The Billionaire's Bride [ Rewritten]

Part 25 | Falling Apart

"Switch off the damn lights," I groaned, dragging the blanket over my head.

"Jeez, woman! It's one in the afternoon!" Aditi snapped before yanking the blanket away. Harsh white light flooded my eyes, making me wince.

I pushed myself upright and leaned against the headboard, exhaustion weighing heavily on my body.

Aditi stared at me for a second before grimacing. "Wow. You look terrible."

"Thanks," I muttered, rubbing my face. " I feel worse."

Her teasing expression faded instantly. "You still haven't talked to him?"

A bitter laugh escaped me. "Talk? I haven't even seen him in two days."

Two whole days.

Two days of unanswered calls. Two days of texts left unread. Two days of silence so loud it was driving me insane.

I'm sorry, Kartik.

I promise I'll never lie to you again. I'll never hide anything from you.

Can we please talk?

Baby, come home and be angry at me if you want. Just come home.

I'm worried about you, Kartik. Please say something.

It doesn't feel like home without you, Mr. Oberoi.

Nothing.

Every call went straight to voicemail. He wasn't at his office either.

If Arjun hadn't called me yesterday, I would've gone to the police by now.

He needs time, Naira. He's fine. Don't worry, I'm keeping an eye on him.

"I messed up, Aditi," I whispered miserably. "Really bad this time."

"He's hurt, Naira."

"I think I lost him."

The words cracked apart as they left my lips. Tears burned behind my swollen eyes, and my chest ached with the unbearable distance between us.

"Hey." Aditi immediately pulled me into a hug. "Stop doing this to yourself. He's angry, yes, but he'll come back. That man loves you."

I swallowed hard. "Even if he does... nothing's going to be the same anymore."

My chest tightened painfully.

"Don't think like that."

Before I could answer, my phone buzzed on the bedside table.

Robert.

I quickly put the call on speaker. Before I could even say hello, his voice came through.

"He called me to his office yesterday."