The Price of Protection

Chapter 4: The Path to Vengeance

Siddhi listened to the raw pain in Anjali's confession, her own emotions hardening into fierce resolve.

"I can help you get your son back, Anjali," Siddhi stated, her voice firm.

Anjali finally turned from the wall, her gaze dull. "What use is it, Siddhi? My own son doesn't want me. He's happy with his father."

"He is a little kid, Anjali. He's confused and angry right now," Siddhi countered gently. "We will talk to him. He is your blood."

"Yes," Anjali whispered, the bitterness returning. "He is my son, and the son of a man who betrayed and used people. He has the blood of a liar."

Siddhi recognized the deep anger, a familiar trait from their childhood days when Anjali would bottle up her feelings until they exploded. Siddhi felt a surge of sorrow for her friend.

"My own child doesn't want me," Anjali repeated, the whisper heavier than any scream.

Siddhi steered the conversation away from the emotional abyss. "What about your injuries?"

Anjali managed a painful, hollow smile. "Oh, these? They are a gift. From my ex-love and my child."

Siddhi was shocked. "They hit you?"

Tears finally welled in Anjali's eyes, the dam breaking. "Not directly. I got these injuries indirectly."

🤕 The Gift of Pain

"Tell me, how did this happen?" Siddhi demanded, her professional calm barely masking her fury.

"I was thrown out of my own house by the neighbors," Anjali recounted, her voice shaking. "They were pushing me onto the hard ground. That's how I got these cuts and bruises."

She looked at Siddhi, defiance mixing with despair. "I know exactly who told them to do it. Karan Kapoor."

Siddhi knew the tactic. Karan wanted to strip Anjali of her home, her reputation, and her support system, forcing her to come crawling back to him, likely under the terms of his humiliating contract marriage.

"I didn't know where to go," Anjali continued. "I was just walking on the street, my faith in everything—God, people, goodness—completely gone. Then I saw the light of the Monk Temple. I didn't know why, but I came in and sat before the Buddha statue. I just kept thinking, 'Why was I even born? Why have I never had anything good in my life?'"

Siddhi reached out and squeezed her hand. "You have me now. I am here for you. You must be hungry."

Anjali didn't respond, her exhaustion a blanket over her.

🥣 Recovery and Surveillance

A few hours later, Siddhi returned with a bowl of warm, herbal nutritious soup arranged by the Head Monk—a simple, healthy restorative meal. Siddhi sat by the bed and gently urged her friend to drink. Anjali complied listlessly, draining the bowl.

"You need rest now, Anjali," Siddhi insisted.

"Please," Anjali murmured, her voice small and childlike. "Stay with me. Sleep with me."

"Of course," Siddhi agreed instantly.

The jet lag, combined with the emotional and physical exhaustion of the day, was overwhelming. Siddhi, normally awake by 6:00 AM, slept soundly until 8:00 AM. When she woke, Anjali was still asleep. Siddhi quietly went to use the bathing facilities arranged by the Head Monk.

Afterward, Siddhi met briefly with Head Monk Gyanendra, finalizing the arrangements for their stay, ensuring they were registered discreetly as long-term guests and that their movements within the temple grounds would be protected.

Siddhi returned to the room and found Anjali awake and sitting up in bed. Siddhi checked the bandages.

"How are you feeling?" Siddhi asked.

"Okay," Anjali replied simply.

"Good. I will arrange a proper breakfast for you, and new clothes, too," Siddhi said.

Anjali only nodded. Over a quiet breakfast, Siddhi brought up the unavoidable truth.

"I think Karan's people are still outside," Siddhi noted. "His bodyguards are keeping surveillance and feeding information back to him."

"I know," Anjali replied. "They've been following me."

Siddhi looked at her friend, now paler but calmer. "You need to stay here. Rest. Take care of your health, and let your injuries heal completely. You are safe inside these walls."

🔎 The Hunt Begins

For the next few days, Anjali remained within the tranquil confines of the Monk Temple, slowly recovering her health and strength. Siddhi was constantly by her side, tending to her, while simultaneously gathering intelligence.

Utilizing her vast network and the cutting-edge technology afforded by the Lin family fortune, Siddhi began to dig deep into the life of Karan Kapoor. She needed to understand his power, his weaknesses, and every single person he had used to steal Aryan.

Siddhi Lin was now hunting. Karan Kapoor had brought pain and humiliation to her friend, and she intended to repay the debt tenfold. The serene walls of the Monk Temple had provided Anjali sanctuary, but for Karan Kapoor, they had just marked the location of his most formidable enemy.