Dad scoffs, but there’s no real irritation there. Only reluctant tenderness.
Mom ignores him and looks at me. “Now go quickly and get the bread before he wakes up.”
I nod, my heart fluttering. I can feel it in my bones. Things are finally going to be right.
???
“Sweetheart, where are you?” Dev complains the moment I put the phone to my ear.
“Mom asked me to pick up bread from the bakery for breakfast,” I reply.
“You should have woken me. Why did you go alone?” His tone is half-scolding, half-protective, and I can already picture that over-annoyed, possessive look on his face.
“Well,” I say, tossing the bread into my basket, “Mom wanted to make it for you and surprise you. I didn’t want to ruin it by waking you. Besides,” I pause, smirking despite myself, “you looked way too drained, playing the role of the perfect son-in-law yesterday. I thought you could use the rest.”
“Will you stop being smart for once?” he growls, though I can hear the smile in his voice.
“Nope. I love getting a rise out of you,” I reply, already heading towards the checkout.
“I bet you do,” he agrees, then adds, “So are you coming soon, or do you want me to come get you?”
“I’ll be there in five minutes,” I smile as I place the order on the conveyor belt.
“If you’re not here in five minutes, I’ll come get you.”
“I’ll be there,” I say, rolling my eyes as I swipe my card.
“See you, sweetheart.”
I smile at the cashier, gather my bags, and head towards the exit.
“Love you,” I murmur, hanging up and slipping my phone into my purse. I shift the shopping bag, open my car door, andtoss it inside. The second I shut the door, everything happens all at once. A sudden force yanks me backwards. A hand clamps over my mouth, smothering my scream before it can escape. I kick and thrash, panic rising through me as I try to break free, but I am overpowered and dragged into a waiting jeep. I am immediately shoved inside, and the door slams shut behind me. My knees and face slam hard against the seat, trapping me inside. I am about to push myself up, but a hand pins me down, and a cold blade presses against my throat. Panic explodes in my chest, my heart hammering wildly.
“Finally got you, bitch,” a strange, husky voice breathes against my ear.
My eyes sting, and numbness seeps into every part of me, draining the strength from my body and stealing my will to fight. The hand over my mouth lifts, but before I can even gasp for air, rough hands wrench my arms behind my back. A second later, the rope bites into my wrists as they’re bound tightly, cutting off any chance of escape.
Hot tears spill down my cheeks before I can stop them. Then a sudden, brutal blow crashes into the side of my head. The world around me tilts, and suddenly, everything goes black.
Chapter 28
Dev
“She’ll be home any minute.” Meera’s mom says again.
I stop pacing mid-step and turn towards her. She’s sitting at the dining table, cutting vegetables with composed ease, while my heart pounds, screaming that something isn’t right.
“She isn’t picking up her phone,” I say instead of voicing my fear.
Her mom’s face softens, and she gives me a look that’s almost maternal.
“You worry just like her dad,” she smiles at me.
I don’t blame the old man. I worry too much about Meera too.
Holding her gaze, I reply, “I can’t help it… She’s my everything.”
“That’s all a mother ever wants,” she says softly. “Someone who loves her daughter the way she deserves to be loved.” She pauses, her eyes kind but knowing. “Her dad may be stubborn at the moment, but he’ll soon come around. He’ll accept you wholeheartedly when he sees what I already do.” She holds my eyes with a quiet certainty, giving me hope that the stubborn man won’t hold a grudge against me for long.
