Shadows of control

24. A calculated move

Author's pov:

Sofia was still shaken by the recent incident.
She was lost in her thoughts & she was climbing the stairs, she reached the 9th stair and Suddenly, Kiara, with a mischievous glint in her eye, intentionally tripped and fell.

Kiara landed on the hard floor with a thud, her head striking the ground. A sharp pain shot through her skull, and a crimson stain began to spread across the tiles. Her screams pierced the silence, a desperate cry for help. She writhed in agony, her voice echoing through the stairwell, as if she had been hurled from a great height.

Sophia, startled by the sudden commotion, rushed to Kiara's side. A wave of concern washed over her as she witnessed the severity of the injury. But a flicker of doubt also ignited within her. Was this a genuine accident, or a carefully orchestrated act?

A loud crash echoed through the Mansion, and everyone rushed to the scene. Mallika, Alina, and Naira came first. Devika also came assisted by a maid. The men were occupied in the office.

They found Kiara lying on the floor, her head bleeding. Sophia was already there, helping her up. Mallika rushed forward, pulling Kiara into her arms.
"How does it happen?"
she asked, her voice filled with worry.

Before Sophia could respond, Kiara, her voice weak and trembling, accused,
"Sophia pushed me from the stairs."

"What?"
Malaika said in disbelief.

Sophia was stunned. She opened her mouth to protest, but no words came out. Her mind raced, trying to comprehend the situation.

"We need to take her to the hospital,"
Alina said, her voice urgent.
"Her baby might be in danger."

Kiara nodded weakly, her eyes filled with fear.
"Please, hurry,"
she pleaded.

Within moment, a car was there they can't wait for ambulance a small delay can put her baby in danger. Mallika and Alina carefully lifted Kiara into the backseat, their faces etched with worry.

Sophia, still reeling from the shock, stood frozen on the ground. Naira approached her, her voice firm. "Come on, Sophia. We need to go to the hospital."

With a jolt, Sophia snapped out of her daze. She rushed to the other car with Naira, her mind a whirlwind of confusion and fear.

They rushed into the hospital, the tension palpable in the air. Kiara was already in the operating room, the doctors working to stabilize her condition.

Mallika sat in the waiting room, her hands clasped tightly together, her face etched with worry. Alina, trying to comfort her , sat beside her, offering words of solace. By the time Sofia and Naira also reached their.

Mallika turned to Sophia, her eyes piercing.
"What happened? Did you really push her?"
she asked, her voice demanding an answer.

"Ma, trust me,"
Sophia pleaded, her voice trembling.
"I was just going to my room when she fell on me."

Naira interrupted it between.
"Ma we will discuss it later it's not the right time"

A few tense moments passed, and then the doctor emerged from the operating room. Mallika rushed towards him, her eyes filled with fear and hope.
"How is she, Doctor? Is she out of danger?"
she asked, her voice trembling.

The doctor sighed, his face etched with sorrow.
"Mrs. Oberoi , Kiara is stable now, but unfortunately, we couldn't save the baby. The impact of the fall caused severe internal injuries, particularly to her abdomen, which led to the tragic loss of the fetus."

Mallika's world shattered. Tears streamed down her face as she absorbed the devastating news. It was just a 4 month foetus but still they were attached to it because it was going to be her first grandchild.
She stood there, a broken figure, her sobs echoing through the silent corridor.

Vikram and Vijay arrived at the hospital, their faces etched with concern. They joined Mallika and Alina, trying to offer comfort.

A few minutes later, Ansh arrived. He embraced his mother, offering words of comfort.
"Bas kariye Ma"
(it's okay mom
he said, his voice gentle.
"Kiara theek hai wahi kafi hai"
("She's okay. That's all that matters)
Mallika clung to him, her sobs gradually subsiding.

Ansh's gaze fell upon Sophia, her figure a stark contrast to the chaos around her. He was informed that Sofia had pushed Kiara. She stood there, her hands clasped together, a look of shock etched on her face. He walked towards her, his voice gentle,
"She's okay. Don't stress yourself."

Sofia hugged Ansh, seeking comfort. She felt overwhelmed by the accusations and the tragic loss. As she wept, Ansh gently stroked her hair, offering silent solace. Everyone present believed Sophia had pushed Kiara, making the situation even more distressing for her.

Meanwhile Malaika stood up from her place and stormed towards Sofia, she pulled Sofia from Ansh's arms and she raised her hand to slap but before she could inflict any harm, Ansh intervened, stopping her hand mid-air.

"Usse dur rahengi aap"
(You will stay away from her)
Ansh warned his voice stern.

Mallika's voice trembled as she stared at Ansh, her eyes brimming with tears.
"Aur jo usne tumhari behen ke sath kiya uske  liye aise hi maaf kar doge usse?"
(Will you forgive her so easily for what she did to your sister?)
she asked, her voice filled with disbelief and pain.

Ansh's expression hardened, his jaw clenching.
He knew the weight of the accusation, but he also knew Sofia needed his protection.

Ansh said.
"Sofia kabhi aisa kuch nhi kar skti, aap se acha koi nhi janta"
( Sophia could never do something like this, no one knows her better than you.)

Vijay stepped between the two, trying to calm down the situation.He gently pulled Malaika away from Sophia and gestured to Ansh take Sophia home.

Ansh and Sofia reached home whole time she was crying and Ansh was trying to calm her down.

"Trust me, Ansh,"
Sophia pleaded, her voice trembling.
"I didn't do anything. It was a accident"

"Calm down, you don't have to prove yourself to anyone"
Ansh reassured her, his voice gentle.

"You need rest,"
Ansh said, his voice firm. He helped her to her bed, tucking her in with a duvet.With a gentle smile, he left her alone to rest.