A few days later, when Akansha walked to her office in the Secretariat, people who used to greet her before greeted her more enthusiastically. Except for that, there weren't many changes in the office, and she knew Shaurya was responsible for this. She appreciated his efforts to keep things easy for her.

But despite all his efforts he couldn't remove that paleness from Mrs. Arora's Or Mr. Samuel's faces. They knew how they treated Akansha had offended Shaurya, they were aware he hated it but it was his professionalism that was stopping him from reacting to it, but still the fear in them intensified whenever they thought that they actually treated their state Chief Minister's wife like that?

She settled at her desk and continued with her work but nothing is same for her, as everyone pretended to be normal but no one actually is...

---------------------------------

Just when she is about to leave for home, Shaurya stormed in followed by Suraj and his team, his face calm but Akansha could see the worry in his eyes...

"We'll leave from here...", Shaurya said softly...

"I'm leaving for home Shaurya...", Akansha said

"I know, but it's not safe for you to go this way...", Shaurya told her softly before turning to Suraj... "Suraj... Lead the way", he ordered his chief security who lead the way.

Akansha had no choice but to follow him as she can read the tension in Shaurya and Suraj's faces.

They reached the CM's office from inside the ED wing.

"Take a seat, this will take a while to settle", Shaurya said and Akansha sat without any arguments... Shaurya gulped the whole glass of water on his table, he still couldn't decipher how things took a drastic turn in the recent days.

He remembered receiving his PI, Ashwini's call a few days ago.

-------------------------------

"Sir... Bad news!... Your father was now aware of your wife and daughter... He wasn't very happy but yes he is nearly powerless but still he is the party leader, though for namesake... He will soon be approaching you, I'm sending you all the recent developments... Go through them and let me know if we could schedule a meeting to discuss further", Ashwini spoke alerting Shaurya.

"Send me all the details, I'll look into it, About the meeting, we'll see", Shaurya said, already imagining what all his father was capable of doing and how he could stop him.

"Sir... He is a dangerous man... We both know what he is capable of, its better we discuss and act before he does something", Ashwini said

"Who better than me will know the consequences, Ashwini... But meeting with you directly at this time is not a wise option, we'll discuss this over mail", Shaurya said and Ashwini realized Shaurya was thinking a step ahead of him too, and he knew why he was being so cautious...

Only he and Dev knew what all Shaurya did to save Akansha's life from that vile man. He saw Shaurya suffering every second for hurting his wife but he was trapped badly, it's as if Akansha was at the edge of the cliff and with one wrong move from him, she would fall off.

Just an hour later, Shaurya received his father's call after almost a year. He picked up leaving a sigh... He knew what he would hear will surely put him at edge but he had no option to avoid the call.

"Yes...", Shaurya answered the call, his tone stern, hiding his fear very well but unfortunately it couldn't save him from his father's vile taunts.

"If I knew you were going to be such a coward, I would have rather preferred being childless... Are you a even a man? Chasing a woman who hates you? And that child? You are ready to sacrifice everything for that child, who may not be yours in the first place...", Virendar Shekhawat spat before his son coldly cut him off.

"Papa... Not more than this... Before I decide to cut your tongue off forever, say what you want to and hang up", Shaurya warned in his cold tone...

"You haven't learnt your lesson huh? Don't you remember the last time you thought of supporting her?", Virendar Shekhawat said, his tone indicating the fury he was feeling seeing his son supporting Akansha. Shaurya fisted his palm remembering what happened years ago.

"How dare you call my wife a caretaker?", Shaurya stormed into his father's study that evening, after Meera left their house, his blood was boiling thinking about how Meera ordered his wife, he so wanted to kick her out of the house for talking to his wife in that tone.

"Wife huh? When did this happen?", Virendar asked in amusement, he never saw his son this mad, especially talking to him in that tone...

"When I married her...", Shaurya said, glaring at his father.

"Oh! I thought you were just...", Virendar started, he was about to use a degrading word but Shaurya glared at him, he dared him to say that word and for the first time, Virendar saw rebellion on Shaurya's eyes, so he quickly concealed his statement.
"You know I am against the world knowing her as your wife, I agreed to this wedding only after you told me the reason for marrying her, you wanted me to wash my sins by doing this, and I did, but letting that woman to be known as Virendar Shekhawat's daughter-in-law is impossible ", Virendar said

"Daughter-in-law Or not, she is definitely my wife, doesn't matter why I married her, she deserved respect in this house, and next time something like this happens, I am moving out, but yes not before destroying your dreams", Shaurya warned and walked away shocking Virendar.

Shaurya always took careful steps, never got impulsive or had maddening rage but that day, seeing his wife's insult he just couldn't stay calm, and he let his anger take over but after he calmed down he regretted, he dared to say all that despite knowing what his father is capable of.

Shaurya called Ashwini and directed him to double the security around Akansha. He took Dev into loop as he would take over the responsibility of Akansha's security if for any reason, Shaurya couldn't do it or something happened to him.

And Ashwini got to know Virendar is planning to harm Akansha so Shaurya banned Akansha from going outside completely. When she asked if it was a part of his retribution, he agreed as he had no other reason to give her, he told her he didn't want to give her that freedom to take fresh air and feel like a free bird.

Dev reprimanded Shaurya for making Akansha hate him, for not telling her the truth but the answer Shaurya gave him got him blank.

"My mother sees me and Akansha having differences, it gives her happiness, our misunderstandings are what that are protecting Akansha from my mother, if I tell everything to Akansha, she would know my intentions, our differences end, I know Akansha will still have a lot of complaints and she is right in doing so, but still she would definitely give me a chance to love her again, but what about her safety? I'm not even in a situation to take her away from home Dev... You know the number of attempts we failed in the last few weeks, even thinking about one of them getting succeeded in hurting my wife is giving me a heart attack. Right now only my father wants to kill Akansha, if my mother gets to know about my feelings for my wife, Akansha won't be safe.
I am in such a situation that I can't even shift her to some other place, providing a safe place for her to stay for a longer period is currently impossible, you already saw what happened to the place which I arranged for her recently" , Shaurya said and Dev nodded.

When the threats for Akansha's life had increased day by day, Shaurya thought of shifting her to somewhere else, but the building he was planning to shift her was blown up and the cause was still unknown. The department was still investigating it and Shaurya knew who was behind it, So he had no option but to let his wife stay under the same roof, also he had his loyalists to protect Akansha throughout at his ancestral property. That's why Virendar failed to harm Akansha inside their property despite his attempts.

Shaurya tried again after his father started plotting to harm Akansha, but this time the gas cylinder was blasted just a day before he signed the deal to buy the property on Akansha name.

Shaurya tightened the security and after a few weeks he attempted again to shift her somewhere else as he didn't want her to go through all the mental distress living at his place. He thought of telling her the truth gradually, once he shifts her to a safe place. He was planning everything but at the same day he had to take Akriti to the hospital, since Dev and his father weren't available.

On their way, they were attacked badly, he stepped out locking the doors and immediately activated the emergency alarm in his watch which sent alert to Dev.

Dev was on his way but Shaurya had to stall them till he arrived, by the attackers words, he understood they were here to kill Aakriti who they thought to be Akansha.

Shaurya stalled them, he was successful in keeping Aakriti safe, but unfortunately they got to know soon that she is not the woman they wanted to kill, and they left to complete their mission.

Shaurya got to know from the security he hired for her that Akansha disobeyed his words and left to meet her brother at a cafe. He had to stop these people from reaching Akansha and he had to do anything to stop them. Shaurya wasn't so good at fighting people physically, he was always intellectual, he fought with people with brain, and he won always, but the people in front of him cannot be handled that way, they were like robots who wouldn't stop until the command given to them was fulfilled. He tried his level best to divert their attention but failed miserably.

He fought with them tooth and nail, but he wasn't familiar nor good with it, and he provoked them so much so that they concentrated on him rather than leaving to hurt Akansha, he knew they were not sensible humans and might hurt him if he crosses limit but he had no option, that was the only option to stop them from harming his wife until Dev arrived, but in all this one of them stabbed Shaurya but only after the impulsive act did they realize that they stabbed the son of the person who hired them, Virendar strictly mentioned them not to harm his son badly, he just asked them to hurt him physically, beat him so that he realized how wrong he is in supporting his wife.

They wanted to leave but Shaurya picked up one of their phones which he found fallen down during the clash and called his father, he told his father how they stabbed him, before they could snatch their mobile. Virendar Shekhawat quickly ordered them to take his son to the hospital first which they obeyed without fail, Shaurya was his only hope, of continuing his legacy.

Luckily Dev and his men had Shaurya's GPS tracker, by that they tracked his current location, and when a few men tried to escape on their way to hospital to finish the unfinished business with Akansha, Dev and his men handled them. Dev thought they were kidnapping Shaurya until he blocked their vehicle and captured all the men, that's when he found Shaurya unconscious, with multiple deep stab wounds on his body, blood oozing from the wounds.

Dev stood paralyzed for a second before driving the same car with the help of his men and took him to hospital. Looking at Shaurya, for the first time he got scared for his life. Dev cried hugging Shaurya to his chest.

"Why did you do this? Why.... Why yaar...", Dev cried, he prayed to God all his way, and after receiving hours of critical treatment, Shaurya was declared out of danger, but he was prescribed complete bed rest for at least a couple of months.

"Akansha...", this was the first word he spoke after he got conscious.

"She is fine, Ashwini took her to your ancestral property and your security and my men are safeguarding her... Don't worry, you won't find even a scratch on her", Dev assured and Shaurya's tensed body visibly relaxed.

"Aakri...", he started but Dev cut him off.

"My men dropped her safely at home, now let's talk about you? What was this Shaurya? Do you know you could have died in this if we have reached a little late to the hospital", Dev said.

"I wasn't left with any option Dev...", Shaurya defended his actions...

"Bro... You are partially paralyzed, bed ridden for months... Let's see how much Akansha would serve you here", Dev said...

He wasn't against Shaurya protecting Akansha, in fact he himself wanted to protect her but not at the cost of Shaurya's life.

"She would serve me at this stage, without even thinking that I actually don't deserve her kindness and care, but I would never want her to take this trouble, not after how much I had hurt her or keep hurting her... She has borne so much Dev, I want to avoid whatever trouble I could avoid giving her", Shaurya said, guilt seeping in again...

"Do you even realize you were about to sacrifice your life for her in fact you almost did, everyone loves their spouses yaar but most of them are not crazy to pull such a stunt... I am sure Akansha wouldn't give up her life for you", Dev started but Shaurya cut him off...

"Why would she? For betraying her or for hurting her in the worst possible way? She has responsibilities to take care of, her parents and her brother, whereas for me she is the only priority, regarding Aakriti I am sure I can trust you with it, so doing this isn't that difficult for me", Shaurya said, but Dev shook his head not agreeing with him. "Akansha loves me despite all I did to hurt her, that proves what kind of a woman she is and how much she loves me, not every love is measured by only giving up life Dev, sometimes these kind gestures matter too, and for her, forgiving me is tougher than giving up life, and if she is willing to do it, then she is the best wife and life partner, unfortunately I couldn't become a better husband", Shaurya said

"Then why don't you become now? Why don't you tell her you gave up your retribution long back, but whatever you are doing now is for her safety?", Dev said

"You know the answer Dev, and who told I gave up my retribution? I just changed my way, Akansha did deserve to be taught a lesson for doing what she did, but it's true my way of punishing her is cruel and the loss of peace from the day I decided on this retribution is the proof of it. I had to fall for the woman who had hurt my sister badly and was the reason she wants to end her life? And now both my sister and wife hates me, can life get any worse?", Shaurya said

"Yeah it just got... You'll know in the coming days how difficult it is to be bed ridden", Dev said and Shaurya shut his eyes in frustration...

His inability to move his limbs is causing great discomfort and pain to him but in front of the satisfaction that he saved his wife's life, the pain felt negligible.

"Dev... Until I recover and go back home, keep Akansha at your place. Send Aakriti to the US with Rajnath uncle", Shaurya said, Dev looked at his friend to see if he is joking but seeing the look on his face, Dev understood Shaurya is serious.

"Why would Akansha agree? And how shall I convince Aakriti, she was crying to come here and see you only I knew how difficult it was for me to stop her and you want me to convince her to go to the US, that too when you are like this?", Dev said and Shaurya smiled lightly

"I know my sister is just angry with me, but she will understand me", Shaurya said, he was happy Aakriti loved him enough to forget the momentary anger she felt towards him knowing how he felt for Akansha and to what lengths he went to keep her safe.

"First tell me how to convince your wife and sister", Dev said, pissed at his friend

Shaurya told Dev his plan and Dev looked at him incredulous, Shaurya's plan to convince Aakriti was still fine but Akansha?

"You want your best friend to die at your wife's hands?", Dev said and Shaurya stifled his laughter, of course Dev feared Akansha a lot, after that one day where she blasted at Dev when he hinted her about Shaurya's intentions indirectly and she gave him an earful, she would have even slapped him if Shaurya didn't come in the first place and from then, Dev feared Akansha, that's how much she trusted Shaurya and Shaurya was always in guilt for this.

"She won't say anything to you but me so it's okay, listen to me carefully, I can't disclose anything to her right now, it's about her life, it's better to have her hate me rather than telling her the truth and have my parents take her life", Shaurya said, his eyes turning teary...

Dev patted his shoulder, he knew his friend's mental ache is much more than his physical suffering, at this time any man would want his mother or his wife to care for him, but how unfortunate, Shaurya doesn't want to see one while doesn't want to trouble another...

The next few days went in investigation of the whole thing. Shaurya got to know that his father had also ordered them to injure him enough so that he learnt his lesson and not save Akansha anymore. His opinion about his father kept worsening and his heart broke at parents' selfishness, he was just a means to reach his father's political goals, nothing else.

Now it became clear to him, the safest place for Akansha for now is his ancestral property. He knew living with his parents and taking his mother's taunts is not at all an easy thing but at least she would be alive and unscathed there. Shaurya had a tough choice and he was determined, no matter what he would save her life at any cost but unfortunately he lost her in his life in the process.

--------------------

"That time, you were powerful, so I had to bow down, but now, you can't even imagine the strings I hold, so don't even think of repeating history... If you do you are digging your own grave", Shaurya warned his father.

"Shaurya... Don't talk about power, this one truth can snatch that power from you, then how will you protect them? So yes, instead of wasting your time arguing with me, think of a solution to resolve, disown them, and since you already divorced her, you don't have to declare your marriage to the world", Virendar said

"I will not hide my marriage Papa...", Shaurya started, but cut off by his father.

"Fair enough, we have another option, in fact this could boost your image, history says rulers who left their families especially their wives, for the sake of people ruled the longest. Take Shri Ram for example... Trust me son... This rule stays relevant in present day too, take our honorable PM for example", Virendar trailed ticking Shaurya's anger. He understood what he was suggesting, his father was asking him to take political advantage which is so sick.

"Do you think you are knowledgeable enough to take bhagwan Shri Ram's name? And don't even talk about the PM, On my request, he was holding the probe on you, otherwise he wouldn't have spared you, so keep your gyan with yourself, I'll do what I have in mind", Shaurya warned his father.

"Okay, don't say I didn't warn you... Whatever is your agenda, attend the party meeting after 2 days and clear it to all the party MLAs and MPs", Virendar said and hung up. Shaurya knew his father has something dirty planned but didn't think he would try to jeopardize his political career as well.

After two days, Shaurya did attend the party meeting where he was questioned about his hidden marriage and a daughter from it and the divorce as well. Shaurya didn't answer anything, he just asked them to wait till he announced things officially.

But they weren't satisfied with his answer and when they got to know about Akansha who is working in his office, they came to question her, but Shaurya knew how they do it and no matter what he has to lose, he wouldn't let Akansha face any trouble.

"Say something Shaurya, what's the issue", Akansha asked him, she already has thin patience and he was standing motionless instead of saying something.

"My father has leaked the news about our marriage to the party MLAs and MPs", he finally said it... "And now they were demanding answers from me, I told them to find it when I announce it officially in a few days, but they wanted to know from you, so some were here to question you, that's why I had to bring you here", Shaurya said and she fumed in anger...

"What is my fault, Shaurya? Actually, yes, it's all my fault. Falling in love with a monster is my fault, and for that, I'll have to suffer for my whole life." Akansha spat, and Shaurya turned away, as he couldn't bear seeing the hatred in her eyes for him. He could fight the whole world and stand stubbornly in front of them, but one word from her, and he comes crashing down.

"I'm sorry. Stay here for a couple of hours. Suraj will drop you home after he clears the path. I'll handle this. Don't worry. You or Siya won't be facing any issues. I'll make sure of it," Shaurya said and walked away, calling for a party meeting. How dare they think of approaching his wife for answers? Fine! If they wanted answers, he would give them, answers that would make them stumble and shake his father's ground.

Dev learned how Shaurya called for a party meeting and immediately called him when Shaurya was on his way to the party office.

"Shaurya... Calm down, don't make any rash decisions...", Dev said as soon his best friend picked his call.

"Not rash Dev but definitely some strong decisions are needed, how dare they try to trouble Akansha? They needed answers, I will give them", Shaurya said, his blood boiling at the thought.

"Shaurya... Elections are not too far... stay calm, listen to me... What if they all ask for someone else to replace you as the CM candidate?", Dev asked, worried for his friend's political career.

"No worries Dev, if they replaced me, they'll lose the elections, and then you will be the Chief Minister, I'm okay either way, the state will still be in safe hands, but they cannot be spared for attempting to trouble my wife", Shaurya said "I'll talk to you later, almost reached party office", he added and hung up.

Dev alerted his moles in the party office to at least let him hear the discussion there. Both Dev and Shaurya had moles in each other's party offices with each other's knowledge as they wanted to keep an eye on everything that's going around them even in their absence.

As soon as Shaurya got down, the MLAs who were utterly loyal to him greeted him at his car. They never questioned him or demanded his answers, they trusted him with his decisions and that's the reason he held that respect for him.

"Sir... your father... We have to stop him somehow", Pankaj, a 62-year-old MLA, a hardcore loyalist to Shaurya said

"What are they planning Pankaj Ji", Shaurya asked him respectfully...

"They were even considering ousting you... I didn't imagine they would act this foolishly...", Mr. Pankaj replied

"Yes sir, you are the face of party, it's you who brought the lost glory to our party, I'm sorry to say this but the party hit the lowest in your father's term, we lost faith that we'll ever come into power in his leadership then you stepped in, you brought all this prestige and honor back, even more recognition than there was during your grandfather's regime... and now they...", Mr. Naresh, another loyalist spoke

"No worries Naresh ji, I'm glad, you all here with me, standing like a rock to support me, I respect you for not raising questions at my personal life, for the dignity you showed, unfortunately not everyone all like that, and don't worry, I have all the cards in place", Shaurya said confidently which assured them and their confidence on him doubled.

He discussed further points with them and entered the party office conference hall where all the party leaders gathered, including his father.

"We have encouraged you to head this party, despite your inexperience, and this is how you repay... What's all this Shaurya ji..."

"You are the CM candidate, and current Chief Minister of the state, do you know this scandal of yours will shake not just state but the whole country"\

"And you wouldn't even produce your POA(Plan of Action) in front of the party leaders? How can you be so irresponsible?",

People kept questioning Shaurya as soon as he entered the room and he sighed before standing at the centre of the room to address all their queries or accusations is a better word.

"I'm surprised at your accusatory tone, I hope you realize you are talking to the Chief Minister of the state, Do you people remember the state of this party before I stepped in? And how I have pulled all of you from the deep sh*t you got yourself involved in...", Shaurya raised his tone... "And Harish Ji... You better don't use the word 'Scandal', you became a synonym for it and if not for me, you would be in jail today", he added shutting them up...

"How are you talking this confidently, despite what you have done", they started their ranting again...

"What have I done? I don't think marriage is wrong?", Shaurya asked

"Hiding it is... Wheres your wife till date? and Why no one knew about her? and your daughter? how...", before he could say something about his daughter, Shaurya cut him off...

"Don't talk about my wife and daughter... I understand your concerns and am here to address them... Don't try to approach my wife to ask your these questions, I won't be just ending it a warning next time...", Shaurya said, he so wanted to rip their tongues but unfortunately, he was a chief minister and its election time, so he needs to act as a politician.
"I haven't hid about my wife, Our Party president was ware of it, and I'm gonna disclose it to the world soon...", Shaurya said

"After all these years, you'll disclose this just before elections so that People turn against us", Mr. Harish questioned

"I don't understand why would people be interested in my marriage so much? When they weren't so invested in any other politician's married life before", Shaurya questioned, he knew they would be interested, due to the female following he had, but he wanted to downplay it. "and even if they are... I'll handle this, I'll disclose it in such a way that it will minimize the impact", he added

"We wanted to know how are you planning to do it", Anil, his father's righthand man questioned, Shaurya turned to him throwing a smirk at him.

"Someone told me just a few days ago, that people will openly accept leaders who threw their wives out for the people, that great intellectual also gave an example of Bhagwan Shri Ram, So yes, I'm gonna follow the same... I left my wife for the sake of politics, I'm such a great leader that in order to dedicate myself to the state completely, I left my pregnant wife and haven't seen my daughter till she tuned 4", Shaurya answered looking his father in the eye, leaving him stunned.

"WHAT?"

"That would spoil your image, one of the biggest advantages we have compared to the opposition is the women voters, we will lose a major chunk of them if you disclose it this way"

"Also this will increase sympathy for your wife and it acts as a curse to us"

"People won't forgive you Shaurya ji, especially women who worship you for all those reforms you did for them"

"This is the suggestion given by our honorable party chief", Shaurya said looking at his father who still didn't recover from the shock his son gave him... "Virendar ji... Kuch toh boliye(Say something)", Shaurya asked

"Yes, but I...", Virendar started but the chaos already errupted, the MLAs started protesting this idea.

After a lot of questioning and discussions where Shaurya has very cleverly trapped his father, he gave his concluding statement...

"I have many plans to minimize the effect on us... Trust me and let me do my job, there's still a few months to file the nomination, if the results aren't satisfactory, or my approval rating fell too much, you can choose someone else as the CM candidate", Shaurya said in his raised tone, and the MLAs calmed down...

"We wanted to trust you Shaurya ji... we couldn't forget how you brought the party to this glory from ruins... We'll place our trust in you again..."

"Yes, I think that's the best option"

"Yes... Shaurya ji is the face of our party, we'll have to trust him"

And it's decided, that they will let Shaurya do his thing, and everyone will support him in front of the media.

Shaurya also told them how he declared his marital status in front of the election commission 5 years ago while filing his nomination and with his move, everyone was very impressed and the chaos settled for now.

Everyone left one by one...

"Years ago, when you tried to harm my wife, I was neither capable enough to keep a physical fight with the goons you arranged, nor did I have the power to stop your moves, all I had was my brain, but today, I had the power, both physical and political, today I stand tall in front of you to fight you in any way, so stop playing these dirty games, otherwise you wouldn't have this namesake party chief position too", Shaurya warned his father and walked away.

"Shaurya... You haven't recovered completely... Why are you doing this now?", Dev questioned holding Shaurya to stop from the physical exercise, the strenuous activities he is subjecting himself to.

"You weren't in my place, the inability to protect my wife... it's so scary, the fear I felt when I saw them trying to leave to harm my wife, I was standing there incapable of stopping them... I can't face it again, not just political power Dev, I need to attain physical power to safeguard my family, my wife...", Shaurya said, Dev kept staring at his friend, struggling with the pushups, and after that, he carried with his boxing class.

Shaurya was brought back from his memories with a phone call from Dev. 'Think of the devil and he called', he muttered before picking up the call after getting into his vehicle.

"Yes...", Shaurya answered calmly but looks like his best friend is on fire.

"What the hell did you do, Shaurya? What's in your mind? You openly confessed in front of all the party leaders that you left your pregnant wife to suffer? so that you could take care of the people? Do you even think what would happen if this news goes out, people will see you as a monster Shaurya, and your image will be destroyed", Dev said

"I didn't confess Dev, I just told them that's what I'm gonna tell the people...", Shaurya told them

"You think those people had the brains to think so much? and why did you take blame on your head Shaurya? Its Akansha who left you, I know your actions prompted her to, but you never had any intention to leave her, you were planning to keep her safe for life, you thought of confessing everything to her, beg for her forgiveness and start afresh, once you get the power you need to control your parents", Dev said

"Exactly Dev, I thought of it, I planned about it, but never told her anything, how would she know then? she did what she felt right at that moment... Now, I had to do everything to protect her, doesn't matter what the consequences are, I'll try to minimize the damage, but won't change my stance, I won't let anyone blame my wife... In the end it's in people's hands to decide what they see, the reforms and development I brought in these 5 years, or my personal life which I had hidden from them for 5 years... It's up to them what they choose", Shaurya said

"Shaurya, how much you may try to keep Akansha away from this mess, at one point, she had to face it, even if most of the people sympathized with her, what about your crazy followers and party activists? They would hate her more for destroying your image, they don't need logic Shaurya, just someone to push the blame on, so the only way you can protect Akansha is to make her stand with you, that way, people who sympathize with her would be with you, so does your followers respect for her", Dev said

"You think I have not thought of it Dev? But You really think Akansha would like to stand with me after all the hatred she had nurtured for me?", Shaurya said

"Why aren't you telling the truth to her now? There's no threat of your parents anymore", Dev asked

"Until a few days back, I didn't tell her as I couldn't see her hurt, she may not forgive me for my betrayal as soon she hears me, but she would definitely understand my love for her, at least that's what I thought but now I knew she wouldn't trust me in the first place", Shaurya said

"Wait! Why do you think so Shaurya? What happened in these few days that you came to this conclusion?", Dev asked and Shaurya recollected how she didn't believe there was an attack on him, she thought he was making that up to divert her from the truth...

"Nothing Dev... Things are complicated between us... Anyways, you tell me how is Rachna and the kids", Shaurya asked

"Really! You are asking about them instead of talking about your life where personal and professional life are sh*t?", Dev said making Shaurya chuckle...

"Things will get better, they already started getting better when I found Akansha and they are the best when I got to know about my daughter... rest all things can be handled, don't bother", Shaurya said and Dev smiled at his friend, who displayed strong resolve and strength no matter how worst was the situation, the only time he found Shaurya broken was when Akansha left him.

It took him months to compose himself and stand on his feet again, concealing his inner turmoil. After the brief talk, the friends hung up but Dev was determined to help Shaurya in any way.

-----------------------------------------------------

A few days later, Dev decided to pick up his son from school that day so that he could talk to Akansha.

"Papa...", Little Ishaan ran to his father as soon as his father and elder brother Ivaan got down of the car, Dev's security was with them as well, considering how influential a politician he is, also a CM candidate and opposition party leader.

Dev walked inside the school, to have a word with Ishaan's teachers to know how he was doing, as he shifted in the middle of the year. Well, that's what he told them. Akansha who was walking towards Siya's class to pick her up and leave for the day saw Dev, she stood rooted to her place. Past hitting her badly...

Precap - Past...
Dev and Akansha talk... Shaurya's jealousy... He reveals his wife and daughter to the world.

Note - Parts 37-45 are now available in scrollstack.