The Billionaire's Bride [ Rewritten]

Part 24 | What's the Truth?

The rain was merciless.

No matter how fast the wipers moved across the windshield, they couldn't clear the heavy sheets pouring from the sky. Visibility blurred every few seconds, but I barely cared. My grip tightened around the steering wheel as dread gnawed at my chest with every passing minute.

Something was wrong.

I could feel it.

Until I hold you in my arms and know you're safe, I won't be okay, Naira.

"When did you last talk to her, Aditi?" Arjun asked from beside me, his voice tense.

"About four hours ago," Aditi answered quietly from the backseat. "She sounded upset... but she didn't explain anything. I only know she went to meet Rob-"

"Kartik... look!" Dhruv suddenly shouted.

My eyes snapped toward the windshield-

And my heart stopped.

She stood in the middle of the road.

"Naira!"

I don't even remember opening the car door. One second I was inside the vehicle, the next I was running through the rain, my shoes splashing against flooded streets.

She stood on the opposite side of the crossing, completely drenched. Her body trembled violently, fingers wrapped tightly around the strap of her bag as though it was the only thing keeping her grounded.

Cars rushed past her.

Horns blared angrily.

But she didn't move.

Fear punched the air out of my lungs.

What the hell is she doing?

"Naira, move away!" I shouted at the top of my lungs.

But my voice drowned beneath the deafening storm.

The pedestrian signal glowed red, vehicles cutting through the crossing without pause, trapping me away from her. Helplessness clawed at my chest as I watched her stand there, frozen in terror.

"Oh no..." Dhruv muttered behind me.

"She's astraphobic," Aditi said shakily. "Thunderstorms trigger her panic attacks."

I turned toward her in disbelief.

I knew Naira was scared of thunder.

But this...

This was far worse than I had imagined.

Another crack of thunder exploded overhead.

Naira flinched violently.

My chest tightened painfully as she squeezed her eyes shut and covered her ears with both hands. She looked terrified-completely shattered.

Then she crouched down right there in the middle of the road.