Shattered (Book #1 In Heart Series)✔️

Chapter 25: Not first but a teary night

**Kritika's Perspective**

I found myself sitting on Mr. Singhania's bed for our first night. Truth be told, I wasn't at all interested in this arrangement. But Swetha aunty insisted, and here I was, waiting for him for over half an hour.

Frustration simmered within me as impatience gnawed at my nerves. Deciding I couldn't wait any longer, I rose from the bed, determined to remove my jewellery.

Why should I wait for him?

Struggling to undo the clasps of my earrings, the door suddenly burst open. Startled, I turned to see Mr. Singhania standing there, leaning against the doorframe. His bloodshot eyes sent a shiver down my spine, and I noticed the scent of alcohol emanating from him.

Is he drunk?

He started advancing toward me, swaying slightly.

"Finally, you've won, haven't you?" he slurred, leaning close to my face. My heart raced with fear as he drew nearer.

"Tell me!" he demanded, his voice rising, before grabbing a nearby vase and hurling it across the room. I screamed in terror and attempted to flee, but his grip on my arms was unyielding.

"Don't you dare run away without answering me. Understand?" he growled, his grip tightening, causing me to wince in pain.

"Please, let me go. You're hurting me," I pleaded, struggling against his grasp. He released me abruptly, and I stumbled backward, colliding with the table behind me.

"Hurting you? You're the one who's hurting me," he spat, his words dripping with venom.
 Confused and wounded, I rubbed my sore arms, trying to comprehend his accusations.

"Don't give me that look. I know why you came into my life. You manipulated my family with your charms and married me," he accused, pointing a finger at me.

How could he say such things? He knows the truth.

"Shut up! Just shut up!" I interrupted, unable to bear his words any longer.

"What do you think of yourself? That you're intelligent, innocent, truthful? You're wrong, Mr. Singhania. You're egotistical, arrogant, a jerk, and a chauvinist," I spat, my anger boiling over.

"You don't know anything about me, not a single thing. So how dare you accuse me of something I never thought or did?" I seethed, my voice trembling with fury.

"And what about marriage? You said I married you for money, fame, and a luxurious life, didn't you? Well, let me tell you, my family is no less than yours. I have everything you mentioned - money, fame, everything. So why would I marry you?" I challenged, my eyes blazing with defiance.

"You know, when this proposal came, I was devastated. I couldn't even imagine marrying someone like you. But I did it for my family, for their happiness, without considering my own feelings. I always dreamed of marrying someone who understands and truly loves me. But instead, I got the opposite. And then you dare to say, 'Don't expect love from me,' isn't that right?" I continued, my voice rising with each word.

"I don't expect anything from you, not even love, because I know you're incapable of it. You're an emotionless human being," I declared, my words ringing with finality.

"And lastly, I'm warning you, never dare to question my character. If you do, I won't let you off easily, Mr. Singhania," I concluded, my voice steely with resolve.

With that, I turned on my heel and marched out of his so-called room, leaving him standing there in shock and disbelief.

**Third Person's Perspective**

Aditya stood rooted to the spot, his mind reeling from Kritika's sudden outburst. Guilt washed over him as he realized the depth of pain his words had caused her. He never intended to hurt her in such a way, but the effects of alcohol had clouded his judgment, leading to his reckless behavior. Collapsing onto the bed, his body felt heavy, and soon, he drifted into unconsciousness.

Meanwhile, Kritika sat on the balcony floor, tears streaming down her face as she cursed Aditya and his hurtful words. She never expected him to stoop so low, and her heart ached with betrayal and pain. Suddenly, she felt a hand on her shoulder, causing her to startle. Looking up, she was surprised to see Abhimanyu standing there.

Wiping her tears away, she rose to her feet, facing him. Abhimanyu could sense the turmoil within her just by looking into her red, puffy eyes.

"Kritika, why are you sitting out here? Did Aditya say something?" he inquired, folding his arms across his chest.

"N-nothing happened, bhai," she replied, avoiding his gaze.

"Then why are your eyes red? You look like you've been crying," he pressed, concern etched on his face.

"I was just...missing my family, that's all," she offered weakly, forcing a smile.

"Kritika, I know you're lying to me, but I won't force you to tell me the truth. I can see that Adi did something to upset you. Trust me, he didn't mean it intentionally. He's not himself lately. An incident changed him into someone we don't recognize, someone we don't recognize, someone who's been consumed by his demons," Abhimanyu explained, his voice tinged with sadness.

Kritika listened, her heart heavy with conflicting emotions. She appreciated Abhimanyu's attempt to understand, yet she couldn't shake off the hurt Aditya had inflicted.

"Kritika, I'm sorry for his behavior," Abhimanyu apologized, his eyes reflecting genuine remorse."No, bhai, you don't need to apologize. It's okay," Kritika replied, forcing a reassuring smile, though her eyes betrayed her inner turmoil.

"Alright, now go back to the room before anyone sees you," Abhimanyu instructed gently, his concern evident in his voice.

Nodding silently, Kritika made her way back to the room, her mind swirling with a myriad of emotions.
As Kritika entered the room, her eyes fell upon Aditya, who lay sprawled across the bed in an unconscious state.

"He's really drunk," she thought, a mixture of frustration and pity coursing through her.

Surveying the room, she realized there was no space left for her on the bed. A sinking feeling settled in her chest as she contemplated her options.

"Now where will I sleep? He's taken up the whole bed," Kritika muttered to herself, scanning the room for a solution.

Her gaze landed on a nearby couch, but the memory of the post-nuptial agreement flashed in her mind, reminding her of the consequences of sleeping elsewhere.

"Oh no, if he finds me sleeping on this, he'll kill me for sure," she mumbled, her anxiety mounting.

Sighing heavily, she resigned herself to the floor, leaning against the couch for support.

"I guess this will have to do," she muttered, closing her eyes and willing herself to drift off to sleep amidst the uncomfortable circumstances.