Anurag's heart pounded in his chest as he anticipated Mitali's protest, but to his horror, she accepted Purvi's proposition without question. The weight of her compliance amplified the guilt that hung around his neck like a noose. Desperately, he tried to cut the taut ropes binding him to this fate, but they refused to budge. He had always admired his sister's bravery and tenacity, but now she had agreed to something unimaginable even in his darkest nightmares, and he knew it was all because of him. A wave of shame and self-loathing crashed over him, threatening to drown him in their depths.

As the car from Sinhas pulled up to take Mitali away, his heart threatened to burst out of his chest and his mouth turned to sandpaper. Mitali, composed and aloof, rose from her seat with a pale face that drove a knife deeper into his guilty conscience.

She waved goodbye to their mother with a forced smile that failed to reach her hollow eyes, and Pushpa fought to see past her crumbling facade. The car sped beyond his line of sight, wrenching at his heart with an unbearable ache.

A jolt of shock ran through Mitali Pathak as she caught sight of Adhrit Sinha sitting in her car. Her throat constricted, a cold, hard knot forming as she realized she had almost left the door unlocked. She wasn't ready to face him yet. The man who was supposed to be the father of her child, a mere transaction on paper. A night of forced intimacy and a marriage out of necessity. The weight of their circumstances made it almost unbearable for her to mentally prepare for their inevitable encounter.

A vortex of chaos swirled around her, engulfing her in a suffocating grip. Trapped and helpless, she couldn't escape the turmoil that consumed her. But amidst the chaos, there stood a figure who seemed immune to its destructive force. Adhrit's cool demeanor and detached gaze were a stark contrast to Mitali's anxious and disheartened state. As their eyes met, he gave a simple nod, the only acknowledgement of their entanglement in this mess.

Mitali's forehead furrowed even deeper as she watched Adhrit's nonchalant behavior. How could he stay so composed in the face of such turmoil? Just hours ago, he had reminded her of his power to make her life miserable. And now he was willing to spend the night with her? Was this his way of getting back at her for standing up to him?

The realization hit Mitali like a bolt of lightning - Adhrit was unpredictable and capable of anything. Her fear and confusion turned into pure dread as she wondered what his true intentions were for the night ahead.

She had thought it would be a difficult task for him, just as it was for her. But what she saw nearly shattered that belief. Gripping her lower lip between her teeth, she resists the urge to yank out chunks of her own hair in frustration. Mitali's fingers curl into tight balls, her nails digging into her palms until they draw blood. She shakes her head violently, trying to break free from the consuming despair that threatens to swallow her whole.

Her mind is a raging storm, struggling to contain the countless thoughts and emotions swirling inside. Did he see her vulnerability as nothing but pathetic desperation? Did he label her as weak for accepting his proposal? The weight of these questions crushes down on Mitali, threatening to drown her in a sea of self-doubt and shame.

Her unflinching loyalty to her family had already shattered her sense of self-worth, but she refused to let it be further dismantled by a stranger. She couldn't decipher his actions or intentions, making him even more unsettling. Why did he choose to accompany her if not to strike up a conversation? The desire to interrogate him burned inside her, leaving her shaken and untethered. Her pride prevented her from indulging in the small pleasures she craved, though she longed to engage in a battle of wits with this man who would use her for his own pleasure but not engage in meaningful conversation. Her damaged ego held her back from speaking to someone who saw her as nothing more than a means to an end.

Why did she have to be the one to break the silence? The weight of his judgment loomed over her, ready to crush any sign of vulnerability.

The car screeched to a halt, jolting her out of her thoughts. He stepped out and opened the door for her, his presence suffocating. Her mother had forced her into a flashy red anarkali, deeming it appropriate for the "important conference" she had reluctantly agreed to attend.

As she stepped out into the biting wind, the hem of her skirt whipped around violently, mirroring the turmoil in her mind as she braced herself for the inevitable confrontation ahead.

The gust of wind blowing across her face jolted her back to reality. She was about to experience moments she had always dreamed of sharing with the love of her life, but instead she was facing a stranger.

She exhaled deeply and made up her mind to confront Adhrit about the situation, only to see him strolling towards the hotel entrance.

She quickened her pace, taking long strides towards him. Her sedentary job required some extra effort from her to catch up with Adhrit and stop him in his tracks.

With a panting breath and eyes that shot daggers, she asked Mr. Sinha to share his thoughts on the current situation. She promised gratitude for his cooperation. However, he held back, telling her to wait until his plan was put into action. His eyes showed no hint of kindness. Mitali was already confused, trying to make sense of his riddles. What plan was he referring to? She couldn't keep up with his cryptic words.

"Mr. Sinha, now is not the time for riddles. What do you mean when you say 'plan'?" she asked, her eyes filled with determination and pain.

"Please bear with me, Miss Pathak. I know it's a lot to ask in this moment, but trust me. Just this once. Let's walk together and wait for ten minutes. Please."

His sincerity and desperate expression convinced her to listen, and exhaustion prevented her from resisting any longer. All she wanted was peace, a sense of security that no one could give her.

For what felt like an eternity, neither of them spoke. The silence was thick and heavy between Adhrit and Mitali. Suddenly, Adhrit's phone rang, breaking the tension and causing him to stand up and answer it. Mitali instinctively chose a seat as far away from him as possible, determined to keep her distance.

As he made his way towards her, she couldn't help but tense up in anticipation. "Come on, Ms. Pathak," he said, gesturing for her to follow him.

Her throat tightened and her heart pounded in her chest. She could feel her fingers and feet shaking, so she pressed them against the ground and covered them with the hem of her anarkali dress to hide her nerves.

"But where are we going?" she asked, shuffling in her seat and hiding her trembling hands under the dupatta draped over her.

She struggled to control her fear and anxiety, trying desperately to keep her voice steady. Her heart pounded in her chest and her breaths came out unsteady and shallow. "You must be familiar with All India Institute of Medical Sciences," he said, noticing how she stood tall but with an underlying sense of being shaken, while he stuck his hands into the pockets of his trousers. She was caught off guard and her mouth opened slightly with surprise as she gave him a questioning look. "Yeah, but..." It baffled her that he would consider going to AIIMS at nine o'clock in the evening.

"I asked one of my employees to arrange a meeting with her friend, a renowned gynecologist at AIIMS. I thought it would be helpful to get a different perspective on the matter. I assumed you would see the value in this and wanted you to come with me since my driver would be leaving in ten minutes. If anything I did made you uncomfortable, I apologize for that."

As the truth dawned on her, her eyes widened in shock and disbelief. His confession only added to the chaos in her mind, leaving her reeling with confusion and uncertainty. But one thing was crystal clear - Adhrit Sinha was an enigma beyond her understanding. And despite her past grievances against him, a sense of admiration began to sprout within her barren heart, unable to deny his complex and intriguing nature.

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