CHAPTER 5

My reputation is at stake as Mihir and I go through what I’m supposed to tell the press. The home phones have been blowing up, ringing nonstop. I’ve asked MaryAnne to disconnect all the wires. 

He gives me all the details, somewhat disinterested in whatever I’m going to say there. The press needs to know that I’m coming back to stay with my husband while we plan our perfect wedding for the second time.

His hands are locked in mine as we both stare at the journalist.

“It feels so good watching both of you come back together,” she says, beaming. “Is there a reason why both of you separated in the first place?”

Mihir squeezes my hand, making me talk at once. 

“All couples need space. We thought that was what we needed. We just didn’t know that we would need space to the extent of actually getting a divorce. We probably got back to our senses and got back together.”

Mihir nods his head in approval. One wrong move, and I could get my first night in the basement since I got back.

The journalist nods and smiles.

“There have been some rumors that you were there when the journalist had that accident yesterday. Is that right?” 

I stop breathing instantly. My throat is closing up. This definitely wasn’t part of the script.

Mihir pipes up. “She was there,” he says and I look up at him. What is he saying? 

“She was there,” he repeats. “She had come over to talk about how she was going to move back in. It was too sad and horrific watching such a promising and young talented woman go through that kind of thing.”

“What plans are you making to assist her?”

I relax on the chair, glad that all the attention has shifted from me.

In a few more minutes, the journalist heads out of the door with her car filled with souvenirs. They could never hate Mihir. Now when he was so generous with his finances.

I started heading upstairs when I heard a scream.

“Let her go!” 

Talon.

 I start running downstairs, hoping to get to him and get him to leave before Mihir would see him.

Fuck.

Mihir is already there.

“What are you talking about?” Mihir asks cooly. It’s the first time I’m seeing him act so cool with Talon around.

“I know all your plans. You wouldn’t have any peace till you get to attend Heather’s funeral.”

“Talon, please leave. Don’t make a fuss. It’s a Saturday. My wife and I need to rest. Thanks for accommodating her when she needed your help. She’s back with me now. So please leave.”

“I’m here for her,” Talon says, trying to match Mihir’s energy.

He would never match Mihir’s energy. Mihir would snap Talon’s neck with one of his fingers.

I try to stay hidden but I’m too late. The staircase cracks beneath my feet. Talon sees me and hurries to hold my hand.

Mihir refuses to look at the both of us. But I know him. He’s watching through the side of his eye.

“I’m here for you Heather,” Talon repeats. I try telling him to go with my eyes, but he doesn’t. I don’t want him saying something he isn’t supposed to.

“I’m here for you and the baby.”

All the imaginary walls stopping Mihir from hurting me come crashing down. 

Mihir’s head turns to face me immediately.

***

The back of my head is on the wall as my breathing quickens. Mihir tightens his grip around my neck. My eyes are getting blurry and I can’t see a thing. I can only make out his angry face.

“Mihir, please,” I managed to say.

“You whore,” he spits. “Only two months away from me, and you started fucking your friend?”

“It's not…” I start but the words don’t come out complete as I choke.

“Sir, please let her go,” I hear MaryAnne scream at the door.

He lets go of my neck and I fall to the floor, coughing hard.

“She’s fine,” Mihir growls.

“If she’s fine, then let her speak,” MaryAnne says.

Mihir squats. “Tell her you’re fine.”

“Mary, I-I’m fine…you..d-don’t have to worry.”

I wish he didn’t lock all the doors. 

I wish MaryAnne would open the doors and walk in to see me. The question is, would I run away even if I had an open door? 

He would make my life miserable.

Talon is probably in jail right now. I specifically asked him not to come. Look what he’s done now. I’d planned on hiding this baby from Mihir, hoping that I would have gotten things sorted out before I start showing. But now, I know that I’m far from that. He would never let me go. Knowing that I’m pregnant. 

I hear MaryAnne’s soft footsteps receding as I’m still trying to catch my breath. I’m on the floor on all fours, with one hand to my throat. I look in the mirror. My eyes are bulging out and my mascara is running down my face. My whole face is red and his angry fingerprints are on my neck.

“Now, look what you made me do,” he says and starts wiping the tears from my face. He gets me some water from the mini fridge in the room. He sits down in front of me and watches me gulp down the water as my throat starts to open up again.

I place the cup down carefully and stare at him, waiting for him to say the next thing that might determine my fate. It's now or never.

Do I want to tell the truth?

Will I be safe when I do so?

What will happen to my baby?

All these questions are running through my mind as I stare at Mihir. What if I had looked for the money somewhere else? Will I still be stuck here with him?

Definitely not.

“Who is the father of the baby?” he finally asks.