Me:I need you to dig into Deepak’s background. See if he’s ever had any link to Prakash. I want it all—calls, locations, mutual contacts. Leave nothing unchecked.
I hit send, then slide the phone back into my pocket and head straight to the nurses’ station.
On reaching the counter, I flash my badge to the nurse behind the desk. “I need access to the visitor log from yesterday, specifically for Mr. Deepak. He claims he was here for a routine check-up. I want the exact time he checked in, how long he stayed, and who his doctor was.”
The young nurse blinks, clearly startled, but quickly recovers and nods. “Yes, sir. Just give me a moment.”
I cross my arms over my chest, watching her work, my face impassive. Deepak’s name had floated around the edges of thiscase once, just enough to raise an eyebrow. But we dismissed it when we couldn’t find anything solid against him. And when we finally got our hands on Prakash, we stopped digging any deeper. Figured the case was closed. Maybe that was our mistake.
Every instinct in me is screaming that we missed something. I’ve met enough men to recognize the ones who pretend to care, standing right in front of you with a polite smile, when all they really want is revenge. And with Deepak and Kavya’s history, and the way Nisha had lashed out at him, it’s not hard to see why he’d want to hurt her. He’s got motive. Now I just need proof.
The nurse hands me the tablet. I scroll through the log, my finger pausing when I spot his name logged in yesterday at ten in the morning. It was just minutes after we’d arrived. So, he was here for his so-called routine check-up. He wasn’t lying. But that doesn’t mean he’s clean.
My jaw clenches so tight it aches. Maybe that check-up was just a cover, a way to make his presence look like a damn coincidence so no one would question it.
I hand the tablet back with a curt nod and head straight to Sunita Aunty’s room. I’ve nothing solid to pin on Deepak, but he still seems fishy as hell. I can feel it in my gut. And until I figure out exactly what he’s hiding, I’m not letting my guard down. Not even for a damn second.
Taking a deep breath, I push open the door and step inside, only to freeze.
Nisha is sitting stiffly in the chair by the bed. She doesn’t even look up. Her eyes are locked on her phone, her brows drawn tight, and her shoulders tense.
Something’s wrong.
I walk over to her, my heart pounding.
“Nisha?” I keep my voice low, careful not to startle her. “What is it?”
Slowly, she looks up. Her face is pale. Then, without saying a word, she holds out the phone.
I take it from her, and every muscle in my body goes still as I read the message.
Princess, how’s your Sunita Aunty doing? Sending your dear aunt to the hospital was part of my revenge. You put Prakash behind bars, so I returned the favor by laying your precious Sunita Aunty in that hospital bed. That score’s settled. But don’t think for a second that I’m finished. I want more—more fear, more pain, more of you breaking apart. You see, this monster isn’t done. I promised to destroy you, and I never break my promises.
My fingers clamp around the phone, cold fury pulsing through every nerve in my body.
“Sidharth…”
At the sound of Nisha’s voice, I draw in a deep breath and crouch in front of her, so we’re eye level.
“When did this come in?”
“A few minutes ago,” she whispers, then hesitates before adding, “I’m sure whoever’s helping Prakash has some ulterior motive. Something tells me it’s not just about revenge for sending him to jail. This feels deeper. Like hate. Real hate.” Her eyes search mine, confused and scared. “But what could I have possibly done to make someone hate me enough to join hands with Prakash?”
Her question burns in my gut as well. “It’s a possibility.”
“You think so?”
I hesitate just for a moment, but I’ve learned to trust my instincts. That’s when I tell her, “Deepak was here to check on Sunita Aunty and said he wanted to see you.”
Her eyes widen. “Why the hell would he care?”
“Maybe he has his reasons.”
I think she catches the meaning behind my words, because her face drains of color.
“You think it could be… Deepak?”
“It’s possible. He’s got enough reason to want to see you hurt. After what happened between him and Kavya, and the way you confronted him, maybe he wants payback. Maybe he’s been helping Prakash from the start.”
