Sana flinches, but before she can speak, her mom lashes out. “Are you not ashamed? As a woman, how can you speak about another woman like this? Just because she loves your son doesn’t mean she has an ulterior motive. Maybe it’s time you stopped seeing the worst in people and started trusting your own son’s judgment.”
“Why should I feel ashamed? Don’t forget, it’s our reputation on the line. We have every right to do whatever it takes to protect it—even if that means getting your daughter out of my son’s life.” Mom seethes, then adds, “And I might trust his judgment if he weren’t so blinded by emotions that make him reckless and blind to the obvious.” She glares at Sana’s mom. “Have all the faith you want in your daughter. But I can’t. No respectable woman puts herself in situations that invite disgrace.”
“Respectable women?” I scoff. “Mom, you want to talk about respect? Then maybe start by showing some yourself.”
“Aditya…” Mom starts, but I cut her off. Her words have already done enough damage.
“Mom, do you really think I’m some naive fool who doesn’t know his own mind?” I shake my head, exhaling harshly. “I’m telling you this one last time, Mom—what happened at my farmhouse is none of your concern, and it sure as hell isn’t something you get to twist into some disgusting accusation. Sana doesn’t have to prove her worth to you or anyone else.” My jaw sets firm as I hold her gaze, unflinching. “And if you keep pushing this—if you keep disrespecting the woman I love—you will lose me.” I take a steady breath, my eyes still locked onto hers. “Now, are we going to discuss the wedding dates, or are we leaving?”
“A cheap woman like her can never be the daughter-in-law of this family!” Mom spits out. “I don’t mind paying her a hefty sum to get her out of your life. But I will never accept her.”
Rage roars through my veins, ready to unleash hell. But before I can even open my mouth, Sana’s mom speaks. “We are—” she begins, her voice trembling, but she never gets to finish her sentence. A strangled gasp leaves her lips, and in the next second, she sways on her feet.
“Mom!” Sana cries out as she lunges forward just in time to catch her before she hits the floor. I’m already moving, my heart pounding.
“Aunty!” I kneel beside them as I watch her body go limp in Sana’s arms.
Sana cries as she strokes her mother’s cheek. “Mom, please… wake up,” she whispers, her voice cracking with panic.
“We need to get her to the hospital, now!” I say urgently, already sliding my arms beneath her.
Sana nods frantically, tears streaming down her face.
Wasting no time, I scoop Sana’s mom into my arms and rush towards the door. Sana stumbles beside me, struggling to keep up.
We burst out of the house and race to my car. I yank the door open and carefully lay Sana’s mom in the backseat. Sana scrambles in beside her, clutching her mother’s hand tightly. Her whole body trembles, her eyes wide with sheer desperation as she looks up at me.
“Drive, please!” she pleads, her voice breaking.
I press a quick kiss to her forehead before slamming the door shut and rushing to the driver’s seat. In one swift motion, I start the car and hit the gas, speeding toward the hospital. Stealing glances at the rearview mirror, I catch Sana sobbing beside her unconscious mom, her hands gripping her mother’s, fear etched across her face.
Ten minutes later, I pull up in front of the hospital entrance and jump out. “Help! We need help here!” I shout, rushing to the backseat and yanking the door open.
A couple of hospital staff rush towards us with a stretcher just as I lift Sana’s mom into my arms again. Her head falls back against my chest, her face ghostly pale, her breathing still worryingly shallow.
Sana jumps out right behind me, her hands trembling as she clings to her mom’s arm. The nurses rush over, helping me carefully place her onto a stretcher before immediately wheeling her inside.
“What happened?” one of them asks as they push her towards the emergency room.
“She collapsed suddenly,” I say, my voice tight.
“We’ll take it from here. Please wait outside—we’ll update you as soon as we assess her condition,” the nurse says.
Sana grips my arm tightly as we watch them wheel her mom through the double doors, disappearing from sight. The moment the doors swing shut, she lets go and starts pacing back and forth, her breathing erratic.
I exhale sharply, running a hand through my hair before stepping in front of her, gently stopping her movement. “Sana, she’s in good hands now,” I say softly. “The doctors will take care of her.”
She doesn’t reply. The worry in her eyes doesn’t fade as her eyes flick towards the doors, her lips pressed into a thin line as if she’s barely keeping her composure.
“Sana,” I try again, reaching for her hand, but she jerks away, shaking her head.
“No,” she says sharply. “Don’t tell me she’ll be okay. Don’t tell me to calm down when your mom…” Her voice breaks, and she turns away, wrapping her arms around herself as she tries to steady her breathing.
I exhale, my jaw clenched as I watch her, hating that it was my own mom who caused this. Hating that I can’t do a damn thing to ease her pain. My fists tighten at my sides, but I push the anger down. I’ll deal with my mom later.
Right now, the only thing that matters is the woman standing in front of me, and making sure she doesn’t fall apart.
Chapter 37
