Page 70 of Substitute Bride

"Exactly, and now you can understand my position. I’m genuinely happy for you, but can’t you postpone the wedding plans by a few months?

Or at least wait until I return. Once I’m back, we can sit down together and handle everything properly.

I’ll even speak to a few of my most trusted people.

Look, we will surely find a solution. One thing is certain—the wedding will happen with full traditional rituals and grand celebrations. "

Hearing his father's words, Vikrant smiles. For a while, they talk about business and politics. After hanging up, Vikrant immediately calls Akhil into the room.

"Akhil, is everything done? I don’t want a single mistake this time."

"Absolutely, sir. Everything is perfectly arranged. There’s nothing that we need to revisit.

The consignment will definitely arrive by tomorrow evening, and all our men will be present on-site.

I’ve personally checked everything thoroughly.

You should come by this evening too and inspect everything yourself, just to be sure. "

Vikrant nods slightly and continues typing on his laptop. Then, suddenly, he asks Akhil,

"Did you find out whether that girl regained consciousness? Her statement is crucial for clearing your name as soon as possible."

"No, sir. I checked, but it’s been two days and she hasn’t regained consciousness, nor has there been any improvement.

I went and spoke with the doctor. According to him, her body is extremely exhausted, and mentally, she just wants to rest. In such situations, it’s not uncommon for someone to remain asleep for a long time.

I’ve also spoken with her family. They’re just relieved to have their daughter back and are truly grateful.

I explained everything that happened, and they believed me.

Now, all they care about is that she regains consciousness.

Once she does, they plan to leave the city quietly.

They still don’t know exactly what happened to her, but they’re frightened. "

Vikrant listened to him carefully, nodding slightly. A look of unease spread across his face as he stared at the building outside the window. Akhil, who had been observing him closely all morning, finally spoke up.

"Sir, is something bothering you? Madam Jhankar is doing perfectly well in the office. I’ve made all the necessary arrangements to ensure she faces no trouble.

If any issue arises, we have several people there ready to assist her.

Besides, she herself is extremely efficient—she’s learning everything quickly and handling it all exceptionally well. "

"No, it’s not Jhankar. She isn’t the reason I’m feeling this way. To be honest, I’m not sure if anything specific is troubling me... but there’s a strange, indescribable restlessness that’s taken hold of me. And it feels like I don’t have any solution for it."

"Sir, I’ve known you for a long time now.

You’ve never really opened up to anyone, nor have you had close friends.

Most people talk to their friends and find relief in that.

But you’ve always kept things to yourself.

Maybe that’s why some thoughts, ones you probably don’t even share with Madam, are haunting you.

Tell me what’s on your mind. Maybe I can help in some way. "

Vikrant looked at Akhil silently. He trusted Akhil deeply, but he had never truly acted on that trust. After a few moments of quiet contemplation, he finally spoke.

"I always saw my parents deeply in love. Everything was fine—beautiful, really. I celebrated my tenth birthday with them, and it was perfect. And then, just a few days later, I found out that my mother was having an affair. There were fights between my parents, and she left. She wanted to go away from here, but then... she had an accident, and she died. Since then, I’ve been carrying this hatred with me.

And now, I don’t know why, but everything around me seems to be changing.

Jhankar never liked the hatred I carried toward my mother.

I’ve tried to reduce my hate for her... but ever since I started trying to let go of that hatred, this strange uneasiness has begun to consume me. "

"Madam isn’t wrong. A son should never hate his mother."

"But she betrayed my father. A man who loved her so deeply, how could she let another man into her life like that?"

"The bond between a husband and wife is something only the two of them truly understand. You saw what was visible from the outside, but you never knew what existed between them in private. Maybe there were things you were never told. Do you know who that man was? Did you ever try to find out how he came into your mother’s life? "

Vikrant just stared at Akhil silently, as if he had no answers left. Akhil shook his head gently and said,

"If you like, I can try to find out who that man was, how he came into your mother's life, and what really happened between your parents. Maybe we’ll uncover something that helps erase your hatred completely... or at least gives some peace to this restlessness inside you."

Vikrant leaned his head back against the chair, closed his eyes, but all he could see was Sonia’s face, spinning before his eyes, disturbing his mind once again. Suddenly, he opened his eyes and looked at Akhil.

"Find everything. Soon…"