A Baker And A Billionaire (Completed)

Chapter 44

Sivaangi crumbled into a ball, tears streaming down her face as she sobbed uncontrollably. The door creaked open, and Vikram entered, his footsteps echoing in the silence. Sivaangi staggered back, away from him, her eyes wide with fear.

Vikram sighed, his expression softening as he turned on the lights. "Sivaangi, just listen to me once," he said, his voice gentle.

But Sivaangi remained silent, shaking her head, her eyes fixed on the floor.

"Do you know about Ashwin's true identity?" Vikram asked, his words dripping with a hint of sadness.

"What he's doing? Who his father is? You don't know anything because he's keeping it hidden from you."

Sivaangi's head jerked up, her eyes narrowing as Vikram continued.

"Do you know that Ashwin is the owner of a top company in the country? His father is a billionaire, which makes him a billionaire too."

Sivaangi felt like a bomb had dropped on her. She shook her head again, her voice barely above a whisper. "You're lying. He's not."

Vikram's expression turned somber. "I'm not lying, Sivaangi. I have proof. And there's more. Ashwin's family is involved in some shady deeds. They're not what they seem. The most affected was us. You and me both."

Sivaangi's world was crumbling around her. She didn't want to believe Vikram's words, but a seed of doubt had been planted in her mind.

Sivaangi's eyes flashed with determination, her voice firm. "I don't believe you, Vikram. I believe Ashwin. He would never hide such things from me."

Vikram's expression turned sorrowful, his eyes filled with a deep concern. "Sivaangi, you're blinded by your love for him. You don't see the truth."

But Sivaangi refused to listen, her mind closed off to Vikram's words. "No, I won't believe you. Ashwin loves me, and I trust him completely."

Vikram sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "Fine, Sivaangi. But know this - I'm trying to protect you from the harm that Ashwin's family will bring upon you. You're in grave danger, and I'm the only one who can save you."

Sivaangi's gaze remained unwavering, her voice firm. "I don't need your protection, Vikram. I have Ashwin, and he'll keep me safe."

Vikram let out a huge sigh, his eyes filled with a deep concern. "Sivaangi, please, just look at these," he said, holding out a folder filled with pictures and documents.

At first, Sivaangi refused, turning her head away. But Vikram's words echoed in her mind, "You're blinded by your love for him." She felt a pang of doubt, and her curiosity got the better of her.

She took the folder from Vikram, her hands trembling as she opened it. The contents made her blood run cold. Pictures of Ashwin with wealthy businessmen, documents detailing of his company and articles about his family's billionaire status.

Sivaangi's eyes widened as she scanned the pages, her mind reeling with the truth. Everything fell into place.

She felt like she was drowning in an ocean of lies, pulled deep down by the weight of her own blindness. Her eyes flashed with hurt.

Sivaangi's hands trembled as she threw the documents away, her eyes flashing with denial. "No, no, my Ashwin won't do something like that. He would have reasons, valid reasons."

Vikram's expression turned into a mixture of sadness and amusement. He chuckled, a low, mirthless sound. "Oh, Sivaangi, your blindness is almost palpable. You're so caught up in your love for him that you can't see the truth staring you in the face."

Sivaangi's face twisted in anguish, her voice rising. "You're lying! Ashwin would never hurt me like that. He loves me, and I trust him."

Vikram's laughter grew louder, his eyes filled with a deep sorrow. "Trust him? Sivaangi, you don't even know him. You know the facade he's presented to you, but not the real Ashwin. And yet, you still defend him, still blind to the truth."

Sivaangi's eyes welled up with tears, her voice cracking. "Stop it, Vikram. Just stop it. You're trying to confuse me, to make me doubt Ashwin."

Vikram's laughter ceased, his expression turning somber. "I'm trying to open your eyes, Sivaangi. But you're refusing to see. Fine, don't believe me. But know this -

As Vikram spoke, his eyes suddenly darted towards the phone on the table, his expression changing in a fraction of a second. He sprang up from his seat, his movements swift and urgent. In one swift motion, he grabbed the phone,

"Excuse me," he muttered, his voice low and tight, as he answered the call.

Sivaangi's eyes widened, her heart racing, as she watched Vikram's transformation. His eyes flashed with a mix of emotions.

"Yes?" Vikram barked into the phone, his voice firm, but laced with a hint of anxiety.

He listened for a moment, his expression growing grimmer by the second. Then, without a word, he turned and strode out of the room, beckoning Sivaangi to follow him.

"Come with me," he said, his voice curt, as he disappeared into the hallway.

Sivaangi hesitated for a moment, her mind reeling with questions. But Vikram's urgency was infectious. She sprang up from her seat, her heart pounding, and followed him out of the room.

As Vikram hastily led Sivaangi to the mysterious room, her curiosity grew. She followed him, her heart racing with anticipation. The room was unassuming, with plain white walls and a single door. Vikram pushed the door open, revealing a space that seemed frozen in time.

Sivaangi stepped inside, her eyes adjusting to the dim light. The room was small, with a single bed in the center. Machines surrounded the bed, beeping softly as they monitored the occupant's vital signs. Sivaangi's gaze fell on the figure lying in the bed, and her breath caught in her throat.

The girl, was pale and gaunt, her eyes sunken. Tubes and wires snaked from her body, connecting her to the machines. Sivaangi felt a pang of sorrow, her heart going out to this stranger.

Vikram approached the bed, his eyes filled with a deep sadness. He gently took the girl's hand, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Shreya, my twin sister. She's been like this for years, ever since Ashwin ...ever since he hurt her."

Sivaangi's eyes widened as she took in the scene. She felt a chill run down her spine as she realized the extent of his words.

As Sivaangi's gaze swept across the room, she was struck by the sheer number of photos that adorned the walls. Vikram, Ashwin, and Shreya's faces staring back at her from every angle.

Her eyes widened as she took in the array of pictures, most of which featured a young Shreya and Ashwin. They were posed together, smiling and laughing, their joy infectious.

Sivaangi's heart twisted as she realized that these photos were from a time when Ashwin and Shreya were happy, before the tragedy that had befallen them.

There were photos of the three of them together, Vikram, Ashwin, and Shreya, their faces filled with love and friendship. But as Sivaangi's gaze delved deeper, she noticed that the photos of Ashwin and Shreya together far outnumbered those of Vikram and Ashwin.

Sivaangi's eyes lingered on a particular photo, where Ashwin and Shreya were embracing, their faces radiant with happiness. She felt a lump form in her throat as she realized that this was the truth Vikram had been trying to show her. This was the reality she had been denying.

The room seemed to shrink, the machines and tubes closing in around Sivaangi. She felt trapped, unsure of what to do next. Vikram's eyes locked onto hers, his gaze piercing. "Now you know, Sivaangi. Now you have a choice. Will you stay and hear me out or will you leave and continue living in ignorance?"

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To be continued!