Trigger Warning: This chapter depicts scenes that might hamper your mental peace. Please read at your own risk or don't read at all. 🙏 If you still try to read it and feel uncomfortable going forward, kindly stop there only. It's a humble request. 🙏

******

Shruti

******

Steaming hot water poured over me, a relentless deluge, as I positioned myself beneath the unyielding showerhead. My skin prickled, and it felt as if the searing heat threatened to strip me down to bare bones. Gasping, I endured the physical torment, trapped in a room shrouded in billowing steam, unable to escape its confines. Every droplet of water seemed to carry away the haunting memories of blood, severed limbs, and agonizing screams that had etched themselves into my psyche.

Not long ago, I had puked at the resurgence of those memories. I did not know how I stayed put when it all happened, how I was fine with all that when at some point he was the same man I respected dearly, whom I considered a father figure. Perhaps it all had to do something with the six foot two, brown eyes, thick accent man that had held me in thrall.

For once, he had bare a part of him to me, even if that was deadly. I guess that was why I was too stunned to lose my shit that day. It was the first time he had unveiled one of his layers open to me, and the revelation was ghastly, repulsive.

And all it took was his memory for every other to dissipate. It felt morally reprehensible, especially knowing that he was soon to be married to another. Yet, he had claimed my child as his own, and that notion had ignited a desire within me, a curiosity about what it would be like to carry his child.

But then, a surge of rejection coursed through me. Without uttering a word, he had rejected me. He chose another woman he considered suitable for the public eye, someone who would stand by his side as he posed for the paparazzi and faced the world. Jealousy churned within me at the thought.

I was nothing more than a secret, a fleeting passion he had hoped to forget until my accidental pregnancy disrupted it all. I still grappled with doubts about whether the child was truly his, and even if it were, I resented that it had been the result of an accident, a mistake he had never anticipated having to answer for. Now that he understood the consequences of his impulsive actions, he was striving to cleanse the stain that might tarnish his image.

A stifled sob escaped my lips, and I swiftly clamped my hand over my mouth, determined not to let my anguish breach the confines of the bathroom's four walls. Tears flowed freely as my racing thoughts raced toward a solution. I had no leverage, no power to wield at this moment, and survival dictated only one course of action—escape.

I tenderly caressed my abdomen, as if reassuring my unborn child that I would not subject it to a world overrun by monsters, but one populated by saints. For the sake of my baby, I needed to flee, to distance us from the turmoil and relinquish my quest for answers. All I needed was my child. I had already attracted far too much attention, with individuals from the highest echelons - the royals to the criminal underworld trailing my every move. Yet, they all acknowledged me as a woman of smart choices, and the wisest decision now was to shield my baby from the ensuing chaos.

With unwavering determination, I turned off the shower, swathed myself in a towel, and stepped out. It was time to translate my thoughts into action. Sooner was undoubtedly better.

******

"Are you out of your mind? How could you trick him alone? I wanted to be there too." Simran spoke animatedly about how I had outsmarted Luca as I stirred the porridge with the spoon aimlessly. Luca had found me in the same café just minutes after Veer had departed. He hadn't uttered a word or reprimand; he simply followed his signore's orders to bring me back to my place, nothing more and nothing less.

He had handed me a package of food upon our arrival home. I didn't have much energy left in me to cook, but eating anything from the box sent by Lucifer was out of the question. So, I decided to prepare porridge for myself. Simran, on the other hand, seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the burger she had taken from the box. It was my favorite, but my appetite had vanished long ago. Everything I was doing, including cooking for myself was merely an act, intended for Simran not to pick up on anything unusual. I did not want to fill her with doubts while I meandered my mind through my plan of running away.

"It sounds like I missed out on the thrill," she sighed while taking another bite.

"No, you didn't. There was no thrill," I replied, my gaze fixed on the unappetizing food in the ceramic bowl resting on the wooden table in front of me.

There used to thrill in chasing, hiding, and making sinners pay, but not anymore. I was wanted by almost everyone, but not for something in me. I was wanted for something they wanted to protect, which was not me but their fake reputation. Both the Royal Prince wanted me but for their counterfeit esteem.

Simran fell into silence, savoring each bite of her meal. The remaining contents of the half-open box seemed to stare at me innocently as if asking why they were being neglected. It wasn't their fault, except for the fact they had been purchased with Lucifer's tainted money.

"As you mentioned, this Mr. Hottie Rajvansh proposed marriage to you?" Simran resumed her line of inquiry, tossing questions my way. I cautiously sampled a spoonful of the porridge, relieved that it didn't taste terrible enough to make me gag. It went down easily, and I nodded in response to her question.

Seated on the unforgiving wooden chair, my back and swollen feet ached. I stretched my legs out beneath the table. While it was only natural for me to seek knowledge about pregnancy, it was disheartening to realize there was no one to guide me through it. Google was an option, of course, but it couldn't provide the comfort, solace, and the four-letter word's emotional depth that I longed for. As if an icy wave had washed over me, I shivered inwardly, though I didn't show it visibly. I gripped my spoon tightly to ward off those emotions, to prevent my mind from playing tricks on me. Thankfully, Simran wasn't ready to let the conversation end, serving as a welcomed distraction.

"So, did you say yes?"

"No."

"So, you declined then?"

"Not yet."

"It's Veer Rajvansh we're talking about. Even a corpse can't say no to him. But then again, Hredhaan Rajvansh is no less..." Simran's eyes wandered dreamily into the distance. I could almost see little hearts dancing in her eyes, a blush coloring her cheeks as she continued to fangirl over the two Royals I had discerned was incredibly captivating and destructive.

As she snapped out of her daydream, she focused her gaze on me from across the table.

"So, who would you choose?"

I let out a weary sigh, pushing the bowl of porridge aside, unable to stomach any more.

"No one, Simmy." It wasn't like choosing between different flavors of lattes. She was asking me to pick between two devils, and I knew that the farther I stayed from them, the more peace could be preserved in everyone's life.

"But you mentioned that Veer's words felt like a threat. Why would you say that? Did he lay down some conditions?"

I shook my head, negating any conditions. Veer had dangled my brother's freedom as an incentive, but I couldn't reveal that to anyone, especially not Dhriti or anyone associated with her. My brother had inflicted pain on Dhriti in the past, and Simmy happened to be Dhriti's foster sister. I couldn't bring myself to disclose the offer Veer had made to make me accept his proposal. I didn't want to hurt her.

"Nothing like that. He simply wants me out of Lucifer's life, that's all," I replied.

"Alright." She shrugged, seemingly accepting my fabricated response, and I felt a slight sense of relief. After taking a few bites of my meal and downing my medication, I bid her goodnight and made my way to my room.

The "goodnight" I offered was, in reality, a farewell. It pained me to do this to people who had shown some concern for me, but I had to be selfish for the sake of my child.

******

The darkness has a way of bringing out the devil within. What was once thought of as a myth had become a grim reality after the events of that fateful night, a night that would haunt me for as long as I lived, a night that marked my ultimate downfall.

Immediately after dinner, I hastily booked a ticket to Vatican City. I was determined to embark on this new journey without involving anyone else, to remain a nameless figure in my own tale. The prospect was undeniably frightening, bone-chillingly so, but it was also the safest route I could take.

My initial plan was to spend a week in Vatican City before relocating to New York. There, I intended to secure a job and raise my child on my own. I possessed enough funds to sustain myself for several months, but I was determined not to squander them recklessly. I knew that the third trimester would be particularly challenging, demanding more rest and resources, and I had to be prepared for any unforeseen emergencies. I had lived alone before, more than once, so it wasn't as though the idea of solitude was entirely foreign to me. However, this time, the mere thought of it sent shivers down my spine. In the past, I may have been alone, but the feeling of loneliness had never cut so deeply.

A solitary tear traced a path down my cheek as I clutched my backpack tightly, sweeping it angrily across the back of my hand as I made my way through the dimly lit alley. I had descended from my third-floor window, landing stealthily on the second floor before using the fire exit, which led me to a concealed path that would ultimately guide me to the airport. Given the tight security and Luca's ever-watchful presence, there was no way I could call for a cab directly from the front of the house. So, I changed my destination to a location within a twenty-minute walk.

I didn't mind taking the dark alley, rumored to be inhabited by sinister shadows. I possessed a few tricks up my sleeve and felt confident they would come in handy if needed. However I was more certain that no such dire circumstances would arise, and I would soon find myself safely in a cab, heading to the airport without any incident.

I navigated my way through the first dimly lit street, with tall buildings looming on either side. Crumpled newspapers scattered on the pavement danced in the wind, which whistled ominously through the night. The evening was far from accommodating, and the clouds had veiled both the stars and the elegant moon, allowing darkness to seep into the city's alleyways. I had left the first shadowy street behind, but there were still five more to traverse. With unwavering determination, I passed through the second and then the third.

However, as I moved from one street to the next, I could sense the encroaching darkness intensifying, my own shadow fading away, and the available light diminishing with every step. I wrapped my arms around myself in an attempt to ward off the chill as the winds grew louder, almost as if they were trying to warn me of something.

I inadvertently crushed cans underfoot, and the sound reverberated through the street. A voice echoed in the distance, and as I proceeded a little farther, I heard a faint creak, as if something fragile had been crushed beneath someone's booted foot. My instincts urged me to turn around, but I brushed them aside. My destination wasn't far, and my desire to reach it overrode any caution.

Yet, as I pressed on, an unsettling sense of trepidation and fear began to snake its way up my spine, sending shivers from head to toe. I remained vigilant, knowing that there were people hot on my trail, willing to do whatever it took to catch me.

The unease continued to mount, and as I neared the fourth street, the sound of footsteps reached my ears. I should have stopped to investigate, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. All I had to do was reach the waiting cab. The flickering streetlights overhead only added to my growing fear. The footsteps behind me quickened, matching my pace. I was practically running.

Just as I was about to turn into a larger street, I halted abruptly. A figure, only slightly taller than me, blocked my path. As he moved closer and stood beneath the flickering streetlight, I gasped in shock and a touch of terror.

With a scar marring his face and crooked teeth, he grinned malevolently, his presence sending a shiver through the already chilly air.

"Nicholas," I whispered, anxiety churning in the pit of my stomach. I had never been afraid of him before. But after finding him injured in the ICU earlier that day and then seeing him unscathed just hours later, it didn't take much to put two and two together. It had all been a ploy to trap me, and he had nearly succeeded. I couldn't fathom what he stood to gain from it, though. He had never been my enemy. Then again, in Nicholas's world, everything had a price, and it often ran into millions.

"So, the bitch remembers me," he sneered, his crooked smile widening.

"I thought she wouldn't, after the man she's whoring around with destroyed my world." He mentioned Lucifer, and I struggled to comprehend what he had to do with any of this. Besides, he didn't even know Nicholas. My heart sank at the realization that he knew something I didn't.

"You shouldn't be here," I stated, attempting to inject an unspoken warning into my words, a reminder of who was overseeing my security and would be there in no time.

"I know, darling, just as you do," he replied with a devilish glint in his eyes, which made my skin crawl and the chill in my body refuse to disperse.

"Get out of my way," I seethed, standing my ground.

"Why? So that you can whore around with some other filthy rich bastard while you bear the consequences of another's sins? How honorable," he taunted, stepping closer. I refused to show any sign of intimidation, and I couldn't allow him to insult my child.

"My child is not a sin!" I almost shouted.

"It certainly isn't a product of love, is it? You don't even remember who it was." He touched a nerve he shouldn't have. As he closed in on me, I needed to find an escape from the tumultuous situation. The path I had come from seemed like the only way out, even if it meant potentially encountering the dangerous royals again. It was still a safer option than what I was currently facing.

As I was about to turn around, I heard the earlier footsteps approaching rapidly, closing the distance to inches. Fearful bristles rose on my neck, and an inner voice screamed in panic.

I turned my head slightly to locate the source of those footsteps and found two men with a gothic appearance, their lustful gazes sweeping over me from head to toe. They were undressing me with their eyes, and I felt disgusted.

One of them grabbed my arm, and my survival instinct kicked in. Swiftly retrieving the knife I had concealed in my right shirt sleeve, I thrust it into the back of his hand, eliciting a painful scream, along with a barrage of indecent curses hurled at me. I sprinted in the opposite direction of Nicholas, toward the way I had come, but a brutal yank on my arm pulled me back. Nails dug deep into my skin, and the force of the pull was so strong that my bag flew to a distant corner, leaving me sprawled on the cold concrete floor. Half of my shirt rode up, exposing the bare skin between my breasts and the waistband of my low-rise jeans. A sharp pain shot through my back as I yelped, and I saw the man standing beside the one I had stabbed. He was the one orchestrating it all.

His lecherous eyes roamed over me as if I were lying there naked, not in my clothes. He licked his lips with a lustful hunger, and his gaze darkened. At that moment, I knew what was coming for me. Tears welled in my eyes as I found myself in the most horrifying and vulnerable position, a woman's worst nightmare.

I was going to be raped.

I struggled to pull my body up, my head shaking in disbelief. My quivering lips betrayed my fear, and he smirked as he advanced towards me. My movement of getting my body farther from him ceased when I felt something sharp touching my neck. Looking up, I saw Nicholas looming over me. An expression of pity crossed his face before he planted his foot which was touching my neck firmly on my shoulder, transferring his full weight onto me. I screamed in agony and terror, my eyes pleading, my hands joined in to plead. I begged for them to spare me, but they showed no mercy in their eyes. The monstrous figure towering above me reached down and twisted my ankle, forcibly pulling me closer. I wriggled, fighting with every ounce of strength I could muster.

I shouted, screamed, and cried out.

All the while, Nicholas laughed.

"No."

Nicholas watched as one of his men slapped me and straddled my waist. I could feel his clothed groin against my stomach, and I was overwhelmed with disgust, repulsion, and nausea.

"No."

"You can't... You can't let this happen... Please... please... please..."

I felt the man's teeth graze my neck, as he licked, bit, and kissed me. I sobbed with my eyes tightly shut, struggling to push him away, but he growled like a demon and held my hands in a vice-like grip above my head on the floor. Nicholas's feet, encased in shabby but razor-sharp boots, pressed down on my hands, causing me to scream in even greater pain.

"No... no... no..."

My screams were muffled as the monster's hand covered my mouth while his other hand explored me wherever it could reach. He pinched my nipple, slapped my breasts, and groped me through the fabric of my clothing, while the other two men laughed sadistically. Fighting back had never been this difficult.

He effortlessly tore my shirt with one hand, followed by my bra. Panic overtook me as I lay half-naked on the street beneath a monster who seemed poised to strip away any remaining shreds of my dignity. To the world, I might appear dishonorable, but I knew my truth. I had never allowed a man to touch me or kiss me before. I struggled, attempting to kick my legs, but they remained immobile, not budging an inch.

My body felt numb as I felt his mouth on my nipples, licking and biting at the sensitive flesh. I went into a state of paralysis. He manhandled me, while Nicholas and the one I had stabbed watched as if the pain caused by the knife had somehow been eased by witnessing me being used and violated.

But as the monster moved his mouth down my throat, an unknown determination surged within me. When his grip on me loosened, I pushed my legs with all my might, shoving him away and covering myself with the tatters of my shirt.

"You know there's no escape," Nicholas said casually, his gaze darkening as he observed me as if my state had aroused him.

I couldn't let them rob me of my dignity. Retrieving the other knife from my boot, I stabbed the man's thigh who had assaulted me, and then I began to run in the opposite direction. I hadn't gone far when my foot stumbled on a rock, and I fell with a painful thud. A sharp, searing pain shot through my ankle and lower abdomen. I couldn't get up, couldn't even move my body.

"Tsk tsk tsk.... You're fighting hard for your sold dignity, but it seems you're losing," Nicholas said, kneeling closer to my face, gripping my chin to force me to meet his gaze.

"At least I managed to stab two of your scumbags," I spat, tears of rage streaming down my face as I felt disgusted by the man in front of me. He was no man, not even the two I had wounded, who were now writhing in pain.

In response, I received a brutal slap, and blood oozed from my lips, mingling with the tears, as I felt my cheeks cut by one of the many rings he wore.

He seized my hair, yanking my head back forcibly.

"I always wondered why Alex wouldn't let me have you, even when I offered him anything for you. I eventually realized he wanted to keep you all to himself." Revulsion surged within me as Nicholas insinuated that Alex, the man who had raised me, harbored sinister intentions toward me. But then again, what could I have expected from someone involved in the mafia? It was unfortunate that I had been kept in the dark about the truth of his identity for most of my life, only to have it revealed in the most devastating manner.

"You're feisty yet delicate. I'm certain you would taste exquisite," he leered suddenly.

Without warning, he crushed his lips against mine. I struggled to push him away so I could scream, but he forced his tongue into my mouth. Overwhelmed by revulsion, a surge of vomit rushed up my throat, and I expelled it forcefully into his mouth. Disgusted, he pulled back, and spit away the vomit. A flare of fury rose up through his body and flashed in his eyes. He wiped his mouth on the back of his hand before delivering a harsh slap. The stinging sensation on my cheek burned my skin, and the sound reverberated in the dark alley.

Nicholas dismissed his two henchmen with a flick of his fingers, and they retreated into the shadows. He then pinned me down on the street.

"This isn't what you want, Nicholas. I can offer you something better—millions," I pleaded desperately with someone whose morality had already evaporated, someone who had no intention of sparing me from his cruel intentions. But I would do anything to protect my baby, even if it meant dealing with someone like him.

"No, bitch, not from you. All I want from a slut like you is her fucking cunt."

The degrading remark caused me to lose control, and I couldn't help but retort, "You're just like what Alex said—a spineless pet."

"We'll find out who the spineless pet is when I shove my cock down your throat and have you come like an obedient little pet."

I was not going down without a fight, even if it meant facing the grim reality that I might not live to see another day. I arched my body slightly and spat in his face, earning another wave of pain. He slapped me again.

He continued to slap me, punch me, and even kick me twice until my body began to surrender, and I lay there in silence as he held me down once more. He straddled me, and I stared up at the dark sky. If any god existed, they had forsaken me. The starless sky gazed down blankly as if considering me a whore like the rest of the world, turning a blind eye to what was unfolding. My mind felt hazy, my consciousness wavering. I teetered on the brink of unconsciousness, on the verge of being completely broken if I hadn't already been. I no longer knew what was happening to my body, my soul. All I felt was the searing pain of loneliness, the physical agony of the bruises, and the world's rejection.

I heard the clinking of his belt buckle and the sound of his zipper being undone. I knew what lay ahead, and before I surrendered to my fate and knelt before death, I felt a warmth between my legs, soaking through my jeans. I didn't need to see it to know what it was. My numbness turned into excruciating pain as I screamed at the top of my lungs, cried hysterically, and sobbed like a pitiful, broken woman. I had lost the one thing I could call mine.

My Baby!

My breath grew shallow, and stars swirled in my vision, not the stars of the sky but those created by my mind. Before I succumbed to my fate, I heard a thunderous boom reverberate through the alley. A lifeless body collapsed on top of me, and crimson liquid stained my body. My eyes were half-lidded, every fiber of my being in pain, I felt myself slipping away. Walking toward the gates of hell, because the gates of heaven had closed after I failed to protect my child, I glimpsed a pair of brown eyes—eyes that had always rejected me.

Now, I was not even a burden to him, as I had lost what he claimed as his own.