Chapter 13: Tara, The Obsession
669 Words
Siddhi kept her cool, focusing her entire attention on the unknown girl. "You can check the hand, Inspector—specifically the finger pads," Siddhi continued, her voice sharp.
The unknown girl panicked. "No! That's... that's a very personal thing!" she stammered.
"I know you want to claim that's not true," Siddhi pressed on, relentlessly. "So let me ask you: when he allegedly r***d you, why didn't you go directly to the police? Why did you wait, wash yourself, and remove the proof of your supposed crime?"
The girl was speechless, her pretense dissolving.
"See," Siddhi stated, her voice lowering slightly, "it is better to admit you lied now, before you face prosecution for filing a false report." That will truly destroy your life."
Just then, Karan's secretary, Rahul, rushed through the front door and handed a slim file to the inspector. The inspector scanned the contents, his face paling, then looked at the girl with contempt. The girl's defiance crumbled into fear.
She dropped to her knees, clutching Veer's leg. "Veer, baby, I love you! Please forgive me!"
Veer brutally pushed her away. "I never loved you! You came to me, not the other way around. I was never interested!"
The girl, hysterical, glared at Siddhi. "So, you are interested in this b***h!"
Siddhi met her gaze, weary but firm. "You are mistaken. I am employed here as a caretaker, nothing else."
The girl sneered, but then a dangerous smile crossed her face. She stepped close to Siddhi, lowering her voice. "Seriously? Then why did Veer grab your hand and call you Tara? The masters here don't come to girls; the girls go to them. Why you?"
The girl raised her hand, intending to slap Siddhi. In a flash, Siddhi caught the girl's wrist with a crushing, silent grip. She leaned in, whispering so only the girl could hear, her tone utterly chilling: "Before I break your hand, you will keep quiet and stop blaming me."
The girl whimpered, her face white with genuine terror. She snatched her hand away and stumbled back. The police, finally regaining control, escorted the terrified accuser out of the villa.
⚠️ The Threat of Ownership
Siddhi watched the retreating figures, then turned away to head toward the kitchen.
"You trust me?" Veer's voice was right behind her, filled with a strange mix of admiration and curiosity.
Siddhi didn't look back. "Excuse me, sir. I need to make dinner." She left the hall, denying him an answer.
Anjali, who had witnessed the entire, terrifying display, stepped toward Veer, worry clouding her face.
"Veer," Anjali said, her voice strained. "Stay away from her."
Veer merely smirked at his sister-in-law. "Bhabi," he teased, "you need to prepare." You're going to get a sister soon. She will be my wife."
Anjali was stunned by his open declaration of intent. Veer strode off towards his room.
Karan, who had observed the escalating possessiveness, approached Anjali. "Wifey, are you happy you will get a sister?"
Anjali's eyes flashed with fierce anger. "Karan, I warn you. Tell your brother to stay away from Siddhi. I will not have you destroy her life the way you destroyed mine." She spat out the words with deep conviction. "I only want her here for our child's sake. Control your brother."
Anjali turned and left the hall, heading toward Aryan's room. Karan watched her go, a mix of sadness and cold anger warring in his expression, then walked into his study.
🌑 The Midnight Intruder
Dinner was a silent, tense affair. Anjali sat rigidly beside Siddhi, a protective barrier against Veer, who watched Siddhi throughout the meal with intense concentration. Everyone retired early.
Hours later, deep in the night, Siddhi was jarred awake. She felt a feather-light pressure, a tingling sensation tracing a line from her fingers up her neck.
Her eyes snapped open. Lying beside her on the narrow caretaker's bed, close enough for her to feel his warmth and his breath, was Veer Kapoor.
The shock was immediate, paralyzing.
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