Arranged to my hater

Chapter Sixty-Two

Abhimanyu's POV:

I slip through the side entrance, careful to keep my steps light on the creaking wooden floor. The tension in the air is suffocating, each breath heavy with the scent of mildew and neglect.

Voices echo from the room at the end of the corridor. I edge closer, pressing my back against the cold wall.

"It's done. You have the money. Now let him go." Ishita's voice trembles but doesn't waver. She shows the transfer notification to him.

Peering around the corner, I take in the scene. Ishita's dad is standing near the door with his back facing the door. Across the room, Ishita is fumbling with her ph. I hear a muffled cry from the other side of the room and notice a woman tied to the chair, her terrified eyes darting towards the gun and Ishita. She must be Emma.

Who are they? What are they doing here? And why hasn't Ishita ever mentioned him? Is Emma her roommate from London? If so then who is this child?

I shake off the questions and focus. My phone vibrates silently in my pocket—a message from the police outside, ready to move in on my signal.

Ishita's father presses the gun harder at Aarav's head, and the boy's soft whimper turns into a sharp cry, his body seizing with fear.

"Why would I do that?" her father sneers, his grip tightening on the gun.

Ishita's voice shakes, but she doesn't back down. "You promised!" she shouts, desperation clawing at her throat.

Her father's lips twist into a cruel smile. "I promised you'd go free," he says, cold as ice. "But not him."

I see Ishita flinch, her breath catching. The pain is unmistakable in her voice when she pleads, "No... Dad, please, don't do this."

But he's unmoved, his voice just as bitter as his gaze. "I'm doing you a favour," he sneers, his tone chilling. "Now you can live your life without the burden of this child. Say goodbye, Aarav."

A loud crack shatters the tension—a gunshot.

Pradeep stumbles back, clutching his shoulder as the gun clatters to the floor. His curses fill the air as the door bursts open. Police officers swarm the room, quickly pinning him to the ground.

I rush in, my heart pounding as I drop to Ishita's side. She quickly picks up Aarav from the bed and holds him tightly, her face pale with fear. "Ishita, are you okay?"

She doesn't answer immediately, her focus entirely on the child. "He's unconscious," she murmurs, brushing his hair from his face.

"Who is he?"

The words feel heavy as they leave my mouth, but I have to ask. My mind races, trying to make sense of the situation. Why is she holding this child like that? Who is he, and why does she look so broken?

She opens her mouth to respond, but nothing comes out. I watch her, feeling the weight of the moment settle between us. I can see the pain in her eyes, but now is not the time to press for answers. There's a silence between us that speaks louder than any words could.

I reach out instinctively, my hand hovering near her shoulder, wanting to comfort her but not knowing how. I can feel her distancing herself as if she's not ready to reveal whatever secret she's carrying.

I glance down at the boy again, my worry deepening. But it's clear this moment isn't about finding answers—it's about keeping her safe. And that, I realize, is all that matters right now.

- -END OF BOOK 1--