Page 149 of Mrs. Rathore

Thankfully, Kavya changed the subject, chatting excitedly about her new business. She was more than just a dancer; she wasalso a brilliant interior designer. Recently, she launched her own website to offer interior design services online. Her work was affordable, high quality, and in demand. I was so proud of her. After all she had endured her father’s control, and her brother’s abuse, she was finally starting to thrive.

The driver dropped us off five minutes later, and we headed straight to Noor’s room. I carried flowers and a fluffy toy for her baby. Kavya, always thoughtful, brought Noor’s favorite cookies. I took a deep breath before stepping in.

There she was, Noor, looking pale and exhausted, cradling a baby in her arms. Her husband stood beside her, adoration pouring from his eyes as he looked at both mother and child.

The sight struck me like a blow to the chest, so beautiful it hurt.

“Oh my God! This is a live doll, isn’t she?” Kavya cooed, gently taking the baby from Noor’s arms. “Avni, look at her. She’s so beautiful…”

I hesitated. My hands hung awkwardly by my side, unsure. But before I could even protest, Kavya placed the baby in my arms.

And I froze.

A sharp breath tore through me. It was like holding life itself. I looked down, and my vision blurred as tears filled my eyes. Her crumpled, soft pink skin, her tiny fingers curled into loose fists, her miniature legs gently kicking against the air.

She let out a soft coo, and something inside me cracked, then melted.

My baby…

Inside me… forming just like this.

With a shaky breath, I pulled the baby girl closer to my chest and broke down in silent sobs.

Oh God. What was I thinking?

I could feel it now, feel what Aryan must have felt when I told him I didn’t want the baby. The guilt was searing. I could feel the weight of it burning a hole in my chest. How had I convinced myself to end this tiny, precious life?

I pulled the baby back and stared at her again, my tears falling freely now.

“Avni, are you okay?” Kavya asked, concern taking over her features as she gently took the baby from my arms and returned her to Noor, who looked equally stunned.

I collapsed onto the cold white hospital floor, the sobs I had been holding for over a month pouring out of me. I hadn’t cried since the day I left Aryan. I had kept up the act, pretending everything in my life was perfect, pretending I wasn’t about to make the most heartbreaking decision of my life.

I let the world believe I was kind, strong, and focused. But the truth was brutal. I was about to kill an innocent child.

I was a coward. A selfish, ungrateful woman.

“I think I should leave,” Noor’s husband said quietly, giving us privacy as he stepped out of the room.

“Avni, say something…” Noor’s voice was soft, the newborn pressed gently to her chest. “You’re scaring us.”

“Avni…” Kavya knelt down beside me, gripping my shoulders. “Why are you crying like this? Is it Uncle? Did something happen to Aryan?”

I shook my head, my breath coming out in trembling waves. “I’m pregnant,” I said, my voice barely a whisper.

Shock flashed across their faces. Noor's lips slowly turned into a smile. But I wasn’t done.

“I was going to terminate it.”

Their smiles vanished instantly. Both stared at me, wide-eyed.

“Are you crazy?” Kavya gasped.

“Are you out of your mind?!” Noor hissed, but quickly lowered her voice, remembering the baby on her shoulder.

“I think I was crazy... and stupid... and selfish,” I choked out. “But now… I see what I was doing. I looked at that little doll in your arms, and it just hit me. I’ll be seven months pregnant when the competition comes, but I don’t care anymore. I don’t want to lose this baby.”

Tears poured freely now. “I’ll keep it... even if I have to give up everything. I can’t…I never…” I clutched my head like I was losing my mind. “God, how could I even think like that?”