A Bargain Made with Frosting

Ch 51. Given a Cruel Choice

A heavy weight settled on Annika as she woke up alone the next morning. The empty space beside her was a stark reminder of the previous evening's conversation. Had it all been a dream? A cruel trick of her mind?  She called out for Shivay, her voice echoing unanswered through the silent house.

Hope, a fragile ember, flickered within her. Maybe it was just a misunderstanding, a temporary lapse in communication. She searched for him, her heart pounding with a growing unease. But the house remained eerily quiet, the silence a heavy weight pressing down on her.

Finally, she returned to their bedroom, a tremor running through her hands as she spotted an envelope on the nightstand. With trembling fingers, she picked it up, a dread settling in her stomach. It was sealed, addressed to her in Shivay's familiar handwriting.

Tears stinging her eyes, she tore it open, her worst fears confirmed. Divorce papers. The stark reality hit her like a physical blow. The life they had built together, their dreams and aspirations, all lay shattered in those few legal documents.

Grief threatened to consume her, but a flicker of defiance sparked within. She wouldn't crumble. She would pack her bags, return to her apartment, and face whatever the future held. Perhaps, she thought with a sliver of hope, Shivay would come to his senses, realize the mistake he'd made, and come looking for her.

Days turned into a week, a week of Days turned into a week, a week of agonizing silence. There were no calls, no messages, no sign of Shivay. A gnawing worry settled in her gut, a new fear taking root.  An unexpected wave of nausea washed over her, prompting her to take a home pregnancy test. The result was a faint, but undeniable, positive.

She goes to the doctor to confirm it. Two months pregnant. Amidst the heartbreak and confusion, a flicker of life bloomed within her. This tiny being, a part of Shivay and her, offered a fragile thread of hope. Maybe, just maybe, this news would change things.

Fueled by a newfound determination, she decided to reach out to Shivay. But to her horror, he had vanished. He was gone from the Oberoi mansion, uncontactable at his company, and his apartment remained empty. It was as if he had evaporated into thin air.

Annika was left adrift, a sea of unanswered questions churning within her. Where was Shivay? Why had he left without a word? And most importantly, would he ever come back? The future stretched before her, an uncertain path she had to navigate alone, with a tiny heartbeat keeping her company.

Eight weeks bled into another eight, each day a relentless battle against grief and the gnawing unknown. Annika, now visibly pregnant with a gentle swell in her abdomen, navigated life on autopilot. The spark that once ignited her vibrant spirit had dimmed, replaced by a quiet determination. The tiny life growing within her, a constant reminder of Shivay's absence, was a bittersweet blessing. It fueled her strength, a fierce resolve to build a future for their child, even without him.

Her bakery, once a vibrant testament to her passion, had become a haven of solitude. The air, once filled with the tantalizing aroma of freshly baked goods, now held a hint of melancholy. Baking became a mechanical process, her movements practiced but her mind often elsewhere. Burnt cookies and overflowing trays became a testament to her distracted state. Her staff, who once thrived under her infectious enthusiasm, watched their beloved boss with concern. Attempts to lift her spirits were met with polite smiles and a vacant gaze.

Rohit, like a vulture circling wounded prey, had become a regular visitor in the past two months. He'd arrive every day, feigning concern and attempting to capitalize on Annika's vulnerability. His veiled offer of marriage, a twisted victory dance over her pain, was met with a resolute refusal. Annika, though emotionally fragile, wouldn't be swayed by his manipulative tactics. The love she still held for Shivay, a flickering flame refusing to be extinguished, was a shield against Rohit's unwanted advances.

Consumed by a twisted desire for Annika, Rohit decided to escalate his tactics. He knew conventional methods wouldn't work, so he resorted to manipulation, using his father, Shakti, as a pawn.

Playing on Shakti's traditional values and his concern for the Oberoi legacy, Rohit spun a web of deceit. "Annika is pregnant with Shivay's child," he told. "Wouldn't it be a travesty for an Oberoi heir to be raised without a father or the Oberoi name? The child would be subjected to a life of poverty, while his rightful place is amidst luxury."

Shakti was swayed by Rohit's carefully constructed narrative. He saw it as his duty to ensure the well-being of his potential grandchild. The next day, Annika received a chilling summons to Shakti's office.

An apprehension settled in her stomach as she faced the imposing figure of Shakti. Without preamble, he delivered his decree – "Annika, you will marry Rohit next month."

Annika's world tilted. "Marry Rohit? But I'm married to Shivay!" she stammered, her voice laced with disbelief and outrage.

Shakti, however, remained unmoved. "We have no confirmation of Shivay's whereabouts," he stated coldly. "He has abandoned his responsibilities. Now, you and this child are under our protection. It's unthinkable for an Oberoi heir to live in such circumstances. We will provide a life of luxury, a stark contrast to the poverty that awaits you otherwise."

Tears welled up in Annika's eyes. "What if I refuse?" she dared to ask, her voice trembling.

Shakti's gaze turned steely. "Then we'll be forced to take custody of the child, Annika. And with our resources, a successful lawsuit is a guarantee. You may never see your child again."

The weight of his words settled heavily on Annika. Shakti had presented her with a cruel choice – a loveless marriage or the unthinkable possibility of losing her child forever. 

Trapped in a web of deceit and manipulation, Annika stumbled out of Shakti's office, her mind reeling. Tears streamed down her face, a mixture of fear and defiance warring within her. The idea of marrying Rohit, a man she loathed, repulsed her. Yet, the thought of being separated from her unborn child, a tiny flicker of life that depended on her, was an unbearable torture.