"I don't want Mr. Deshmukh to be arrested," she stated firmly.

Some officers were untying her mother and sister, while a female inspector approached her and began untying her hands.

"Why? What he did is a crime by law!" the inspector exclaimed, his tone sharp with disbelief.

She nodded, "He did it to me. I don't want him punished. Please, let him go."

He frowned. "Well, whatever it is, you'll need to come to the station in Mumbai. We can't release him based on your words alone. There's a legal procedure to follow."

The officer signaled his colleagues, and they moved forward, handcuffing him.

He stood frozen, his shock evident as he glanced between the officers and her.

Anita walked closer to him, and quietly whispered only for him to hear, "I promise you won't stay there for long. Once I return to Mumbai, I'll come and ensure you're released."

He stared at her, shock and anger mixing in his expression.

He muttered under his breath, "You've gone mad."

They led him away, and her eyes darted towards her sister who had helped him in all his schemes.

She stood with her head hung low in embarrassment, avoiding Anita's gaze.

"Divya... they took me from Divya!" Anita then turned immediately to Akash.

Without meeting her eyes, he responded flatly, "She's on her way to Mumbai. She helped us find you."

She exhaled a long sigh of relief, her shoulders slumping slightly.

She stepped closer to him, wanting to hold his hands, to thank him—but he took a step back and drew his hands away.

Without looking at her, he whispered, "We should better get going. Your family needs urgent medical attention."

He turned and walked away, leaving her rooted to her spot.

She inhaled deeply, trying to steady her breath, and looked up to blink away the tears threatening to spill from her eyes.

She understood why he was upset—his anger, his hurt and everything was justified.

"Mother! Sister!" she called out and hurried toward them, who were still unconscious and being supported by the female inspectors.

She assisted them and helped to guide her mother outside.

After they reached the convoy of vehicles waiting there, her younger sister stepped forward, attempting to follow them into the car.

Anita yanked her back, her grip firm as she angrily spat, "Stay away from them."

Her sister swallowed hard, guilt and shame evident in her tearful eyes.

She nodded silently and turned, walking towards another vehicle.

The convoy was large, with several cars and police vehicles lined up.

She helped her mother and sister into one of them.

Her gaze then followed Akash while he strode toward his GLE.

"Akash!" she called out in a loud whisper.

He heard her but didn't stop.

He reached the car, opened the door, and got inside without sparing her a glance.

She exhaled shakily, trying to suppress the tears that wanted to spill once more.

She moved towards the car, her heart pounding with tiredness, and she reached the back side, opened the door, and paused for a second, her voice breaking but she started, "I..."

She wanted to apologize, to pour out everything she had held back, but at the same time, his phone rang.

Without acknowledging her, he answered the call.

Her throat tightened.

Swallowing hard, she nodded to herself, stepped back, and quietly closed the door.

She stood there for a moment, staring at the reflection of her tear-streaked face in the car window, before turning away.

She circled to the other side of the car, opened the door, and slipped into the back seat beside him.

The driver, without a word, started the engine and drove off.

Akash continued his conversation on the phone— it was from his office.

He refused to acknowledge her presence because he fixed his gaze ahead as though she were invisible.

She sat quietly, her eyes staring on at him, studying the familiar contours of his face—the sharp jawline and the little crease between his brows when he spoke.

Her chest ached with the words she wanted to say as it churned in her mind, but she didn't dare interrupt him.

When he finally ended the call, she parted her lips to apologize to him for doubting him, but again, before she could speak, he broke the silence. "I don't really think this village has experienced doctors. Let's head to the nearest city and get them to a good hospital."

"Thank you... for everything. I am really sorry Aka..." she started in whisper but paused when he glanced at her briefly, his expression unreadable, before turning his attention back to the road ahead. "I'd advise you better pray for your family's well-being." he said simply.

Her heart sank at the finality in his voice, but she bit her lip and nodded.

For now, she decided, she wouldn't push.

All she could do was really hope that once they were safe, he would give her a chance to explain.

The car sped along the winding road, leaving the village far behind.

They sat in silence, but she snuck glances at him every minute, though his face was focused on the view outside the window.

Her fingers fidgeted with the edge of her dupatta as she tried to summon the courage to speak again. "Akash..." she began, her voice trembling slightly.

He didn't look at her and with his gaze still fixed ahead, he replied. "What is it?"

Her throat became dry, but she forced herself to continue. "I... I know I've hurt you. I made a mistake, a very terrible mistake. But I swear, it was never because I didn't trust you. It was... I don't even know what it was. Stupidity maybe. I just..." She paused, searching his face for any sign of acknowledgment.

He sighed deeply, and simply uttered. "This isn't the time. Let's focus on your mother and sister first. That's what matters right now."

"I know," she replied quickly, "But I need you to know that I'm sorry. Truly. I allowed myself to be manipulated, and I didn't see the truth until it was too late. If you hadn't come..." Her voice cracked, and she looked away, ashamed of the tears that wanted to fall.

"We'll talk," he said quietly in a tone that remained guarded. "But not now."

She nodded and swallowed her emotions.

She leaned back in her seat, staring out the window as the scenery rushed by.

The convoy slowed after they approached the outskirts of a city.

Hospitals, shops, and crowded streets came into view.

"We're here," the driver announced, his voice snapping them out of their thoughts.

The car pulled up to a private hospital, and the whole convoy came to a halt.

Akash opened his door and stepped out, and she followed him, her eyes scanning for her mother and sister as the inspectors and medical staff began coordinating their transport into the hospital.

Akash turned to her, his expression still unreadable. "Stay with them. I'll handle the formalities."

She nodded, watching as he walked away, and she turned towards the hospital doors.

****

"Won't you get your bruises treated?" the nurse asked softly, her eyes scanning Anita's battered state. Her wrists were swollen from the ropes, and after the nurse gently tilted her face, she noticed the red welt on her cheek.

Then her gaze dropped to her ankle, which was also swollen and bruised. "Your ankle looks bad too. It needs immediate care."

She shook her head weakly, her voice barely above a whisper and she asked. "Will my mother and sister be safe?"

"Yes. They're receiving treatment as we speak," the nurse assured her. "But you're hurt too. Please, let me help you."

"No. Mine isn't important," she whispered and shifted her gaze to the ground.

Before the nurse could press further, Akash approached them. "Let's go," he stated firmly, his tone leaving no room for refusal.

She looked up at him. "No. I don't want to—"

"I said let's go," he repeated, his voice resolute.

She exhaled heavily and followed him along with the nurse.

Her sore ankle made her limp with each step she took.

Inside the treatment room, she sat on the examination table while the nurse prepared the supplies.

Starting with her wrists, she gently cleaned the wounds.

She winced when the antiseptic was applied, but she remained silent soon after, casting her gaze downwards.

The nurse then moved to her cheek and she applied a cooling balm to it while saying, "This should reduce the swelling."

She nodded faintly.

Finally, the nurse crouched down to examine her ankle, frowning at the sight of the bruising. "Your ankle is quite swollen. I'll wrap it up, but you need to keep weight off it for a few days," she advised.

While the nurse bandaged her ankle, Akash stood by the door, his arms crossed, watching silently.

His expression was unreadable but his jaw tightened as he stared at her injuries.

After her gaze moved to his, she saw he wasn't looking at her, rather, his gaze was fixed on the floor, his thoughts seemingly elsewhere.

When the nurse finished, she stood slowly, testing her ankle with a slight wince.

Akash stepped forward and nodded toward the door.

"Well that is enough. Let's go check on your mother and sister," he said simply, his tone neutral but firm.

She followed him out, and he proceeded far ahead of her.

"Are they okay now? All we want is for them to regain consciousness. We'll continue their treatment in Mumbai," Akash asked the doctor.

"They're stable for now, but we need to keep them under observation for the next two hours," the doctor explained. "After that, if their condition stabilizes further, we'll permit the transfer."

Akash nodded with a sigh of relief. "Thank you very much."

"My pleasure," the doctor replied, his attention shifting briefly to Anita. "Get well soon."

She forced a small smile in response, her exhaustion evident.

"Come with me," Akash then said, his tone neutral and he turned and began walking.

She followed silently, limping as her injured ankle protested every step.

They exited the hospital and reached a restaurant just outside.

He entered and chose a table near the window, then sat down. She joined him.

A waiter promptly approached and handed them menus.

He glanced briefly at the options and ordered without much thought.

When the waiter turned to her, she didn't even glance at the menu yet, but said softly, "The same as his."

Akash's eyes flicked toward her, studying her for a moment. His expression was unreadable—neither warm nor cold—before he turned his gaze back to the window.

She smiled widely, her voice soft but deliberate as she muttered, "I am very happy I married you."

He turned his gaze to her, his face still unreadable like a blank canvas.

The waiter returned then, setting their plates down with practiced efficiency, but Akash didn't so much as glance at the food. His focus remained on her.

Her smile vanished under the intensity of his stare while hunger gnawed at her.

She picked up a fork, stabbing a piece of the food, and began eating slowly.

She avoided his eyes, focusing instead on her plate.

However, she could still feel his gaze at her, pressing down on her like a heavy blanket.

She sipped her orange juice, sneaking a glance at him again. He was still staring.

"What?" she whispered, her voice wavering slightly as she set the glass down.

He didn't respond.

Raghav's words echoed mercilessly in his mind, "She feels she's just another woman in your life. Someone you'll use until you get what you want, just like the others she believes existed in your past. Then, when you're done, you'll discard her."

The memory clawed at his thoughts, igniting a simmering anger.

He clenched his jaw, his face hardening, though he said nothing.

After a long, suffocating pause, he finally broke his gaze, looking down at his plate.

He picked up his fork and began eating.

Her hunger drove her to focus on her own meal.

She chewed quickly in an attempt to ignore the knot tightening in her chest.

"Speak if you're ready," he at last spoke after they finished their meals, his voice calm but distant, and he leaned back in his chair.

She gulped, her throat becoming dry, and met his gaze.

His eyes which used to be so friendly and inviting, now looked cold and unfamiliar.

"I'm sorry," she began. "I'm sorry for doubting you. Muhammad gave me that file. I didn't want to open it at first. I even threw it in front of him. But then... when he left, I became curious." She paused, her voice breaking when tears welled in her eyes.

"I opened it, and out of anger," she stammered, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I told you to leave that night, didn't I? I was furious, but I would have calmed down by morning. I never would have ended our relationship. I just needed time, but..." Her voice cracked. "What happened has already happened. Please forgive me. I am so, so sorry."

He stared at her, his face an emotionless mask.

His piercing gaze bore into hers for a long moment.

"You didn't even give me such a chance to explain," he said finally. "That's what you should have done for our relationship. But instead, you went straight ahead and ended everything without a second thought."

"I'm sorry," she whispered again and wiped her tears away with trembling hands.

He leaned forward slightly, his eyes never leaving hers and replied. "It's too late now. I want you to know, I no longer have any feelings for you."

His words hit her like a blow, and for a moment, she couldn't breathe.

Her heart clenched, her chest ached, and her hands fell limply to her sides.

"I..." she tried to speak, but the lump in her throat was unbearable.

The emptiness in his eyes was worse than any anger he could have directed at her.

She continued to look at him, her tears falling freely, "You're lying. If you had no feelings for me, you wouldn't have come all the way from Mumbai to the village and then married me."

He chuckled,  "I did it for the sake of our old friendship," he replied casually. "I'd have done the same for any ex-friend... including Priya."

Her body stiffened, the mention of her like a dagger to her chest.

She stared at him, her lips quivering while she wiped her tears. "Lies," she whispered, shaking her head firmly. "You wouldn't have married her. You never wanted to marry anyone. I am the first person you ever wanted to settle down with. If you truly had no feelings for me, you wouldn't have married me after the Mukhiya was already arrested. You could have walked away—but you didn't. You married me because you love me..."

His expression hardened. "I married you to protect you from your father," he interrupted, his voice flat but sharp. "Once you're married, he can't force you to marry anyone else. No one will even think of marrying you, knowing you already have a husband. That's the only reason I did it. I don't love you. I did this out of respect for the friendship we once had."

His words hit her like a slap, and he didn't stop.

He leaned closer, his eyes piercing more into hers. "But let me make one thing very clear. This marriage means nothing. You told me once that you feel like you're just another woman in my life."

She shook her head apologetically, tears streaming down her face, but he continued, his expression and tone unaffected by her visible distress.

"Someone I'd use until I get what I want," he said bitterly, his words filled with coldness, "just like the others you believe existed in my past. Then, when I'm done, I'll discard you, too."

"I am sorry, Akash!" she mumbled.

He leaned back, his gaze piercing through her because her apology meant nothing to him and responded. "Don't worry," he began, his voice calm yet distant. "Our marriage will never be real. I promise you, if you want, you can walk away at any time. That's entirely your choice. But if you do, and your life ends up in danger again, know this—I will not come to save you then. I am done being your savior."

Her lips trembled as her sobs quieted, her heart sinking further with each word he uttered.

"However," he continued, "if you choose to stay with me, understand that we will never be what we once were. We will neither be friends nor husband and wife. I will never touch you. We will live as strangers under the same roof."

He paused, letting his words sink in like an unrelenting storm. "It's your choice—stay or leave. But if you don't want this, the moment we reach Mumbai, I promise you I will have the lawyer prepare the divorce papers without any delays."

Her breath hitched, and she stared at him through her tears, unable to find the words to respond.

This was not the man she once knew or the man she had loved. It felt as though the door to his heart had been slammed shut, and she was left standing in the shadows, powerless to open it again.