It was a new morning — sad, yet filled with a small thread of hope that my relationship with Sarthak could still be saved. For my baby… my child could not grow up without a father. And if he had really cheated on me, then this would be the end of everything between us.
I was still in the hospital.
You may wonder why I had been lying in a hospital bed for so many days now — it was because my pregnancy was in a danger phase. I had to stay here under constant observation. And in my broken heart, I blamed it all on my baby's father. I believed that because of him, my child's life was in danger.
My mother was sitting beside me, peeling an apple and cutting it into small pieces, feeding me just as my brother Aarnik used to. Watching her did something strange to my heart — it felt like I was being taken care of by him again, through her.
Advait was also in the room, his silence heavy with anger. He was angry at Sarthak… angry for hurting me, my baby, and the little life I was trying to live. He knew how fragile my heart already was — how depression followed me like a shadow ever since my brother Aarnik died.
I had loved my brother more than anything in the world.
He was not just my brother — he was my second father. I used to stay with him all day, trust him with my secrets, and feel safe in his arms. But then… I saw him burned before my eyes. His body was unrecognizable. The only thing that identified him was a bracelet — the same bracelet we always wore together.
That was all that remained of him.
And now when I saw my mother feeding me the same way he used to… my heart ached endlessly.
Then my eyes drifted to Sarthak.
And suddenly — he collapsed.
I screamed and rushed toward him, holding his head in my lap. I cried and screamed for the doctors, my hands trembling.
"I can't lose you too… please… I won't survive another death," I cried.
After a few moments, he was taken away, unconscious.
I sat there shaken… broken… empty.
Then his assistant entered the room quietly with a file in his hand.
"Ma'am… he didn't cheat on you," he said gently. "Please… see it yourself."
I took the file with trembling hands and opened it.
It was full of evidence.
Every proof. Every report. Every truth.
Sarthak had never betrayed me.
Tears flooded my eyes.
"Then why… why did he kneel down and say he would explain?" I whispered brokenly. "Why didn't he just tell me?"
The assistant sighed.
"He knelt because he believed your baby was in danger because of him. When you were in the operation room, he cried like a child… begging God to save both you and the baby.
Do you think a man known as a devil… someone who never sheds a tear even while killing… would cry like that unless he loved you with his life?
Five years ago, he waited only for you to return. He broke every day without you. And now… he hasn't even touched another woman the entire time you've known him."
My tears fell freely now.
I used to think Manya was only defending him because she was his sister.
But she was telling the truth.
He had suffered silently.
And my heart shattered once more — not from betrayal… but from guilt.
I stayed by his side all night.
I did not sleep for even a second.
I only watched him breathe.
I only prayed.
I only cried.
Thinking of how much I had hurt him.
The next morning, he finally woke up.
I called the doctor immediately.
"He fainted due to exhaustion, lack of sleep, and malnutrition," the doctor said. "He'll be fine now. No need to worry."
The doctor left after reminding the nurse about medicines and telling us that Sarthak would have to remain hospitalized for one or two more days.
Then he looked at me.
And I broke.
"Why didn't you tell me everything?" I cried. "You know I can't live without you. And still… you didn't eat, didn't sleep…"
He pulled me into his arms gently.
"Who told you I'm fine?" he whispered. "Don't cry, my love."
He hugged me tightly.
"Please take care of the baby," he said softly. "I will die if anything happens to her… or you."
"She was Lavanya," he continued. "Advait wasn't answering her calls. She misunderstood everything. I was only resting in the hotel after a long meeting. We never knew the media was there. I should've told you earlier…"
I shook my head.
"No… it was my fault."
I hugged him even tighter.
"I love you. Don't ever leave me… or I will die hating myself forever."
Tears soaked his chest.
But this time — they were not tears of pain.
They were tears of relief.
Of healing.
Of love returning home.
After so long… we finally felt each other again.