Padmini froze in her seat, heart heavy with pain and suffering, mind reeling with the overload of information. Even though she had given up hope on winning Chandrakanth's heart long back nevertheless, as a wife she felt humiliated discreetly with news of his repeated lustful escapades.

He had abused her on all layers; having illicit affairs added another dimension to the torture and humiliation she was subjected to. The extramarital affair with Kayla crushed her dwindling hope even further, and now their new relationship status was the final nail on the coffin.

'Where does this end, Chandra? When will it end?'

Her heart ached! She knew their marriage was a sham and she never meant anything to him. A machine presumably to him; that can multitask as a cook, servant, prop wife, sex slave, punching bag and so many other things except a mutually respected and loved life partner.

'A child!'
A choked breath fought out of her heaving chest. Padmini's head spun, vision clouded she held onto the table nearby to steady herself from collapsing.

'No. I'm buckling again, breaking. That's what he expects and that's what I gave him all along. Not anymore. Begging, pleading, crying, reasoning nothing worked. He never understood and never will. No more of that.' Furiously wiping her eyes Padmini took a deep breath and summoned her bearings back. For the first time, Kayla witnessed a steely resolve in Padmini's eyes.

"Not once you felt guilty about what you were doing?" Her voice quivered with fury and muffled sobs.

"I... My marriage..." Kayla stuttered reminiscing about her past. "I was forced to marry someone for my father's political benefits. I was just another trophy for him, things were breaking apart between us and that's when I met Chandrakanth again. I couldn't afford to miss Chandru again, he was my first and only love. My husband divorced me when he knew I was pregnant with Chandrakanth's child."

"You knew that we all existed? His family?" Hostility filled her insides suffocating her lung, Padmini was trying to steady her breath. She had never felt so much hatred in her life towards anyone, the hate was burning her soul.

"Didn't it occur to you that you were ruining the life of another woman? Mine was a forced marriage too."
Traces of confusion were cast upon Kayla's face.
"Elders from his family decided our marriage and I was raised to abide by the words of the elders and never knew otherwise." Padmini paused realising she was deflecting from her original plan.

"No point in talking about the past. I have a proposal for you. I think it will benefit all of us."

"So, now you will decide about what's beneficial for me?" Kayla cocked her eyebrows haughtily.

Padmini let out an exasperated sigh squeezing her eyes shut, "Kayla, we both are adult women and I assume you are smarter too. So, let's stop being judgemental and sarcastic and hear each other out. I'm willing to divorce Chandrakanth. In fact, I was about to do that soon after Aparna's marriage but..."

Padmini continued after a beat,
"The divorce proceedings will happen quicker and I won't press any charges against both of you for your illegal affair and the illegitimate child" Kayla's face brightened "provided you agree to my terms."

The anticipation and eagerness in Kayla's body were telling.

"I want you to apologise to the spare parts factory staff and Mr Xavier will be given his job back. The strike has to end, tomorrow." Kayla was about to object, she can never imagine lowering her standards to apologise to the labourers. "Kayla, I'm assuming you are a smart businesswoman. If the strike prolongs any further the company will suffer unimaginable losses. We will lose deals with our clients, relations are already jeopardised. Paarth mentioned that the strike is about to begin in our other companies too. Are you willing to marry Chandrakanth when he will be financially and socially unstable?" Kayla began calculating.

"Next, I want you to accept that you had arranged to kidnap me" Kayla looked bewildered. "I have solid proof, Kayla, it would only be a smart move from you to accept it. I have already prepared a written complaint, attached the proof and handed it to Parul. If you do not come out with the truth the evidence goes to Police the minute you walk out of this door. Kidnapping and endangering the life of Mrs Malhotra..."

Padmini finished dramatically, rattling Kayla.
"I didn't miss any detail in that letter. I was held captive, drugged, beaten and suffered a concussion, hospitalised losing my speech temporarily. What would happen to your child if you were to be jailed, Kayla? Chandra won't come to your rescue when this story goes out in the media."

That had Kayla spilling out the truth which was recorded secretly.

~~~~~

Chandrakanth was simmering, to say the least. He was jolted by the news from his secretary that the other companies under Jagannath Group were about to start a token strike in support of the Spare Parts factory workers from the next day. This just added fuel to the fire.

He was agitated by Padmini's avoidance. The anger and frustration that bubbled from witnessing her newfound confidence and close-mouthed attitude were burning him inside. The urge to have her under his mercy, to have her beg and plead was overpowering him; it was the high he craved for, the drug that stabilised him.

A caged beast had awoken from its hibernation in great hunger and his favourite prey was lurking around free!

His bottled-up rage was unmistakable and he was ready to go on a rampage, the clue had been rallied by the driver to everyone at Kanth Manor, who were battle-ready. He stormed into the mansion yelling for Ravi, who abided by all of Chandrakanth's commands.

"Ravi" he recognised the soft voice of Padmini as a grim smile settled on his lips. She stood next to him while he prepared tea for his boss. He felt her gentle gaze on him, "why are you doing this, son?"

"It's my job ma'am." Something about him was familiar yet distant, Padmini was mystified.

A few minutes later the sound of crockery crashing and a resounding slap emerged from the first floor. Padmini entered her former bedroom with caution.

"Chandra stop it!" Chandrakanth had his hand raised at Ravi once more. "Ravi, leave" she commanded, "Now."

Chandrakanth's lips twisted in a sick smile, Ravi trembled at the look in his eyes, which was hidden from Padmini's view since she stood behind Chandrakanth. "No ma'am it's my fault, I'll manage, you can leave ma'am, I'll clean up..." the desperation to protect her was evident in his voice.

"You heard the lady of the house Ravi, leave!" The sarcasm and the threat were clear as a bell in his boss's voice.

"I'll send the cleaning staff" he sprinted out of the room in the hope to return before Padmini was harmed, but the door swiftly shut behind him.

"Will you walk into my parlour, said the spider to the fly..." humming the famous poetry, an amused Chandrakanth ambled towards his target. "Looks like you have taken a liking towards other men, young men in particular."

Insides knotted in uncertainty and disgust, but Padmini managed to keep a poker face and stay put.

Chandrakanth walked in concentric circles around her, each footstep of his trespassing into her personal space deliberately unnerving Padmini;
making her feel caged, suffocating, terrifying and cornered.

"Well, well, well... It works like a charm always!" He beamed victoriously.

She knew he had acted on purpose to draw her out of her shell so that they would stand exactly where they were now.

Spin the web and draw the gullible fly, in.

"I came to hand these over." Padmini thrust a bunch of papers in his hand, stunning him. "Separation by mutual consent" she informed as his eyes ran over the documents furiously.

"What the bloody hell?" the documents went flying as he roughly grabbed her arm before she left the room.

"Let me go, Chandra" Padmini ground out in frustration, trying to pull herself away. His rising wrath was evident from his tightening grip, and the madness reflecting in his eyes, unsettling her. She knew at this juncture buckling in meant death, there was no way out of this hell. She let anger and hatred fill her mind and heart instead, they were painful too but at least she wouldn't die!

"Who do you think you are? Who gave you the right to decide when you shouldn't even be thinking for yourself? Divorce?" He snickered, "Not in this birth my wife, no. Until death does us apart remember?" He let out a vicious grin, his voice dropped to a spine chilling rasp.
"Looks like you forgot what you are and where you're supposed to be, let's refresh your memory..." His right hand reached for his belt while he held her in the other.

Padmini pulled her arm away exerting full force and pushed him, staggering back a few steps. "No, I will not let you do any of that. I'm supposed to be your wife, and all you have done is abuse me. I have had enough. Just be glad that you are not already in jail for domestic abuse and extramarital affairs. Don't put another step in my direction Chandra". She raised her hand in warning stopping him in his tracks, her demeanour toughened, surprising him. She unlocked the door and threw it open, resting her head on the doorframe exhausted by the emotional marathon.

"Let's separate. I'm tired. I neither want to be a witness nor a victim to any of your obsessions anymore. You are free to marry Kayla or any other goddamned woman for all I care." Padmini rubbed her tired and throbbing forehead, his eyes darted towards the scar above her eyebrows.

"Where were you all this time? What's with the scar? Are you injured?" He deadpanned, wondering about the cause of her transformation.

Padmini was truly taken aback, "Wow! Chandra" she snorted "that was the closest you could manage to sound concerned in a disastrous three-decade-long time that we spent together?" He hardened again. "Are you worried that I'm hurt or that the reason was something other than you?" He flinched at her sarcasm.

Her eyes burned with unshed tears, wretched heart yearning bleakly even then for a slight sign of affection from him. "It's hopeless expecting anything from you". The explosion of emotions was draining her out.

"How dare you leave without answering me?" He grabbed her hand as she tried to storm out of the room.

She yanked her hand away in irritation. "You don't deserve to know anything. Is it a written law that I have to answer all your questions? If so, show it to me. Or if you think you can threaten me to get your answers then, you are mistaken, because you don't own me. And you can't make me do something that I don't want to"
She left Chandrakanth dazed with her angry tirade.

"if your question is out of true concern and if I feel that, you will get your answers."

Chandrakanth felt like he had gone tumbling down a rabbit hole!

"Padmini, wait!" He caught her arm much gently while she descended the stairs. "Who is that man? The one who accompanied you..." His eyes frantically searched for a sign from her.

Padmini silently enjoyed his desperation. "Kabeer? He is a friend." She wanted to add about how Meera and Kabeer cared for her and helped her heal. With a smug grin, she decided to let Chandrakanth burn with the 'friend' idea, knowing well how his messed up brain worked. "I'm sure you will use your influence to quicken the divorce hearing, I want it all finished in fifteen days. If not my story and complaint reaches the Police and media houses." He saw her walk away towards the kitchen in her usual grace and poise.

Turns out the fly was not as gullible as the spider thought!

Published: December 27, 2021.

Hello family! 🙋‍♀️🤗😍
missed y'all! How are you all doing?
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Belated Christmas wishes and very advanced New Year greetings! Been almost a month since I posted my update.
Here I am! Hope the update was worth waiting!🤞🤞🤞😬

Send in your love, comments, feedback and constructive criticism.
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I'm glad that some of the readers do find the story of a middle-aged woman appealing and are offering your unconditional support and love to this story.

I was not sure initially how the story will be received.

Having a forty plus abused woman as a protagonist, while the Wattpad forum is flooding with stories of young, vibrant, appealing protagonists across all genres. What was I thinking🤦‍♀️
But this is close to my heart and I couldn't rest until I got it out!

Thank you to all the wonderful people for the abundant support 🙏🙏🙏🙏