Bound by Fate: A Journey of Hearts

CHAPTER 7

Before Ananya could contemplate her next steps, her phone rang, jolting her from her thoughts. It was a call from her office, requiring her attention. She stepped out into the hallway, her heart still racing from Ishaan's message, and focused on the work conversation. Yet, as she ended the call, she felt an odd tension in the air.

Curiosity piqued, Ananya wandered down the corridor, following the faint sounds of laughter and murmurs. With each step, a sense of foreboding crept over her. When she reached the door of a nearby room, her heart sank.

What she saw shattered her world. Ritwik, her fiancé, was entwined with another woman, their bodies too close, their laughter too intimate. Time froze as she processed the scene before her, a cruel betrayal unfolding in real-time. The air felt thick around her, and for a moment, she was paralyzed, caught between disbelief and the desperate need to escape.

But reality crashed in, snapping her out of her stupor. Regaining her composure, Ananya felt a surge of anger and betrayal course through her. She pushed the door open, her voice trembling as she called out, “Ritwik!”

He turned, eyes wide with shock, quickly shoving the woman away as if she were on fire. The look on his face was a mix of surprise and annoyance, as if her presence was an unwelcome interruption to his escapade.

“Ananya, this isn’t what it looks like,” he stammered, but the feeble excuse fell flat.

“Then what is it?” she shot back, her voice rising. “Is this how you treat your fiancée?”

The woman, sensing the tension, slipped out of the room, leaving Ananya and Ritwik to confront the raw truth.

Instead of remorse, Ritwik's demeanor shifted. He stood tall, a condescending smirk creeping onto his face. “You know, Ananya, maybe if you’d been more attentive, this wouldn’t have happened,” he replied, his tone dripping with arrogance. “A real fiancé and future wife would know how to keep her man satisfied.”

Ananya’s heart raced, a whirlwind of emotions crashing over her—betrayal, rage, and disbelief. How could he twist this around on her? The anger bubbled up from her core, igniting her instincts.

“So this is my fault?” she spat, incredulous. “You think cheating is justified because I haven’t given in to your demands?”

He shrugged dismissively. “What did you expect? This is how relationships work. I need a partner, someone who’s all in. Not someone who keeps me at arm’s length.”

Her hands balled into fists as his words cut deeper than any blade. “You think I owe you that? You have no respect for me or our relationship!”

He stepped closer, a mocking glint in his eyes. “You just don’t understand what it means to be with someone. If you want this to work, you need to step up.”

With every word he uttered, Ananya felt herself unraveling. The betrayal was not just about the physical act; it was the emotional shattering of trust, the complete disregard for her feelings. In a moment of fiery indignation, she raised her hand and slapped him. The sound echoed in the room, a sharp crack that seemed to punctuate the gravity of the situation.

“How dare you!” she yelled, the heat of her anger driving her forward.

Before he could recover, she slapped him again, each strike a release of pent-up frustration and heartbreak. **“You don’t get to treat me like this! I deserve better!”

Ritwik finally stepped back, surprise and anger flashing across his face. “You’ll regret this, Ananya!” he snapped, but she could see the uncertainty in his eyes.

“Regret?” she scoffed, her heart pounding. “I won’t regret walking away from someone who can’t even respect me!”

In that moment, Ananya felt a surge of clarity. This wasn’t just about Ritwik’s betrayal; it was about her reclaiming her life. The decision to marry him had felt overwhelming, but now, she saw it for what it was—a choice she could still reverse.

Ananya, seething with rage, lashed out at Ritwik again, her voice trembling with emotion. “You are nothing but a coward, blaming me for your own weaknesses!” Her words cut through the tense air, but before she could say more, Ritwik lost his temper and shoved her back in frustration. Ananya stumbled, her balance faltering, bracing herself for the impact. But instead of hitting the ground, she felt a strong pair of hands catch her. She looked up, startled, and found herself staring into the concerned eyes of Ishaan.