“Where will we find him?” I ask quietly.
She hesitates for a moment before murmuring, “His guest house… on Hillview Road. That’s where he told me to meet him to hand over my abortion report.”
What a complete ass.I don’t say it aloud, while Samarth’s jaw tightens and his foot presses harder on the accelerator.
The drive to the guest house is nothing but a silent war. None of us speak. I guess we’re all lost in our own battles, each trying to figure out how this will end.
An hour later, Samarth finally pulls up outside an imposing house. My eyes take in the polished white marble steps leading up to a heavy oak door, set against dark grey stone walls. Narrow, shuttered windows line the façade, and wrought-iron railings glint under the dim evening sun, giving the place a cold, fortress-like aura.
Samarth kills the engine, and I twist in my seat to look at Sonia. Her hands are clasped so tightly that her knuckles have turned white.
I reach across and wrap my fingers around hers, giving them a firm squeeze.
“Don’t worry,” I whisper gently. “You’re not alone. We’re right here with you.”
She gives me a nod as we step out together. Samarth leads the way while I walk beside Sonia, who clings lightly to my arm.We climb the marble stairs, and on reaching the door, Samarth presses the metal bell mounted above it.
A few seconds later, a young maid opens the door.
“Yes?” she asks, her eyes flicking between us.
“We’re here for Veer Rathore,” Samarth replies.
Before the maid can respond, an overly cheerful voice calls out from inside. “What a surprise.”
I glance over her shoulder and see the jerk himself. I may never have met him before, but I’ve seen enough pictures to know he’s Veer Rathore. And now, seeing him in person only confirms what I’ve heard about him. It’s impossible to miss the arrogance in his persona—loose shirt, tousled dark hair, and that unmistakable confidence. Around twenty-nine, he wears that infuriating look of a spoiled brat, the kind that screams he’s used to getting everything he wants without ever lifting a finger.
“Veer,” Sonia whispers, her fingers tightening around mine.
I don’t bother with pleasantries. Instead, I lock eyes with him. “We need to talk.”
“Please,” he says with a mocking bow. “Come in.”
The three of us cross the threshold. The maid closes the door behind us and disappears to her left. As soon as I take a step inside, the stale smell of cigarettes and booze hits my nostrils. I bet this is where he spends all his party nights.
When we reach the living room, my eyes take in the polished dark wooden floors, plush cream-coloured rugs, abstract art adorning the walls, and heavy velvet drapes framing tall windows. Every piece of furniture looks expensive. Meticulously curated, and perfectly placed.
Veer flops onto the couch, his brown eyes roaming lazily over us as we stand opposite him. “Sweetheart, I asked you to bring me your abortion report to confirm you got rid of the baby. But here you are… with your lackeys.”
“How dare you take advantage of her?” Samarth spits.
Veer shrugs casually. “I didn’t take advantage of her, man. She was willing. We both had a good time.”
My jaw tightens, my hands clenching at my sides. “You ruined her life. Do you even know she went to the hospitalaloneto get the abortion?”
Veer leans back, amused. “So? Was she expecting me to send an army of people to the hospital for her?”
“Not an army,” Samarth snaps back at once. “You were supposed to be there with her.”
Veer scoffs. “If I had to accompany every woman I got pregnant, I’d be living in hospitals. Come on, you need to know I’m a very busy man,” he says, wearing his arrogant smirk.
Samarth’s face hardens. “You’re a fucking coward. Too gutless to own up to your responsibilities.”
“Oh, spare me the moral sermon. If you want, I’ll reimburse her for the abortion. Hell, I’ll even pay her for the night she—”
He doesn’t get to finish.
Samarth yanks him by the collar, hauling him to his feet.
