Nandini sat on the bed, looking at her laptop.

"2 days ke liye kaha jaaye? Is spending money and going somewhere worth it or...wait! Farmhouse!"

Nandini made some calls and arranged for a quick romantic getaway for herself and Manik.

"Manik!" She called out when Manik entered the room, tired.

"Hey." Manik gave her a small smile and let Nandini take his blazer off.

"I arranged a surprise for you." Nandini went and locked the door.

"What surprise?" Manik asked.

"Not right now. This weekend. Just you and me." Nandini said, pulling him closer.

That obviously cheered Manik up as he pulled her closer too.

"Just you and me...doing what?" Manik asked, twirling a strand of her hair.

"Why don't you tell me?" Nandini asked, tracing her finger along his jawline before tracing his mole.

"Hmm...you'll cook a seven-course meal for me with chicken and fish, I'll watch a football match all day." Manik said naughtily.

"Manik!" Nandini left him angrily.

"Kidding baba! Achha achha back to the mood." Manik took her hands and put them on his face, which she found very cute.

"Bolo." Nandini said in a sexy voice.

"I will lift you in my arms..."

"Hmm..."

"Place you on the bed gently...." Manik said and lifted her, making her gasp and blush. He placed her on the bed gently and hovered over her.

"Then...?"

"Then I'll kiss you everywhere...your cheeks, your wet and luscious lips, your neck..." Manik said, placing wet kisses all over.

"Hmm...Manik...aage..." Nandini said, pulling him towards her by his collar.

"Then I'll slowly undress you..." Manik pulled her shirt away from her only to see her bare chest.

"You'll be at my mercy, begging me to touch you and kiss you." Manik said and nibbled at her earlobe. She moaned his name softly while taking his shirt off.

"I hate that you are wearing so many clothes." Nandini said, taking off his cufflinks.

"Then take all of them off me. Fast." Manik said, kissing her lips passionately. Swiftly, she took off their clothes and covered them with the duvet.

"Oh, Manik...!" Nandini whispered as Manik went south, dropping kisses over her breasts and belly.

She shuddered as Manik's mouth worked wonders under the duvet, while Nandini arched her back, clutching the bed rest.

Nandini pulled Manik up when she needed him to claim her already. Manik finally wrapped her legs around his waist and claimed her, making her groan in pleasure.

Nandini opened her eyes and looked at Manik while he made love to her gently and with love. She placed a kiss on his lips.

"I love you Nandini. Only you. And you are mine. Only mine." Manik said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Only yours." Nandini assured him before reaching their release, too lost in the heat of the moment to truly decipher Manik's possessive words

-----

Alya was making breakfast when her phone pinged. It was an email regarding the Milan project. Hurriedly, she wiped her hands on her apron and checked the mail.

"Dhruv! Dhruv yahan aao!" Alya shouted excitedly. Dhruv came running, visibly worried.

"Kya hua?! Did you burn anything again? Did you cut yourself? Burn lag gaya?" Dhruv checked her frantically.

Alya broke into laughter as Dhruv looked crazy in worry.

"I am okay baby. I just got excited because of Milan. My tickets have been booked and I have a visa appointment next week." Alya said.

"Oh! That's great!" Dhruv pecked her lips. Alya smiled widely and looked at her phone.

From his peripheral vision, Dhruv saw Adah peeking at them sadly. But all he could do was sigh.

-----

Their moods were remarkably better the next day, as Manik found himself humming a recent romantic song while getting ready.

Madiha came running inside and clutched his leg, which meant he had to lift her in his arms.

"Yes princess?" Manik asked.

"Tikki went to shool. I wanna go to shool!" Madiha whined.

"There is time for that baby." Manik said, walking to the living room, where Nandini was having breakfast.

"Your daughter wants to go to school." Manik said.

"Abhi bol rahi hai. Jab time aayega tab jaane ka mann nahi karega isse. I know you too well baby." Nandini said.

"Very true. Besides Dadda doesn't want his beautiful princess to grow up." Manik said, cuddling with his daughter.

Madiha wrapped her arms around his neck too, making Nandini go aww over the two.

"Manik, I will be going to the farmhouse in the afternoon to arrange for the surprise." Nandini said, as she got up with the plates.

"Ooh, saucy." Manik said, pinching her ass.

Nandini laughed and went to the kitchen, followed by her love-sick husband who placed his daughter on the floor.

"The fact that we don't have to use condoms anymore is just lovely." Manik said, back-hugging Nandini.

"Manik..." Nandini blushed, biting her lip.

"What? Abhi kyun sharma rahi ho? Itne saal se we have been making love...ab bhi sharmati ho pehle jaise." Manik kissed her cheek.

"Aur tum abhi bhi one track mind ho. Manik, you are running late for your meeting!" Nandini pushed him away playfully.

"Aur tum ab bhi mere romantic mood ko spoil karti ho. Treasure these moments Mrs. Malhotra." Manik said playfully but Nandini took it seriously. She smiled at him as he left the kitchen, after which, her smile faded.

The words 'Treasure these moments Mrs. Malhotra' kept ringing in her head.

-----

Nandini and Manik dropped Naitik and Madiha off at Murthy's.

"Mumma, Papa I'll miss you." Naitik said, hugging both of them.

"Miss you too buddy! Eat on time and don't trouble Nani and Nanu. Take care of yourself and Dia. Princess give Dadda a kiss." Manik called her.

"Dadda!" Manik showered his baby girl with kisses and hugged both of them together.

"Love you two." Manik said.

"Luvvuuu!" Madiha said cutely.

"Love you too Papa." Naitik said.

Nandini bent down and hugged both of them, trying to control her tears.

"Nandini, sweetheart, we are going to see them again on Sunday." Manik said.

"I know..." Nandini wiped her tears so that her kids wouldn't start crying.

"Love you bachhas. Please take care and no masti and no fighting. Eat on time and-"

"They know the rest, Nandu, relax." Manik said.

"Yeah...Chachi, main unke dinner ke pehle FaceTime karungi. Aap unko din main sirf ek ghante ke liye iPad use karne dena."

"Thik hai Nandu. Enjoy karo aur chinta mat karo." Shanno assured them.

"Thank you Chachi! Bye!" Manik held Nandini's hand before leaving.

"Why did you drag me out?" Nandini asked, pissed.

"Bachhe rone lag jaate if you keep reminding them. It is in their best interest that we left quickly." Manik said, opening the door for Nandini.

"Tum baitho. I'll drive." Nandini said, making way.

"Oooh, I like that." Manik sat and let her take the wheel.

-----

"This looks damn good." Manik said, looking at the house.

"Does it remind you of anything?" Nandini asked.

"Our first New Year's together. You recreated it really well. Love you." Manik pecked her lips.

"Love you too. Now wait for ten minutes, I'll be back soon." Nandini left before Manik could get a chance to say anything. He went to the bar and poured himself a drink while Nandini made him wait.

Walking around the farmhouse, Manik noticed helium balloons with photos hanging by the strings. He had a huge grin as he looked at different memories from college and their various trips, marriage, honeymoon.

"Manik..."

He heard her soft whisper which made him turn around. He saw her clad in a white cloth just like their First New Year.

"I thought that I should recreate one of our best times together." Nandini said and held his hand.

He was just overwhelmed by her gestures and cursed himself mentally for ever doubting her love.

It was that easy to make Manik believe in her.

"Nandini, why are we going to the terrace?" Manik asked, as she pushed open the door.

"Shh."

He entered the terrace only to see it decorated with fairy lights, a comfortable bed full of cushions on one side and a couple's swing on another side.

"Wow, Mrs. Malhotra, I am impressed." Manik said.

"Good to know." Nandini slowly unbuttoned his shirt. Manik let her do what she wanted while he held her waist.

As the shirt touched the floor, Manik walked towards the swing, holding her hand. After sitting on it, they face each other.

"The fact that you took so much effort to recreate that night is enough for me. In the last two years, I thought that somewhere we just...went out of sync. But I should have known that my Nandini will never let that happen." Manik said, tucking her hair behind her ear. He kissed her forehead and eyes, making her feel at bliss.

"I love you Manik." Nandini confessed.

"I love you too, more than you can imagine." Manik said, kissing her almost-bare shoulders. He held her hair and gathered it to one side, kissing her shoulder blade and collarbone.

His hand again, subconsciously went to the knot at the back. Nandini opened her eyes and looked at Manik, while he did the same.

"Will you stop me again?" Manik asked, with a twinkle in his eyes.

"Never agin." Nandini replied.

Manik smiled and opened the knot, and the curiosity that a 19 year old Manik had, when he was denied then, was finally compensated after so many years. The white clothing slid downwards smoothly, exposing Nandini's perky breasts and alluring back. Nandini saw Manik's eyes become dark. She knew he wasn't going to be soft tonight.

"I was always curious you know...to know what I would have gotten to see or do if you let me undo the knot. Now I know." Manik said naughtily. Nandini slapped his arm playfully. Manik leaned forwards to kiss her while caressing her breasts. Nandini was attracted to him like a moth is to fire. She wrapped her arms around his neck and sat on his lap, the cloth gathered at her waist. They weren't conscious because the farmhouse was located in a very remote area and no one really lived close by.

He picked her up and gently threw her on the bed and removed his pants. She watched him while wrapping the duvet around her half-naked body. Manik entered inside the duvet and pulled her close, trying to get rid of her fabric. She helped him with it and finally, all the clothes were strewn across the floor.

-----

An hour later. Nandini was tracing patterns on his chest while he had his arm wrapped around her petite body.

"I am sorry." Nandini said.

"Hm?"

"Sorry for being so weird the entire year Manik. I was just-"

"Let's not talk about it now. It's okay Nandini." Manik said.

Nandini snuggled more into him.

"Never hide anything from me Nandini. If you have a problem, share it with me. We are in this together." Manik assured her.

"Hmm.." she whimpered weakly, tears gathering in her beautiful eyes.

"Secrets will break us, truth won't."

-----

Nandini was making breakfast for them when Manik hugged her from behind.

"You look sexy." Manik said, caressing her curves. She was wearing a bralette and shorts.

Over the years, Nandini had become more confident, especially around Manik. She wore shorter clothes and felt incredibly confident and sometimes sexy too.

"After all, I am wearing your favourite colour." Nandini said, turning around in his grip.

"You made a big mistake by doing that." Manik said, making her sit on the kitchen island.

"A big but beautiful mistake." Nandini added, biting her lip. Manik, obviously unable to control himself, kissed her passionately while Nandini brought him close by wrapping her legs around him.

While kissing Nandini, Manik unknowingly knocked over a packet of flour which was kept beside Nandini. It resulted in Nandini's lap and legs covered with flour.

"Manik!!!!" Nandini screamed.

Manik started laughing loudly, looking at Nandini's angry face.

"Ruko tum." Nandini picked up the packet and poured it over Manik's head.

"What the fuck?" Manik scowled, looking at Nandini.

"Bwahahaha!" Nandini burst out laughing and got out of his hold to run away.

"Abhi ruko tum." Manik chased Nandini outside the kitchen and Nandini kept running and dodging him while laughing like a kid. Manik was laughing too, as he tried to catch her.

While running towards the couch to jump over it, Nandini's foot got stuck under the carpet and she tripped. She fell on the couch and Manik cornered her.

"Acting funny huh?" Manik said devilishly.

"Manik...I love you baby." Nandini said innocently.

"Achha?"

"Hmm!" Nandini hummed cutely and Manik just found it too cute.

He placed a soft kiss on her nose and she smiled brightly.

"Love you too." Manik said, slowly backing away and dusting his hair.

"Go and clean yourself, I will manage." Nandini said, patting the flour off his shoulders.

"Hmm...wait." Manik got up and bent down to lift her up in his arms.

"What are you doing?"

"We make a mess together, we clean it together too." Manik said while grinning and carried her to the washroom while she blushed crimson.

-----

Adah walked out of school with her friends. Usually she was picked up by her father but today he wasn't standing at his usual spot. Frowning, she looked around to see an Audi parked with her mother standing outside, leaned against it. Adah's face broke into a smile as she quickly waved to her friends and ran towards her mother.

"Mumzee!!!!!" Adah jumped on her mom who picked her up while laughing. Even though Adah was six now, Alya often picked her up.

"Mumma you here?? I thought you had work." Adah scratched her head, confused.

"Well, today it is Mumma and Adah day out, okay?" Alya said, kissing Adah's nose.

"Yayyy!!" Adah jumped in her grip. Alya chuckled and they walked towards the car.

"Mumma, where are we going?"

"First, we will go to eat lunch and then we will go shopping, okay? After shopping we will go to the salon." Alya said and saw Adah's eyes shining.

"I love you Mumma!" Adah said.

"I love you too cupcake." Alya said before starting the car.

-----

The weekend was very rejuvenating for both of them. They got to spend time with each other just like old times. They certainly got back to communicating a better way and tried to work it out.

It was morning time and Manik had just left for work and Nandini was going downstairs to her car.

"Wait, where's my car? Why is Manik's car here?" She asked her driver-cum-bodyguard, Mohan.

"Sir le gaye." He told her.

"Umm...okay, toh chalte hai isme." Nandini frowned but got into the car anyway with the kids.

Meanwhile,

Manik was in his cabin, rolling the paper weight while being deep in thought.

'How could I ever doubt her? GPS system...how cheap Manik! I really need to calm the hell down. I can never breach her trust like this ever again. Thank god I took it out within a week. God! What was I thinking?' Manik thought to himself.

Just then he heard a knock.

"Sir, you have a lunch meeting at Taj." Kirti, his PA said.

"Thanks Kirti." Manik looked at her but he frowned.

"Are you alright? You look really fatigued." Manik said.

"No sir...I am fine." Kirti smiled weakly.

"I think you should go home."

"No sir, I'll just have some coffee." Kirti said and left with a smile. Manik shook his head at her workaholic nature.

-----

Nandini reached the hospital with the kids. She took out the Visitor's Card and showed it to the Receptionist.

"Hi Nandini Ma'am!" The receptionist greeted her with a smile.

"Hi Deepti." Nandini smiled back and entered her name in the register.

"I can go and meet her, right?" Nandini asked.

"Yes."

Nandini nodded and picked Madiha up in her arms while holding Naitik's hand.

"Mummaa!!!" Madiha tried to take the visitor's card from her.

"Kya hua baby? Don't make noise in the hospital please." Nandini said and gave the card to her so that she didn't throw a tantrum.

Nandini opened the door of a ward and entered inside.

"Oh you are here." A lady folded the newspaper she was reading and kept it aside.

"Dadiii!" Both the kids ran towards her.

"Yes Ma. And brought the kids too, just like you wanted." Nandini smiled and sat beside her.

"Thanks Nandini. I am really grateful to you-"

"Ma, aap phir shuru ho gayi. Purani baaton ko bhul jaiye." Nandini held the lady's hand.

"Kaise bhul jau? Jab tak main usse maafi nahi maang leti, main nahi bhul paungi kuch."

Nandini had nothing to say.

"Mumma! Papa kab aayenge humaare saath? Dadi is his mother, no?" Naitik asked innocently.

Nandini widened her eyes angrily at Naitik. Naitik looked down.

"Bachha hai vo Nandini. Chhod do."

Nandini nodded her head, but gave a look to Naitik, who looked down with a pout.

The doctor came for her daily check-up. He smiled at Nandini and her kids.

"Kids can really heal, Nyonika ji." The doctor said.

"They can, Doctor." Nyonika said, looking at Nandini with sad eyes.

-----

Manik, having finished his meeting, walked back to his car with Kirti.

"Kirti, what's my schedule for tomorrow?" Manik asked, checking his phone while walking.

He didn't hear any response.

He turned to his side and saw that Kirti wasn't there with him.

"Kirti!" He shouted when he saw her leaning against a car, holding her head.

"Kirti!" He picked her up as she fainted in front of his eyes.

"Ramesh! City Hospital! Quick!" Manik ordered and placed Kirti in the car.

As soon as he got her inside, he looked for Kirti's phone and called her husband immediately.

"Haa bolo Kirti."

"This is me, Manik."

"Yes sir! Is there a problem?!"

"Yes...Kirti just fainted while we were coming back to the office from a meeting. Main ab usse City Hospital lekar jaa raha hu. I think you should come."

"Oh no! Sir, I'll be there in 20 minutes." Her husband said and Manik hung up.

They reached the hospital in no time and Manik picked her up and told Ramesh to bring a stretcher. Manik saw Kirti's husband, John running towards them.

"I'll make sure she'll be treated ASAP. Don't worry." Manik said, as they walked inside the hospital.

"Sir!" The receptionist tried to stop them.

"Sir you need to enter-" She was stopped by another Receptionist who knew Manik and his influence.

"Sshh, Deepti." She dragged her back and Manik threw them a glare, before walking in.

Manik waited outside while the doctor treated Kirti.

"Sir, I think you should leave. I'll manage."

"Are you sure?" Manik asked.

"100% sir."

"Hmm...achha listen. Tell Kirti to take a leave for 2 days. Don't worry about the bill either. It happened during work, so it is my responsibility." Manik said, buttoning his blazer.

"Thank you so much sir." John said with gratitude. Manik nodded in acknowledgment and walked away.

He reached the reception and saw the same girl who tried to stop him.

"You should have some judgment. You can't expect a person tending to an emergency to come and sign the register." Manik scolded her. She just nodded, looking down.

Manik took the pen and signed the register when he spotted something familiar.

"Nandini...Murthy." He frowned.

"Oh yes! Sir, your wife's name is Nandini Murthy right?" The other receptionist asked.

"Yeah."

"Here. We found it on the floor just 10 minutes ago. I think she dropped it by mistake."

Manik took the card from her and read it.

Visitor's name- Nandini Murthy.
Age- 30
Gender- Female
Patient's name- Nyonika Bose.

Manik's eyes widened when he read the names. He couldn't believe his eyes.

"Hmm, thanks." Manik muttered.

"Where is the ward?" He asked.

"Sir, take a right after you take the first staircase."

Manik nodded and went looking for the ward. He finally figured it out and saw a door with the name Nyonika Bose.

He peeped through the small circular hole in the door. His questions had been answered.

It was indeed Nyonika Bose, his mother.

-----

In the evening, Manik returned home and saw Annie playing with the kids.

"Where's Nandini?"

"She went for a meeting at the music studio." Annie said.

"Hmm...Aunty do one thing, can you drop the kids at Mukti's? You can also go home today, for a week. I'll arrange your tickets." Manik said.

"But-"

"Please?"

Annie found something strange in Manik's eyes. It was scary and mysterious.

"If you say so." Annie got up and went inside.

An hour later-

Manik was sitting on the sofa, sipping Vodka when Nandini entered the house. She saw the dim-lit living room and noticed Manik drinking.
She smiled at him and Manik just stared at her.

"Hey?"

Manik zoned back in and gave her a small smile.

"I am hungry." Manik said curtly.

"Yeah, I'll serve the food." Nandini got up and went to the kitchen.

"Acha hua bahar se khana leliya! Absolutely drained today!" Nandini said and served the food.

"Wait, where are the kids?" Nandini asked, noticing the quiet house.

"Mukti ke ghar pe. I dropped them off."

"Hmm, okay...why?"

"They wanted to meet Bruno."

Nandini nodded and they ate in silence, while Manik looked at her occasionally to read her.

After dinner, Nandini was clearing the dishes when Manik came into the kitchen. She saw him and frowned, seeing his red eyes and sullen expression.

"Kya hua? Are you not feeling well?" Nandini asked.

"Nothing like that."

"Toh?"

"Tum kaha thi?" Manik asked, leaning against the kitchen counter, beside Nandini.

"Kyun?"

"Bolo toh."

"Recording studio."

"The entire day?"

"Y-yeah."

"Jhut."

Nandini scrunched her eyebrows and switched off the tap, wiping her hands with the towel before looking at Manik.

"Kya jhut?"

"You went to the recording studio in the evening. Where were you from 9 AM to 1 PM?"

Nandini looked away from his eyes and forwarded her hand to turn on the tap when Manik's hand stopped her.

"Answer me."

"Manik, maine bola na, recording studio."

Manik left her hand harshly before taking out something.

"Toh yeh?"

Nandini's eyes widened when she saw the card.

"M-Manik...I can explain." Nandini held Manik's shoulder.

Manik wrapped his hand around her wrist and wrenched it away from himself.

"I am listening."

"Manik...I..I just went to check on Ma-"

"Ma? You have started calling her Ma?!" Manik held Nandini tightly by her shoulders, causing her extreme pain.

"Manik, it's hurting..." Nandini, gritting out in pain and closing her eyes, as tears slipped out.

"And what about my heart? Do you know how much it hurts there?" Manik asked with a painful voice, poking at his chest with his finger.

Nandini looked at him with teary eyes. His looks screamed 'Monster Manik'. She knew he was back.

"Manik...!"

"How can you betray me like this? How dare you breach my trust?!" Manik roared.

"Manik, she's sick!"

"So what??"

"So what?! How can you be so insensitive Manik? She's your mother!"

"She is not!"

"Yes she is Manik! Stop running away from it! She's dying everyday, Manik. You know she has cancer! How can you be so insensitive-"

Manik suddenly pushed her away, as if her touch, as if her very presence repulsed him. Her wrist hit the kitchen platform and she winced in pain, certain that something major must have happened to it.

Nandini held her wrist, which hurt. Before she knew it, tears were running down her eyes, as she looked at Manik.

"You ...pushed me." Nandini said slowly to herself.

"Nandini-"

"No! Don't come close to me. Don't say anything. I don't know you anymore." Nandini said, hiccuping. She took some steps backwards before running into her room and banging the door shut.

Manik took the Vodka bottle in his hands and threw it across the room. It crashed onto the wall and broke something.

Their wedding photo.

-----

It was 8 AM. The Malhotra abode was silent. Absolutely no noise.

Nandini got up from her sleep and realised that she had cried herself to sleep. She sat up on the bed and looked at her children sleeping beside her. She kissed both their foreheads and stepped into the bathroom.

She looked at the mirror. She noticed her bandaged wrist. As she touched it, she winced audibly. Nandini looked at her arm too, where Manik's handprints had faded overnight, but it hurt her sensitive skin and her heart.

She splashed water on her face and brushed her teeth carefully without hurting her hand. Stepping out of the bedroom, she received a shock. The floor was stained with blood, probably Manik's. She bent down to see shards of glass in one corner of the living room and a broken frame lying on the floor. Immediately cleaning everything up to avoid injuries, she picked up the photo frame.

A tear slid out of her eye, falling on the photo. She knew she had made a huge blunder.

-----

Nandini tried to call Manik several times but he did not respond. She called Cabir next.

"Hello?" Cabir said.

"Hi Cabir, is Manik there?"

"Yeah. He came at 2 AM. Kuch hua kya?" Nandini let go of the breath she didn't know she was holding.

"Nahi...umm, vo kaisa hai?"

"He didn't want to talk. Main phone dun?"

"Nahi, it's okay. Hmm, just convince him to come back home." Nandini said, with a heartbroken voice.

"Nandini, you're scaring me, hua kya hai?" Cabir sounded serious.

"Vo...vo...kuch nahi." Nandini cut the phone.

-----

It was 10 AM when Nandini heard the sound of a click. She knew Manik was home.

She turned towards him but Manik avoided eye contact and just walked inside the room, completely avoiding her.

She followed him to his study and saw files and papers. He was piling them while Nandini held his hand. He shot a look at her, warning her to stay away.

"Manik."

"Stay away."

"Manik yeh sab kya hai?"

"I said, stay the fuck away."

She saw medical reports, investigating agency records, bank account details.

"Did you do a background check on me?" Nandini asked, looking at the sheets which had her bank transactions printed.

Manik didn't answer.

"What the hell Manik? What is wrong with you?! How can you access my bank account like that?" Nandini lost her cool.

Manik didn't flinch at her loud voice. He just kept the things on the desk and pinned her against the wall in a moment.

"Keep your voice low Nandini. You broke my trust first."

"Manik-"

"Shhh...I didn't give you a chance to speak, because all of these..." He pointed to his desk.

"...all of these are enough to tell me what you were doing behind my back. I thought my innocent Nandini couldn't lie. Ab toh tum expert hogayi ho, ek saal se consistently jhoot bola hai tumne." Manik said, with a menacing voice.

"I told you...I told you to not think about her. You still went behind my back. What do you think of yourself Nandini?" Manik asked, gritting his teeth.

Nandini was scared of Manik for the first time in her life. Scared that he would hurt her, just like last night. And she hated that feeling.

"Tell me one thing. What gives you the right to let her meet my children?" Manik asked.

"Manik...! Let me go." Nandini said, trying to break free of his grip.

"Answer me."

"They are my kids too."

"And the woman you are being empathetic with, is my mother."

Nandini looked into his eyes, seeing fury and anger. She felt like he was a stranger at that very moment.

"Mumma!" They heard Naitik's voice and Manik let her go. She held her wrist, which hurt due to his grip. In 24 hours, Manik had physically hurt her more than he ever did in the 13 years of their relationship.

-----

Author's note :

Can I just say I love angst? But yes, please whatever these two are doing, it's not healthy at all, and I definitely do not condone persistent lies or getting physically violent with spouses at all! This is a work of fiction and fiction only.

That said, damn Nandini fucked up big time and Manik has entered his Monster Manik mode, unwilling to listen to any logic or explanation :(

Next chapter is going to be angstier!!