Nandini Verma was 18 when she penned her first story, a tale of passion, betrayal, and revenge. It was a masterpiece, poised for publication. But on the night she was to share her brilliance with the world, tragedy struck. Her abusive father, a figu...
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We descended the grand staircase together, my heart swelling with pride as I watched Nandini flit around the lavish ballroom, ensuring everything was perfect for her grandfather's birthday celebration. The atmosphere buzzed with laughter and chatter, but my focus remained firmly on her.
As I moved among the gathered business partners, their anxiety radiated through the air. The moment I entered a room, the energy shifted. People straightened their ties and adjusted their postures, cautious not to offend or provoke my infamous temper. I’d built my reputation as a formidable force in the underworld, and everyone knew the consequences of crossing me. Yet, even amidst the serious discussions about new ventures and potential partnerships, my gaze kept drifting back to Nandini. She was in her element, animatedly conversing with her grandfather, her laughter like music to my ears.
Everything was going smoothly, until suddenly, without warning, the lights went out.
An eerie silence blanketed the room, punctuated only by gasps and whispers of confusion. Panic erupted as guests scrambled to find each other in the pitch darkness. My heart raced, a primal instinct kicking in as I felt the fear seep into the atmosphere. "Nandini!" I shouted, my voice cutting through the chaos.
I fought through the crowd, feeling my way along the walls, searching for any sign of her. My Little Swan, my fierce and fearless woman, had been by my side just moments ago, and now she seemed to have vanished into thin air. I could hear the muffled voices of guests as they called for their friends, but my focus narrowed solely on finding her.
Time stretched as I moved through the confusion, desperation clawing at my insides. Where the hell was she? I cursed under my breath, my anxiety mounting with every passing second. After what felt like an eternity, the lights flickered back on, and the room was flooded with light, illuminating the chaos that had unfolded.
I scanned the crowd frantically, my heart sinking as I realized—Nandini was gone.
My eyes darted around, searching for any glimpse of her familiar figure. “We need to find her.”
Rakshit appeared at my side, his expression grave. “She’s not here,” he said, his words landing like a lead weight in my chest.
I clenched my jaw, my calm facade holding only because I knew I had to. “What do you mean she’s not here? She was right here a moment ago!”
“We’ll find her,” Rakshit assured me, though I could see the tension in his own eyes. I nodded, the resolve hardening in my chest.
Her grandfather’s men, typically reserved, sprang into action, fanning out across the mansion and grounds, searching for any trace of her. I joined them, determination igniting a fire within me. “We need to check the perimeter,” I barked at one of the men, and they nodded, moving swiftly to follow my lead.
“Yash, wait!” Rakshit called out, but I didn’t stop.
“No,” I interrupted, my voice firm. “I won’t let her grandfather see her like this. She’s strong, and she’s resourceful. We’ll find her before they know anything is wrong.”
