Destiny For Unlikely Vows

Chapter 9: Shattered Truths

Riya stumbled out of the room, her heart pounding in her chest, barely managing to hold back the tears. The pain from Agastya's rejection was still raw, cutting deep into her soul. As she took her second step into the dimly lit hallway, a hand suddenly seized her arm from behind, yanking her into the shadows. She gasped, trying to scream, but another hand clamped down hard over her mouth, muffling her cries. Her body thrashed in panic, desperately trying to escape the vice-like grip.

"Shh, stop struggling," a familiar voice whispered close to her ear as the hand fell away from her lips. Riya's breath hitched, and she spun around, startled, only to come face to face with Amit, Agastya's best friend.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded, her voice trembling with fear and confusion.

Amit smirked, his eyes darkening. "I saw what happened between you and Agastya. He threw you out of the room, didn't he? I know your type, Riya. It's your first night, right? How about you spend it with me instead? I'll pay you for your trouble."

Riya's shock gave way to fury as his words sank in. Without hesitation, she raised her hand and slapped him hard across the face. The sound echoed through the empty corridor, and for a moment, Amit's expression darkened with rage.

"You'll regret that," he hissed, grabbing her by the wrist and pulling her closer. His grip tightened painfully, and he forced her against the wall. She struggled, her mind racing, but Amit was stronger. As he leaned in, trying to force himself on her, she felt a wave of terror wash over her, her voice choked in her throat.

Suddenly, the door to Agastya's room burst open, and he stormed into the hallway. His eyes widened at the sight before him-Amit hovering over Riya, who was desperately trying to break free.

But instead of understanding, rage clouded Agastya's judgment. His mind twisted the scene before him. He saw Riya as a betrayer, someone who had tried to seduce his best friend after being thrown out. The hurt of his earlier emotions fueled his anger.

"How dare you!" Agastya roared, his face a mask of fury. Amit, ever the manipulator, immediately began to play the part of the victim.

"She came onto me, Agastya! I tried to stop her!" Amit lied smoothly, his voice dripping with false innocence.

Riya, tears streaming down her face, could only shake her head in denial. But Agastya wasn't listening. Without another word, he grabbed her by the arm and dragged her back to their room. Once inside, he slammed the door shut so hard the walls shook. Riya flinched at the sound, her entire body trembling with fear and exhaustion.

Agastya stalked toward her, his eyes cold and predatory. "You want attention, don't you? You want to be satisfied?" he growled, his voice laced with venom. Before she could respond, he shoved her onto the bed, pinning her down as he hovered above her, his breath hot against her ear.

"You wanted this, right?" he snarled. "Well, let me give it to you."

Tears streamed down Riya's face as she sobbed beneath him, her body paralyzed with fear. Agastya's hands moved roughly over her skin, his lips pressing hard against her neck, but she couldn't scream. She couldn't move. Panic seized her chest, and suddenly, her body convulsed violently in shock. She trembled uncontrollably, her breath coming in short, shallow gasps. Her eyes bulged with terror, and her body went rigid.

Agastya immediately pulled back, startled by the sight. "Riya?" he called, his voice shaking as he saw her spiraling into a full-blown panic attack. Her eyes were wide, her body shaking uncontrollably as if possessed by a dark force. For the first time, fear gripped him. He had gone too far.

"Riya! Riya, calm down!" he urged, but his words had no effect. Her breathing was ragged, her body trembling violently.

Desperate, Agastya grabbed his phone and called a doctor. When the doctor arrived, he examined Riya and administered a sedative to calm her. Agastya stood by, his mind racing as the doctor explained that she had likely suffered a severe panic attack, possibly triggered by depression.

The reality of his actions began to sink in. As he watched Riya's pale face, her chest rising and falling steadily now under the effect of the sedative, guilt consumed him. How could he have done this to her? How had he let his anger cloud his judgment so terribly?

Something precious had shattered inside him-a truth more valuable than his business, more important than his pride. He had broken her spirit, and the weight of that realization was unbearable.

Unable to rest, Agastya demanded to see the CCTV footage from the resort's hallway. What he saw chilled him to the bone. Amit's actions were unmistakable-his friend had tried to assault his wife. The betrayal cut deep, but the shame was even worse. He had failed Riya. He had wronged her when she needed him most.

Agastya immediately called the police, ensuring that Amit would face justice. No amount of friendship or loyalty could excuse such vile behavior. As the police arrested Amit, Agastya felt a hollow sense of closure. Amit's punishment was necessary, but it didn't undo the damage he had caused to Riya, to their marriage.

Returning to the room, Agastya dismissed the nurse and sat beside his sleeping wife. He watched her, her face serene under the soft glow of dawn. Her breath made her chest rise and fall gently, and his eyes were drawn to the sindoor he had applied on her forehead during their wedding. She looked ethereal, so much more than the ordinary girl he once thought she was. She was beautiful, fragile, and strong all at once.

A sudden wave of self-loathing washed over him as he realized the depth of his mistake. He had allowed jealousy and rage to blind him. He had nearly lost her-perhaps he already had.

Riya shifted in her sleep, murmuring softly. Agastya's heart clenched as she stirred, the word slipping from her lips like a whisper: "I'm here, wifey."

For a brief moment, tenderness flickered in his chest, but it quickly faded as reality crashed down on him. Yes, Amit was wrong, but that didn't change the way he saw her. This one incident wouldn't erase the deep-rooted beliefs he held about her. She was still the same uneducated, gold-digging woman he had married out of family obligation. His anger may have subsided, and he vowed never to treat her so harshly again, but he knew he would never fall for her. She would never truly earn his respect or love.

Quietly retreating to the couch, far from the bed, he sat down and gazed at the sleeping figure of his wife. His guilt lingered, but his heart remained closed. She was still the woman he believed only married him for his wealth and status. And no matter what happened, he wouldn't let himself be fooled into thinking otherwise. With a deep sigh, he finally let sleep take him, his resolve hardened.

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