Shadowed Desires

Chapter 25

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Two weeks later…

This time period brought a lot of positivity into their relationship. They were now living like an actually happily married couple. And what truly mattered—this wasn’t just for show. It was something they were doing only for each other.

9:00 PM

Kritika was waiting for him at dinner. Atharv had now made it a habit to return home early because he knew she wouldn’t eat dinner without him.

He returned, and they sat at the dining table.
Atharv said, “Aaj Om chachu mile the mujhe.”
("I met Uncle Om today.")
Kritika smiled and spoke, “Acha, kaise hai wo?”
("Really? How is he?")
Atharv responded, “Wo to thik hai par...”
("He's fine, but...")
Kritika noticed his worry. “Kya hua tumhe, thode pareshan lag rahe ho?”
("What happened? You look a bit worried.")
Atharv said, “Wo na, mujhe bata rahe the ki na papa ka P.A. missing hai 10 din se, aur wo kam se kam 5 saal se papa ke under kaam kar raha tha.”
("He told me that dad's P.A. has been missing for 10 days. He had been working with dad for at least 5 years.")

Kritika held his hand and said, “I hope he will be found soon.”
Atharv passed her a faint smile and replied, “Yeah.”
After finishing dinner, they moved to their room and soon drifted off to sleep.

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Time skip…
9:00 AM

Kritika stopped her car outside an unfamiliar building. She entered slowly, her mind clouded with a hundred thoughts.

Inside, two men were already waiting. She asked, “Kuch pata chala?”
("Any updates?")
They both shook their heads in denial.

Kritika entered the adjacent room. Her eyes instantly locked on a man tied tightly to a chair—badly tortured. It was none other than Abhinav’s missing P.A.

---

Flashback starts

Kritika had been walking to her office when she noticed Rahul, Abhinav’s P.A., speaking to some members of her own party. Her curiosity was piqued. She hid behind a pillar to listen.

Rahul said, “Ye lo tumhare paise aur ab muh mat khol dena galti se bhi ki ye sab mein Kritika Chauhan ka koi involvement nahi.”
("Here’s your money, and don’t dare reveal Kritika Chauhan’s involvement in this.")
She thought it might be part of a plan to frame her in a scam but wasn’t entirely sure.

Then he added, “Ab jaldi se ye sab sort ho, mujhe kahi aur bhi jaana hai.”
("Let's wrap this up quickly. I have someplace else to be.")
He left for a restaurant. Kritika tailed him and sat at a table where she could overhear.

Rahul said, “Aapka kaam ho gaya hai.”
("Your work is done.")
The stranger asked, “Kisi ko shak to nahi hua tumpe, specially us Abhinav Shekhawat ko?”
("No one got suspicious, especially Abhinav Shekhawat?")
Rahul: “Unhe to lagta hai ki jo paise unhone diye the wahi police ne pakde, tab jake blame Kritika pe aaya. Ab usko kon batae ki ye sab ek plan tha... Abhinav khud ek mohra bana aap logo ke plan mein.”
("He thinks the money he paid was caught by the police, which is why Kritika was blamed. He doesn’t know it was all part of a plan. He became a pawn in your game.")

The other man laughed, “Tumhari samajhdari mujhe achi lagi.”
("I like your cleverness.")

Kritika clicked a photo discreetly and sent it to a number, then called and said, “Ek photo bhej rahi hu. Usmein jo blue shirt wala hai, mujhe wo apne penthouse mein chahiye jaldi se jaldi.”
("I’m sending a photo. I want the man in the blue shirt in my penthouse as soon as possible.")
Once she received confirmation, she ended the call.