Chapter 25: Chapter 25

*James Pov*

After saying the words ‘I Do’, she didn’t utter a single word and moved like a robot, even while walking out of the church. I can see David at the entrance, staring at us in shock and he is even letting the tears out openly.

I know she is walking beside me and thought there will be some interaction from either one of them, but seems like he is shocked by the turn of events.

Even I am feeling the shock with myself that I followed her words like this, but all I can think of at that moment was to calm her down because I know the baby is really important.

And the words I heard from her doctor is that there shouldn’t be any stress otherwise it will really effect. But after it’s done, I don’t know what to even say to anyone and I don’t know what is going on in her head. At least she is not hyperventilating like before and calmed down after hearing my words.

As I need to take another way from the entrance to reach the car because of stairs, I turned and she just followed that way itself instead of taking the stairs. It’s like she is absent-mindly following the chair and thinking of nothing else.

“James!” I can hear Mom calling me and she is following us too.

“Let’s go home first, Mom.” I said without turning around and finally reached my personal car.

After getting into the car, I adjusted the seat to its original state so that she can sit down and the driver started the car after the door is closed.

“Do you want some water?” I asked after a few minutes, but it’s just silence from her side.

“Palak! Do you know where we are going right now? If you want to be dropped at your place, then I will ask the driver. You need to tell me the address.” I added, staring at her face, but she is just staring outside.

“Palak!” I repeated, raising my voice feeling frustrated with all this mess.

“Cancelled the lease.” That’s all she said without going into the details making me sigh and after that even I stayed silent.

However, it seems everyone else took a shortcut because they already reached the place by the time we passed the main gate.

I can see that effect on her because she started shaking. I didn’t know what to do except waiting for her decision, but I already got out of the car from the other side.

By the time I reached her side, she is already standing outside. I found her to be the person who can be read easily, but now she is having this cover on the face which is completely opposite to her nature.

I calmly started moving towards the door and she is definitely following me. As the door is already open, I can see everyone waiting for us.

I paused near the door after passing it to find Mom and Jasmine sitting on the couch along with Harsha but his wife is not present which kind of reduces one worry for sure.

I don’t want her to be present here and talk about my health for sure when the matter, we will be dealing is something else. Even Shruthi is calmly sitting with a look of triumph on her face.

To my surprise even David’s manager along with his CEO is present. I wish the outsiders are not here when the issue is related to our family but I just kept quiet.

“Palak!” David rushed to the door the moment I shifted away for her to enter the house.

She simply dodged his hands, stepping away from him before following me when I started moving towards the couch to reach Mom but he followed her repeating her name.

“Mom!” I called, but she just shifted her gaze one after the other over three of us.

“Now, I want to know what is actually happening here. After fighting with me during all these days, why did you take that step, David?” she asked, staring at him and I turned around to stare at both of them while he is staring at her not even glancing at Mom.

“I need to talk to her.” He replied instead forwarding his hand to hold her elbow, but she again shifted away from the place she is standing.

“David! What you did today was a shock to all of us and we need to know the story.” Harsha asked in a worried tone.

“Palak! You didn’t get my message? You even replied to me, right? What is this, Palak?” He asked, ignoring all of us while staring at her with pleading eyes.

I stared at him in shock hearing that. What message is he talking about and what does that has to do with all of this? Is it something more than what we saw with our eyes?

“First of all, how did you know the details about the accident when Mom and I covered up everything from Jasmine and you. We made sure that there is no news spread too. So, did you plan this after we all met at the hotel or before?” I asked, staring at him, remembering Shruthi talking about someone helping her with the revenge and I really hope it is not him from that time.

He closed his eyes, hearing my question, but opened them, saying, “Do you remember I came to the company after getting discharged from the hospital after my accident last year to meet you? I found the details you hid in the drawer of your table regarding the Anand family. I realized you were planning to take revenge on that family and I just wanted to help you in that.”

“He contacted me saying he wants to get transferred to Lonavla branch no matter what. I didn’t accept that for sure, but then he explained the motive. I don’t know what to do except to let him go, but make sure he doesn’t do anything to harm his career, I sent Satish with him to keep an eye on him.” His CEO suddenly commented while staring at Palak with guilty eyes.

“Wait! What do you mean he wanted to take revenge?” Mom asked, stopping him while I closed my eyes realizing what is he talking about.

“I planned to take revenge on that family after we lost the case.” I replied instead of David, opening my eyes and there was a pause in the atmosphere right after that. However, I can see Palak stepping away from me and ended up near Harsha even though her expression is still blank.

*Shruthi Pov*

“But I stopped the plan having some other important matters to deal with when I realized the company is in trouble.” He added making me snort.

“David actually brought the pictures of those details near me to ask what is actually going on.” I added when everyone stayed quiet after James gave out that statement.

“Of course! I had to tell him everything and it was a quiet shock for me too. Because when I tried to find information regarding their whole family, I couldn’t find anything about her, but he managed to find it.” I continued ignoring the glare James is passing me.

“You need to stop talking, Shruthi.” James warned, but I just smiled at him.

“Why? Aunty wants to know everything, right? And if I don’t talk, then how will anyone of you can know.” I pointed out before glancing at Palak who is staring at me this time.

“You still don’t know, right? James’s wife was my best friend who died because of your brother. And by the way, I am even the sister of your brother’s Ex-fiance.” I explained and her eyes widened, which is kind of satisfying rather than her blank look.

“You must have known what your brother did to my sister and on top of that he caused this accident. And hearing this news even David got into an accident during his race, which caused damage to his perfect career too. So, now you can get the clear idea why I wanted revenge along with James from the beginning.” I added, but she continued to stare at me without saying any word.

“Shruthi!” James and David called my name at a time as a warning, but I just smiled at them.

“What? You both are the reason for her to end up like this.” I pointed out rolling my eyes.

“Anyone interested in knowing my plan?” I asked, standing up from my place still feeling the happiness to finally see the family that destroyed mine and killed my best friend.

How dare them to just lead their life as if nothing happened when my sister is trying her best to overcome the depression while my best friend is lying in a grave? Now, that bastard just lost the most valuable thing in his life. He will never be able to take part in the company affairs without having someone breathing down on his neck with his whole reputation damaged before shareholders.

And their father who tried everything to save his son will know the future of his valuable daughter destroyed. Now, you will know the pain of my family.

“If only you didn’t back away from taking revenge on her brother, I wouldn’t have involved David at all. Because he just got to know the information, but not much at that time too. However, when you took a step back, I involved him completely thinking he will just mess up with her and I can try to make you change your decision. But then he changed my plan, didn’t he?” I asked the last question reaching David, who is staring at Palak without giving me any attention making me smirk.

“I didn’t give up though when I realized he is planning to marry her because I really thought you will not be able to bear seeing that family becoming your In-laws. Why was I so wrong? I mean, to increase your anger by making you see the careless living off her, I even planned everything with Dr. Harsha too.” I shook my head, frowning at James still not understanding why was he so supportive regarding this relation.

And to top of that, he actually married her. I mean, her family killed the wife he loved so much and didn’t even receive any punishment. Or is he planning something on his own? I thought lost in my thoughts for a second.

“Even after all that, I didn’t do much planning except for showing David your family’s real intentions from time to time.” I shrugged, coming out of my thoughts and found her moving away from Dr. Harsha after hearing my words.

“That was my plan. I didn’t succeed and had to take many turns, but I am fine with this too.” I added returning to my place, ignoring the glare from James.

After that no one said any word and I can see Aunty looking at all of us in complete shock while Jasmine is just looking lost. She shouldn’t hear all this, but I completely forgot about her presence.

“How did you get involved, Dr. Harsha?” Aunty asked, turning towards him who is glancing at Palak in intervals.

“Shruthi told me that James needs to find a closure from the incident that happened and hiring Dr. Palak as his consultant would make that happen. I felt the same at that time and hired her.” He explained this time glancing at me with a frown.

*Mrs. Anthony Pov*

It’s been more than a year since I sat in the corridor before the emergency room waiting for my younger son’s operation just after a few weeks of my elder son’s huge loss in his life.

Those two times in the emergency room for their operations still bring down the whole determination I think I had from the time I got married to the person I loved.

I thought everything was fine now with James getting proper therapy while waiting for a miracle and David getting completely involved in the company matters reducing the burden from James.

And then David brought this girl who is like a picture showing what is lost in this family. Every time I hear about their family, I felt the same and seeing that family member is no different.

But making that person as a part of this family is not something I wish for no matter what. However, I had to give in looking at the determination in David which I never saw even when he fought with his brother to go into the racing profession.

Now, all I can hear is everyone of them is uncovering the things I never expected them to be involved in. Right this moment, I wish I had a big heart to give that girl a hug. But all this doesn’t explain the ceremony that actually happened. And why did we never know about her being James’s doctor?

I still can’t believe that David fought with me all these days to just give her up in the end. I can see him standing there with shock and pain in his eyes, but it completely contradicts what we all heard today.

“David! You need to start your explanation.” I asked, staring at him, but as usual, he is ignoring all of us except to stare at her and he reacted only for Shruthi’s words.

“Mom! I really need to talk to her. I will tell you everything later.” He pleaded, turning to stare at me.

“This doesn’t involve just her, David. You better start your explanation.” I warned him and he glanced at everyone before finally opening his mouth.

“I went to her hospital with the plan to just date her like Shruthi and I planned… but I realized it is not a right step. So, I immediately returned back thinking I will never meet her again. I couldn’t help but miss her though, and when Bhai forced me to join the company, all I can think of is to meet her and somehow we ended up meeting again.” He started glancing at her.

“I started falling for her, but later when I heard her support for the brother of hers, I realized how wrong I was by being harsh to Bhai. He lost so much, but still trying to support the company and I went along with Shruthi’s plan, but this time to just harm her brother.” He added.

“He actually planned to keep her in his life, but even destroy her family at the same time.” Shruthi snorted and this time I glared at her even between the shock I am feeling hearing his words.

“Because I love her and I thought I will succeed in the company to not let her brother win. I wanted to marry her and spend my life. I never lied about it, Palak.” He pleaded stepping forward, but hesitated seeing her standing stiffly.

“I found out that her family accepted for this marriage to completely cause damage to your company and succeed their’s which made David beat up him too. Her brother was actually bragging how useless is James now and David is their family. So, the next generation will be starting by his sister. The words he was uttering were nowhere near as polite. He realized what is more important and cancelled the wedding.” Shruthi continued.

“No!” David immediately shouted.

“I tried to call her, but the line didn’t get connected and so I sent her a message explaining everything when I was called to enter the hall. She even replied me her acceptance. I told her that I will explain in detail, but just to understand me this time. I told her we will meet within an hour at her house after I cancel the ceremony. But… but… why… why…” he trailed off, staring at her with questions and confusion along with pain.

We all turned towards her direction when we heard her laughing to find her actually laughing while shaking her head at us.

“I am kind of tired. So, I will sit down.” She stated before sitting on the chair and we just stared at her in shock.

“Why did you marry James then? And why did you marry her, James?” I asked both of them feeling scared for James with the way she laughed.

“Because…” James started, but she just chuckled with no humor before raising her hand.

“Let me get this straight. So, Mr. James Anthony planned for a revenge, but then got sidetracked because of other matters as those became priority. Then Ms. Shruthi tried to persuade Mr. James to continue the plan and took all kinds of steps, including the usage of his brother and I think my return to this city is also the successful plan of yours.” She started pointing each of them.

“Now, coming to the great Mr. David Mattew. Seems like you got confused with your own plans. But it’s nice to see everyone in this room to have their own plan and you all really had your chance.” She added, nodding at us before taking a deep breath and gave us a smile.

“Now, listen to my plan. I married him to get the revenge for all the pain you all planned for my sake. And he married me because he will get a chance to take revenge on my family with my help. That is the reason.” She stated, folding her arms with a look challenging all of us.

I held my hands together on my lap, but they continued to shake seeing the intensity in her look. I tried to take deep breaths to control my fear, but I don’t think I should take her words in a careless manner.

“Palak!” David said, kneeling before her to hold her hands tightly after pulling them forward in a pleading tone.

“I love you! And it was my stupidity to let my emotions win over the things that are most important. Please forgive me, Palak. I love you!” he just repeated those words and I closed my eyes not wishing to witness my sons’s pain oozing in his actions and words.

“You shouldn’t be like this with your sister-in-law, Mr. Mattew.” I opened my eyes hearing her cold tone.

“Mom!” Jasmine whispered shifting closer to me and hugged me tightly.

I can feel her worry too. I opened my mouth, but Palak already pushed him away with force making him fall back.

“I am really tired with today’s events. Can I go to the room now?” she asked glancing at James.

“My luggage must have already got transferred to this place, right?” she asked turning to glance at Satish.

“Y… yes! I… I kept them in David’s… room.” He replied stuttering.

“You didn’t stutter while lying along with him.” She mumbled shaking her head.

“Get someone to shift it to Mr. James room.” She added before standing up, but David immediately circled his arms around her legs.

“David!” I called him getting up along with Jasmine.

“Palak! Trust me! Please and… please just… let’s talk. Please!” he pleaded, holding her legs tightly.

“Sure! Let’s talk after I am done with my plan, Mr. Mattew. Haven’t I given more than a year for your plan? Now, try to be respectful to your brother’s wife.” Saying that she tried to take a step forward but he didn’t let her and he completely ignored when we all tried to call him so that he can stop this.

“I have asked for only one thing. Do you remember?” she asked after struggling for a few minutes in a whisper and he stared at her in shock.

“You have done just the opposite to that when I stood there in the church. So, do you have a right to stop me?” she asked, staring at his face and his arms lost the grip after which she calmly stepped away from him before gesturing James who continued to stare at David.

However, he shifted his chair and moved towards the room he is staying with her following him and the door closed behind them. I turned to see David kneeling on the floor with a lost look on his face.

*Palak Pov*

The moment I closed the door, I covered my mouth feeling the bile rising. I glanced around only to find the room to be an office room and not a bedroom.

Gulping down, I immediately added, “Bathroom?”

He gestured to a door and I rushed inside only to find myself in a bedroom now. I shook my head and followed the instruction he uttered from the office room before reaching the washroom.

I locked the door and let out the bile that tried to come out all this time. I had to vomit everything out before washing my face finally feeling the relief.

A few days back, I thought I was really lucky that I didn’t have morning sickness or any other difficult matter except to take care of my health for my baby’s sake. Who would have thought?

I covered my mouth to stop the sob from coming out realizing I am even trying to analyze my stupid vomit just so I can ignore everything that happened today.

Suddenly I can hear all their plans again and again in my head, making me shift my hands to cover my ears hoping to stop those words.

“No!” I whispered realizing I let out the tears and shifted my hands from my ears.

“No! You are not supposed to cry.” I added, staring at the mirror to cover my eyes this time.

“No!” I whispered when the sobs started and the words in my head are not helping.

“Urgh!” I screamed not knowing how to block the words in my head, the tears and the sobs that are starting.

“Please! Please, stop these.” I pleaded with myself to control my emotions somehow, but this time I have to hold the washbasin feeling weak to even stand.

“Please!” I pleaded staring at the mirror wishing the person I am looking at can somehow stop me from losing myself like this.

Didn’t I decide to not let them effect standing there while listening to the plans they made? Didn’t I? Then why? You can’t lose this soon.

“Baby! Remember the baby.” I started chanting the words and tried to not lose my balance.

I took deep breaths without giving a pause to stop the tears and fill my mind only about my baby along with the problems I may receive if they find out about my baby.

“My baby!” I repeated finally getting the strength to stand without the support and caressing my stomach praying that today’s events didn’t cause any more complications.

“Pull yourself together, Palak. You need to go right now and make sure there are no complications.” I whispered taking a deep breath to step out of the washroom.