"Trust me, I didn’t mean to hurt you, Kavya Chauhan."
That name on his lips snapped something inside me. I spun around, stormed up to him, and slapped him hard across the face. The sound echoed in the corridor. He didn’t flinch. He only smirked, that lopsided grin I despised.
"What’s your problem, asshole?" I hissed, my voice trembling with rage. "Yesterday you assaulted me, and now you’re apologizing? Do you think I’m stupid enough to fall for this? Are you stalking me? Should I call the police right now?" My hands shook as I pulled out my phone.
"Cute," he murmured, his smile widening despite the pain. "Call them. They won’t arrest me. They’ll drop me home instead. Because your police… work for me." What an arrogant bastard.
"You have a sister admitted here?" His words sliced through me, making my heart stutter.
My silence betrayed me. His smirk deepened.
"I heard everything," he said softly, leaning closer despite the crutches. "Your sister’s laughter, you are making a story about your new family. Sweet little family moments. Do you know why I touched you yesterday, Kavya?" His voice dropped, conspiratorial. "Because Mr. Chauhan asked me to."
My stomach twisted, my eyes widened in disbelief.
"He wanted to see how his son would react. To test him. To measure his anger, his protectiveness, his love for you. And in exchange, he promised me a big deal."
My father-in-law? The man I had called kind. The man I had convinced myself was generous.
Abhiraj’s bruised face loomed closer, his words venomous yet calm. "So don’t waste your hatred on me, Kavya. Save it for the man who owns you. The man who bought your sister’s life with his money. The man who is hiding so many secrets."
"Why would I believe you?" I snapped, though my voice wavered.
"Because I’m risking my business deal by telling you the truth."
"You mean my father-in-law asked you to touch me inappropriately so he could see his son’s reaction?"
"Yes. He was delighted to see his son’s reaction by the way."
"He wasn’t even there… "
"But his eyes were," Abhiraj cut in smoothly, tapping his temple with his good hand. "You really think a man like him wouldn’t be watching? His men were everywhere. Every corner of that place had his people. Every move, every reaction… reported back to him."
My chest constricted, my breath shallow.
"Truth hurts, doesn’t it?" he murmured. "He wanted to see whether his son would break bones for you … or break you."
"No." I shook my head violently, stepping back. "You’re lying. You’re just trying to save yourself."
"Believe whatever helps you sleep at night, Mrs. Chauhan," he said softly, almost pitying.
Before I could respond, a nurse approached, her expression stern. "Sir, you shouldn’t be standing here. You need rest."
Abhiraj straightened with difficulty, but his gaze never left mine. "We’ll meet again," he said quietly.
I didn’t reply. I turned away, walking as fast as I could, my pulse thundering in my ears.
The drive back to the Chauhan mansion felt longer than ever. Every word Abhiraj had said echoed in my mind like a haunting melody I couldn’t shut off.
________
Chapter 17
KAVYA
"You’re back," Mr. Chauhan said, greeting me with that warm smile he always wore. But I knew what ran beneath his fatherly act. All this time he had pretended to be good, yet now he had become a mystery to me. "I’ve been waiting for you since this afternoon. Of course, I won’t ask where you’ve been. You know I’m not like other fathers-in-law who are grumpy and strict."
"I need to talk to you," I blurted out, my heartbeat rising in my chest.