But for how long could this continue? How long could they live under the same roof, circling each other in silence, burdened by grief and hurt that flowed both ways? He had never once considered ending this marriage. That was not an option. Mishti washisfor this lifetime, and nothing would change that. Still, the question remained. How could they continue livinglike this forever? Two people bound together, both wounded, both carrying grief that had been caused by the other, even if unintentionally.
He exhaled slowly, giving up.
Tomorrow, he would speak to her. Not personally, but professionally. At the very least, he would put an end to the suffocating awkwardness between them. He would demand that she return to work. Non-executive director or not, she was still an important part of KW Capital now, and that would be his reason. His excuse to bring her back into his sphere, back where he could see her, and keep matters controlled again from hereon.
With that decision made, he finally turned onto his side and closed his eyes again, forcing himself to sleep.
**************
Next Morning
Karan was getting ready for work when an odd restlessness stirred deep inside him. The day already felt wrong, as though something had slipped out of place. Ever since midnight, since that moment he had half-felt Mishti’s presence in his room, he couldn’t sleep.
Now, fully dressed and standing before the dressing table, he paused. It was past 8:30 a.m. By this time, he usually heard the soft ringing of temple bells from the prayer room, the sound marking Mishti’s morning routine without fail. Today, there was nothing. No bells. No murmured prayers.
He frowned at his reflection while fastening his cufflinks. Was she running late? That was unlike her.
But more importantly, why was this bothering him so much? She was in the same house. If he was this restless about her absence, why not step out and check for himself?
The thought had barely formed when there was a knock on the door.
Maria stepped in, her face tight with worry. “Sir,” she said hesitantly, “Mishti madam is not in her room.”
He straightened at once, forcing calm into his voice. “She must be in the temple room or the kitchen. You know her routine, Maria.”
“I know, sir,” she replied, clearly shaken. “That’s why I got worried. She hasn’t come to the kitchen or the prayer room yet. I went to check on her. Her room door was open, but she wasn’t inside.” She paused, then added quietly, “Her things are there… but her trolley bag is missing.”
Karan froze. Without waiting another second, he strode past Maria and headed straight for Mishti’s room. The door was open, just as Maria had said. The bed was neatly made, untouched. The room looked the same, except for one glaring absence. The trolley bag that always stood beside the closet was gone.
He opened the wardrobe. Most of her clothes were still there, but not all. A few were missing.
What the hell did that mean? Had she left? Damn!
He walked past Maria again, who had followed him in rising panic. He did not stop to reassure her, because the same unease was clawing at his own chest. The last time Mishti had walked out of this house, she had ended up in a hospital bed. He did not want a repeat of that nightmare.
But where could she have gone? The Goels? She knew what he felt about them. She knew how deeply he despised Daksh. He had made it clear to her that she was a Wadhwa now, his wife, Mishti Karan Wadhwa. She belonged here.With him.How could she leave like this, without a word, without even a hint?
Is that why she had come to his room? To say goodbye? To look at him one last time before walking away without facing him? Either way, he was not going to let this slide.
He dialled Mishti first, but her number was unreachable.
Of course. She must have switched her phone off.
His grip tightened around the device. She was going to pay for this, for dragging him into this chaos first thing in the morning.
Next, he called Divya Goel, deliberately avoiding Daksh. Thankfully, Divya answered. The moment she did, his restraint snapped.
“Pass the phone to Mishti,” he demanded.
“Mishti?” Divya asked, confused. “Why would she be here? She isn’t with us. Isn’t she there with you?”
Karan’s heart thudded.
Was Divya telling the truth? The worry in her voice sounded real. He asked again, more slowly this time. “She didn’t come home?”
“Home?” Divya repeated. “She was coming here? When? She didn’t tell me anything.” She paused, then added quietly, almost hesitantly, “And besides… Daksh broke all ties with her yesterday. He made it very clear she isn’t welcome here anymore. So why would she come here?”
Karan swallowed hard and ended the call. He had expected Daksh to do something like that. But if Mishti wasn’t at the Goel house, then where the hell was she?
