"Sometimes the deepest wounds aren't caused by strangers…
They're caused by the person who promised to protect you."
The next morning felt heavier than the last. Aanya woke up
weak, her body drained from hunger and tears. But there was no time to feel. In
this house, pain didn't matter. Work did. She slowly got up, forcing herself to
move, even when her head spun slightly. Downstairs, the atmosphere was
unusually formal.
"Aanya," her mother-in-law called.
"There's an important client coming today. You will serve
him."
Aanya nodded softly. It felt like… a normal task. For once.
Something simple. Something she could do without being insulted. She didn't
know— This would become one of the worst moments of her life.
By afternoon, the house was prepared. Everything perfect.
Everything polished. Just like appearances should be. Aanya stood in the
kitchen, carefully preparing coffee. Her hands trembled slightly, but she tried
her best to steady herself.
Don't make a mistake…
That was all she repeated in her mind.
The man arrived. Well-dressed. Polite. Smiling. But his
eyes— They lingered too long. Too carefully. Too wrongly. Aanya felt
uncomfortable the moment she stepped into the room. Still, she lowered her gaze
and walked forward.
"Sir, your coffee…"
She bent slightly to place the tray. And that's when it
happened.
The man suddenly moved his hand. The cup tilted. Hot coffee
spilled across Aanya's saree. She gasped, stepping back instantly.
"I'm so sorry!" she said quickly.
But the man stood up.
"Oh no, no… let me help you," he said, stepping closer. Too
close.
His hand reached toward her shoulder— Lingering. Sliding.
Aanya froze. Her body stiffened. Her breath caught in her throat. This wasn't
an accident.
At that exact moment— Riaan entered. His eyes fell on the
scene. Aanya. Stained saree. The client… standing close to her. His expression
changed instantly. Dark. Furious. Disgusted.
"What is going on here?"
His voice was dangerously calm. Aanya turned, relief
flooding her face.
"Riaan—"
But before she could speak— The client smirked slightly and
said,
"I think your wife is… very friendly."
That was enough.
Riaan's eyes burned with anger.
"So this is what you do?"
Aanya froze.
"No! I didn't—"
"Shameless," he snapped.
Her heart shattered.
"It was an accident—he—"
"Stop lying!"
His voice echoed through the room. Loud. Sharp. Unforgiving.
The moment the client left— Everything broke. Riaan grabbed
her arm harshly.
"You couldn't even wait, could you?" he said through
clenched teeth.
Tears streamed down her face.
"I swear I didn't—"
The slap came suddenly. Her head snapped to the side.
Silence filled the room.For a moment… even time stopped.
"You disgust me."
Each word was like poison.
"You're exactly what I thought you were."
Aanya shook her head desperately.
"Please listen to me—"
"You don't deserve to speak."
He dragged her upstairs. Pushed her inside a room. And
locked the door.
"Stay here."
"No food. No water."
"Maybe hunger will remind you of your place."
The door slammed shut.
Darkness surrounded her. Aanya knocked on the door. Cried.
Begged. No one came. Hours passed. Her voice faded. Her strength gave up. Her
body slid slowly to the floor. Her tears dried on her cheeks. And the worst
part?
Not the hunger. Not the pain. But the realization—
The man who should have protected her… destroyed her
instead.
At the hospital—
Riaan sat beside his unconscious brother. Machines beeped
softly. He held his brother's hand tightly.
"I won't leave her," he whispered.
"Not after what she did to you."
His eyes filled with anger. With revenge. With a truth that
wasn't even real.
Back in the locked room— Aanya lay on the cold floor. Weak.
Unconscious. Broken. The night passed. Silently. Cruelly. And somewhere in
another place— A man held onto hatred…
While the woman he blamed for everything— Was slowly losing
herself.