Nikita stepped out to the living room once she had made sure Maahi was asleep in the guest room. Parth had asked her to sleep there so Nikita could stay with her. He had learned too much than he could have ever imagined.

After Nikita's wedding, he never heard from Maahi. He'd assumed she'd went to India like she had said and then a month after, had started the internship. Maahi had tons of good things waiting for her. He had imagined she'd be happy in her life.

While finishing his law school and then starting a job at a law firm, he hadn't had much time to socialize and catch up with people he knew.

He'd almost pushed her to the very back of his head in a pile of forgotten memories. After seeing her again out of the blue, all those memories were fresh as if they were just yesterday.

There was a heavy burden on his chest. He knew that for her, they were anything but yesterday. He couldn't imagine how long the last three years would have been for her.

Nikita asked, "What are you thinking?" taking a seat next to him on the couch.

He turned to sit sideways and put one arm over the back of the couch. "How could so much happen?"

"It's been three years, Parth." She reminded him, but she knew what he meant. Sometimes, it didn't feel as such. Sometimes, they seemed to have passed by too quickly. Only when she really would think about it, she would know it had been long three years.

A lot had definitely happened.

A lot had changed.

Maahi had changed a lot.

"How come you never told me?"

She tried to explain. "Maahi is private, Parth. I couldn't just tell you about her life." Maahi was her best friend. She confided in her. She couldn't betray her by telling him, even though she had many a times thought about how Parth could legally do something about it.

He expressed his restless feelings. "Just thinking about it, it makes me so mad. I can't imagine how she lived the last three years."

"I know. I had to see her go through it as if I was a by stander, not her closest friend. I used to be scared for her, you know? I have no idea how she would put up with it." She inhaled and then put an end to the topic.

It was all overwhelming enough for one night.

"Anyway, let's just take it one day at a time. And Parth, for her sake, be as rational and objective as possible," she advised. "If you add your emotions in this, it's going to make it that much harder for her."

"Add my emotions?" He questioned her, unsure of what she meant.

She smiled, wondering how he could think she would be fooled by him, "Parth, you may be the lawyer in the family, but I have an excellent eye for details too. Since you met her at my wedding, you've been a different person. It was as if I was seeing my brother grow up and be mature overnight."

He opened his mouth to object. He still couldn't deny it. The two of them always shared their feelings with each other. No relationships they ever had were a secret from the other.

"Bro, don't try and deny it. I didn't say anything back then, because... well, she left and then all this happened. But now, she's back in your life and unlike last time, you're going to see her more than just a day."

"I hear you." He let her know.

She was unsure if he truly did. But, if anything she had learnt about him in the past couple years, he had grown to be a reasonable, mature adult.

She'd always been proud of her brother but most in the recent year, she had started to feel as if he was her pride. Even if it was hard, she knew she could trust him to atleast try. She was sure he understood the delicacy of Maahi's current state.

"Get some sleep." She whispered, giving him a hug. "It's going to be a long few days." Then, she returned to the room.

As true as that may be, he couldn't sleep without being restless. He did doze off for a short nap, but it left him slightly disoriented when he woke up at the sound of a door creaking.

Maahi stepped out of the room and very quietly closed the door again since Nikita had fallen asleep and she didn't want to disturb her.

Parth noticed she was trying to be quiet, so he didn't let her now he had spotted her. He remained still in his place, but his eyes followed her till she disappeared in the hallway bathroom.

He lay awake there in the dark.

She was in there for a long time. Truly, she wanted to get some fresh air. Inside, she felt as if she was being suffocated. She felt lost. She had never thought something as such would happen to her. She herself was a family and marriage therapist at the mental health counseling clinic she worked at. She counseled a good chunk of couples in their marriage, but the reality that it could also happen to her?

There was always a risk in choosing this line.

There were multiple people who had asked her how she could work with couples to help their marriages and also maintain a healthy marriage of her own. She met many couples working through infidelity.

After seeing it all at work, she herself had wondered how she was supposed to not let that carry over in her personal life.

But, she had also always thought that she would be in a happy marriage with a guy of her own choosing. It was with that belief that she had went in this field and had believed with all her heart that she could do this work and have a good life.

How could she have known this was how her life would turn out?

One could also say that another reason she stuck through in this violent and abusive marriage could be because of her career. She couldn't come to terms with it.

How could she believe in everything she did for the patients she saw, and then go home to not work on her marriage and give it a chance?

There were tools she always instructed her patients to use in order to build healthy communication, break destructive patterns in relationships, etc. How was she to call it quits in her marriage at the very first hurdle without trying to make it work?

One thing she didn't realize was that the patients she saw loved each other at one point. That was why they had gotten married, and that was why they came for counseling – to see if they could salvage the relationship for the love they once had.

In her case? It was never love.

She married Sonu because she had to. He couldn't even be her friend. How could she love him? She had only thought he was a nice guy, until months into their marriage and she had started to see through his façade.

With thoughts running wild in her head, it was starting to pain. The cut on her forehead was already giving her a headache, and this simply made it unbearable.

She finally stood up from the floor of the washroom. Turning the tap, she splashed the water on her face and wiped it dry. It was difficult to open her eyes properly amidst the burning sensation. They were clearly red and puffy.

Adjusting to the dark, she walked into the kitchen pantry where she knew Nikita kept her first aid. She was sure she could find Tylenol in there to help with her headache. After swallowing it with water, she lingered out to the balcony until sunrise, letting her skin feel as numb as her heart and mind.

༺༻ ༺༻༺༻

Blake woke up just a bit after sunrise as he had to go to work. Finding the balcony open, he went to investigate, thinking Nikita must be out there as she wasn't in bed. Only, he found Maahi there.

Feeling a presence, she looked behind her and pressed her lips together in a small smile seeing him.

Observing the bandage on her forehead, Blake caught on to the situation. Feeling for her, he came and sat next to her with a hand forwarded towards the bandage. He wanted to peel it off to look at the wound, but she slightly inched back.

"It hurts." She explained. He let out a frustrated sigh. She knew what he would try next, so she saved him the trouble, "You don't have to lecture me this time. I'm done with him."

He relaxed his shoulders hearing that. "Good."

As always, Blake was a man of few words. Seeing that she had already made the right decision, he wasn't going to beat her up over it. He let his silence and one-word answer speak for how he felt about the decision she had made this time.

Had it been a different decision, he would have definitely given her a lecture lasting about half an hour, with a long list of why she should leave her good for nothing excuse of a husband, and all the negatives and maybes if she didn't leave him.

After a while, he questioned, "I see Parth is on the couch. I take it he knows?"

She nodded, hugging her legs closer to her chest, "Asked for his help last night. We're supposed to go to the precinct today."

He made his opinion known, "That bastard needs to rot in jail for the rest of his life."

As much as she wished that would be true, she was realistic. "Do you know how many men are in this world that turn abusive towards their partner some time in their life? If police locked them all up, I'd be out of a job."

At that, Blake found it in him to laugh before he pointed out the facts, "Maahi, you don't counsel abusive men. You counsel couples that have a chance."

"Yeah, still, just saying," she muttered shrugging her shoulders aimlessly.

His expression sobered as he gently spoke, "You know, I do understand why you stayed with him and kept giving him a chance. If you hadn't, it would have gone against all your work ethics. The difference is, though, that none of your patients physically hurt each other. Tell me, when you find out someone physically hurt the other, do you not counsel them separately and then report the abuser to the authority as necessary?"

When Maahi remained silence, Blake could tell that she was finally opening herself up to the flaws in her non-existent relationship that she had been trying to conceal till now.

He continued, "I know you understand what I'm saying. So, keep your head tall and fight it out till the end, okay? Once he is in your past, you will have something good to come home to after dealing with all those crazies out there cheating on their spouses."

His last comment made her genuinely smile. It hadn't been on her face since yesterday. She put her head on his chest and her arms around him. "You're the best, you know? The brother I never had."

He smiled back and draped his hand around her shoulder. He placed a loving peck on her head. Maahi knew it was a long shot but eventually, she too would like to have what he shared with Nikita. The happy marriage filled with love that he daily came home too.

Nikita came up from behind and teased, "Are you two cheating on me?"

It caused them both to chuckle and turn to see a Nikita standing there, sizing them up with her hands on her hips. "Well, if you join us, we can have an awesome threesome."

"Ass." Nikita slapped him playfully knowing he was only kidding. Even in his worst nightmare, the thought of cheating on Nikita wouldn't cross his mind.

At the same time, Maahi swatted his leg as well. "Ew. Gross. I just said you're the brother I never had."

The next second, leaving the jokes aside, Nikita went around to sit on the other side of Blake. "You're an amazing guy, you know that? You've made my family yours. You never let me think there is a difference between the two."

Blake understood exactly what she meant. He may not have been an Indian, but he's adapted everything and never treated Nikita, her friends, or her family as any different. Among many other things about him, Nikita loved that in the past years, he had developed a bond with Maahi whereby he could make Maahi understand things in a way even she couldn't manage to.

"Aw, I love you too baby." He pecked her on the lips affectionately.

A light vibe entered Maahi's heart, making her feel that Blake could be right. At this point in her life, it may not happen. But, eventually, she can still have a happy marriage like the patients she had dedicated her career to.

She'd make sure of that.

Studying psychology, she had learnt enough about self-care and healthy living to know it was always possible. It was one step at a time. It would take time, and lots of hard work, and throwing some courage in the mix but she would put in that effort.

She wasn't going to lose hope before the fight even began.

"Alright, Maahi, take some painkillers for that." Blake instructed her before informing Nikita, "I'll go get ready," and then left the two friends to talk.

Nikita asked, "Didn't sleep, hmm?"

"Not really. I tried." Maahi answered, to which Nikita nodded in acknowledgment.

"Well, you go take a shower too. Maybe it'll help you feel a little better. I'll make breakfast for all. Scrambled eggs and pancakes sound good?"

Maahi answered in a positive and then walked into the guest room to use the bathroom in there for a shower. The thought of having to call her parents in India to inform them of what was going to happen and what had already happened troubled her slightly. She'd never once shared her problems with Sonu and she wasn't sure how that phone call would go.

༺༻ ༺༻༺༻

A very nervous Maahi stepped out of the car and stood in front of the precinct building. There were many cop cars standing out front, with a bunch of them walking in and out.

Parth nudged her forward with a light hand on her upper back, "Ready?"

She nodded, even though she wasn't. She walked up the stairs with Nikita and Parth.

He nodded them in a direction, "Go on. You remember what I said?" She nodded again. "I have something to take care of. I'll see you inside."

Parth looked at Nikita to convey a message. She received it, and accompanied Maahi inside to talk to a cop. There was one sitting by the entrance. "Morning, how may I help you?"

Maahi cleared her throat before speaking, "Um, I called in a domestic violence last night at 9283 Middleton Apartments. I'm here to give my statement."

The guy looked into a log book and finding the registered complaint, stood up, "I'll take you to the lead detective for the case." Maahi and Nikita followed him into a squad room where they were introduced, "Detective Juan, these ladies are here to see you about the case you received last night."

A Hispanic man in mid-20s wearing a holster around his waist, dressed in olive green shirt and black dress pants, greeted. "Hi, I'm detective Alex Juan. Please, have a seat."

"Thank you." Maahi said and took the seat offered.

"Could you tell me what happened?"

As Parth had explained, Maahi described what had happened since Sonu had come home and till she left, as well as previous incidents.

At the end, the detective informed, "Mrs. Singh..."

"Kaur." She corrected him, "I kept my maiden last name."

He corrected himself, "Mrs. Kaur, if you'd like to press charges, we certainly can. Unfortunately, I do not think there is a prosecutor who will take your case to the court since there is no evidence. Right now, it's your word against his."

"I understand there isn't enough to take him to court, so no. But he did attempt rape. I'm afraid that because I called the cops, he'll be mad and more violent. There's no saying what he'll do then. For now, I just want protection from him. I do not want to give him a chance to actually do something. I mean, I could stay at a friends' house, but it's my apartment. I want him out of there."

Alex advised, "Yes, certainly. I can help you file a restraining order against him. We can hope the judge will grant one."

Parth made his presence, "Already done."

Alex looked past them, "Parth Ahuja. What are you doing here?"

"I'm representing Maahi. She's a friend." Parth answered as the two walked towards each other to shake hands. Both had been in law school together. Parth went on to practice law, while Alex went on to join the police force. "Could you release her husband? We're taking back the charges. I just wanted her to come in and give her statement so you could close out your investigation."

Alex scoffed, knowing some of the tricks that were always up Parth's sleeve. "Sure, man. He's all yours. I pity him."

Parth shared a knowing smirk with his old friend. Alex had understood that Parth was the one who had made Maahi make the 911 call, and now he was the one also having her take back the charges. He was definitely up to something.

Alex returned a few minutes later with Sonu in hand-cuffs. Sonu held a smirk on his face as Alex put the key in to uncuff him. He thought he had the upper hand, that Maahi was so scared of him that she took back her complaint.

Only, he had another thing coming.

He tried to pretend to be a loving husband and walk over towards her. At few feet distance, he abruptly stopped as Parth blocked his path.

Sonu asked in a bored tone. "Care to move?"

Parth was glaring cannons into his eyes, "No. You and I need to have a conversation."

"Look, dude, whoever you are, my wife already took the charges back. It was all a misunderstanding. Right babe?"

When Sonu attempted to involve Maahi in the conversation, Parth took a dangerous step towards him. Nikita stiffened in attention, worried about what he might do. Alas, Parth knew what he was doing and held himself in control.

"Firstly, don't call her that. She hates the word." He gritted through clenched jaw.

Maahi had been glaring at Sonu, not believing he had the guts to say it was a misunderstanding. However, her gaze shifted to Parth at his words. It was a surprise to her that he remembered a minute detail she had shared with him three years ago.

"Secondly, it was not a misunderstanding. I happened to see her last night when she drove straight over. She was bleeding. Her clothes were torn. If that is not domestic violence and attempt to rape, maybe I should go back to law school, huh?"

Sonu questioned, being ignorant with his anger raising at someone who was talking to him in this manner. "Who the hell are you to talk between a husband and his wife?"

Parth answered, "Someone who you are going to see a lot of for the next few months." Then he slapped a transparent file to his chest. "I'm sure you can read and understand these papers, but if English is too difficult for you, I'm sure Detective Juan can get you a translator."

Scoffing, Sonu opened the file. Even if he didn't read the details, the bold fine print did stand out. "A restraining order? Are you fucking kidding me, Maahi?"

He tried to walk around Parth towards her, but Parth moved with him, continuing to block his path while a scared Maahi took a step back, inching closer to Nikita. Sensing her fear, Nikita held her hand.

Parth snapped his fingers at Sonu, "Hey, no. Read the file. You don't get to talk to her, or go near 100 yards of her. But hey, if you like to end up in jail for violating an order by a judge, be my guest. Honestly, Detective Juan, I would say he is already violating the order since he happens to be in the same room, wouldn't you think so?"

Sonu gritted, "This isn't over."

Parth chuckled, "Oh, I know, my friend. I'm nowhere near done with you. Did you forget already? I just said you were going to see me a lot more in the next few months."

Detective Juan put in his two cents, "Mr. Singh, your words are almost as if a threat towards both Ms. Kaur and Mr. Ahuja. I suggest you be careful before we are forced to arrest you again."

"Are you serious?" He was exasperated.

Parth smirked, glad to have his friend by his side. "Right now, I'm your worst enemy. So, tread carefully. Oh, and this restraining order covers Ms. Kaur's home. You might want to find another place to spend your nights. Seeing how you have been cheating on her with someone, it shouldn't be hard for you to find a place to stay at, right?"

Sonu tried to lie again, "Oh, babe, is that what you've been telling these people? Come on, you know I could never do that to you."

Parth warned, "Say one more word to her or about her, and I'll personally drag you back in the cell holding. And trust me, I'll enjoy that very much."

Maahi spoke up, wanting this feud between the two to end already. "Parth, please, let's just go."

Sonu scoffed, "She's the one who goes to a man's house in the middle of the night in torn clothes, and I'm the one accused of cheating on her?"

Parth knew he couldn't let this man get to him already. He had elaborate plans for making him pay for all the hurt he had inflicted on Maahi in the last three years before sending him back to India, penniless. So, he could only fist his palms to hold himself back.

However, Nikita had no need for such restraint. She went up to him and slapped him across his face, "Say one more cheap word about my best friend and my brother, and I swear you will regret it."

Sonu held a smug look on his face as he touched his jaw, "Detective, you're going to allow someone to assault me in your police station?"

"You were asking for it. What's the term, Mr. Lawyer? Slandering?" Alex simply put it, having already picked a side the second he had seen Parth come into the squad room.

Parth nodded, "That's the word. Good to know your law degree isn't getting rusty, Detective."

Nikita instructed, "Let's go, Parth. I think we've all tolerated his face enough for one day."

Parth turned to leave with her, but stopped after taking a step. "Oh, almost forgot." He turned back around, and handed Sonu the envelope he had been holding in his hand. "I was going to mail this, but since we're already here... Consider yourself served."

The papers may be in envelope, but the words were still very clearly visible through the clear plastic without having to open it. Divorce papers. Sonu let out a laugh, "Do you really think her parents are going to let this happen?"

Parth made one last statement, "It's no longer about what her parents want. It's about what she wants."

"As if I'm going to sign them." Sonu was thinking he was going to be a challenge, but Parth had already anticipated them.

He promised, "Oh, I know you'll sign them." He walked out of the squad room without once looking back at the lost expression on Sonu's face. He hadn't seen any of this coming.

Nikita and Maahi followed him out, each of them as well looking only ahead. Maahi was not going to be weak and look back. She had decided that morning itself after hearing Blake's words that she was going to fight and she wasn't going to do that by looking back and worrying if he was enraged. He could throw his head in the wall for all she cared now.

She was determined to change her life. She refused to remain in the hell hole he had dug her in.

༺༻ ༺༻༺༻

  【 author note 】

Ugh, hate guys like Sonu who think they can get away with anything. 

Now if you know my writing, you know I keep such characters involvement minimal because I don't like to promote such characters but I've had to compromise a little in this book because, at the same time, it is important to bring awareness to such flaws.   

BUT, I hope you liked Nikita & Blake and their adorable marriage as well as Parth slaying it in the precinct 8D More to definitely come as he takes on Sonu & drags his sorry ass to the court! Do also let me know your thoughts on Maahi's choice to stay in the marriage & her being strong now to realize she deserves better.

Will try my best to update mid-week to make up for the missing update last weekend due to my health! (which is all good now). Be back soon!

Till then, please vote & comment!! <3