"I don't know." The admission tasted like failure. "But I'm going to find out."
He strode past his mother, grabbing his jacket and gun from his office. Abhay and Armaan met him in the driveway.
"Anything?" he demanded.
"Nothing yet. But boss..." Abhay hesitated. "Maybe she just needed some space. Time alone. After everything—"
"After everything what?"
Abhay exchanged a glance with Armaan. "After the way we've all treated her. Your mother's comments. Kritika's presence. The staff ignoring her. Maybe she just needed to get away from all of it."
The words hit like physical blows.
Maybe she just needed to get away.
From this house. From this family.
From him.
Kritika appeared on the front steps, concern evident on her face. "Samarth, what's happening? Maa said Nimisha is missing?"
"She's not missing," he said, even though he had no idea if that was true. "She's just... out."
"For five hours with her phone off?" Kritika's voice rose slightly. "That's not like her. Something must be wrong."
"We're handling it."
"Let me help. I can call some people, ask if anyone's seen—"
"No." The word came out harsher than intended. "This is family business."
Kritika flinched as if he'd slapped her.
Saroj moved to her side protectively. "Samarth, Kritika is trying to help."
"I don't need her help. I need to find my wife."
He got in his car before anyone could say anything else, Abhay sliding into the passenger seat while Armaan took another vehicle.
As they drove, Samarth's mind raced through possibilities.
Kidnapping. Accident. Running away.
Each one made his chest tighten with something that felt uncomfortably like fear.
She wouldn't leave,he told himself.She has nowhere to go. Her family cut her off. This is her home.
But was it? Had he ever made her feel like this was her home? Like she belonged here?
He'd given her rules. Boundaries. Cold distance.
He'd touched her body but never her heart.
He'd claimed her physically but never truly let her in.
Maybe she just needed to get away from all of it.
His phone rang. Unknown number.
