Hi everyone :) I want to begin by thanking God for giving me the continuing courage to write and I want to thank all of you amazing readers who continue to read this story :)

Before reading this chapter, please do not forget to read Chapter 30 especially Chapter 30 Part 2 as that brought a big twist to the story, so please do read it :) I worked diligently on these chapters and I really hope these chapters do well, but everything is up to God :)

If you like this chapter and Chapter 30 then please share this story with other readers and let them know :)

Thank you for reading and if you like this chapter then please do vote, comment, and share :)

You can follow me on Wattpad and my Twitter account called JasmineDarcie :)

Author's Note: Shivaay's point of view will be deeply explained in Chapter 32 and begin his path to redemption. In this chapter he still is a bit self centered, aloof, and failing to acknowledge his mistake and realize what Anika is currently feeling and going through. Thank you for understanding :)

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https://youtu.be/2QmXGxBxf1M

Feeling a large force push me, my feet stumbled against the small carpet as I grabbed on to the rising pain in my womb before crashing down on to the floor. My hand instantly clenching on to my womb as I felt a stabbing pain ignite inside of it torturing it. My vision blurring as my head continued to spin bringing a sense of weakness inside of me hitting the core of my body.

Tears slowly beginning to stream down my cheeks as I felt the shards piercing my flesh as my soul slowly broke down. My eyes falling on to his feet as he stood above me showing a sense of dominance as I laid in front of him as prisoner. Lifting my gaze, I looked into his eyes seeing them consumed with passion...consumed with an intent to destroy everything if it meant to have me...The madness and obsession swirling in his eyes as he looked towards me appearing to find a sense of fulfillment seeing me laying in front of his feet after losing everything...including my last bit of wealth which was my honor.

My dupatta slipped down my shoulders as my gaze lowered grabbing on to it tugging on to the last small piece of honor I had left which could be covered by it. My hand slipping against the dupatta as I wrapped it around me slowly, tightening it as an attempt to hold on to the last bit of honor that my flesh carried.

If you loved me then you wouldn't have done this Shivaay...This is not love...Love is pure...It is one thing that is not full of filth and free of the world's darkness...Love doesn't break one...It mends one...It mends the soul by wrapping a veil of honor around it, tenderly caressing the soul to bring peace to it while bring beauty to the soul that no one can steal...Love isn't selfish that steals the lover's honor and chokeholds and salvages it in front of the brutal society it exists in...Love never initiates brutality that breaks the heart...And too think that somewhere I began to believe that you loved me...I felt the cracks in my heart deepen as it broke down with realization that the last hope it had, that the one it beated for years which was Shivaay, was beginning to love it, was now lost.

Silence approached us as I heard the door behind us banging loudly with our families screaming behind it. However, the screams appearing to not approach me as I sat still on the floor finding peace in it knowing that now this was my place...That now I was too be a beggar for life...No amount of wealth can satisfy the hallowness that my soul carries as it has been stripped of its honor.

Looking back towards Shivaay he stood still appearing in deep thought as his eyes grazed over me. A sense of disgust filling me up as I looked at him with realization that the last remnants of love, that my soul carried somewhere, for him was now gone and had vanquished in thin air. I felt tears slowly stream down my cheeks as anger began to mix with my sadness inside of me attempting to fill my hollow soul. How dare he treat me in such manner? How dare he humiliate me in public and more than that impose such a huge lie upon me without thinking the consequences of it? How can he just reveal our secret to the world in such manner? How can he lie and claim that I love him?

Gathering all my strength, I pushed myself up as I stumbled back feeling my head spin once again. My gaze meeting his as his eyes appeared to veil his emotions appearing cold and dark as they looked towards me not wanting to reveal his demonic soul's thoughts.

"Look at me! Look at what you have done...How could you do this Shivaay?! Is this what your love is like?! A love that only destroys! Your love destroyed me Shivaay! It destroyed me tonight! You destroyed everything! My pride, my honor, and stole away all my relationships!" My soul screamed loudly as it felt itself becoming lifeless minute by minute as the one thing it lived on...which was honor was now deprived of it.

Shivaay's eyes slowly beginning to show anger as it rumbled through him upon hearing my screams that appeared to question his love. I stood still looking directly into his eyes not once wavering knowing that now I had nothing to lose...Now there is nothing that he could steal from me...nothing he could steal from an impoverished soul.

His filthy soul reaching out towards me as he snaked his hand around my arm pulling me towards him and instant as my body slammed against his chest. "How dare you question my love?! How dare you throw filth and toxify my love for you?! Hm! You already destroyed your life the day you decided to leave me for Arman! My love didn't destroy you...My love spoke the truth that your love couldn't...You were the one who stooped low! You relished in pleasure by making love to me! You relished in the admiration I endowed upon you! You relished in the love I gave you! You love me damn it or else you wouldn't have once relished and found solace in my love, that I have now pieced together and breathed into life in it, for you! You were the one who stooped low! You were the one who got consumed by revenge to a point that you decided to sacrifice your love for it!" His voice rumbling through the room as his anger and rage spewed itself in the form of venom he just spoke.

My heart slowly twisting into knots as his words slowly touched the bare tones of my soul. Hopelessness overwhelming me as I closed my eyes shut shaking my head back and forth disgusted by hearing his words...Revenge? I cannot believe he would label me in such manner comparing me to himself who would sacrifice such a pure blessing...love for a toxic demon called revenge.

His grasp tightening on my arm as he pulled me closer leaning his body against mine as the smell of alcohol brought a sense of revulsion inside of me. His warm breath hitting my lips as I felt him lower his head towards me brushing his forehead against mine.

His hands slowly wrapping around the ends of my shoulders as he traced his hand behind my hair. My gaze lowered as I continued to cry finding myself at a complete loss...my soul giving up not wanting to fight more knowing it will only toxify it more and make it more hallow and lifeless.

The door behind us continuing to pound loudly as I heard our parents yell on the other side.

"Open the door Shivaay! I am ordering you to open your door!" Shakti uncle screamed loudly as he pounded on the door making the sound echo through the room.

"Anika come outside right now! The story does not end right here! How dare you betray us?! How dare you dishonor us and humiliate us in public tonight?!" Mom screamed as I took a deep breath not being able to take in her words finding a sense of fear creep up inside of me as I realized on the other side of the door stood our families who were trembling with rage ready to consume us and our flesh in any moment.

I felt Shivaay's hand slip slowly up the nape of my neck as I winced not wanting to feel the touch of his hands that had committed sin.

"Look at me...Look towards me Anika...Look into my eyes..."His voice lowering, appearing to soften as anger appeared to slowly leave it. His hand pushing me to lift my head up. My eyes lifting themselves up as I met his eyes not being able to comprehend them as tears blurred my vision.

Shivaay's voice coming out as a soft whisper as he began to speak in a lowered tone, "Damn it, I have never been so weak the way I am right now due to the love I have for you Anika...These eyes...this innocence...this purity of yours'...all of it has consumed my mind making me go mad and only think of you...igniting a desire inside of me to love you...I know I have always resisted your love Anika...but...seeing you after so many years brought back that love that I seemingly had buried inside of me for years which I never dared to touch when we were together...But, I would be lying if I said I felt nothing for you when you were my wife...But, the true realization of my love happened the day I saw myself losing you when you were sinking in those deep waters...I tried to push you away telling you to move on, but the minute I saw you with someone else, I couldn't digest it...It revulsed me...That night after the fair, I realized my love...I realized my love for you the moment we were crashing down...the moment you were falling... That night when we made love, it held a deeper meaning for me because for me it was a fulfillment of the love I carried for you..."

My eyes standing still as I looked into his eyes finding his words not being shallow, but coming from the hymns that his soul strung. His words having their own life...his words tugging on my bare heart telling it to hold on to its last beat as it will now be loved again...I want to believe you Shivaay...my heart wants to believe you as I see some truth and depth to your soul...but then...these words still hold no value to me...What you have done tonight is a disgrace to love itself...The selfishness that your love has shown makes me realize that it is shallow...It only destroys...thus this is not truly love...this is not the love that makes one's life fulfilling as this love only knows how to destroy the lover and their own honor and pride...

My head lowering as I slammed my hands against his chest in anger and frustration remembering the torturous humiliation I bared at his hands tonight. Shivaay appearing to be at a loss of words as he looked at me observing my tears...taking in my sadness in which I had given into...My hand slowly placing itself on to his as it laid on my neck..."Love? I don't know what love this is...Perhaps it may be a love, but it is not the one that fate and divine have blessed upon everyone...Love is pure, sacred, selfless...Love isn't selfish...Love doesn't strip the lover's honor...You destroyed me tonight...You buried my soul alive tonight right in this ground and dirt you walk on..."

"Anika!" He exclaimed placing his fingertips across my lips which quivered in anger and disgust from even being in his presence...from feeling his touch.

A small smile appearing across my lips as I looked into his eyes. "The truth is that...Your ego. Your pride. Your damn selfishness couldn't bear to see me with another man because you walk and scream at this world as if you own it! You see me as a piece of property on which you can walk on, relish in it, and then destroy it because you think you have the power to do so! Thus, you couldn't bear another man placing a stake on me...claiming me! You don't see me as a human being...you don't see my soul...All you see me as is an object!" I screamed as I grabbed on to his fingertips scraping them off of my lips as they dragged against my lipstick.

Shivaay's eyes widening as he heard the truth...his truth...My words that slipped out of soul acting as a mirror in which he finally saw himself...His disgusting, demonic self.

My hands beginning to tremble as I ran them against my cheeks wiping my tears attempting to stop them, but failing to do such. "I am not pure...I have committed sins...many that brought cracks to my honor...sins from sleeping with you while being tied in a nameless relationship with you...to indulging in a relationship with your cousin knowing that it was wrong because I wanted to prove you that I could move on...I committed a sin to committing to this marriage, but circumstances were against me...something you can never understand...But...Shivaay...you brought those cracks and breakage that lived and breathed in my honor to the light...in front of the world...You choked my honor in front of everyone...You told everyone about our secret, but you also had the audacity to tell everyone that we are in a relationship with one another which was a complete lie!" I screamed loudly as I slammed my hand against the wall in pure anger not being able to capture control of it.

"Anika! How dare you say such?! How dare you throw filth upon my love for you?! How dare you question my love?! How dare you claim that we do not love one another after all the moments we have shared recently...how dare you question our love?!" He screamed as he lunged towards me. My feet kicking themselves back as I held on to the wall behind me attempting to find strength as I looked into his eyes that were now beginning to darken with anger slowly building inside of him.

A small smile appearing across my lips realizing how the past was now repeating, but now with him... "Revenge? Hm...you labeled my decision of marrying Armaan as revenge, but if you knew me...knew my soul...then you would know that I would never stoop to a level like you! You are saying that I am throwing filth on your love and poisoning it well then what about you?! What did you do to me?! You married me for the sake of revenge, you shamelessly played up the act of being my lover, you knew this was a plan, but you still took the next step and made me the mother of your child! Then...you stooped so low that you kicked me out of your house in the middle of the night and then married another woman in front of my eyes....Look at yourself!" I screamed as my sadness and years of anger, over how he treated me for years, began to unbury itself fearlessly enraging over the fact that now it had nothing else to lose since its owner had lost everything.

Shivaay's eyes widening as he heard my words...As he heard that I was not committed to this arranged marriage due to revenge...His soul reaching a state of shock as he heard the past repeat...His body appearing to not be able to consume the truth...His truth. The truth of what a horrible, evil, repulsive man he is.

Dragging my hands off the wall, I grabbed the collar of his shirt pulling him against me as he leaned forward looking into my eyes. My eyes grazing over his face as I looked at him up and down not feeling an ounce of pity. "Look at the filth you are! Look at you! You are deplorable! You are revulsive!You are a sick man! In the past, you walked on me and treated me as the dirt beneath your feet in which you relished, but also tortured...and now look even in the present, you did the same thing...You destroyed me into bits and pieces that now I can never gather...You stripped me of my honor and pride!...You are so....I want to curse you right now, but...but I am not like you...Now you are forcing your love upon me...How can I love you again Shivaay?! How can I love a sick, repulsive, deplorable human being like you?!...You are a stain on humanity!" I spat as I looked into his eyes ensuring he would engrave each and every word I spoke.

Shivaay stood still not saying another word as he looked at me not being able to come in terms with his truth... He took a deep breath closing his eyes shut as he threw his head up in the air not being able to bear his humiliation that came at the hands of my words.

Wrapping his hands around my wrists, he looked towards me... "Anika...I..." He paused as he stopped losing his words knowing they held no value in front of what I had spoken. I smiled as I looked towards him with tears still crashing down on to my heart and burning it.

My hands slowly slipping away from his grip as they fell down lifelessly. Shivaay's gaze lowering as they appeared to have lost their strength. Leaning my body against the wall, I looked at him...seeing him as only filth...a poison that had consumed my entire soul...

My hand dragging slowly towards my dupatta that slipped down from my shoulder. Trailing my fingertips against the piercing, sharded embroidery, I slowly lifted it from my body trailing it off my flesh.

His head lifting up as he looked at my act with a sense of confusion. A soft smile appearing across my lips as I unraveled the dupatta off my soul knowing it held falsehood as my honor had already been ravaged. My fingers lifting from the dupatta as I let it slip out of my hands on to the ground as it fell on to his feet.

A tear falling down my cheek as I stood in front him gathering my sense of courage. Shivaay's eyes widening as he looked at me stunned by my action appearing puzzled. I smiled as I looked at the lifeless dupatta that laid between us...a dupatta that symbolizes the veiling of a woman's honor.

"You can have me now...That is what you want right? You want to touch me and relish in the bare tones of my flesh...well here I am. I have nothing to lose now. I lost everything tonight. So have me...fulfill your pleasures...fulfill it at once...This is essential for you to finally leave me...This is what is making you go into madness, so here I am...Have me...Fulfill your desires...But know one thing which is that...this Anika will never love you. Never." My voice coming out softly as it barely cracked through the tears that were now burdening my soul. My body standing still as I gathered strength that existed in pieces inside of me knowing I had spoken my truth...knowing that after what he has done tonight...I would never be able to love him...He has killed the last wealth I had which was my honor...something that allowed me to live and now as that is gone...I am lifeless and a body without a soul can never love anyone.

A chill going down my spine as I stood still awaiting my fate...

My eyes capturing his as I noticed them veiling his soul's burning desires and emotions...Tears appearing to catch hold of him as he looked at the dupatta lying on the ground. His eyes lifting themselves towards me as he looked at me standing lifelessly in front of him...standing as a beggar who had nothing to offer besides her flesh.

He took a step towards me as I lowered my gaze in an instant ready to face my fate...my destiny...ready to allow that revulsive figure touch me if it meant he would leave me. My hands trembling as I clenched on to the end of sharara taking a deep breath capturing my tears.

His body leaning forward as I kept my eyes still on the ground where my dupatta laid...My body halting in an instant looking towards him as he kneeled down grabbing the dupatta off the ground. The dupatta unraveling itself in his hands as he looked at it with tears slipping down his cheeks...I took a deep breath holding myself not wanting to look at his tears which might just touch a piece of my heart...

I stood still looking at the dupatta he held waiting for him. He took another step closing the distance between us. His hands lifting up as I closed my eyes shut waiting for him to get a touch of my flesh...

However, I felt his hands slide around my back. My eyes opening instantly, catching his hands trail the dupatta around my body tenderly placing it on my shoulders. His hands clenching the ends of the dupatta pulling me towards himself.

My mind entering a trance as I looked at him not knowing what to say or what to comprehend. Shivaay capturing my gaze as he looked into my eyes appearing to admire them. "My love may be selfish...but...it is not shallow...It is not your flesh that I have fallen in love with, but the purity of your soul is what I love...It is your soul that allures me...It is your soul that I want my soul to unite with...I don't know the rules of love, but all I know is that this love is not going to let me live until I make you mine...One day you will reciprocate this love...I know you love me...I can see it in the depths of your soul...But I will wait...wait for you," He whispered as he trailed his hand to the side of my cheek looking at me intently. I sighed letting tears roll down my cheeks as I heard his words...My mind not wanting to ponder over his words...not wanting to give in as somewhere his words reflected genuity that I did not want to acknowledge knowing it would be disrespect to my own self...

"Well you will have to wait forever...because after what you have done tonight to me has shattered and maligned my soul to a point that life cannot be breathed into it anymore..." I spoke as my voice trembled tracing my hand across my dupatta as I wrapped it around me letting Shivaay's hand to slip off of my body. The words making Shivaay go cold as his soul appeared to stop in time not moving an inch except soaking in the truth of my words.

I shook my head as I looked towards him as silence hit us. The door behind us continuing to shake as they knocked on it attempting to bring us out into the reality that existed. My eyes moving towards us the door as it continued to shake loudly leading the floor to tremble below us.

"What have you done?" I whispered as I looked into his soul...Shivaay drifted his eyes away from me not being able to meet them as his demeanor appeared to loosen with his eyes appearing to soften as tears rolled down his cheeks.

How long will you stay inside here in this room with a man in front of you is a stranger? You will have to go outside and face the truth...face the consequences for the sins you have committed. Anika there is nothing to lose now...go.

Lifting myself from the wall, I slid my hand against it as I took a step forward looking towards the door. Dragging my feet against the floor, I slowly walked towards the door as I heard footsteps follow closely behind me. Face your fate Anika...fate has brought you here, so now face it.

My hands trembling as I held the lock of the door that shook violently as members of our families pounded on it. Gathering any remaining strength, I unlocked the door grabbing on to the door hands as I opened it.

My eyes meeting my mom's who stood right in front and center. Her eyes reddening as her body pumped anger through every inch of her soul. Her eyes following towards Shivaay who stood right next to me in complete silence.

"What is this?! Huh! Do you both have no respect for your families?!" Shakti uncle yelled as my body suddenly shook caught off guard from his sudden expression of anger.

"Respect?! If they had respect then they wouldn't have committed such a big sin!" Daadi spat angrily as she looked towards the both of us with disgust seeing us as a piece of filth that she didn't want to touch.

Shivaay and I stood in silence as I kept my gaze lowered not being able to look anyone in the eye as how could I? What would allow me to look at them courageously?...I don't have anything that would allow me to do such.

Dad appearing as he grabbed my arm pulling me out of the room into the hallway amongst the crowd of family members that stood around us. "I cannot believe you would commit such a big betrayal! I cannot believe these are the values we instilled in you! Look at you! You have no shame!" He yelled loudly as I began to cry not able to utter another word as I knew each and every word held truth to it. My heart aching upon the fact that I had hurt him and became the cause of dishonoring him in front of everyone.

"Shame? That is something she probably never had! I mean look at how she was screaming violently just now!" Taaya ji spat as he pulled my dad back. I shook my head in a "no" as I looked at both of them. Dad clenched his fists angrily as he looked towards me and then Shivaay who hovered closely by as his face reddened. A sense of worry approaching me as I realized he had ill health, since he already had a heart attack, and that this event may impact him negatively.

"Stop it Anand! This girl is not worth your anger! If something happens to you then we will be at a loss not this hex who is determined to ruin our family name!" Taaya ji exclaimed as my eyes widened hearing the words slip out of his mouth...My soul churning in pain as the words directly hit it.

My eyes slowly moving towards Shivaay who appeared stunned as he heard Taaya ji's statement. His eyes appearing to darken as he clenched his fits tightly attempting to hold on to his anger as he took a step and stood right next to me. A sense of fear emerging inside of me as I felt the situation was going to now likely worsen knowing what Shivaay's anger does to him.

Suddenly, he roared as he spewed anger. "Don't. You. Dare. Don't you dare insult her in my home!" Taaya ji suddenly shaking as he took a step back appearing startled by the aggression displayed in Shivaay's words as he looked into his eyes which were ravaged with anger.

"Arre. Why are we still here?! How much more humiliation do you all want to bear due to this girl! I knew this girl was bad luck and a curse for our family since the day she was born! Now look! Look what your dear daughter did!" Taayee ji taunted as she looked at me with a sense of distaste. I bit my lip trying to control my tears, but failing as I heard the truth...the truth they have been repeatedly speaking for years now...Closing my eyes, the memories rushed back that reminded me why I was a curse for this family that traced to the fact that they lost their business when I was born and the fact my parents never had another child after I was born...I sighed as I clasped my hands together shaking my head not being able to bear further humiliation that now was collapsing on top of me. My eyes falling on to Shivaay who slowly looked back towards me as he took sight of my tears while appearing appalled by what he heard.

"Then leave now! This wedding is officially cancelled!We will never accept you daughter as our daughter-in-law!" Tej uncle yelled as I noticed that Armaan had disappeared along with Jhanvi aunty while he appeared to have stay back.

My eyes lowering realizing that everything was now officially over. My wedding now cancelled...another dishonor now endowed upon my family. I felt tears slowly slip down my cheeks realizing how I was part of this problem...how I was also part of this mess.

"Indeed, Anika will never be our daughter-in-law! Go nah! All of you leave! You all are pure filth seen in the type of daughter you raised! Leave! You all are complete low lives from the gutters who aspire to live in such big mansions and in the lap of luxury! Your daughter is a filth from the streets! Look at her character! She ran away from home probably because she found interest in my son's wealth and then when my son left her, she desperately came back and this time she romanced him, but got engaged to his cousin! How low is she!" Pinky aunty screamed sending a sense of shock through me. Her words throwing dirt and ravaging my soul in an instant. My heart barely grappling to her words as a sense of shame and disgust overcame me...My hands running against my arms as I dug my nails into the skin attempting to scratch off the bits of filth that I held.

Gutters? Filth? How can she say such hurtful words without even knowing us? But, then what else can I expect?...These are the words that perhaps now will be echoed repeatedly to me and my family in an attempt to further malign our tarnished honor.

Suddenly I felt a rush of wind as Shivaay bumped his shoulder against me. My head immediately lifting up as I looked towards him as he swiftly grabbed a large glass mirror snatching it from the wall. Fear expelling itself inside of me as I saw rage imploding inside of him. My eyes widening, clasping my hands against my ears as the glass shattered loudly against the floor. The loud rumble inciting shards of glass to lift themselves up from the ground, erupting into the air flying towards everyone. A scream erupting out of me as I stumbled back, grabbing hold of Shivaay's arm pulling him back instantly as the shards of glass made its way towards the both of us.

I felt his body tremble in rage as a rush of adrenaline appeared to run through him. His hand grabbing mines' in an instant as I felt a sense of panic slowly move inside of me knowing that now hell will break loose.

I attempted to slip my hand out of his grasp, but failed as he held on it with a tight grip.My eyes lifting up as I peered above his shoulder looking towards everyone who appeared startled as he displayed his moment of rage to them. Silence dropping into the air as Shivaay took deep breaths before squeezing my hand tightly as I bit my lip wincing as I felt my hand throb in pain against his hand.

Shivaay took a sudden step towards Pinky aunty as I immediately grabbed his arm gesturing him to stop in an attempt to stop the situation from worsening. "So, you will insult Anika?! Huh! You will insult her! All of you are low lives! All of you! Sick people! How dare you all throw such filth on her?! All of you are nothing in front of her. Nothing. You all are the filth that toxifies society. Not her, but all of you who are cursing her and demeaning her. Look at yourself before raising a finger on her. Do you understand?!" He screamed as he slammed his hand against the wall loudly ensuring everyone listened to his command.

I sighed as I looked at him twisting and turning in his anger that appeared to consume his soul capturing it in its control. My eyes lowering as I shook my head not once being allured by the fact that he was standing up for me. Why should I cherish this gesture knowing that he is the cause of all of this? That he is the sole cause of pushing me towards this humiliation and malignment of my honor...He is the sole cause of this mess...He is the sole culprit who stole my honor.

"How dare you Shivaay say such words to us for this girl who is a nobody!" Shakti uncle intervened as Shivaay furrowed his eyebrows looking towards him.

"You all deserve it. You all think that you can go around this world passing judgements at others while remaining free from being judged upon yourselves. Well, then you are wrong. You all are the poison that attempts to spread themselves and toxify others. Look at yourself and your deeds before eyeing towards Anika..." Shivaay spoke as I bit my lip trying to hold my tears, but failing to do so as I wiped them away slowly looking up towards my family that appeared to look towards me...Their eyes reflecting the fact that they see me as their culprit...They see me as a curse that has stripped them of their intangible wealth seen in honor and pride.

"Anand! Let's go! Enough of this nonsense and humiliation!" Taaya ji commanded as he grabbed Dad's arm pulling him and beginning to walk towards the stairs.

Mom stood still in front of me as she looked at Shivaay and my hands entwined with one another before looking up towards me with a sense of disgust...seeing me as a curse that she bore. "Don't you dare come home now. Don't you dare even think about stepping inside our home. We won't allow you to come inside of our home and grace it with your filthy soul," Mom spat angrily as I looked at her startled not being able to comprehend her words. My heart beginning to pound loudly against my chest as I felt a sense of sorrow erupt inside of me...My heart slowly losing its grasp on to life as I felt a sense of shock with realization that I was losing such an important and sole relationship I cherished the most in my life ...my parents.

"No..." I whispered as I felt tears slowly beginning to roll down my cheeks looking towards her and Dad. My hand slipping its way out of Shivaay's grip as I took a step towards them. Mom holding her hand up as she looked at me with vexation.

My feet stopping against the floor as I looked towards them shocked at the realization that they were abandoning me. No. No. They cannot do this to me. No they cannot leave me like this. I am their daughter...a part of them...how can they? No. I shook my head as Mom and Dad immediately began walking down the stairs with Taayee ji and Taaya ji following them.

"Chalo! At least, they did something good. I would've done the same!" Pinky aunty remarked as I placed my dupatta against my mouth biting into my tears as they continued to roll down my cheeks feeling Shivaay's gaze move towards me.

"Ma! Can you please stop saying such hurtful words to Anika? Please!" Gauri intervened as she appeared to have finally spoken. She walked immediately towards me placing her hand on my arm as she looked at me with comforting eyes.

"Gauri stop it! Don't intervene!" Om ordered as he looked at the both of us. Gauri furrowed her eyebrows as she looked towards him.

"Why will I not intervene? Huh! I am the daughter in law of this family and most importantly Anika was the daughter-in-law of this family! She never got her rights doing such secrecy and honestly how can we jump to judgement about this issue without knowing anything?!" Gauri exclaimed as I hiccupped trying to catch on to breaths as I began to feel a sense of panic hit me.

"Gauri just shut up!Will you?!" Om yelled towards her as I trembled hearing his voice.

Gauri sighed as she rubbed her hand on my back placing her hand on my cheek and wiping my tears away. My eyes moving towards her as I found a sense of comfort. Despite the fact that we barely know each other, she is still standing here and comforting me unlike my family that just abandoned me in an instant without once thinking that I am their daughter. Indeed, fate had its own unique ways.

"Well, honestly, I don't know if I will be able to hear Anika's explanation considering how she has betrayed us..." Priyanka spoke finally as my eyes widened immediately looking towards her. Priyanka indeed has been quiet all along this situation and now when she finally spoke...how can she not want to listen to me and hear out the complete situation? She's my friend isn't she? How can she say this?

"I cannot believe what a big mistake you both made. Shivaay I can understand considering he can be impulsive, but Anika you? I never expected this from you beta...You appear sensible and intelligent then why did you run away from home to get married to him?" Daadi spoke as I kept my gaze lowered barely have the ability to meet her eyes considering how much trust she had in me and my character and how I broke all of it in an instant.

"Daadi please this is Anika and my personal matter not for any of you to get involved it," Shivaay spoke sternly. Personal matter? If you actually thought this was our personal matter then you would not have dared to reveal such a big secret in front of everyone including the media. You wouldn't have revealed this secret in such a manner.

"Personal matter? How is this your personal matter?!All these weeks, you both pretended as if you had no interest in one another and acted as complete strangers only to reveal that you both were married and now apparently are together again?! What nonsense and immaturity is this! Relationships are not run in this way!" Pinky aunty intervened as Shivaay sighed looking towards her attempting to control his temper.

I sighed as I clasped my hands together realizing that I had to walk out of this situation knowing it was going to worsen very soon. My mind wandering to my family as I realized that I have to go and talk to them one more time. I cannot give up on our relationship like this. I have to apologize formally and I have to try to mend our relationship.

"Well, I also think Anika had a huge role in pursuing Shivaay again. You probably came back for his money right? How much alimony did you take from him for the divorce?" Pinky aunty questioned as my eyes widened as I looked at her shocked by her accusation. How can she think so low of me? She wasn't like this before when I initially met her then what happened? Her words initiating a choking sensation inside of me as I felt a sense of revulsion from myself over hearing such disgusting accusations.

Money? Why would I go after his money? Relationships can never be weighed by money. I never took alimony from Shivaay because I knew that money could never fill the empty space that would be left in my life once he left me.

"Ma! I warned you! Damn it! Stop! I swear I am going to wreck havoc!" Shivaay yelled loudly as I flinched taking a step back towards the stairs.

Wiping my tears, I shook my head not being able to bear it anymore. Run Anika. Just leave now. How much more humiliation do you want to face? Look at everyone and look at the way they are looking at you, picking at your flesh, and trying to find flaws and lack of character inside of you. Don't let them throw more dirt about your soul...don't let them soil your soul more with their questioning gazes full of disgust.

Wrapping my dupatta around my tightly, I immediately began to run down the stairs as tears continued to rush down my cheeks. "Anika! Anika wait!" I heard Shivaay call after me as I continued to run down the stairs dragging my heavy sharara with me. My dupatta sliding against the long stairsteps as I pulled it increasing my pace. My heart beating loudly against my chest as I found myself suffocating upon remembering the humiliation I had to bear tonight. My body trembling as I felt a sense of anxiousness ignite inside of me putting my soul on fire as it continued to break piece by piece.

"Anika! Listen to me! Wait!" He yelled as I continued to run grabbing my clutch from the sofa where I sat as I made my way out.

Run Anika. Run away. Do not look back once. Do not look back at your culprit who has ruined you tonight. Do not look back at the man who has initiated your reckoning. Do not look back at him who is responsible of dishonoring and stripping you of your pride tonight...

Shivaay's Point of View

I ran after her as she continued to run down the hallway towards the main doors. "Anika stop!" I yelled after her as she didn't look back once.

My feet stopping against the ground as Papa grabbed my arm making me stop in my steps. My head immediately turning around as I looked towards him feeling a sense of anger slowly building up again. My mind drifting to Anika knowing that at this moment she is not in her complete senses...Her parents have likely abandoned her and now where will she go? What if something happens?

"Let her go! For once focus on us and tell us what the hell is happening?! Why did you betray us?!How could you hide such a big secret?! Most importantly, do you know how the media and our business associates are going to react seeing this and seeing the fact that right now you have an affair with your employee which is unethical!" Papa yelled with frustration as I furrowed my eyebrows looking towards him. What gives him the right to question my decision and question me? Who does he think he is? Clenching my fists tightly, I turned towards him determined to show him his level.

"I don't give a damn what anyone thinks or what you all think. What matters to me right now is Anika! Alright?! What matters to me is fulfilling our relationship! I love her and I don't give a damn what all of you think about us and what our relationship was like or is currently like! It doesn't matter to me!" I yelled as I slammed my fist against the stairs' railings looking straight ahead as Anika still lingered in my thoughts...worried about where she was going.

Papa appeared stunned by my words as he looked towards me grabbing on to my arm to get my attention. "Do you even know what you are saying right now? Do you know there is a possibility that you will have to face the board of directors and answer why you are pursuing a relationship with your employee?! Do you know what people will think of you now seeing you had a secret marriage?! How the hell are you going to explain all of this?!"

I sighed as I shook my head realizing how Papa doesn't care about my life, but is more concerned about his reputation and how the revelation of this will impact our business. Well, if he and everyone else doesn't care about me then I don't give a damn as well. I will focus on myself now.

"I don't need to give explanations to anyone on my personal life. I have a right to decide who I will love, who I will make a part of my life, and who...will be my wife," I declared as I smiled placing my thumb against my lips thinking about the day Anika and I will become one once again.

I noticed Daadi taking a step close towards us as she appeared shocked from what I said. "Wife?! What are you saying Shivaay? Do not tell me that you are considering to make Anika your wife again," She spoke appearing appalled from the idea.

Raising my eyebrow, I looked towards her as I pressed my lips together trying to control my temper considering she was my elder and deserved my respect. "Why is that? Why can I not make her my wife?" I said in an attempt to control my choice of words.

"Well she was your ex-wife and the marriage did not work out. Moreover, look at the mess that has happened? She was engaged to Armaan, but apparently you two fell in love and were in love while she was engaged? This does not suit an Oberoi daughter-in-law," Daadi argued as I furrowed my eyebrows feeling a sense of distaste at her choice of words and what light she was putting Anika in.

So they are going to judge Anika's character? Despite the fact that I warned them multiple times on not to do such. I bit my lip as I looked at all of them. Time to give them a dose of their past.

I smirked as I crossed my arms looking at all of them. "Well you all loved Tia right? What happened then? She was capable of fitting into this so called lifestyle, but what happened? She cheated on me! She slept with my business associate!" My words appearing to stun my family as the bitter truth reached their ears. The truth that our family had buried within themselves not wanting to talk about it knowing what it shame it was.

Letting out a small laugh, I looked towards them as I trailed my fingers against my lips tasting the remnants of alcohol that laid there. "Hm...truth hurts right? Well, it is the bitter truth. I sacrificed myself for this Oberoi empire. I married Tia to get her father to agree on the project and fund it as Oberoi Hospitals was in a big time loss...But what happened? Because of all of you, I lost Anika! I lost my love because I bloody preferred money and power over her! Which was my biggest mistake because she was my greatest my wealth!" My voice echoing through the large hall as I soaked in my own words...A bitter collection of memories slowly coming back in waves as I remembered the betrayal...a betrayal that I still do not want to recount till this day...

"Shivaay...try to understand..." Ma spoke as she looked at me with a sense of concern. I sighed as I shook my head clasping my hands together as I placed them on my lips feeling an awful lot of vulnerability approach me with realization on what a difficult path I have embarked myself on...Remembering Anika's words that she may never love me...Closing my eyes shut, I attempted to gather strength as I sighed knowing how much I hurt her tonight, but knowing this was the way I could prevent her from going far away from me.

"Anika was the wife that fate had written for me and I walked away from her for my own greed. I was the fool who lost her...She understood me like no one ever did. No matter how I treated her, she never thought ill of me and continued to love me with hope that I will love her and give her the status and respect that she deserves as the daughter-in-law of this family! But...what did I do? I kept her in secret not once acknowledging the fact that she was the daughter-in-law of this family!..." I stopped as I felt tears slowly approach me eyes as an unusual ache appeared inside of my heart remembering the toxic, volatile marriage we shared...Memories of her vulnerability that she displayed in loving me catching hold on to my heart tugging it and making it realize how wrong I did by breaking her...

Silence stood between all of us as I felt everyone look towards me appearing to observe me and understand what dark thoughts I held and what place Anika held in my life. My eyes looking up towards all of them as I bit my lip attempting to hold my tears and not show them my weakness knowing they would only create a mockery of my tears not once caring how I felt.

"Get one thing straight. I will marry Anika very soon. I don't give a damn what all of you think or feel about this matter because for the first time, I will put myself above your reputation and this bloody money and power that we all have been running after all our lives! So, now move out of my matter, don't get involved, and don't you all dare say a word to Anika or against Anika. If I find out that if anyone of you decided to get involved or attempt to point your finger on her character then that is it...You will see a Shivaay that you don't want to see..." I spat as Papa shook his head appearing frustrated while Ma appeared appalled by the choice of words I had chosen.

A sense of determination rising inside of me as I spoke those words realizing that it was truth...my truth. For Anika, I can sacrifice anything. If it means to sacrifice my own reputation and my wealth then be it...Money, power, status is nothing when one doesn't have love...I thought having tangible entitles of material wealth, I would finally find peace and solace to a hallowness I carried inside of me, but I was wrong...Despite having the money and the luxury, I was still empty until I met Anika...until I fell in love with Anika....that is when I found fulfillment, peace, a heart that finally began to beat.

Without saying another word, I turned on my feet walking towards the main doors on the search for Anika. My feet dragging down against the steps as I felt the wind picking up as thunder roared loudly in the background.

My heart pounding against my chest as I looked around anxiously to locate Anika, but failing as she was nowhere in sight. Where did she disappear? I chewed on my lip curiously as I looked at the bodyguards standing at the entrance.

"Um...did you see where Anika Malhotra went?" I questioned curiously.

"Yes, she got a rideshare pretty soon when she came out and then she left," The bodyguard noted as I sighed shaking my head.

A sense of fear arising inside of me as I quickly made my way to the driver standing by the car. Her parents abandoned her...but then knowing how she is, she must've gone back home. Yes, she probably went to her house. Knowing how she is, she probably went to apologize and fight their decision of kicking her out of their house.

I know I shouldn't go to her home, but my heart is telling me something wrong is about to happen. The way her parents were treating her tonight in front of everyone tells me that they will do something big...Her parents are conservative as she has told me before...Something wrong will happen. My heart knows it. I have to go and check...I have to go and assure she is fine.

"Let's go quick!" I ordered as the driver opened the door for me allowing me to quickly grab a seat as the car made a swift turn down the driveway.

"Here's the address," I noted to the driver as I pulled the address my phone for Anika's home.

My head hitting the back of the car seat as I felt an unusual tight knot forming around my heart upon the thought of what had happened tonight. Anika's face continuing to appear in front of my eyes as she laid at my feet in my bedroom where I took her after the revelation. Her eyes full of tears, reflecting a sense of vulnerability appearing to haunt me as I felt an unusual sense of pain arise inside of me...touching the depth of my soul not wanting to let go of it. The memory of her eyes reflecting a lifeless soul taxing upon my heart as I took a deep breath trying to maintain composure, but failing as an unusual, uncanny feeling continued to linger closely to my heart.

I know Anika, my actions have devastated you tonight...I know what I did brought humiliation...but then what else was I supposed to do? How was I supposed to allow you to commit a sin by marrying my own cousin? ...But then what did she mean by saying circumstances forced her into this marriage? She was forced and she didn't do this for revenge...Her words slowly coming back to me as she appeared to taunt me telling me that she would never stoop to this level...So, why did she not stand up for herself? Why did she keep saying she will marry Armaan? I placed my hand against my forehead rubbing it as I sighed knowing I had to get to bottom of this matter.

But, no matter what and for whatever reason Anika decided to marry Armaan, I do not care because what mattered to me was to stop the wedding. How could I let you go now considering that I have fallen in love with you so deeply that I myself cannot let go of it...a love that now has become engraved on my soul...Anika I love you more than anything and I promise once I make you my wife, you will get your honor and pride back...I promise. But, I had to do this. I had to. I couldn't let go of you. I couldn't.

Anika's Point of View

https://youtu.be/3eOtI4M4pf4

Clasping my hand against my chest, I took a deep breath closing my eyes as tears continue to take a hold of my soul, choking it and molding it with filth to let it know that it was now bare...it had had nothing...one ornament it had cherished for all these years which was honor was now gone.

"We are almost here," The rideshare driver noted as he sped the car down the empty road that headed to home.

I nodded as I wiped my tears attempting to gather the littlest strength I had in order to face my reckoning that would now happen. Fear slowly inching and creeping inside of me as the car made its way to the front driveway of my home. My heart dropping in an instant as I felt another cramp arise in my womb. A sense of nausea creeping up my throat as I took a deep breath trying to maintain composure.

Be brave Anika. You have to own up to the sins you committed. You have to face the consequences. Don't falter now. Don't. You have nothing to lose anymore, so be brave and fight for the littlest that fate may still give you in pity.

Even though, they told me not come back home, I cannot give up...I have to face them and apologize and mend our relationship.

My parents are everything to me...They are the reason why I am still alive and why I still continue to fight my battles. I have no one else besides them in this world. I know we never shared a strong, loving relationship, but one thing I know is that as a daughter, it is my duty to be selfless when it comes to loving my parents...it my duty to be selfless in providing care for them...it is my duty to even sacrifice myself if it means to give them happiness.

Opening the door of the car, I slowly stepped out placing my dupatta on my shoulder as I picked up my sharara. My eyes falling on to my choora and my mehendi...remnants of an incomplete bride...How must Ma and Papa be feeling knowing the wedding was cancelled a day before? A sense of shame arising inside of me as I realized how fate was not only punishing me for my sins, but also my parents.

Dragging my feet up the steps, I attempted to gather courage and strength, but failing as I got closer towards the front door remembering mom's threat on what would happen if something went wrong with the wedding...A sense of anxiousness clasped on to my strength while fear choked on my soul as my hands trembled when inserting the key into the main door.

Placing my hand on the door knob, I took a deep breath before opening it. A loud sound booming through the living the room as I heard a loud bang against the floor. Flinching back immediately, I held on to the door as my clutch dropped on to the floor.

"How dare she do this to us?! How dare she allow the world to throw this filthy muck on us and our honor?! How dare she?!" My father's voice rumbling through the home as I stumbled back feeling fearful on what may happen.

"Calm down! Calm down Anand!" Taaya ji yelled as I heard loud footsteps in the living room as their sound appeared to get louder.

My body going still as I held on to the door knob behind me precarious about whether I should take a step forward or walk away as something worse could happen. A small chill going down my spine as I felt my soul drop inciting a sense of lifelessness inside of me.

"What are you doing here?!" Immediately, my eyes shot up as I saw my father.

Rage over the of honor appearing to feed on to his soul as frustration over the loss of control on fate appearing to clench on to his heart. His eyes a deep shade of red as he took large, shallow breaths.

My heart stopping as I stood still not moving an inch. Tears slowly streaming down my cheeks as I held on to my dupatta attempting to find strength as I looked into my father's eyes.

"Tell me! How dare you step in my home?! How dare you bring your filth into my home?! How dare you tarnish our reputation in public in such manner?!" He screamed as he lunged towards me before Taayaji held him back.

Hearing footsteps, I looked up the stairs realizing it was Mom with Taayee ji standing behind her. Her eyes holding tears as her sorrow slowly began to change to anger seen in how her face began to turn red as she laid her eyes upon me.

"Get out! Get out!" She screamed as she ran down the stairs grabbing on to my arm tightly as I yelped.

"How dare you betray your family in such manner?! How dare you malign us?!" She yelled and suddenly she pushed me as my feet slipped making me fall on to the small table behind me igniting an instant, jabbing pain in my back.

"I cannot believe you ran away from home and got married! Not once telling us about such a huge part of your life! How dare you?!" Dad spat as saliva slowly drooled out of his mouth. His hand immediately jumping to his chest as he grabbed on to it.

"Papa!" I immediately lifted myself running towards him before Taayee ji grabbed me pushing me back as I stumbled.

"Get away! You cursed! The day you entered our family everything went ill! You are the source of our problems and one thing we had as our wealth...our honor and pride all gone because of you! Wow...what a great scheme? You are a gold digger who only loves money! You ran away from home with Shivaay because he had money. Of course, your marriage ended, but you ddin't care, you shamelessly pursued him and his cousin! Wow! What values?!" Taayee ji spat as she looked at me up and down appearing to analyze my character. My eyes widening as I heard her ill taunts that slowly unraveled and shattered the small dignity that I may still have left.

My breaths beginning to rumble and tumble as I hiccupped attempting to wipe my tears away as I tried to maintain composure and speak the truth wanting to eliminate the misunderstandings that erupted as barriers between us.

Folding my hands together, I looked up towards my parents as I gathered courage to speak. "I-I am s-sorry. I a-am s-so s-sorry. I know...I...m-made a m-mistake...I committed a s-sin...W-When I-I g-got m-married, I wanted to t-tell you, b-but y-you d-didn't w-want to talk to m-me...T-Then I g-got the divorce after which y-you found me a-and t-then y-you k-now I had a mental breakdown... All these y-years I have had difficulty in c-coping with t-this h-heartbreak and I-I was scared on c-confessing this secret b-because of what y-you would say knowing I g-got married, but also d-divorced...that I couldn't save my marriage..." My voice barely coming out of me as fear continued to grab on to me in a chokehold preventing me to fully express myself...and what I went through because I myself am not ready to face it.

Mom grabbing my shoulders as she gave me a deadly look. "How are we supposed to believe anything you say?! Shivaay claimed today that you both love one another and are in a relationship! Do you know what this means for your character?! People will assume many disgusting, filthy things about you seeing you like returning to your ex-husband...Do you understand?!" Mom shook me attempting to shake reality into me as I wiped my tears away realizing the weight her words held...

What have you done Shivaay? What have you done to me? I threw my head up in the air as I let my heart cry and whail in realizing how his actions had fully salvaged my soul...ripping me of everything that it cherished...my relationships, my honor, my pride...everything.

Grabbing mom's arm, I attempted to take her attention. "M-Mom...h-he's l-lying....T-There i-is n-nothing....nothing!" I urged as mom shook her head pushing my hand away.

"Nothing! Now when I think of it he is speaking the truth! I have seen the way he looks at you and how you look at him! You both find ways to spend time with one another! From Priyanka's wedding to Karva Chauth...the proof is there! Hell, you are so disgusting that you were indulging in romance with him while engaged to Armaan! You both were together after the wedding was announced at the Diwali party! And then today...today how he protected you in front of everyone! What was that?! That is love!...Shame on you Anika! I am so ashamed that I gave birth to you...a cursed woman who maligned us, ruined us, and ruined our wealth!" Mom screamed as she suddenly grabbed my arm as she looked back towards Dad who appeared to sit down on a sofa attempting to calm down as his blood pressure appeared to rise.

"Look at your father! Look what you have done! Get out Anika! Get out of our home! You have no right to stay in this house! Get out!" Mom yelled as she grabbed open the door. I shook my head grabbing on to her hand attempting to loosen her grasp. No, she cannot do this to me. She cannot. This is also my home. These are my parents. How can I just leave them? I cannot. I am their daughter and I cannot just leave them like this.

"No! Please! Let go! Let me stay here! I am your daughter! Please! How can I leave you all?!" I began to scream as Mom glared at me angrily with tears streaming down her cheeks.

Suddenly she pushed me as my feet flew back immediately dragging me down on the cement stairstep as my body hit it. My hands landing on the cement preventing me to fall down face flat. Lifting my head up, I looked towards my mom who stood above me as she looked at me who sat at her feet.

"You left us before didn't you...for Shivaay? So now go. Go to him! Go and live with him!" Mom spat as saliva came out of her mouth dragging her anger with it.

My eyes widening as I heard her words...Hope slowly slipping away as I saw her eyes reflecting a sense of vengeance...not an ounce of love apparent in her eyes...Only hatred.

Without saying another word, she slammed the door shut.

My dupatta slipping down my shoulder as I sat in silence. My eyes staring into space as loss of hope suddenly hit me. Life slowly slipping out of me as I sat still with heart screaming in the moment...as tonight began to run through my mind...The video...the revelation...the screams, the anger, the humiliation...the angst...the burying of my soul...Oh God, what have I done? Did my sins deserve this severe of a punishment?

I sighed as I looked at the door as it stood closed...How can my parents do this to me? How can they just throw me out of their lives like this? I know the sin I committed is unforgivable, but it's not that I indulged in an illlicit relationship after running away from home...I got married...I tied myself in a sacred bond with blessings of the divine...

No. No Mom cannot do this to me. She cannot. Mom cannot do this to me. My parents cannot do this. No I will not allow this to happen. Lifting myself up, I quickly slammed my hands against the door as I began to knock on it violently.

"Please open the door! Please mom! Please open the door! Please!" I began to scream as I continued to pound on the door as tears continued to stream down my cheeks. My body weakening as I continue to holler and scream hoping they would open the door.

"Mom listen to me! Dad please listen! Please open the door! Please!" I screamed as I heard the thunder rumble behind me indicating it was soon about to rain. I quickly turned around seeing the dark night before me as the wind began to pick up.

What am I going to do? My clutch is left inside...I don't have my phone...What am I going to do? A set of panic arising inside of me as I continued to slam my hands against the door to gauge their attention and plead my case. My heart violently beating against my chest as tears continued to push themselves out of my eyes as I felt a sense of helplessness slowly envelope me tightly.

"Please open the door...Please..." My voice slowly softening as I continued to plead hitting my hands against the door.

However, there was no response. Nobody opened the door. My body reaching a standstill as my hands began to burn as they scratched against the wood. My head beginning to spin as I placed my hand on the side of my temple attempting to balance myself.

Dragging my hand off the door, I turned towards the dark night realizing that no one was going to open the door.

A sense of loneliness slowly clasping itself on to me as I realized that I have always been alone...that there has been no one for me. No one.

My feet slowly slipping down the steps as I began to walk losing myself in my own thoughts. My dupatta slowly slipping down my shoulder as it dragged itself against the ground maligning itself with the dirt...The veil of dishonor clinging on to my tightly as I walked into a daze...Lifelessness clinging on to me as I walked in silence.

Am I truly nothing to anyone? Am I just a slab of mud that anyone can touch, mold, and then destroy?...Am I not a human being? Perhaps, all of this is my mistake...Of course it is considering what I have done...But then did I deserve the humiliation that happened to me tonight? Were my sins so severe that I deserved my honor being salvaged like this in public? Shivaay...I never thought that loving you would lead to such a big punishment....Why did you do this to me? Why? This was not love...This was your vengeance over the fact that my actions directly hit your ego...This was not love...How could you do this to me? After everything we have been through, I thought that somewhere you would have a soft spot for me...Somewhere you would've formed some respect for me making you not malign me in public in such manner...I brought your first child to this world...It was not my fault that fate take her away soon, but I...at least you should've shown some respect to the loyalty I gave to you as your wife and as the mother of your child...Why did you ruin me? Why?

As I walked to the end of the sidewalk, I halted in my steps as I stood in silence looking out to the dark night towards the two crossroads that stood in front of me. Where will I go now? Should I stay and wait? Maybe, mom and dad will come out in the morning and take me back...But then...perhaps they will not. The anger...the determination seen in them tells me that they may never take me back now. Never. I know how much they value honor, pride, and reputation...They may never take me back.

Clasping my hands on my mouth, I began to cry as my hair flew against my face as the wind began to pick up. My dupatta slipping off my shoulders as I clinged on to tightly. What have you done to me fate? Why have you brought me to such crossroads? Why have you left me alone?

The ground beneath began to spin as I stumbled placing my hand against my temple. My body going numb as I slipped down on to the cement. Angst slowly beginning to consume me as I felt an ache in my heart slowly arise. My eyes falling on to my hands peering into my fate lines that darkened with the red color of mehendi that laid on it. Why did fate bring me to this point of complete loss...isolation...helplessness?

Wrapping my hands around my knees, I laid my head on them as I began to cry. Where will I go now? I don't have anything...Nothing...Lifting my head up I looked up at the heavens questioning my destiny as I felt raindrops slowly beginning to fall on top of me.

Shivaay you have completely ruined me...and now no one can piece me back together...No one...Not even me. Now I have nothing...Nothing to cling on to. Shivaay, I will never love you. Never. The humiliation and shame that you have brought upon me will never allow me to love you...Never.

Slowly my vision began to blur as a sense of darkness began to swirl in front of my eyes. My body weakening as I placed my hand on my womb feeling another cramp inside of it. A sense of revulsion captivating me as I began to feel my breaths getting shallow...And in an instant everything went blank.

Shivaay's Point of View

https://youtu.be/dV3pkeR0MHg

Anika...I know what I did tonight has hurt you a lot, but then...my love just couldn't let go of you. I couldn't see you with another man...I know you love me. I can see it in your eyes that you love me...I know my betrayal has pained you which has led you to not be able to accept the love that you still have for me which I understand, but it doesn't mean I will allow you to walk away with another man with whom you will never be able to find love...The love you had for me was passionate and selfless to a point that I know you can never love anyone else besides me...And I will make you realize this soon...I will now work on the both of us and I will thread our relationship together.

The car made a turn as I looked out the window as small drizzle of rain began to fall. My eyes moving out into the dark night as suddenly they stopped.

Shock slowly approaching me as my body went still wanting to not believe what I was seeing.

My eyes observing the figure that was laying on the sidewalk at the corner of the street as I peered closely realizing it was Anika.

"Stop! Stop the car!" I yelled at the driver as he pressed the brakes hard making the tires screech.

My body beginning to tremble as I quickly opened the door not being able to believe what I was seeing. My feet slamming against the dirt as I ran towards her as she laid limp. Her hair falling across her face as her lips were beginning to quiver in the cold wind.

"Anika! Anika! What happened?!" A sense of panic setting in as I hit my knee against the ground placing my hand under her head lifting it up and placing it against my chest. Running my hands through her hair, I placed it to the side as I began to shake her.

"Anika...Anika come to your senses! Anika!" I called out to her as her eyes remained closed. Her lips quivering as she appeared to begin to shiver violently in the cold.

My arms immediately wrapping around her tightly as I pulled her into my chest beginning to rub my hands around her shoulders. What is wrong with her? A sense of fear arising inside of me as I ran my hands against her cheeks finding that they were too warm to touch. Tracing my hand against her skin, I placed it on her forehead realizing she had a fever.

"Sir, is she ok?" The driver asked he peered over my shoulder.

I sighed as I shook my head placing my hand on the side of her neck as I attempted to bring her back to conscience. "She has a fever I believe and is unconscious. Get me a water bottle," I spoke as a sense of worry approached me.

"Anika...you will be fine ok?" I spoke softly as I leaned my lips against her ears. My eyes turning back to her home that was a few blocks down.

What is she doing here outside so late at night? I raised my eyebrow looking at the house curiously...Wait her parents had ordered her to not ever come back to their home...Did they kick her out? They didn't allow her to come inside? My eyes widening as I looked towards Anika perturbed by the thought of what had happened...

"Sir here's the bottle," The drive said handing me the water bottle as I quickly opened it slowly leaning the water on to my palm splashing it on to Anika's face.

The water droplets falling on her face, but failing to awaken her as she continued to shiver. No this is not good. I have to take her with me. She is definitely suffering from a high fever.

Wrapping my hands around her waist, I placed my arm underneath her knees immediately lifting her up as I looked towards her. Her head leaning against my shoulder as she appeared to mumble something.

"Anika you will be fine ok..." I whispered to her as the driver opened the door for me.

My arms laying her delicately on to the seat as I immediately grabbed a seat pulling her into an embrace as she continued to shiver. My hands tracing the ends of her dupatta as I slowly wrapped it around her as her lips brushed against my chest as her head hit it.

Quickly taking off my coat, I wrapped it around her as she continued to shiver. My heart beating quickly and twisting in angst as I looked at her suffering. My arms pulling her closely against my chest as she continued to mumble.

"Where to sir?" The driver asked as I looked up towards him.

Where to? I took a deep breath as I looked back towards her as she continued to shiver in her fever. I cannot take her home due to the poor mentality of my family...I sighed as I pressed my hands against my temple.

"Um...take me to the Red Willow Hotel," I noted realizing that was the best place at the moment to take her.

My eyes falling down towards Anika as she laid against my chest continuing to shiver as I laid my chin against her head running my hands through her hair. My eyes falling down to her face noticing dried tears on her cheeks as she appeared to have cried. Her tears appearing to tug on to my heart as I ran my hands against her cheeks.

How they must've treated her? I felt a sense of anger remembering how mother slapped her in front of everyone...If she did that in public then what else must've she done to her. I sighed as I tightened my grip on her shoulder slowly rubbing it as I grabbed her hand and placed it in mines' rubbing it tenderly as I looked at her innocence.

I will protect you now Anika. Now no one will be able to hurt you. You are not alone anymore as I am here to hold, to protect you, and love you...From now on you are mine as I have claimed you as my wife tonight by putting that sindoor on you...I see myself as your husband and now I will fulfill the vows I made...Soon we will be together and I know soon we will officially marry after which I will always be there for you reading to protect you and love you...

.....

What do you think will happen next?

Author's Note: Shivaay's point of view will be deeply explained in Chapter 32 and begin his path to redemption. In this chapter he still is a bit self centered, aloof, and failing to acknowledge his mistake and realize what Anika is currently feeling and going through. Thank you for understanding :)

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Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! :)

Ciao!

-Jasmine