HER
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'Its not a deep cut Mrs D'Cruz but it's good that you called for me. We don't want to take chances of infection so I'm giving her a tetanus' said the doctor to FD who looked extremely worried looking at the scar on my neck. The man who treated me was the visiting doctor for customers at Ray's hotel. He prescribed me a pain killer in case the stinging increases and asked me to keep away from water and change the bandage regularly. He smiled and left.

My Lydia left Roy's little finger and came closer to me trying to examine my neck carefully. She had seen bandages but had never seen one on me or Ray. She looked scared and worried. With teary eyes she asked 'Mumma does it hurt?' and I smiled with tears and kissed her chubby cheek saying 'No my love...Mumma is fine...don't worry okay?'. She nodded but slowly touched my neck carefully and then rested her head on my shoulder saying 'I love you Mumna'. I could feel my child was scared for me. I kissed her head saying 'I love you too my Chand Baluu (beautiful child)' I said as tears rolled down my cheeks which finally met the man who was staring at me while standing near the door with arms folded against his chest.

Trying to hide his tears he left the room and I closed my eyes crying at my fate. My foolishness. I didn't know what and all I should cry for... There was so much I had lost all along.

Probably noticing my helplessness Alice Mumma walked towards me and carried Lydia in her arms saying 'Come to HodliMai (granny) Bala (child)...Mumma got Bui on her neck na. She needs to rest after taking medicine' she slowly caressed Lydia's head and my little Lydia looked at my crying face and wiped my cheeks with her little hands and asked her grandmother 'Gammy is Mumma crying because of the injection? Even Lydia hates injections. But Dadda says it is important so you don't fall ill again Mumma. It may hurt now but it will slowly heal!!! Promise' saying she pinched her neck and I nodded and burst into more tears when Neha rubbed my back trying to console me.

That's when Alice Mumma said 'Mumma needs to sleep darling and little Lydia needs to eat breakfast. Come...Gammy will make Lydia's favorite pancakes...' but my little child did not look excited at all. Alice Mumma looked worried when Lydia didn't want to leave me...her mother alone. That's when Neha signalled something to Avita and she quickly came along saying

'Ly baby...See your little sister is so naughty. She did not even drink her milk. Who is going to make Ava drink milk now?' she tried to divert her mind but my little girl was still staring at my bandage as she said 'Aunt Avita can you please ask Felix to do it. Mumma got Bui. I have to be with her.' and my heart went for my little girl. I made her sit on my lap and fed her pancake while she fed me a few morsels and then I made her drink milk. I needed some privacy right now to be alone and looks like everyone understood it. I hugged Lydia to my chest and lied down on the bed. Slowly my little girl fell asleep but I was still unable to sleep.

Flashback begins...

'Riya believe me!!! I didn't do anything!!!' Ray begged as I started packing my bags. This time forever. He kept pacing around trying to explain me that he wasn't at fault but my eyes didn't stop pouring and my heart felt broken.

He grabbed me by my hand and stopped me as he yelled 'Why can't you trust me Riya? I swear I didn't do anything.'

'Then what was that doctor saying Ray? The girl had a physical examination. She slept with you. You had sex with another woman Ray-'

'I DID NOT!!! I swear Riya' saying he broke into tears falling on his knees hugging my seven month pregnant baby bump as he whispered against it

'I dont have any proofs to prove I am innocent Riya. It's only your faith. Please trust me. I swear darling. I was always yours. I don't even know that woman. All I remember was, I threw a party last night but I was sad because you weren't with me. I was angry yet upset for a silly fight we had and because you left to Mangalore. I wanted to call you but my silly ego didn't let me do that baby and so I was drinking. But believe me Riya. I had just two glasses of scotch. And I was the host so I was drinking slowly. It is impossible that I get so drunk...and that woman...all I remember was I wasn't able to stand properly and she said 'She will help' and the next thing I know is-'

'The next thing you know is you fucked her!!! Right Mr Ray D'Cruz?' and he yelled

'No Riya...I didn't... Trust me for once girl!!!'

'Did you??? Did you ever??? When I told you that Roy is just my brother in law. He's more like a friend...did you trust me? You doubted upon me Ray...You asked if I liked him? Like seriously? I'm pregnant with your child and you...Sick!!! I left to Mangalore and look what you did behind my back. Who was she? Girlfriend? One night stand?'

'She was no one Riya!!! And I didn't doubt your character Riya. I can never. I was angry okay. I got jealous seeing you with Roy. He is my sibling but he has always been a competitor. And to add on you both are of the same age as well. It...made me act like an idiot but I never doubted your character Riya...I know you and I am sorry for letting you go-'

To which I wiped my face saying
'No Ray!!! Infact I'm sorry for letting you go. My child won't be born in this house where her father fucked another woman. I am leaving you and your house Ray!!!' saying I started dragging the suitcase along when Ray fell on my feet saying 'Riya stop... please don't do this...I swear I didn't and where are you going... please Riya-' and I yanked my hand off his grip and screamed 'To hell!!! Anywhere but with you Ray and Han...I won't let you kinda characterless man anywhere near my child. See you in the court Ray!!!' saying I walked out of the house.

✨

'Are you both sure that you want a divorce?' FD asked while sitting in the living room of her house and we both gave conflicting answers 'Yes/No' and our gazes met. I huffed and looked elsewhere saying

'I need a divorce from this man Di. I can't live with a manwhore!!!' when he suddenly shouted

'And no force on planet earth can punish me for what I never did. I'm not going to participate in this madness. I want to live with my wife and my child' he said firmly when Alice Mumma sniffled through her tears and Uncle Al hugged her trying to console her but she screamed

'But why Riya? Why are you willing to seperate from him? Atleast give me a reason!!!' to which I looked in his eyes who didn't blink even once as I stood up saying 'I dont want alimony. I don't want any support. I just want to walk out of this marriage with mutual consent and with my child-'

'Its my child too. I want my baby as much as you do Riya... along with you-' his voice broke but I looked elsewhere saying

'But I don't!!!' and then there was pin drop of silence when suddenly Ray announced 'And if you think I'm letting go off what's mine you gotto be dreaming!!! To hell with your stupid divorce. I'm not leaving you or my child ' saying he stormed out of the room.

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'Mr D'Cruz your wife needs care. She is in her last trimester. I have told you she needs care and support and do not give her tensions. She already has a lot of complications, don't add more into it. A high blood pressure can cause a lot more complications when she is due in a few days from now. Please!!!' my gynaecologist told him as he helplessly looked at me while I kept looking at the roof aimlessly and then she looked at me saying

'Riya you can't skip your medicines or keep running around. What's keeping you up so stressed. It's harmful for your child Riya. Please understand. I want you to take good rest right now and please no running around. Mr D'Cruz please take care of your wife ' saying she walked out of the room.

Ray came and sat next to me on my bed as he slowly caressed my head but I hated his touch and looked in the other direction. But that's when suddenly he said 'You will get everything you want Riya. Divorce as well!' and my eyes widened and I looked at his face. He looked heartbroken.

'I tried to make you believe but guess nothing works out in this world just on the basis of trust even if people are in love. I am ready to divorce if you think that will give you peace of mind but I have one simple condition!' he said and I raised my eyebrow asking 'And that is?'

'I want us to raise our child together. Even if it doesn't keep us under the same roof. Even if we can't call ourselves husband and wife because couples get divorced parents don't! I want to give a secure childhood that consists of both father and mother to our baby. Something I never got. Can we co-parent our child?' he asked and I was left thinking.

✨

'Are you sure you don't wa-'

'I don't need anything from him Fari Di. Just a mutual divorce and like promised we will co-parent Lydia.' but that's when FD said

'Riya you know that Ray wants Lydia to inherit everything he has right? He doesn't mind writing off the outhouse on Lydia's name right now!' she said and I nodded saying

'He doesn't! I do! He can do or give whatever he wants to his daughter when she's 18+ ...not now! I am her mother and my child will stay in my house. I will pay him the rent of that house every month and tell your nephew not to worry Di...I may not be a double graduate like him but I certainly can get a decent job. Infact I already have been offered one. I can afford to pay his rent. If he really wants to help, let him do his fatherly duties. Let him take care of his daughter too!' I said when Lydia started crying loudly and that's when Ray stepped into the room. He walked past me and carried Lydia in her arms. I saw how my little girl stopped crying. I walked closer to see Ray was singing 'Twinkle twinkle' to our daughter and she cooed herself in his arms and I knew Ray may not be a faithful husband but would definitely be a great father.

Flashback ends...

But today everything looked like a lie. My thoughts my beliefs. I had promised to be by his side. I had to trust him but I did not and my insides were eating me up.

✨

When I walked out of the room I noticed a man in a three piece suit, bald head sitting on the sofa and he suddenly stood up looking at me. I noticed Uncle Al, FD, Alice Mumma, Roy and Ray having an intense discussion with him which stopped the moment I arrived.

FD came near me and examined my neck asking how am I feeling and I nodded saying I'm much better now. The old man seemed to look sad and guilty but he instantly folded his hands saying

'Child I don't know what should I be saying but all I can do is a small request. Please don't send my child to jail. We didn't think that her depression would hit back, we thought she had overcome it but I...I am sorry-' saying he folded his hands and I was confused when Roy patted the old man's back making him sit and said

'He is Ivory's father! Uncle Jack!!!' he said and I was shocked. Roy spoke up 'Uncle Jack's organization is into interior decors as well and his company designed most of my hotels in UK. During business meets I have met him very often but it was once when he called me for a family function is when for the first time I met Ivory.' he said and I was shocked.