Until I Find My Star

Chapter 31

Author's Pov:

"Don't you want to meet your parents?" Vikram's gaze stayed on Anu longer than necessary as he waited for her response. He wiped his mouth with a napkin, then leaned back in his chair. Arjun who chatted about school, a bright spark between the otherwise tense silence that lingered in the air, was also waiting for his mama's response.

He hated when she ignores him and that's exactly what she has been doing a lot lately. Shouldn't it be the other way around? He was the one who was pissed at her for not telling him, yet he couldn't bring himself to stay away from her for a long time. He already missed her so much in all those years, he doesn't want that and the mere thought of another guy's presence in her life is not settling well with him.

It's not like he can't find it out by himself. Few calls and his history will be on his hands. Or he might have already did. Or may be it's already on his desk. But he doesn't want that, he wants her to tell him everything even if it pisses him off. He doesn't know what to do to make her open up.

The words she uttered 'you wouldn't like it' is still running on his mind, which fueling his curiosity.

Even after doing everything she stayed mute, not giving in. He admired that about her. She become stronger than before. Not that fragile little girl.

Maybe motherhood changed her, just that thought was enough to make his lips curve up a little.

He wants some reaction so he knew bringing up a talk about her parents would hurt her and it worked.

"Have you thought about visiting your parents?" he asked her again casually.

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The words dropped like a bomb to her.

Anu froze, her fork halfway to her mouth. Her heart skipped a beat, breath catching in her throat as her vision blurred for a second. She heard him, but chose not to reply yet he seems to not get it.

The clatter of the fork against the plate sounded too loud in the quiet room. Arjun looked up, waited for her reply as his bright eyes blinking with curiosity. "Mama has parents? I never met them."

Anu's throat closed up.

Vikram tilted his head, a smug glint in his eye. "Yes, Arjun. Your mama has parents."

Anu flinched.

Arjun frowned, looking to his mother. "Why didn't they come to see us, Mum? All these years?"

Anu opened her mouth, but nothing came out. The memories choked her. The pain was still too fresh, even after all these years.

Vikram took a sip of water, then leaned forward, his voice soft and dangerous. "Because, sweetheart, sometimes people don't listen when they should. They might love someone, but not enough to believe them when it truly matters. And when they realize the damage they've done, it's already too late."

Anu clenched her jaw at his audacity. The nerve of this guy to sprout these words. Arjun tilted his head innocently. "So they don't love Mama?"

Anu's hand trembled under the table.

Vikram smirked, "Maybe not as much as I do. After all, I found you guys and keeping you safe. Isn't that right, Anu?"

She wanted to scoff keeping us safe? Says the guy who's forcing her to stay with him.

She looked down at her plate, her appetite gone.

Her mind dragged her back to the past-to the screaming, the disbelief, the way her father's eyes had turned cold when she spoke the truth. The very truth that should have protected her, but instead became the rope that strangled her.