Her Dangerous Obsession

Chap 22 - A Hard Slap

Author’s POV

The black luxury car moved steadily through the streets, the heavy silence inside pressing down like a suffocating weight.

Anaisha sat beside Adhrit in the backseat, her posture relaxed, her face glowing with that sinister calm, which only she could carry, while Adhrit sat stiffly, his hands clenched tightly on his lap, his face pale as the moon.

The driver focused on the road ahead, oblivious to the storm, that brewed in the back.

Adhrit’s heart was pounding against his ribcage. His mind was spinning endlessly with one question — How would everyone react, when they learn about his decision?

His throat felt dry, his palms damp with sweat. He could already imagine the storm, the hurt faces of his family, the disappointment in his father’s eyes. Just the thought sent chills crawling through his spine.

There was already so much happening in the Mishra household — chaos, tension, despair. His family had been fighting battles on every front, and now, in such circumstances, Anaisha wanted to reveal this? His marriage to her? His surrender?

The weight of that thought was enough to crush him.

The car rolled to a halt outside the gate of Mishra Nivas. Adhrit’s anxiety was at its peak now — his chest tightened, as though, an invisible chain had wrapped around him.

The driver opened the door. Anaisha stepped out gracefully, her heels clicking against the pavement with confidence. Adhrit followed behind, his legs heavy, as though, every step carried the burden of a thousand decisions.

Just before they could enter, Adhrit grabbed Anaisha’s wrist, stopping her. His voice trembled, as he whispered desperately, "Please… don’t do this. They are already tense. I did everything you wanted, Anaisha. Why are you torturing me more? Why?"

Anaisha tilted her head slightly, her lips curving into that cruel, knowing smile.

She lifted her hand and caressed his cheek with utmost tenderness, her voice dripping with sinister sweetness. "You’ll have to tell them anyway, now or later. Better sooner than later, don’t you think? Let them face all the tension at once, so later, they can be… happy."

Her smile widened. "Besides, even if you don’t tell them and we marry in secret, that works for me too. I’ll still get, what I want."

Her words sliced through him like knives. Adhrit had no reply. His eyes dropped to the ground, shoulders slumping in helpless surrender.

Together, they entered the outer gate of Mishra Nivas.

Inside, the air was heavy with unease. Namish and Arjun stood with tense faces, their eyes glued to the door. Mamta, along with the other family members, sat in restless silence. The moment Adhrit stepped in, all eyes snapped toward him.

But the moment his gaze landed on his brother, Adhrit’s eyes lit up. His heart leaped at the sight of Arjun standing there, alive, free, no longer behind the suffocating bars of a jail.

Without a second thought, Adhrit rushed forward, and threw his arms around his brother, his voice breaking with relief.

"Bhai! You’re fine, right? I… I missed you so much."

Arjun, though shocked by the sudden embrace, melted into it a moment later. His expression softened, as he hugged Adhrit back tightly, planting a gentle kiss on his forehead. The relief was mutual, radiating warmth in the midst of the storm.

Everyone felt, that wave of relief crash over them — seeing Adhrit home, safe, happy.

But Namish’s heart was still pounding with questions. He stepped forward, his hands gripping Adhrit’s shoulders firmly. His voice was strained with worry. "Beta, where were you? Where did you go?"