Shattered (Book #1 In Heart Series)✔️

Chapter 44: You will regret

Aditya stormed into his room after Kritika's arrest, his rage boiling over. He began hurling objects in all directions, the room echoing with the crash of shattered items.

"Why, Kritika, why?" he bellowed in frustration, clutching their wedding photo before hurling it to the ground, where it shattered into irreparable pieces.

With clenched teeth, he strode to the wardrobe and seized their wedding dresses, carrying them out to the balcony. With a lighter in hand, he set the dresses ablaze, watching them burn with a mixture of fury and satisfaction.

Mithali, arriving in his room, was taken aback by the chaos. Rushing to him, she instinctively pushed him away from the flames.

"Adi, what on earth are you doing?" Mithali demanded, trying to make sense of the situation.

"I know exactly what I'm doing. Just get out of my way," Aditya snapped, his anger still smoldering. But Mithali ignored his command and enveloped him in a tight embrace.

"Adi, please calm down. I understand you're hurting because of that woman, but she's out of our lives now. Let's focus on moving forward and being happy," Mithali urged soothingly.

 Reluctantly, Aditya returned her embrace.

"You're right, Mithali. But I need to rid myself of everything that reminds me of her. Only then can I find peace," Aditya admitted.

"Oh, alright. I'll help you," Mithali offered, determined to stand by his side.

Meanwhile, Kritika sat in her cell, her gaze fixed blankly on the wall before her. Suddenly, a figure burst into the room, eyes blazing with anger.

"Sir, Mr. Mehra is here," the constable informed ACP Ajay Verma, who had arrested Kritika.

"Go ahead. I'll join you shortly," Ajay instructed, rising from his seat.

"Where's Kritika? I need to see her!" Karthik demanded, his voice resounding with urgency."You can't see her, Mr. Mehra," Ajay replied calmly.

"Oh really? Well, listen to me, Mr. Verma. I will see her," Karthik declared firmly, his determination unwavering.

"Sir, the IG is on the line," a constable interrupted, handing Ajay the phone. Karthik smirked, knowing the officer was now preoccupied.

"Yes, sir. Understood, sir. I'll handle it," Ajay responded before hanging up the phone, shooting a glare at Karthik.

"Now, take me to her," Karthik insisted impatiently.

"I'll take you, Mehra, but first, I have a question. I heard you're happily married, so why the concern for that maid?" Ajay inquired. Karthik's expression hardened at the derogatory term.

"How dare you refer to her like that?" Karthik retorted, his grip tightening on Ajay's shoulders.

"Mr. Singhania himself stated she's their maid," Ajay revealed, causing Karthik's grip to slacken.

"Who said that?" Karthik inquired, his voice now calm.

"Aditya Singhania," Ajay replied. Karthik ran a hand through his hair, deep in thought.

Aditya, I won't let you get away with this.

"Take me to her," Karthik demanded. Ajay signaled for another constable, Vikram, who led Karthik to the prison.
Karthik gasped in shock at the sight of Kritika's condition. Rushing to her side, he gathered her into his arms, causing her to wince in pain. Pulling back, he surveyed the bruises covering her body with disbelief.

"Who did this to you?" Karthik demanded, his voice tinged with anguish. Kritika remained silent, her eyes fixed on the wall.

"Kritika, look at me. Your Karthik bhai is here," he pleaded, gently caressing her swollen cheeks.

 Tears flowed down her reddened cheeks as she finally turned to face him.

"Bhai, I didn't..." she began, but Karthik cut her off with a shake of his head.

"I know, baccha. I know my baby sister could never do such a thing," Karthik assured her, his own tears welling up.

"And I promise you, I will get you out of here. I will ensure you get the justice you deserve,"

 Karthik vowed, pressing a kiss to her forehead before reluctantly leaving her side.

Exiting the prison, Karthik crumbled, his emotions overwhelming him. Wiping away his tears, he started his car, his resolve firm as he drove toward the Singhania mansion.

"Aditya, now you'll see the real Karthik Mehra."

In the Singhania mansion...

"Alright, it's settled. Aditya and Mithali's wedding will be next Saturday," Swetha announced cheerfully, the family sharing in her excitement. Mithali blushed at the attention, her heart fluttering with anticipation.

Suddenly, applause rang out in the mansion, drawing everyone's attention. They turned to see Karthik, his expression dripping with disdain as he clapped sarcastically.

"Well, well! The Singhania family wastes no time, do they?" Karthik remarked, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Karthik beta, when did you arrive?" Swetha inquired, surprised by his sudden appearance.

"This morning, because I heard that someone dear to me is in trouble," Karthik declared, his gaze softening as he looked at Priya, who smiled gratefully in return.

Yes, Priya had called Karthik and informed him of the situation. Without hesitation, Karthik cancelled their honeymoon and caught the next flight to India.

"Where's Aditya? I need to speak with him," Karthik demanded, his tone commanding.

"Karthik," Aditya called, rushing to his friend's side.

"You bastard," Karthik spat, delivering a resounding slap before launching into a barrage of punches. Abhimanyu intervened, pulling Karthik away from Aditya, who wiped the blood from his split lip, his eyes blazing with defiance.

"How dare you hurt my baby sister?" Karthik seethed, his fists clenched at his sides.

"So, that's what this is about. Your so-called baby sister ruined your best friend's life, Karthik," Aditya retorted, his own anger flaring.

"What proof do you have?" Karthik demanded.

"I have a copy of it. Wait, I'll show you," Aditya replied, rushing to retrieve his laptop. Within moments, he returned and presented it to Karthik.

Karthik watched the video, his expression unreadable as the footage unfolded. When it ended, he turned to Aditya, his eyes cold and steely.

"This is your proof? Have you even considered that it might be fake?" Karthik questioned.

"I've verified it," Aditya insisted.

"And did you give her a chance to explain her side of the story?" Karthik pressed.
"Karthik, there's no need for that. She won't tell the truth," Aditya asserted confidently.

"Did you bother to investigate further, or did you jump to conclusions because it suited your narrative?" Karthik shot back, his voice laced with accusation.

"Karthik, she deserved what she got," Aditya argued, his tone defensive.

"Deserved? No one deserves to be treated like that," Karthik retorted, his voice tinged with disgust.

"Mr. Aditya Singhania, from this moment onward, I want nothing to do with you or your family. Our friendship ends here," Karthik declared, his decision final.

"Karthik, you can't be serious!" Swetha protested, aghast at his announcement.

"Believe me, I am dead serious," Karthik affirmed, his gaze unwavering.

"And mark my words, Aditya Singhania, you will regret your actions," Karthik warned, his voice chillingly cold as he turned and left the mansion.

Arriving at the Mehra mansion, Karthik was met with Aradhya's frantic gaze.

"Karthik, what's happened to my Kriti?" Aradhya implored, her eyes brimming with tears. Karthik's heart ached at the sight of her distress.

"Aradhya, Kritika... she's in jail," Karthik revealed, his voice heavy with sorrow. Aradhya stumbled backward, her hand reaching out for support as Sakshi rushed to her side.

"Karthik, is this true?" Raj demanded, his voice laced with concern.

"Yes, Dad," Karthik confirmed, his expression grave.

"Karthik, please, I need to see her. Take me to her," Aradhya pleaded, desperation evident in her voice.

"Aradhya, her condition... it's not easy to witness," Karthik cautioned, his own heart heavy with the weight of the truth.

"Please, Adi," Aradhya implored once more, her eyes pleading.

"We'll come with you, Karthik," Raj insisted, his determination matching his daughter's.

Nodding silently, Karthik led them to the police station, his mind already formulating a plan to right the wrongs inflicted upon his beloved sister.
As they approached the cell where Kritika was held, Aradhya's heart clenched with apprehension. The sight of her dear sister in such a state was more than she could bear.

"Kriti!" Aradhya exclaimed, rushing to the bars separating them. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she took in Kritika's bruised and battered appearance

"Aradhya..." Kritika whispered, her voice barely above a hoarse murmur.

"Who did this to you, Kriti?" Aradhya demanded, her voice trembling with emotion.

Karthik, too, was overcome with anger and sadness at the sight of his sister's suffering. He reached through the bars to gently cup her face in his hands.

"Bhai..." Kritika began, her voice breaking as tears welled in her eyes.

"Shh, it's okay. You don't have to say anything," Karthik soothed, his heart breaking at her pain.

"We'll get you out of here, Kriti. I promise," Aradhya vowed, her voice filled with determination.

Kritika managed a weak smile, grateful for her siblings' unwavering support in her darkest hour.As they left the police station, Karthik's mind was already racing with plans to uncover the truth and seek justice for his sister. Aditya Singhania would soon learn that messing with the Mehra family came with dire consequences.

And as the Mehra family stood united in their resolve, they knew that no matter what lay ahead, they would face it together, stronger than ever before.