I tumble out of the car and rush to her vehicle. The door is unlocked and the grocery bag sits inside.
“Let’s go in and check,” Samarth says quietly at my side.
I nod, and we push into the store, our eyes sweeping every corner like madmen.
We approach the cashier and ask about Meera.
“She left about thirty minutes ago,” she says.
At her words, I bolt for the exit, every worst-case scenario running through my head. I scan the area again, but there’s still no sign of her. I press my hands to my face, panic clawing at me.
Meera… where are you?
Samarth’s hand lands on my shoulder, but I barely register it before his voice reaches me. “Dev… I know you’ll hate hearing this, but I think this has something to do with your brother.”
I whirl toward him, fury blazing through me. “Don’t you dare start that!”
“You need to hear me out.”
I want to lash out, to tell him that I don’t want to hear another word. But the thought that Meera might be in danger reminds me to take whatever information I can get.
“Talk,” I say tightly.
Samarth exhales slowly, choosing his words carefully. “We weren’t lying about the pregnancy. The baby was indeed Veer’s.And,” he continues carefully, “Veer did try to harm Sonia in the past. He’s capable of it, Dev. Capable of worse. Please… you have to believe me.”
My blood runs cold. I don’t know which is worse. Trusting Samarth, or ignoring him and realising too late that I may have put Meera’s life at risk.
But right now, the truth doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is finding Meera, even if it means shutting off every bit of trust I have in my brother and relying solely on what I’ve been told.
I pull out my phone and dial one of my men.
“Track Veer’s location. Now,” I order.
Time stretches painfully, every second unbearable, until he finally speaks.
“Sir… he’s at your old warehouse, outside the city.”
My heart skips a beat as I end the call, my mind spiralling instantly. What the hell is he doing there? That’s the warehouse we don’t use, the one we were planning to put up for sale. Why would he be there?
“And?” Samarth asks, his eyes sharp.
“I need to go there… to check it myself.”
“I am coming with you—” Samarth starts, but I cut him off.
“No. Go home and be with Meera’s parents. Keep them calm. They’re bound to be worried since it’s been a while, and neither Meera nor I are back yet.”
He hesitates for a moment, then nods. “Call me the moment you know something.”
I don’t answer. I sprint to my car, throw the door open, and fire up the engine. Adrenaline surges as I slam it into gear.
As I break through the signals, my thoughts fracture into ugly possibilities. No… Veer won’t betray me like that. He may be reckless and impulsive, but he wouldn’t dare harm Meera. He knows how much she means to me.
And yet, every instinct screams at me to brace for the worst.
I slow down as I reach the location, careful not to alert Veer if he’s inside. Parking a short distance away, I make my way towards the warehouse. My heart slams against my ribs when I spot Veer’s car parked outside, panic and hope lighting me up from the inside.
I head straight for the front door, my hand trembling as I reach for the handle. I turn it and slip inside slowly.
