A light in the flame

Chapter 18 - Demons of the Past

Abhimanyu sat in the corner of Akshara's and Kiara's study, his fingers tapping restlessly on the surface of the mahogany desk. His eyes, usually sharp and focused, now carried a shadow of something darker—something far more unsettling. The neatly stacked papers in front of him blurred as thoughts raced in his mind, haunted by the past and unsettled by a nagging feeling that something was still wrong.

His life had been one storm after another—losing Neil, his children, and Akshara. Yet despite the pain, the uncertainty, the months spent searching, he had always believed that fate was cruel. But now, a suspicion gnawed at him, whispering that it wasn't fate that stole his life from him. It was something far more personal. More human.

Arohi's odd behavior, his mother's constant interference, the strange absence of communication between him and Akshara—it all began to make a twisted sort of sense now. And the final blow came just hours ago when he received an anonymous email that unraveled it all, delivering the gut-punching truth.

His breath quickened as he opened the email again, unable to believe what he had read the first time.

Subject: The Lies You Should Have Known

Abhimanyu, They hid the truth from you. Arohi hacked your accounts, blocked Akshara's calls, deleted her messages. Your mother knew. They kept her away from you, ensuring you never knew the truth about your child. The baby Akshara was holding the day she returned—was yours.

Ask yourself: why was she kept from you?

The truth is right in front of you. Are you ready to see it?

- Someone who thinks you deserve better.

His jaw tightened, hands curling into fists as the weight of betrayal settled on his chest. Every memory, every moment since Akshara left came flooding back, now drenched in the bitter taste of deception. The baby... Abhir. A child he never even knew existed because of Arohi's scheming, because his own mother—his own mother—helped keep this secret from him.

He rose from the chair in a flash, throwing the email printout onto the desk with force. The pristine papers scattered across the room like shattered pieces of his sanity.

How could they ?

Abhimanyu was using Akshara's home office, making it easier for him to spend time with Akshu and their Betu. Knowing he had to act quickly and not disturb their peace, Abhimanyu rose from the chair with determination.

The soft, warm glow of the bedside lamp illuminated Akshara's room, casting long shadows on the walls. The moonlight filtered through the curtains, adding a silvery sheen to the peaceful scene. Abhir, bundled up in his favorite pajamas, had just brushed his teeth and was getting ready for bed.

Abhimanyu stood by the door, watching with a soft smile as Akshara tucked their son under the blanket. She smoothed his hair gently, whispering something that made Abhir giggle. The sound of his laughter filled the room with warmth, and for a moment, Abhimanyu felt his heart swell with gratitude. These small moments were what kept him going, even after everything they had been through.

Abhir noticed his father's serious expression and tilted his head curiously. "Docman, why do you look so... serious ? "

Abhimanyu walked over to the bed and sat down beside Abhir, ruffling his hair. "I'm okay, Betu. I just need to talk to you and Mumma about something."

Akshara's eyes met his, sensing the shift in his tone. She knew Abhimanyu well enough to understand that when he had that look, it meant he had something important to say.