The devil's Enigmatic bride

(Chapter - 40)

After a prolonged silence, Maya finally spoke, her voice trembling, as she looked at the boy beside her with tear-filled eyes. “Why did you leave me, Pratham? You knew how much Ayansh and I needed you, yet you left us.”

Pratham responded with a serene smile.

Maya’s heart clenched at the sight of his gentle, composed smile. She closed her eyes, overwhelmed.

Pratham extended his hand, softly stroking her hair. “Stop blaming me, Maya. Tell me, when did I ever leave you? I’m here... right beside you.”

Maya didn’t respond, but her grip on the edge of the bench tightened, betraying her inner turmoil.

The silence between them deepened, growing heavier with unspoken words.

Finally, Pratham rested his head on her shoulder, his voice soft, almost childlike. “No matter what happens, Maya, don’t let the goodness in you die.”

Maya’s eyes fluttered open, now hollow, and she whispered, “The goodness in me is gone, Pratham. I can’t keep this promise of yours anymore.”

Pratham rose slowly, still smiling. He crouched before her, gently brushing his hand across her cheek. “You’re lying to yourself. You were good, you are good, and you always will be.”

Maya’s face darkened. She pulled his hand away, turning her face from him, trying to escape the truth in his words.

Pratham, now standing with his hands casually in his pockets, spoke gently, “Maya, give Vidyut a chance. Believe in love. You’ll discover who you really are.”

Maya’s head snapped up, her eyes tinged with red. “Where do you get the courage to talk about love, Pratham?” she spat bitterly. “Love made me lose my mother, and I lost you. And now, you ask me to believe in it again?”

As the word 'love' escaped her lips, her eyes burned with disdain. It wasn’t hatred; it was disgust. And why wouldn’t she be disgusted? The very word had cost her everything—her mother and Pratham.

Seeing the bitterness in her eyes, Pratham shifted his tone. “Alright, I’ll be going now. Take care of yourself… and our son.”

Maya’s heart raced as Pratham turned to leave. Desperate, she reached out, trying to grab his hand. But before her fingers could make contact, his form dissolved into the air.

He wasn’t real. Just an illusion. Pratham had died a year ago.

Frustrated, Maya rubbed her face and shut her eyes tight, but the tears slipped through the corners.

Lost in her emotions, Maya suddenly felt the ground tremble beneath her. The distant rumble of engines grew louder.

Wiping her tears quickly, Maya turned her gaze toward the approaching sound. She could hear the sharp screech of cars coming to a halt right in front of her villa.

Confused at first, Maya’s mind raced before realization hit her.

With a deep breath, she stood up from the bench and murmured, “Now, only they were left to arrive.”

Entering the villa’s living area, she found herself face to face with several imposing bodyguards in sleek black suits.

Her eyes swept across the room, finally landing on the figure of an old man stepping through the main entrance.

"Dada?" Maya stepped toward him. "Why are you here? You could have called me, and I would’ve come to you. You didn’t need to trouble yourself."

The old man remained silent, his expression stern as he walked further into the room and sat on the couch, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings.

Sumit came rushing in, greeting the old man with respect before leaning toward Maya to whisper, “Madam, Vidyut Sir has gone to Arya Mansion.”

Maya’s eyes widened. “What? Why has Vidyut gone there?”

Sumit hesitated, lowering his gaze. “Madam, it seems Vidyut Sir wants to take the Little Master with him. Their DNA matches.”

The words struck Maya like a bolt of lightning.

Her mind spun in disbelief. Ayansh is Pratham's son, isn't he? How could his DNA possibly match Vidyut’s?

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What will happen next?

To know…

To be continued...