Page 75 of Shattered

He nods, tucking his hands into his pockets. “I’ll leave now and ensure we rework our plan. I’ll also ask Karan to resume guarding her.”Then, without another word, he turns and rushes out, leaving me seething.

“Kavya’s pregnancy is a secret I don’t want anyone to know just yet,” I say as he reaches the door.

“Got it. My lips are sealed.” He looks back over his shoulder at me.

I lift my chin. “Thanks.”

He throws a smile my way before walking out and closing the door behind him. I take a few minutes to compose myself when the door swings open again, and my parents walk back in, holding a file.

“We’ve got the discharge papers and all the formalities sorted. We’re free to go,” Mom announces, standing in front of me.

Dad’s eyes flick down to my hand before meeting mine. “Can’t you show some damn patience for once? The nurse would have been here to remove the IV tube. You didn’t have to do it yourself,” he scolds, shaking his head.

“I have to go, Dad,” I say, ignoring his comment. I am about to walk past them when Mom grips my arm.

“You’re not going anywhere. You’re coming home with us,” Mom orders firmly.

I shake my head. “I can’t, Mom.”

“Fine, then I am coming with you to your house. Either way, I am going to take care of you for the next few days,” Mom insists,crossing her arms and looking every bit determined.

“Mom, please understand. I need to go to Kavya and make sure she’s okay. I promise after that I will come home and stay with you two for the next few days.”

Mom sighs and raises her eyebrows at me. “Promise me you will come home?”

“I promise,” I say, kissing her forehead.

“Fine, but you’re taking the cab and not driving.”

“Okay, Mom, cab it is,” I agree with a nod.

After kissing her on the cheek and hugging Dad, I step out of the hospital and book a cabto take me straight to Kavya

???

Sitting on Kavya’s bed with my elbows on my knees, my blood begins to boil as I stare at the clock.It’s already ten at night, and she still hasn’t come home.My frustration bubbles up, but I’m more than willing to play the waiting game, no matter how long it takes. My gut tells me she’ll eventually come back to her sister and Aunty. That’s why I’m here, biding my time patiently.

After leaving the hospital, I drove straight to her house. Sunita Aunty was visibly concerned when she saw the bandage on my head, but I quickly brushed it off and asked about Kavya. She said Kavya had supposedly gone out of the city for some office work, but something about that didn’t sit right. I immediately called Akashand found out Kavya hadn’t been to the office, and there was noout-of-townassignment.The entire day, I called her phonenon-stop, but every call went straight to voicemail. I searched everywhere I could think of, but there was no sign of her.

I was on the verge of losing it completely when I received a call from Karan. He told me that he had found Kavya sitting alone in a coffee shop. I demanded the address immediately, and although he gave it to me, he requested me not to come right away. He felt Kavya needed some space andthat my showing up might not help. He also assured me that he was keeping a discreet watch on her from a distance, making sure she was safe.

I didn’t want to admit it, but deep down, I knew Karan was right. As much as it frustrated me, I knew that she needed space. When he promised me that he’d keep an eye on her and make sure she got home safely, I reluctantly agreed, albeit half-heartedly. The only thing keeping me from going to her and bringing her back myself is knowing that she’s safe and that she simply needs some time.

Yet, with every passing minute, my anger and irritation keep mounting. My mind goes back to the ring she left in the hospital and the message she sent, saying it’s over between us beforeswitching off her damn phone. I let out a small, humourless laugh. If she thinks she can cut ties with me over a mere text message and expect me to roll over, she’s got another thing coming. There’s no way it’s over between us—and it never will be.She’s mine, and any effort she makes to get away from me is in vain.

I drop my hands, my eyes fixed on the door as it creaks open. Slowly, she enters the room, her gaze glued to her phone. She drops her purse onto the nearby table before finally looking up. The moment her eyes meet mine, she lets out a startled shriek.Her phone slips from her hand and crashes onto the floor as she staggers backwards, pressing herself against the wall.

My heart warms on seeing her, but at the same time, my anger intensifies when I see her red eyes and pale face—a clear indication that she’s been crying and hurting herself,thinking that pushing me away is somehow for my own good.She couldn’t be more wrong. Pushing me away is the worst thing she could do, and I’m not having it.

“Why are you here?” she asks shakily.

I stand up but don’t move any closer,my gaze narrowing. “Why am I here? Seriously?”

“Reyansh, you... you promised me you would give me time to process things and not push me,” she reminds softly.

I cross my arms over my chest. “Sweetheart, I gave you time, not a choice. And I also made it clear that I won’t let anyone take away my happiness not even you,” I point out firmly.

“And I told you it’s over between us. There’s no reason for us to see each other anymore. I have nothing to give in this relationship,” she says,her chin trembling as she tries to sound firm.

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