𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞

𝟑𝟕. 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠

As I stepped out of the hospital, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. The fresh air and warm sunlight on my face were a welcome change from the sterile hospital environment. But my reprieve was short-lived.

A hand clamped down on my wrist, spinning me around and slamming me against the wall. I gritted my teeth, trying to shake off the shock. "Who are you?" I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady.

The figure leaned in close, his voice low and menacing. "Your nightmare, my babygirl." The words sent a shiver down my spine.

For a moment, I was blank. My mind struggled to process what was happening. Is this the person I think it is? Is this Avinash? The mask covering his face made it impossible to see his features, but the voice... the voice was unmistakable.

Avinash's voice was like a rusty gate scraping against my eardrums. It was a sound that made my skin crawl, a sound that brought back memories I thought I'd buried deep within me.

"Come with me," he growled, his grip on my wrist tightening. "Otherwise, I'll kill you and your baby with this." He flashed a sharp knife in front of my face, the blade glinting in the sunlight.

My heart skipped a beat as I stared at the knife, my mind racing with thoughts of my unborn child. No, this can't be happening. Not again.

Avinash's laughter was like a cold breeze on a winter night. "And about your husband... well, babygirl, he'll die after knowing that his beloved wife and a baby, about whom he didn't even know yet, died." He paused, his chest heaving with excitement. "The look on his face will be priceless."

I knew I had to think fast, or risk losing everything I held dear. But for now, I was at Avinash's mercy, trapped in a living nightmare.

We were alone in the parking lot, the only sound the echo of our own ragged breathing. I knew I had to protect my baby at all costs. Avinash's eyes gleamed with a sinister intensity as he demanded, "Give me your car keys."

I shook my head, trying to hide the fear creeping up my throat. "No," I whispered, trying to sound braver than I felt.

Avinash sneered, his knife glinting in the sunlight as he pressed it against my belly. I felt a wave of terror wash over me. "I'm giving, I'm giving! Don't you dare touch me!" I pleaded, handing over the keys.

He pocketed the keys, his smirk growing wider. "If your husband calls, you'll tell him you're running late, but you'll be home in 20 minutes. Got it?"

I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat. I couldn't lie to Ansh, but I had to protect our baby.

Just then, my phone rang, shrill in the silence. Avinash's eyes lit up with excitement as he picked up the call and put it on speaker. Ansh's soft voice filled the air, "Angel, where are you?"

My heart ached to scream for help, to beg Ansh to come and save me. But Avinash's knife hovered inches from my belly, a constant reminder of the danger I was in. "Ansh, I... I'm running a bit late. I'll be home in 20 minutes," I stammered, trying to sound casual despite the terror gripping me.