Chapter 28 :

Anika's POV

The day went with my usual routine and I soon retired back home. During the whole car ride to home, I was immersed in the thoghts of the very first gift of today by my husband.

I'm an over thinker and I admit that. But the way I'm falling weak, I can't accept that even if I admit it.

I promise to myself today—I had enough of his insults and tortures. He can continue hurting me but I'll stay put. I'll stand for myself and stay strong no matter what. So what if my identity has changed, I'm still that strong woman my parents had dreamt of, I had dreamt of.

Taking a deep breath, I let my head fall back on the backrest as I closed my eyes.

I don't know what's waiting for me at the mansion.

"Ma'am we're here", I heard my driver speaking.

Opening the eyes, I got down the car before walking inside the mansion.

To my surprise, the inside of the mansion was totally dark. No movement was there nor any sound. Frowning, I was about to silently turn around to turn on the lights when a strong pair of arms encircled around my waist as he whispered, "Happy birthday doll."

His deep voice rung in my ear as my grip on my bad handle tightened. My eyes blankly stared infront of me as I stood there without uttering a single word.

The room lit up suddenly as everyone wished me 'happy birthday' with party poppers bursting around me. I got startled.

There stood my bestfriends, his secretary Youngjae, Rehan and his brothers except Dhruv. His parents were there too along with my brothers Yuvraj and Aniket. Everyone was smiling at me, their eyes sparkled as they smiled at me. I actually didn't expect them to be here. Even Esha's boyfriend was there. Two more unfamiliar males also stood by Vidhi and Rooh respectively.

A small smile crept on my lips as I stayed frozen in my place.

Unwrapping his arms, he walked in front of me before kneeling down on his one knee as he held a long box in his hands.

It had a two layered chain but it was too long for the neck.

I frowned internally at his sudden change in the behaviour. I expected this evening to be full of guests and gifts but didn't expect him to make such a move.

As I stood there confused, he said,"Happy birthday wifey. This is my gift for you."

"But this chain is too long for the neck", I spoke tracing my fingertips over the golden chain. It was a chain of gold with some diamonds embedded in it within fixed intervals. It was simple but beautiful.

"It's for your waist, doll", he spoke as he stood up on his feet.

"Thank everyone and come to the room", he whispered and walked away.

I didn't utter anything because if I did, I might've spoken something I'd have regretted later on. I wouldn't have been guilty which would've made me regret but the embarrassment I'd have faced after yelling at him infront of everyone. I rolled my eyes at his order before walking towards everyone.

6:20 p.m.

Trailing up my gaze from the pleates of my saree to the mirror, I looked at my reflection to see if I was done.

I wore a black saree with some sparkles on it and a black sleeveless blouse. I opted for smoky red lipstick and nude eyes as I kept my hair open after straightening them. Turning to my left, I picked up the waist chain he gave me before putting it around my waist.

My saree was loosely done on the upper body so my waist was revealed. Like this the chain would look better. I wouldn't have worn it but his parents are here and they had already seen his gift.

He had asked me to wear a white saree with sparkles on it. The saree he had bought was actually very beautiful but I didn't go for it. As per his order, I was meant to wear light makeup and I did exactly the opposite.

My whole look was dark.

It's my time now and especially today I won't bow down infront of him. He can't always order me around. I'll abide by the rules of the contract but that doesn't mean I'll be his slave. He's married to me but I seem like a mistress while his ex-fiancée acts like his wife. I'm not at all interested to be his wife anyways.

Spraying some perfume, I slipped into my black heels before walking downstairs with my purse.

As I stepped on the first stair of the first floor, I gazed down at the hall full of people. A red carpet was laid on the stairs leading to the ground floor. The main hall of his mansion was extravagantly decorated with a sense of vintage vibes.

The spotlight was fixed on me as I looked at everyone standing down there.

Amidst the crowd, my eyes spotted him.

He was clad in a gray suit-pant and tie with black shirt beneath. His long hair was tied up into a man bun as he stared up at me through his glasses. His eyes weren't gleaming but burning. I knew why it was happening.

There were many business partners of his and mine which consisted of both males and females. Many of his friends and colleagues along with mine were there too and the most interesting part was that some men oogled at me. I wasn't bothered by it because I was habituated to this. Whenever I used to have photoshoots with revealing outfits on or lingerie, some people on the set would keep oogling. Even my Instagram posts have such hungry brutes.

I ignored him before stepping down the stairs with a mild smile. It's good that he hadn't allowed the media.

"Happy birthday Dr. Anika", wished Mr. Evans as Esha and Damien walked near me.

I smiled and replied, "Thanks a lot Mr. Evans. I'm glad that you were able to make it to the party."

He nodded with a smile as Esha spoke, "Ani, I didn't really expect your husband to hold such a grand party", she exclaimed in surprise.

I smiled, forcibly.

"I didn't too", I replied, "But it was a surprise, right?", I added to avoid suspicion.

She nodded as I saw Rooh and Vidhi running towards me, through my periphery.

As soon as they reached me, I was engulfed in a tight hug by both of them as they exclaimed in excitement, "Happy birthday bitch. You've finally turned 26. You're getting old, woman."

I rolled my eyes playfully as we detached ourselves.

"Whatever you like to believe", I replied before asking, "Who're these gentlemen?"

"He's Nick Gupta, my boyfriend", Rooh replied locking her arm with her boyfriend.

I raised my eyebrow as if amused as I spoke, "You got a boyfriend and I got to know about it today?"

She shook her head, "No no he proposed me just yesterday. So I planned to surprise you today."

I chuckled as I turned towards Vidhi and asked, "You mind explaining?"

"He's Neel Adams, half Indian and half American, my boyfriend who's Nick's best friend and proposed me yesterday", she spoke smiling at him once.

I smiled back, "If both of you, take care of my bestfriends well then you can marry them", I spoke pointing at the two males.

They nodded as Nick spoke, "Of course we'd. You don't need to stress yourself, we promise", Neel nodded in response.

Then I excused myself to meet my family and his. They blessed me and I felt my heart at so much peace after seeing my brothers. Even if they weren't my biological brothers, we were no less than one. Maya di couldn't make it because of her job and my dadi isn't well recently so mama and mami stayed back along with their daughter. Aniket also wished me and surprised me with a bouquet of 99 roses. He loved me the most among all the girls in my family. I've been his elder sister figure since he was born so over time, we built a strong bond.

His mother and father were very happy to meet me and of course they gifted me honeymoon tickets to Japan, Thailand and Venice. It was trip of one month. I'd have been happy to travel but...leave it. Repeating same things is a headache and, heartache.

I met most of the guests while all the time he stood by me with his arm around my waist.

When he had walked near me after I was done meeting my friends, his compliment was, "You always disobey me doll. But you look hot", he has said with a smirk on his lips.

I really couldn't predict what he was thinking while saying that and being so lovey dovey today.

After attending some guests, I finally cut the cake and them started attending the guests again.

"Happy birthday Mrs. Rai Mehrotra. You look absolutely stunning and gorgeous", spoke Mr. Hogwarts, Arnav's business partner.

I shook hands with him as I spoke, "My pleasure Mr. Hogwarts. And thanks a lot for coming to the party, I'm glad."

This man had different intentions and I knew it by the suspicious glint in his dark eyes. He was a man in his mid forties with a wife. But his nature didn't sit well with me.

I got to know about him being a trusted business partner of Arnav from Rehan, his bestfriend.

After attending the guests, I walked out of the hall towards the washroom.

As I entered the washroom, I looked at myself in the mirror. There were slight red rashes on my neck area and the cleavage area. It didn't itch much. Maybe there was some allergic ingredient in the cake because it was the only thing I last ate.

It didn't seem too serious so I decided to ignore it. Turning around, I was about to walk out when the door of the washroom opened revealing Mr. Hogwarts.

He entered the space before locking the door and smirked at me.

I frowned, "Mr. Hogwarts what the hell are doing in the ladies washroom?", I asked sternly.

His just smirk widened as a response as he walked near me.

I stood still in my place, without moving back while making myself ready to face something that I expecting because I knew my husband won't even care if I die.

"You're wearing such a sexy saree with that waist chain around that curvy slim waist and expect me to stay sane?", he spoke as he stood infront of me. He bent down a little to be at my eye level because of his tall height. His hands were in the pockets and he reeked of alcohol.

"Mr. Hogwarts stop spitting bullshits. Please get out of here and don't make me disrespect my guest of tonight", I spoke calmly taking a step back. He disgusted me.

He just chuckled darkly before standing straight and spoke, "Yes you're right. You shouldn't disrespect me because I'm your guest tonight. Instead, you should please me. Shouldn't you?", his tone was deep. I felt disgusted by his words.

"Mr. Michelle Hogwarts, there are enough food and beverages out there to enjoy and please yourself. Unfortunately, we don't keep bar dancers who'd seduce and please you all night in such events. We have some status and standards", I spoke sternly, my inner soul shaking slightly foreseeing what was coming. No matter how strong I was, it's always my past weakening me.

He chuckled again, "Oh Mrs. Rai Mehrotra, you're so naive. I know that you mean nothing to your husband because he has just brought you as a wife on papers. He's still with his ex-fiancée. So he of course won't mind if I get the taste of his wife on papers. Would he?", he spoke, his mocking words twisting my guts.

I froze in my place hearing his words. A stranger out of nowhere had to audacity to mock me and I didn't have anything to contradict. I didn't expect Arnav to stoop so low to humiliate me and insult me that he let a temporary business partner know about the reality of this marriage. He had prohibited me from telling about this marriage to even my family but this stranger in front of me knows about it.

I didn't know what to do. I felt like laughing at his talent of changing colors so well.

As I stood there lost in my messed up thoughts, I was pulled back to reality when I felt an unfamiliar cologne filling my lungs and an uncomfortable warmth.

I realised I was trapped between the counter of the washroom and Hogwarts's tall figure.

Upon realisation, I felt anger coursing through my veins as I pushed him away with all my strength. He stumbled back amused.

"Feisty much, isn't it honey?", he mocked as a disgusting smile took over his smirk.

"Either you get out of here respectfully even though you deserve none of my respect but you are my guest tonight and it's my moral and ethics to provide respect even to disgusting bastards like you. You should know your limits", I warned pointing my finger at him.

He didn't say anything but lunged at me and even before I could do something, his hands clutched my waist in a tight grip, while his mouth was latched on my neck. It felt too disgusting to be touched by a mere starnger. Those memories came back again as my eyes teared up but I controlled them. I couldn't cry infront of him like that or else he'd think I'm weak and I don't know what he'd do.

I closed my eyes in disgust as I tried to push him away.

"Fuck off you dick", I yelled.

"Shhh. Don't yell or my dick would shut you up", he spoke, putting his one hand over my mouth preventing me from speaking.

He again attached his mouth to my neck and as I was about to hit my knee on his crotch while I bit on his palm covering my mouth, the door of the washroom flung open making Hogwarts step back.

I looked in the direction to find Arnav standing there with Arshi behind him.

His eyes were burning in anger as he coldly stared at me, not even sparing a glance at Hogwarts. I knew he must've misunderstood me because of our position. I didn't want to but still I ran to him and hugged him as if he never hurt me, as if he'd understand me and comfort me.

I cried, "A-Arnav please save me. H-He was touching me", my voice trembled as I remembered the recent events.

"No Arnav it wasn't me. It was your wife herself who slipped a message into my hand the moment we shook hands. You can see", I heard Hogwarts speaking so calmly. My eyes widened at his accusation when he was the one to harass me.

I detached myself from Arnav when he didn't hug be back nor said anything.

Rising up my head through my tears, I looked at his cold eyes fixed on a piece of paper in his hands.

As I looked down at the piece of paper, my eyes widened.

"Come to the washroom" —was written on it.

Anger, disgust and hatred bubbled in my chest as I stormed towards Hogwarts before landing a sharp slap on his cheek. Fisting his shirt, I yelled, "What did you say? I called you? When? Motherfucker when did I call you? Don't you dare to put me in this dirty trick of yours you fucker. You—", I was cut off by Arnav's cold and calm voice, "Mr. Hogwarts I apologise for my wife's behaviour. You can leave. We'll talk later."

I was shocked by his words. He was believing a mere business partner over his wife?

Did I actually expect him to believe me? Did I actually trust him?

Oh my god. I should be laughing at myself.

I stood in my place, staring in disbelief at Arnav who was not even sparing a glance at me. He shook hands with Hogwarts who left the washroom afterwards.

As soon as he left, Arshi pulled me outside before speaking to Arnav pointing at me, "See I told you I wasn't lying. Saw it with your eyes now? See such a characterless woman you have married", her voice high as she intentionally blamed me.

My eyes widened and as I was about to approach her, I was stopped by a sudden tug at my wrist. Turning back I saw him holding my wrist preventing me from walking ahead.

His cold eyes bore holes in my body and his grip kept tightening as if willing to break my wrist. I hissed as I spoke, "Why did you stop me? Can't you hear what she's speaking? You can't stand for me but I won't stay silent if someone raises their finger at my character", my voice laced with anger and warning.

He chuckled, "Is it so? What did she lie though? She's saying the truth only. Am I wrong?", he kept spatting those words in his rage as if they were some mere words. He might find them casual things to say but the person they're are pointed at, that person only knows how deep scars they get. And I'm one of those people.

His harsh words full of mockery and taunt, hurt me. It's not something casual to ignore because had it been casual and random, I'd have long forgotten it. Seeing my character being pointed at, despite the fact that I wasn't at fault, wasn't tolerable.

I was easy to blame because I had no one to stand by me. The blamers around me have each other's support while I'm all alone.

I can act like it's not hurting me but it's something very sensitive for me. For a person with a horrific past.

I stood there silently as tears streamed down my cheeks dropping on my chest. Emotions like anger, hatred, disgust, fear and solitude surrounded me, as if strangling me in its warmless embrace.

As I stood there, I saw him sending away Arshi form there with enough care and softness before calling someone and asked to declare the conclusion of the party due to some family emergency.

Tucking the phone in his pocket, he turned to face me before his eyes darkened than ever as an unreadable expression took over his face.

The darkness of the corridor felt like darkening his aura even more, it seemed as if his sclera was consumed by his dark orbs. A tall shadow stood behind him, as I felt it's emotionless gaze on me.

He held my wrist before pulling me near him prior to throwing me on his shoulder.

A shriek left my lips at his sudden movement. I threw fists on his back asking him to put me down but to no avail. He kept ignoring my protests while walking upstairs before we were finally in his bedroom.

Closing the door of his room, he threw me on the bed. I hissed at the tough force felt on my back, while my head fell back on the mattress with my eyes closed. I kept lying there like that as tears ran down my temples.

It wasy birthday and everything happened which I somewhere expected to happen. I didn't expect any accusation but something horrible enough to traumatize me more, to make me fall weak and feel vulnerable.

The soft creaking sound of wood caught my attention as I opened my eyes before I turned my head to my right.

He was sitting on the couch, manspreading. While one hand held a glass with some whisky in it, the other held a black cigarette. He was wearing his shirt which was half unbuttoned and sleeves were rolled up. His hair was messily tied up into a man bun as his red eyes stared at me. Those green orbs almost seemed dark as pieces of burning coal.

That sight itself scared me predicting the upcoming events I'd be facing.

Turning back my head, I sighed a shaky breath before I tried to sit up on the bed.

"Don't you dare", his furiously loud voice echoed in the room freezing me in my place. Unwillingly, I kept lying like that, a fear consuming me from inside.

I heard the sound of glass coming in contact with a hard surface. He must've kept down the glass because after that, the sound of his boots followed. He stood infront of my lying figure, as he parted my legs hanging down from the bed.

Once he was in between my legs, his upper body leaned down as he supported himself on me with with arms on either side of my shoulders.

My breath had already hitched at my throat, further followed by my thumping heart. He looked very scary to fight against. I was already fighting against those memories which came back after the washroom incident and now if he does something horrible, I might end up spitting out something I don't want to.

His eyes stared at mine. The blank expression spoke nothing except his hatred for me. But tonight, a weird uneasiness was seen on his face. He really looked like an open book easy to read.

My shaky orbs kept staring back silently. None of us spoke anything nor made any move. Time ticked by at its pace but we remained unmoved.

"Are you that desperate?", his hoarse voice finally broke the silence.

A gasp left my lips followed by a sarcastic chuckle, "What if I am?"

His jaws clenched.

"How more low can you stoop for your desires?", he asked again.

"As much as you did before telling a temporary business partner about our contractual marriage. As much as you did before telling I'm your wife on papers and you're still with your ex-fiancée", I replied, hatred was visibly strong in my tone.

He frowned but soon that expression changed into a smirk, "So you want to be my real wife?"

I chuckled, "Who'd want to be the wife of a sick bastard?"

"The fuck you called me?", he yelled, as I flinched but remained strong.

"I called you a bastard. A damn fucking bastard who imposed rules on his wife to not get involved in infidelity whereas he's always so close to his ex-fiancée more than one does with his female bestfriend. Who'd marry you when you literally roam around telling others about your wife being brought on papers? Who'd marry you when you keep pointing at someone's character like a fool thinking with his dick? You literally pointed at my character and let your ex-fiancée call me characterless when she actually doesn't know a shit about me. She's just a random woman who pops up out of nowhere to take out her anger on me just because her fiancé replaced her. She might degrade me but I ain't no bitch to talk like her", I yelled.

He was staring at me all the time, his jaws clenched and unclenched with each curse I threw at him.

"Jealous much?", he asked after letting out an airy chuckle.

I threw a look of disbelief at him. All the time, from whatever I said, he understood that I was jealous of him? How can someone so clueless be a leading mafia? Is his clan also dumb like him?

"I ain't jealous. It's just that you're breaking the rules you've imposed on me", I replied furiously.

"You—stay out of my business", he spoke pointing at me with his chin.

"Oh? Is that so? Then I should go and get a life too. Shouldn't I?", I fired. back.

"I dare you to say that again", he warned.

I smiled, "I said—I should also go and get a life where I can please myself as much as I want. Is that easy to understand or shall I elaborate?", I replied with sarcasm. Even if I felt disgusted by my words, I had to go for it just to make him taste his own medicine.

"Too desperate huh? Fine then. Let me help you", he spoke and even before I could process, he tore my blouse before pulling it away from my body. I was startled at his sudden move. My eyes were wide as I tried to understand what happened just now. But he didn't stop. He then made me stand up before pulling away the saree from me as I stumbled back. I was now just left with the waistcoat and my black bra.

It felt very embarassing to have myself exposed infront of someone whom I hated.

Covering my chest with my arms, I yelled at him, "The fuck is with you Arnav? How dare you do that?", tears streamed down my cheeks.

I felt disgusted. But he didn't stop. He, without uttering anything, lunged at me before trapping me against the wall behind me before crashing his lips on mine.

His one hand held both of my wrists above my head because I was trying to push him away. I kept my lips sealed as more tears streamed down my cheeks. I wanted to run away but the way he was gripping me, it felt almost impossible. I was in such a state that neither I could use my legs nor my hands or head for self defence.

Finding me resisting his touch and not allowing him to enter his tongue in my mouth, his other hand took out my right breast from my bra before pinching my nipple harshly as I gasped in pain.

It was painful and as I tried to wriggle out of his grip, he let his tongue enter my mouth.

All the time I wriggled and moved to break free which resulted in him putting his one leg between my legs. His free hand kept kneading my breast while he kissed me with so much force that soon the metallic taste of blood was felt in my mouth.

I sobbed. I soon broke down because I couldn't stand for myself anymore.

As he was about to rip my waistcoat, I fell on his feet, all vulnerable as I begged, "Please don't rape me again. I'll die. Please don't... Nishant".