Shattered (Book #1 In Heart Series)✔️

Chapter 43: Abused relations

Kritika lay unconscious on the floor as the door creaked open, revealing Aditya and Arjun, both glaring daggers at her prone form.

"She killed my baby sister and sleeps peacefully," Arjun growled, his voice dripping with venom as he emptied a bucket of ice-cold water over Kritika's body.

The shock of the icy water jolted Kritika awake, her body shivering uncontrollably as she struggled to focus on the figures before her.

"You killed my sister, and now you'll pay," Arjun snarled, yanking her hair viciously as he seized a belt from Aditya's outstretched hand.

Kritika's screams echoed off the walls as Arjun unleashed a relentless barrage of strikes with the belt, each blow landing with a sickening thud.

Blood oozed from her wounds, staining her saree crimson as she desperately shielded herself from the onslaught.

"B-bhai, please stop," Kritika managed to choke out amidst the torrent of blows, but Arjun's rage knew no bounds as he continued to rain down upon her.

"You bitch, what did you call me? Bhai, huh?" Arjun spat, his voice dripping with venom as he delivered a stinging slap across Kritika's cheek. "Don't you dare to call me that," he warned, gesturing for Aditya to continue their cruel assault.

Aditya's smirk twisted into a sinister grin as he crouched before her, extracting a packet from his pocket. With a flourish, he tore it open, revealing its contents to be salt.

"Baby, after this, you'll wish for death over the pain I'm about to inflict," he taunted, poised to apply the salt to her wounds. But before he could carry out his sadistic plan, Kritika uttered words that sent shockwaves through them both.

"I... I am pregnant. Please... don't do this," she muttered through gritted teeth, her voice trembling with agony.

"You what?" Aditya demanded, his features contorted with disbelief.

"Adi, is that your baby?" Arjun interjected, his tone laced with accusation.

"Of course not," Aditya spat, his words dripping with disdain. "You know she's a slut, a whore who spreads her legs for money. This would obviously be some bastard's," he sneered, his contempt palpable.

A tear welled in the corner of Kritika's eye as she realized the truth behind their callous words.

 The night they shared was nothing more than a pawn in Aditya's vengeful game.

As the gravity of her situation sank in, Kritika braced herself for the onslaught of cruelty that awaited her, knowing that her tormentors would stop at nothing to break her spirit.
"You continue, I am going," Arjun said before leaving the room. Aditya locked the door behind him, then turned towards Kritika.

"So, you're pregnant, huh? Hmm, nice try. Now you'll be thinking about that night, isn't it?" Aditya taunted, leaning closer to her.

"You know what, that was the worst day of my life. I had to do that for my revenge. Yes, baby, your virginity; that was also a part of my revenge. You thought it was our passionate lovemaking. But no, it was just sex. I just used you for my pleasure, the same way you did with my Samaira," he spat, his words dripping with contempt.

Kritika cried out in pain, both physical and emotional, caused by his cruel words. She cursed herself for falling in love with such a beast and vowed never to forgive him.

Aditya then took the salt and started sprinkling it on her body, causing her to hiss in agony from the burning sensation.

"Your plan of marrying me was good. You feigned innocence and trapped my whole family so that they would choose you as my bride," Aditya continued his torture. Kritika's cries intensified as the pain became unbearable.

"Now, everything is finished. My revenge is complete, and I have one more piece of information for you. That night you signed was not the agreement; it was our divorce. And now, I am announcing that we are no longer husband and wife. I will be marrying Mithali soon. You know she is much better than you," he declared, callously discarding her mangalsutra onto the floor.

"You don't need this anymore. Have a great sleep," he sneered before leaving the room with the broken mangalsutra.

Kritika's screams echoed in the soundproof room, unheard by anyone. She curled up into a ball, hugging her belly, whispering, "Mumma loves you," as tears streamed down her cheeks, alone in her agony.

The next morning, Kritika awoke to the sound of commotion. Opening her eyes, she found herself facing several lady constables. They forced her to stand and dragged her out of the room.

"Yes, sir, she is our maid," Kritika heard Aditya's voice as she glanced over to see him conversing with a police officer. Priya stood nearby, silently crying at Kritika's condition. Kritika offered her a small smile, acknowledging her support.

"No, sir, she has no relation to us. She is just our maid," Swetha interjected.

Aditya handed over a video tape. "Here is the video evidence. Please ensure she receives the maximum punishment from the court," he requested.

"Don't worry, Mr. Singhania. We will take care of it," the officer assured.

"Constables, take her," the officer ordered.

"One second," Kritika mumbled before they could escort her away, capturing everyone's attention.

"I will never forget this day in my life. You all will regret this soon, and never think that I will forgive you," Kritika said monotonously, casting a piercing gaze at the Rai's and Singhania's.

"And one more thing," she continued, stepping closer to Aditya. Tears and anger flashed in her eyes.

"I regret falling for you," she spat, her words laden with burning anger. Though Aditya felt a slight pang in his heart, he chose to ignore it.

Kritika was dragged out of the mansion, memories flooding her mind—the first day she became a doctor, their marriage, the agreement, his smiles, proposal, the vulnerable days, and his revenge. As she stepped away from the mansion, she vowed never to return to a place where everyone had destroyed her to the fullest extent and swore never to forgive anyone.

The Singhania's and the Rai's exchanged satisfied smiles at the scene. Priya couldn't bear to witness any more and rushed to her room, overwhelmed. She knew that one day, the truth would come out, and everyone would regret their actions. Taking her phone, she dialed the number of the most trusted person who could save Kritika.