.
"Put the gun down,Mr Kingsley." I said, my voice dangerously quiet.
"Marry my daughter," he replied, "this remains a peaceful alliance. Refuse... and I will take my return with interest."
The air felt suffocating.
" Dad, stop it, it's not the right way." Olivia stepped towards him, but he showed her his dark eyes and she went silent.
"Yugant, don't be dramatic, this is simple. You gave your word, you accepted the engagement publicly. Everything will happen as Mr. Kingsley has decided."Adhvait shouted.
" Yugant...if you don't want this, end it here. We are not afraid to lose our lives." Dadi said, her voice full of hatred as she looked at all of them.
I stepped forward slowly, standing between the gun and my grandparents.
"If you think threatening them will make me obedient," I said coldly, "you don't know me at all."
The barrel pressed closer to my forehead, "This is not a negotiation," Kingsley said.
No.
It wasn't because it was a trap.
"Say yes," Kingsley said calmly. "Or lose your family."
The gun didn't shake in his hand neither did his voice.
My jaw tightened so hard it hurt.
This wasn't about ego or pride anymore.
This was about my family.
I looked at them.
Dadi's eyes were wide with fear. Dadu was trying to stand steady, but I could see it - the helplessness.
I exhaled slowly. "Alright," the word tasted like blood. "I'm ready."
Dadi grabbed my arm from behind. "Yugant... What are you saying? This is your last chance to step out of this mess."
I didn't look at her because If I did, I would break so I kept my eyes on Kingsley.
He lowered the gun slowly, satisfied.
"Good," he said, "then we will make the announcement public tonight and in the next seven days , you and Olivia are getting married with proper Indian rituals, Adhvait will take care of everything because I don't want any delay," he added, glancing at Adhvait.
Adhvait nodded immediately.
Bloody asshole.
Olivia stepped forward, relief flooding her face as she slipped her hand into mine as if this was some romantic victory.
Kingsley adjusted his coat, as if he hadn't just threatened my family's life.
"Excellent," he said. "Now we can proceed peacefully."
Peacefully? What was peaceful in that?
He turned and walked out, Olivia hugged me once and followed him outside like this was some fairy tale.
The door shut and silence followed.
Dadi's hand slipped from my arm.
Dadu looked at me like he wanted to say something but couldn't.
"Ishaan, in my room. Now." I didn't wait for a reply, I just turned and walked upstairs without looking back. I could hear his footsteps behind me steady, controlled, as always.
We entered my room, he shut the door quietly. The moment it clicked shut, I lost whatever calm I had been pretending to hold.
I grabbed the vanity stool and kicked it aside, it crashed against the wall.
"seven days ," I said, running my hand through my hair. " Seven fucking days."
Ishaan didn't speak.
"He threatened me," I said, my voice lower now but shaking with anger. "In my own house."
"Yes, sir."
"Yes, sir?" I snapped, turning to face him. "That's all you have to say?"
He met my eyes calmly. "No, sir but anger won't change the situation."
I stared at him.
"Then what will?" I demanded.
Silence.
For a second, even I didn't know what I expected him to answer.
"He used fear," Ishaan said finally, " which means he doesn't fully control you. If he did, he wouldn't need a gun."
I scoffed. "He controls everything, the alliance, the public image, the debt. The narrative."
"Not everything," Ishaan replied. I looked at him with raised brows.
"He doesn't control your mind or your strategy," he added. "And you're not a man who agrees without planning something."
My jaw tightened. "I agreed because I had no choice," I said coldly.
"You agreed because you needed time," he corrected.
Time?seven days ?
"That's not time," I muttered.
"It's enough," Ishaan said quietly. "If you use it properly."
I stared at him.
"What are you suggesting?" I asked.
He stepped closer.
"You don't fight Kingsley emotionally, you fight him legally. Financially. Publicly. He threatened you inside this house but he cannot threaten you in front of the world."
My mind began moving despite the rage.
"He thinks you're cornered," Ishaan continued. "Let him."
Silence stretched between us.
"If I step out now, he'll target my family again."
"Then don't step out openly," Ishaan replied. "Play along."
Play along, attend rituals, smile for cameras, prepare silently.
"And Dhwani?" The name left my mouth before I could stop it, I fucking hate myself for remembering her at every situation.
He gave me a look that pissed me a lot, "If you truly care about her," he said carefully, "then keeping her out of this problem is the first step."
As if she will be coming back to me herself. I turned away, with a dry chuckle.
seven days , seven days to either submit...
Or destroy the board he thinks he controls.
"I need everything on Kingsley. Old deals, offshore accounts, political favors, and what Adhvait did that Kingsley helped me two years ago."
Ishaan nodded once. "Already started."
I opened my eyes to sharp rays of sunlight stabbing through the curtains. I hate sunlight in the morning, it ruins everything.
I turned to the other side, eyes still half closed, and stretched my hand out automatically.
I knew exactly where he had slept last night.
My fingers touched cold sheets.
Empty.
I frowned slightly and searched again, patting the mattress. Nothing.
Then his words from last night echoed in my head.
I'm leaving tomorrow.
My eyes snapped open, I sat up straight, looking around the empty room.
Too silent.
My gaze moved around quickly - the couch, the chair, the door, but he was nowhere.
I checked the time on the clock. 11:15.
My stomach dropped.
I threw the comforter aside and stood.
"He must be in the washroom," I muttered to myself. "Yes. Obviously."
I walked there quickly and pushed the door open.
Empty.
My chest tightened.
No.
He wouldn't leave like this, not without telling me.
I rushed back and opened the cupboard.
I closed my eyes for a second before looking like some childish hope would change reality.
When I opened them, my heart sank.
Empty.
Completely empty.
So he really left.
Without waking me up, without saying goodbye.
My vision blurred instantly, tears gathered, but I blinked them back harshly.
Why the hell am I crying?
I rubbed my face aggressively with both hands.
You wanted this, Dhwani, didn't you? You said you don't love him, you pushed him away, you told him you feel nothing. So, he left. Isn't this what you wanted? My mind wouldn't shut up.
You're selfish, you broke his heart, you deserve this. My ears rang, the words repeated louder.
I pressed my palms against my ears.
"STOP," I shouted, but the noise didn't stop.
My breathing turned uneven, my head started pounding. The room suddenly felt smaller and hotter.
I tried to take a step forward, but my legs felt unstable. Why does it hurt this much?
If I don't love him... why does it feel like something just got ripped out of me?
My vision blurred further.
The walls felt like they were moving slightly.
I grabbed the edge of the table to steady myself.
" It's okay, Dhwani. It's okay." I tried, and took a long breadth.
My phone started ringing. The sound felt distant at first like it was coming from another room.
I looked around blankly.
Where is it?
After a second I realized - my bag.
I slither toward the side table, fingers trembling so badly I could barely open the zip and take out my phone.
I answered immediately.
"Dhwani... where are you? No call, no message, no picture from yesterday. Everything is fine, right?"
"Bhai..." The word broke out of me before I could stop it.
" DHWANI.....WHAT HAPPENED BABY?"
"B-Bhai... I...h-he left."
"Okay! Listen to me first, stop crying."
I tried to inhale properly but it felt like my chest was shrinking.
"I..." I swallowed hard. "I love him... but he left."
"Dhwani, calm down. Breathe. Slowly,"
"I... I can't breathe..." My lips were trembling uncontrollably. "Bhai... I'm not able to... breath-"
My chest felt like something heavy was sitting on it, air wouldn't go in.
My vision blurred, phone slipped from my hand and slid under the bed.
"Dhwani? Dhwani!" I faintly heard his voice shouting from the other end.
I tried to take a breath. Nothing.
The room tilted, the ceiling moved. I fell backward onto the floor, my lungs burning.
Just one breath. Please.
I wanted to tell him, I love him, please.
Just one breath.
My body wouldn't listen and slowly darkness swallowed everything.
After 24 hours
I opened my eyes slowly, white ceiling, soft beeping sound, the sharp smell of antiseptic hit my nose.
For a second, I couldn't understand where I was.
But then I saw an IV drip attached to my hand, a thin tube connected to an oxygen mask over my mouth. The room was quiet except for the steady monitor beside the bed blinking green lines.
Hospital.
Someone was holding my hand, for a second a stupid second... I thought it might be Yugant but when my eyes adjusted, they landed on Samarth bhai.
Samarth bhai?
Am I in India? Or did he come to Italy?
He looked exhausted, hair was messy, eyes red. Like he hadn't slept at all.
"Bhai..." I tried to say, but the oxygen mask blocked my voice.
"Dhwani..." he leaned closer immediately. "How are you feeling now?" He helped me sit up carefully, adjusting the pillow behind my back.
I pulled the oxygen mask down slightly.
"Why are we here?" I asked, my voice weak. "What happened to me? I was absolutely fine a few hours ago."
His expression shifted.
"It wasn't a few hours ago," he said quietly. "It was a day ago. You've been here for twenty-four hours."
Twenty-four hours?
How can that much time just disappear? And I didn't even realise?
"So... you came to Florence?" My eyes stung. "All the way from Rajasthan?"
"Of course I did," he said, cupping my face. "You're my sister."
"But not the real one..." I whispered the words out. "Why do you love me so much?"
His jaw tightened.
"Don't you dare say that again," he said firmly but gently. "You're my sister, that's it. Nothing else matters."
A tear slipped down my eyes though he wiped it immediately with his thumb.
I swallowed.
"How am I here?" I asked again. "What happened to me?"
"You fainted while talking to me," he said. "You were struggling to breathe. I contacted the hotel immediately and asked them to check your room. They couldn't find you anywhere for hours..." He paused. "until they found you in...."
"In Yugant's room," I finished looking down at my hands.
He nodded once, he didn't ask anything, he never does. He waits for me to speak, and I never do.
"They admitted you immediately," he continued. "I reached two hours ago."
He traveled across countries for me.
Just like that.
"Thank you," I murmured, squeezing his hand weakly. "For always being there when I'm at my worst."
"You don't have to thank me," he replied, like he always does.
"What exactly happened to me?" I asked again.
He took a slow breath."The doctor said it was a severe panic attack," he explained. "Your body went into hyperventilation. Your oxygen levels dropped rapidly. You fainted because your brain wasn't getting enough oxygen."
I stared at him.
"They said emotional triggers can do this. Especially when someone suppresses feelings for too long. You were extremely distressed when you called me."
My chest felt heavy again-but not physically this time.
"They've also done a few blood tests," he added. "Your thyroid levels are slightly unstable again. Stress makes it worse."
Of course it does.
"Doctor said if you hadn't been found in time, it could have become dangerous," he continued quietly. "You were unconscious for several hours."
Several hours.
All because he left. No.
That thought sat heavy in my chest. When did I give him this much power?
Power to shake my body.
Power to mess with my breathing.
Power to drop me on a hospital bed just because he walked away.
I stared at the plane wall.
It wasn't just him leaving, it was everything I didn't say, everything I swallowed, everything I denied.
You don't collapse because someone leaves, you collapse because you were holding too much for too long.
I had been pushing him away for months, telling him I don't love him, convincing myself I don't love him everytime his face crossed my mind, planning to walk away before he ever could.
Acting strong.
Acting detached.
And the moment he actually left...my body couldn't keep up with the lie anymore.
It wasn't power I gave him, it was truth I refused to accept. You can't control feelings by pretending they don't exist.
They collect.
They sit in your chest.
They wait and when something triggers them, they explode.
That panic attack wasn't because he left.
It was because I finally admitted I love him and at the same time believed I lost him.
That combination? Shock to the system.
Fear.
Abandonment.
Regret.
All at once.
I turned my head slightly toward Bhai, who was still sitting there.
Maybe the real question isn't when did I give him power.
Maybe the real question is:
Why am I so afraid of loving someone that my body would rather shut down than accept it?
Because love means risk and I've always chosen control over risk. But love doesn't work that way, you either feel it fully or it finds a way to break through anyway.
And clearly...Mine chose violence.
"I want to go back..." I paused for a second, "to Mumbai," I completed, looking straight into Bhai's eyes.
He didn't react immediately, he just held my gaze.
Measuring if this was emotional impulse... or clarity.
A few seconds passed then he blinked once.
No questions.
No interrogation.