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“She has an injury on her head, but it doesn’t seem fresh,” the doctor remarks.

“No, sir. This isn’t from the fall, just now. The blood around the wound has dried up. She likely sustained it earlier. Her blood pressure is dangerously low, and she’s extremely dehydrated. We’re giving her glucose. It seems she hasn’t eaten anything for quite a while; that’s why her condition is this weak.”

Vikrant clenches his jaw and casts a piercing glare at his bodyguards. None of them can meet his eyes. He knows this isn’t entirely their fault. Ever since Sharda’s health declined, chaos consumed the household. In that storm of panic and urgency, they all forgot about the girl. Including him. The doctor finishes the checkup, administers an injection, and quietly takes his leave.

Vikrant remains seated on the sofa across from her, his eyes fixed on her unconscious form. There was a strange storm within him. A part of him wants to feel justified, another wants to dismiss everything as necessary, but somewhere, an unfamiliar emotion flickers in his chest. He doesn’t voice it. Instead, he just mutters to his guard standing at the door.

“No more mistakes. Not with her. From now on, she gets whatever she needs. Understand?”

The guard nods without saying a word. And Vikrant continues to sit there in silence, watching her, yet unsure of what exactly he is waiting for.

"You must have acquired some information about her family by now. She is the sister of that boy. What is the name of this girl?"

“JHANKAR… Her parents have also created quite a few problems. They are desperate to see their daughter, yet at the same time, they are refusing to eat anything. The doctor examined them, as per your instructions. Medically, they are in perfect health, but emotionally, they are not yet ready to consume anything.”

Vikrant first looks intently at the bodyguard, carefully assessing his words. Then, shifting his gaze towards Jhankar, he immediately gets up and leaves the room.

He had initially locked Jhankar's parents in the outhouse, the same one where he had just brought her. His fury had clouded his judgment, driving him to confine her parents without a second thought, intending to question them about their son at a later time. However, after witnessing the distressed condition of Raghunath and Chitrali, Vikrant's stance began to shift. He promptly had them moved into a proper room inside the mansion to ensure they received adequate medical attention and care. This new environment offered them considerably more comfort and dignity.

Raghunath and Chitrali now sit beside each other on the floor. Chitrali rests her head on Raghunath’s shoulder, while Raghunath gently leans his head against hers, silently conveying his anguish and concern for both their children. Suddenly,Vikrant enters the room without warning. As soon as Raghunath and Chitrali see him, they immediately rise to their feet, visibly anxious.

“Our daughter... our daughter is not at fault in any of this,” Raghunath pleads earnestly. “You are making a terrible mistake. We truly don’t know where our son has taken your would-be bride. Yes, he has made a grave error, but we are completely unaware of his whereabouts or intentions. Please, believe us, we have no part in this.”

Vikrant listens, his face unreadable. Although Vikrant does not believe a word of what Raghunath has just said, he suppresses the storm of anger brewing inside him. He knows exploding now will only worsen the situation. With a calm but firm tone, he turns to the bodyguard standing behind him.

“Bring food for both of them. And make sure no one is rude to them… under any circumstances.”

Raghunath is still deeply troubled, but he has keenly observed Vikrant’s behavior. Instead of handing them over to Viren or treating them harshly, Vikrant has chosen to keep them securely within his mansion. The room they are staying in is not only spacious and comfortable but also furnished with luxury. They are being given timely meals and are under constant medical supervision.

Despite all this, the emotional distress of losing both their children in different, horrifying ways keeps them from touching any food. Their son has disappeared without a trace, and the most shocking circumstances have ripped their daughter away from them. The pain they experience as parents is indescribable; it is impossible to articulate in words alone.

Raghunath, unable to bear the weight of the situation, gently separates himself from Chitrali. He walks slowly up to Vikrant, his eyes filled with tears. In a moment of raw desperation, he falls to his knees in front of him, folding his hands in complete surrender.

“Our daughter is innocent in this,” he says with a choked voice. “Please, don’t do anything wrong to her. She does not deserve to suffer like this.”

Vikrant takes a deep breath and looks directly into his eyes with seriousness.

“Please get up. There is something very important we need to discuss,” he says gently but firmly. “Sit down comfortably in front of me. There’s no need for this display. We must have a proper conversation. It’s the only way you’ll truly understand the reality of this situation. Without it, you’ll keep misjudging what’s happening.”

He pauses, allowing the weight of his words to settle, then gestures toward the chair opposite him, signaling that this discussion was going to be far more complex and consequential than they had anticipated.

CHAPTER 10

HIS THREATS

Raghunath starts looking at Vikrant because he has no other option but to listen to him. He tries to stand up and sit on the sofa in front of him, but his body is already weakened not by hunger alone, but by the emotional turmoil he has been enduring. He hasn’t eaten anything for a long time and is deeply distressed. The fasting itself isn’t unfamiliar; people often stay hungry by choice or by ritual, but this moment is different. The overwhelming mental agony has gradually eroded his strength.

Despite the doctor's continuous glucose administration, which has kept him physically stable, his mental state has completely collapsed. As soon as he feels like he is about to lose balance and fall, his legs give up, and he collapses to the ground with a loud thud.

Upon seeing him fall, Vikrant briefly gazes at him. But as a hardened mafia don, he doesn't display any emotion. His life has become desensitized; routine bloodshed and cruelty have made compassion a luxury he can no longer afford. Without a hint of emotion, he directs his gaze toward his bodyguard, who promptly advances, skillfully lifts Raghunath, and guides him to the sofa, ensuring he receives just enough care to prevent him from collapsing once more.

Chitrali, despite witnessing her husband's fall, is unable to get up or even cry out. Her body, fragile and drained from emotional suffering, doesn't allow her to move. The fear gripping her heart is heavier than her limbs. Raghunath glances at her withworry in his eyes. At that moment, Vikrant signals again, and the bodyguard walks to Chitrali, gently helps her to her feet, supports her carefully, and brings her to sit beside her husband on the sofa. The couple, broken and helpless, now sit quietly, their bodies close but their souls trembling.

Just then, the maid enters with a tray of food and places it in front of them. The smell itself is repulsive to them; they cannot even think of eating. Their throats are dry, their stomachs tight with fear. Vikrant, observing their silent refusal, speaks in a firm yet composed voice.

"Your daughter is absolutely fine. There is no need to panic unnecessarily. I will allow her to meet you tomorrow morning. But right now, it's more important that you both take care of yourselves. Otherwise, what will you show her when you meet? You need to gather strength and restore your health. There is no reason to remain hungry. Your daughter is safe, and as far as your son is concerned, he is also absolutely fine."

The moment he mentions Vyom, the color drains from both their faces. A cold dread grips them because they know very well that Vyom was the one who interfered with Vikrant’s marriage and chased away his intended bride. In such a situation, they know Vyom has effectively painted himself as Vikrant’s enemy, a dangerous position to be in. Vikrant sits up straighter, his posture sharper, his tone even more menacing as he continues, this time not looking directly at them but clearly watching every shift in their expressions.