Shadows of control { Under Editing }

Epilogue-I

A few months later

SOFIA'S POV:

Once again... once again he left me to face it all alone. I'm nine months pregnant, carrying his child within me, and he left me. He promised me he would never leave me. Promised me he would be there, a shadow beside me, a hand to hold, a shoulder to cry on.

Betrayal is a poison, he says. But what he did...? He gave me the poison. He betrayed me.

And the worst part? This time it's not just me.

I traced my hand over my swollen belly, a bittersweet smile gracing my lips.

"It's us, my love,"
I whispered, my voice thick with unshed tears.

I gently rubbed my belly.
"Don't you worry, little one,"
I murmured.

I imagined a tiny hand reaching out from within, grasping for mine.
"We'll find our own way, you and I. We'll build our own happiness, away from all this darkness."

A single tear escaped and rolled down my cheek.
"Your father may have broken his promises, but I won't. I promise you, my love, I will always be there for you."

"And,"
I added, a mischievous glint in my eye,
"we'll teach your father a lesson or two about keeping his promises."

I felt a flutter within, as if the baby was responding.

"Did you hear that, little one?"
I whispered.
"We're going to show him."

AUTHOR'S POV:

Just, when Sofia was talking to herself and her baby, the door creaked open. Ansh stood in the doorway, a broad smile illuminating his face.

"Surprise!"
he exclaimed, his voice booming through the room.
"I told you I'd be back sooner than expected."

Sofia, however, remained frozen, her hands clenched into fists, her gaze stubbornly averted. The smile on Ansh's face faltered, replaced by a flicker of concern. He had expected joy, a rush of relief, but instead, he found himself met with an icy silence.

He closed the distance between them, his footsteps soft on the plush carpet.
"Amore?"
he murmured, his voice laced with a gentle entreaty. "Look at me."

"Come on, Sofia,"
Ansh pleaded, his voice softening further.
"It was just for an hour. It was an urgent business conference."

In these nine months, Ansh had been working from home for Sofia.Vikram and Vijay were handling his business while he took on the role of a devoted husband and soon-to-be father.

"So what?"
Sofia finally retorted, her voice laced with bitterness. "Couldn't your father or your brother have handled it? Just for a few more days?"

Ansh sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"Amore, they're already handling my most of the business. I didn't want to add more to their plates."

"You should have stayed,"
Sofia whispered, tears finally welling up in her eyes. "You promised."

Ansh knelt in front of her, taking her hands in his.
"I know, I know. I broke my promise. And I am truly sorry"

Sofia remained stubbornly silent, her gaze fixed on the floor. Ansh, undeterred, continued his advance. His fingers gently tracing the outline of her swollen belly.

"You know,"
he said, his voice a dangerous low growl,
"I have other ways to make you talk."
He leaned closer, his breath fanning against her ear. "But I wouldn't want to upset our little guest."

Sofia's eyes widened in surprise. She knew that tone, that glint in his eyes. It was the tone of a man who was losing his patience, a man who was about to unleash the beast within.