Adultery Love Sex And War Part 1 : Age Of Darkness

[RCF]

Harry, Keep the updates flowing weekly as promised please, else the momentum will be lost. I am sure you have your reason for the delay but you have been consistent on the updates every week so readers are habituated to that now and delay will make them restless.

Try to stick to your timeline if possible.

~RCF

[Harry Jordan]

Sorry Readers , had to suffer some delays due to some "Important Outdoor Activities" LOL.

Anyways , the next chapter is coming in about an hour. Fair warning , this will be a bit emotional so if there are readers who are uncomfortable reading depressed contents. You are fairly warned. Things are about to get messy!!! 

[SMOD-P]

Eagerly waiting...

[Harry Jordan]

                                                                                                                                                            CHAPTER 20

The scent of antiseptic hung heavy in the air. Distant voices echoed in muffled urgency. 

“BP dropping! We’re losing him!” 

Shouted one of the doctors as the defibrillator charged again. Hemant’s body lay pale, soaked in sweat, twitching under the electric shocks that coursed through him. But his mind—his soul—was elsewhere. He was tumbling through a deep void of memory and pain. And at the center of it was Sonarika. Her words repeated endlessly, stabbing his core. 

"I slept with him Hemant.....and.....I've been sleeping with him ever since” 

Her voice was like a curse etched into the walls of his fading consciousness, growing louder, more mocking, until the world collapsed into a deafening silence.

Then the visions began.

He saw Sonarika in her wedding dress, smiling radiantly as they exchanged vows. He remembered the warmth of her fingers when she first handed him baby Karan in the hospital, tears in both their eyes. A montage of beautiful, quiet family moments flickered like home video—diwali decorations, beach trips, late-night dancing in the kitchen. Anjali laughing with them, ever the cheerful sister. But these moments warped quickly. Her smile twisted into smirks. Karan’s laughter echoed like derision. Their happiness became a parody, taunting him. 

"I Lied To You" Sonarika’s voice said again, this time as a whisper over the wind. 

"I slept with him Hemant.....and.....I've been sleeping with him ever since"

Darkness crept in like smoke. Flames erupted around him. That house at Azerbaijaan burned again—the one he had locked away in memory. The air filled with smoke and screams. He saw Manush Rustom, his wife and daughter—blackened by flame, their eyes hollow and accusing. Their lips didn’t move, but Hemant heard them clear as day: 

"You Didn't Avenge Us" 

He stumbled back as the warehouse scene unfolded. Armed men charging at him. Blood. Steel. Gunfire. He was no longer Hemant. He was moving with inhuman precision. The infamous Inquisitor sword in his right hand, a gun in his left. Men fell like dominos. No mercy. No hesitation. Fire raged behind him. Then—he saw himself walk forward, a black suit drenched in blood, face untouched by time, eyes blazing.

"Welcome back, Hemant... or should I say... Michael King"

The name hit him like a punch to the chest. Michael King—the name he had buried. The identity he had tried to smother under marriage, love, and fatherhood. The gangster turned warlord. The man who once ruled the shadows of Europe, enforcing his brutal version of order. Hemant stared at this doppelgänger, knowing it wasn’t separate. It was him. And as the defibrillator struck once more, that name thundered in his mind, Michael King. The silence shattered. His body jolted violently—eyes flew open.

Gasping, air filled his lungs like fire. The doctors jumped back, stunned. He was stable, breathing on his own. 

"He’s back" one whispered in awe. 

But Hemant didn’t flinch. No panic. No gratitude. Just... silence. His eyes were dark and unreadable, fixated on the overhead light as though it held answers. The emotions—pain, heartbreak, confusion—had evaporated. What remained was something terrifying in its stillness. The doctors tried to speak to him, ask him questions, but he turned his head, as if the noise meant nothing.

His gaze fell to the tray beside him. The rings they’d removed lay there—emblems of his old life. The Garuda ring, a symbol of protection and strength. But it was the Archangel ring that lingered in his gaze. He remembered who gave it to him. What it had meant in the underworld—what he had meant. The ring shimmered faintly under the light, an echo of the fire that once consumed his soul. His fingers twitched slightly, not toward the ring, but in recognition. A seal had been broken. Michael King was no longer a ghost of the past.

The pain that had shattered Hemant's heart was gone. Not healed—consumed. That part of him, that vulnerable, loving man, had withered in that emergency room. What took its place was colder. Sharper. Forged from trauma, honed by violence. He wasn't mourning Sonarika anymore. He wasn't weeping over betrayal. Those emotions belonged to Hemant. 

But Michael King—Michael King didn't feel pain. He only felt purpose.

And as the doctors exchanged confused glances, murmuring about psychological shock or trauma-induced catatonia, Michael King lay perfectly still, staring at the ceiling. Behind his unreadable expression, thoughts churned like a storm. The world had forgotten who he was. But he remembered. And now that he was back—really back—the world would soon remember him too.

SOME TIME LATER

Sonarika along with Anjali and Karan charged through the hospital corridors after asking the reception where the emergency ward is. As they went through the hallway of the hospital. They finally reached the Emergency Room door. Through the glass window they saw Hemant laying in the bed. Sonarika noticed her heartbroken laying her pale and still. She also noticed he wasn't sleeping , his eyes were open but he kept on looking up. Just then Doctor Sonia Joshi arrived near them.

"Are you Mrs. Hemant Kumar?"

"Yess , I am. How is he?"

"You can relax , he is out of danger for now. Recovering well"

Sonarika sighed with relief.

"I would like to talk to you. Let them sit here , I'll arrange them to meet Hemant for the time being"

Soon a nurse led Karan and Anjali inside to meet Hemant while Sonarika followed Dr.Sonia to her office.

"Sit Miss?"

"Sonarika"

"Okay Sonarika , your husband is recovering well. But I am trying to find the cause of it"

"What happened to him Doctor?"

"Your husband suffered a serious and fatal stroke. From what I heard he was found in his vehicle passed out by Pedestrians. When he was brought here , I was honestly loosing hope , his pulse were almost gone. If they didn't get him here on time , it would've been worse"

Sonarika controlled her tears as she felt broken and cursing herself inside knowing that she is the reason for his heart stopping. Sonia continued.

"I just wanna ask Sonarika. Was anything bothering Hemant lately , did something happen? I am asking so that I can treat him better. My initial observation says he was met with a sudden shock of something , which resulted his body giving up on him. I know its personal but I need to understand if something happened so that I can find a solution to his health"

Sonarika cried a little , after which she decided to tell the truth.

"I met him in the evening doctor. I told him.......that I've been cheating on him...he left me teary eyed and silent on the Gateway"

Sonia realized what was the issue. She also felt awkward getting to know something personal about the family.

"Oh , that makes sense. So I guess that made him suffer a massive and fatal stroke. I really struggled to resusitate him. But something was very odd , he didn't flinch or exasperated like a normal patient. He simply came back , it was definitely something I've never seen before"

"He used to have bad dreams doctor. He served in the Army long ago which traumatised him"

"That explains his shutdown. Anyways he is back healthy as usual but I am afraid I will have to stop you from seeing him"

"But why?"

"Sonarika. Based on what I heard , he suffered that stroke after seeing you. I don't want to risk his health again if he has a similar reaction again seeing you. So first let me check him , you can watch him from the glass window away from his attention"

Sonarika understood her reasoning , but at the same time it hurt her knowing that her presence can hurt him further. Making the guilt in her stab her mind many times. She walked and stood at the corner of the window taking a peak inside to see him undetected. To ensure that he is safe and healing. Karan was near him and he was hugging him tight. Anjali talked with him , something she could not hear due to the soundproof glass. Soon both Karan and Anjali came out as Sonarika went to them.

"You talked to him Anju?"

"Yes Didi. Bhaiya is alright , he says it wasn't something serious. But I don't know , something is off , I feel it"

"Its okay Anju. We'll figure it out"

Just then Sonia came near them.

"He will be shifted to one of our VIP rooms. Seems he's eligible for it considering he played a big role in building this hospital"

Sonarika realized that little detail. This was the same multi-speciality hospital Hemant and Kunal worked with for Pranitha Mehta when he was employed in QUADRON. She was still proud of him , that he has achieved so much in life in recent times. And then there was the guilt and twinge of pain , knowing that she repayed his achievements and hardwork by spreading her legs for another man. She wished at that moment for the ground to break and swallow her into it. But she also knew she has made the mistake so she should definitely pay the price for it as well.

She saw from the window  Dr.Sonia talking to Hemant , but something strange caught her eye. Hemant was smiling , not showing any emotions of depression or sadness. And that fears her , she could not take his face she saw in the Gateway from her head. That swelled up cheeks , tears flowing like waterfall , holding off not to cry. She anticipated it to happen , but not like this. Not to the point he suffered a serious medical emergency. But now seeing him like this is something disturbing. As she was contemplating it , Sonia walked out of his room and came to them.

"We're moving him now , and Sonarika. Hemant wants to talk to you in private once the shift is done"

She realised it will not be a warm conversation but rather something painful and more hurtful. As they towed out Hemant from the emergency room , she walked by him but he simply looked up watching at the ceiling of the hospital moving. As they got him to his bed in his room. Karan hugged Hemant to which he reciprocated.

"Papa....you look like Spiderman from the video game now"

"Right when the villains ambushed him right?"

"Yes"

"Okay , Karan? I want you to be a good boy and behave well at home okay? Papa will be here for few days but will return home soon"

"Why can't I stay here Papa?"

"Because its a hospital Karan. Papa will need some rest for this , plus you will be bored here and you have your homework and institute to attend"

Karan nodded in disappointment.

"Look Papa will come home after few days. Until then you are incharge of being the man of the house. Help mumma when she needs it and don't annoy Anjali too much okay?"

"Okay Papa"

Hemant gave a warm kiss to Karan's forehead as he walked to Sonarika's arms. Then it was Anjali's turn.

"Bhaiya , how did this happen? I know damn well this didn't happen due to poor health as you are fit and fine. Something is definitely wrong"

"I know Anju. But lets wait for few days , we'll explain everything once I come home"

"Its not anything serious right?"

"Its nothing. Like I said Anju. Few days , then you'll know. Take care"

"You too Bhaiyaa.....you too"

Soon Anjali walked away with Karan to leave the room , leaving just Sonarika and Hemant inside. There was just an eery silence as both of them looked at each other. Sonarika's eyes were wet but Hemant still had that stoic expression. He finally spoke.

"You know Sonarika....they say that people in love can make one's heart stop......you did it quiet literally.....but for the opposite reasion"

Sonarika listened and tried to reason it with him.

"Hemant....I didn't want this to happen....not like this..."

"Then how.....you plan to keep me in the dark?"

"No , never......the whole reason for me to tell the truth is for that very reason....I've failed you many times......I didn't wanna do it again"

"So are you expecting a medal?"

"No.....I deserve whatever punishment you seem fit"

"Quiet easy for you to say that Sonarika.....when quiet literally the only looser in this whole mess is me"

Sonarika was confused but before she could ask , Hemant declared.

"Take Karan and Anju home , I don't want them in an environment of a hospital. I'll be back home in a few days"

"How can I leave you here all alone" Sonarika asked concerned.

"Don't act like a concerned wife anymore Sonarika. Just don't do it"

"I know I betrayed you , but I still care for you"

"Care? You don't care. Why don't you go home and call your boyfriend to show care"

"Hemant's its not like that"

"You don't get it don't you Sonarika. You didn't just break me. You broke our family , our little world is wrecked into smitherines. And Karan outside , he has no idea the kind of destruction you have caused to your family"

Sonarika didn't say anything. Silently sobbed her tears.

"You didn't just break my heart , you broke my future, our dreams of an ideal life for us as a family. All this time I thought you were loving me , caring for me. But they were all a lie"

Sonarika faltered when he said that as she intervened.

"No , Hemant , it wasn't a lie. I've never stopped loving you , I never did"

"Don't ever talk about love anymore to me Sonarika. You didn't just kill our love , you destroyed it to ashes"

"Hemant , please!"

"I am done talking to you Sonarika. Go home , once I am home , I will discuss the future. If I have any in that regard"

"Hemant pl----"

Hemant stopped her as tears were coming from his eyes.

"I've never raised my hand or thought any kind of violence against you Sonarika. If you don't walk away right now , I will start to hate you"

Sonarika with heavy sob looked at him knowing the amount of hurt she has already caused on him with her actions. She didn't want him to feel hurt again as she slowly walked away. She knew he is in deep pain right now , but her being there was only going to make it increase. She rubbed her tears and controlled her emotions when she left the room. 


Hemant lied there letting go his tears to flow freely as he lied on the bed. The pain in his heart was wrecking him. It was like he was back in tha void again , the very same void he sat when he lost everything. 


SOMETIME LATER


Sonarika shut the door of her bedroom and leaned against it, her body trembling under the weight of exhaustion. The silence of the house felt heavier than ever. No faint hum of Hemant’s breathing beside her, no rustle of bedsheets as he shifted in his sleep. Just emptiness. She slid onto the bed, curling into herself, and the memories came uninvited—those first years of their marriage when every small moment felt like a shared victory. Early mornings filled with coffee and banter, evenings navigating Mumbai’s chaos, and the rhythm they had built together. Now that rhythm was shattered, replaced by the unbearable stillness of guilt.



In the dim hospital room, Hemant lay propped against his pillows, the beeping machines beside him both grounding and maddening. The fluorescent lights blurred as his eyes brimmed with tears he didn’t want to shed. He wasn’t thinking about his physical weakness—the slight slur in his speech, the heaviness in his limbs—but about the seismic crack that had split his life apart. Every image of Sonarika he could recall, from their first meeting to her smallest acts of care, now came wrapped in barbed wire. He could no longer separate her tenderness from her betrayal.



Sonarika pressed her face into the pillow, breathing in the faint trace of Hemant’s scent still lingering on the bedsheet. She remembered those nights when he’d wake up from a nightmare, drenched in sweat, calling her name. She would hold him tightly until his breathing slowed, whispering that he was safe. Back then, she had felt needed, trusted, irreplaceable. Now, that same name—Sonarika—must taste like ash in his mouth. The thought made her stomach twist.



Hemant stared at the ceiling, every second stretching unbearably. He replayed the moment at the Gateway of India when she told him about the affair—the shock, the way his chest tightened, the darkness creeping in until everything went black. He wasn’t sure what hurt more now: the betrayal itself or the fact that she had chosen someone else over the years of love they had built. His mind returned again and again to one bitter truth: trust, that is broken, was like glass—it might be pieced together, but the cracks would always show.



The phone lit up on the bedside table, Vikram’s name glaring at her. Sonarika froze. For a moment, she thought about answering, if only to numb herself from the ache clawing at her chest. But then she remembered Hemant’s face when she confessed, the silent devastation before his body collapsed. She couldn’t give Vikram the satisfaction of stepping into the void this soon. She ended the call and silenced the phone, as if by doing so she could also silence the part of herself that had led her here.



Hemant’s thoughts drifted to Karan, their son. The boy’s laughter, his small arms wrapped around Hemant’s neck, the way his eyes lit up when both parents were in the room together. The idea that this bond might now be poisoned by tension and resentment was almost unbearable. If anything, Hemant’s love for Karan anchored him—he would fight to heal physically for his son’s sake.



Even with the phone silent, Sonarika couldn’t stop the flood of memories—her meetings with Vikram in Jabalpur, the stolen nights in his flat, the rekindling of their affair at his hotel. Strangely, none of it seemed thrilling now. The passion that had once intoxicated her felt shallow and meaningless in the cold aftermath of destruction. All she could feel was the absence of Hemant’s warmth on winter mornings, the loss of those simple, grounding rituals that had once made her life whole.



In the hospital bed, Hemant’s body ached, but his chest ached more. This wasn’t just the end of a relationship—it felt like the death of a part of himself. He thought about the years he had spent believing in love as something pure, something worth giving yourself to completely. But he has been getting punished everytime he fell in love , be it Sanjana , be it Ashnoor and now Sonarika. Now, love felt like a trap, a cruel trick that left you bleeding while the world moved on. He vowed quietly to himself: never again. Love was no longer a blessing; it was a curse he would not invite back.



Sonarika’s tears blurred the ceiling above her as she wondered if there was any road back from this. She could face judgment, she could bear anger, but the thought that Hemant might never again look at her with even a shred of tenderness—that was what crushed her. She had betrayed not just a husband, but her safest place, her home. Now, that home was gone, and she was left to wander the ruins.



Hemant shifted, wincing at the pain in his side. He knew the nurses would check on him soon, but he dreaded their polite questions about his condition. None of them knew that the real injury was invisible. The life he had dreamed of—a home full of love, laughter, stability—was crumbling before his eyes, and there was no medical procedure to fix that. The only love he trusted now was for his son and, in a quieter way, for Anjali, who had shown him nothing but loyalty.



Two separate rooms, miles apart, but both filled with the same suffocating air of loss. Sonarika wept into her pillow, the weight of her choices pressing her deeper into despair. Hemant stared into the dimness, his heart cold with resolve. At the same moment, they both knew—though neither would say it aloud—that the life they once shared was over. What remained were the echoes of a love that had once been their refuge, now turned into their greatest source of pain.




As morning came , Hemant was laying in his bed all groggy. It wasn't exactly sleep , after everything that transpired in 24 hours , sleep is the most difficuilt thing he could find. His mind was filled with pain , anger and frustration. And more importantly his change of demeanor and perspective about love. His mind recapped all the women that walked away from him. Only person he didn't think was Sanjana as it was him who walked away from her. But images of Kira and Ashnoor haunted him , and now Sonarika was part of that pain. And to some extent her betrayal hurt more because he believed he was happy with her and she was too. Turns out she wasn't. But it always made him wonder , where? where did it all went wrong? Sonarika was a confident , loving and a caring woman. For her , this family was everything. Then why? why there was a need for an affair?


This questions raised another doubt. Was it him? Could Sonarika went for another man because he couldn't satisfy her anymore? Hemant had that doubt understanding that not so long he was in his terrible health. He had his doubt ever since his poor physical act with her in Matheran. But those doubts were gone when he remembered his moments with Sonarika. He knew he made her satisfy. She definitely loved everything he did , then why? why would she seek something from someone else?


Then his thoughts went to the usual place every insecure man goes to. The question he asked himself ashamed him to extent. Was Vikram bigger than him? Is he some alpha in bed with her? Or is it something more darker? Did she chose to sleep with him because he is a millionaire? These thoughts upset him so he let those thoughts diminish eventually. His mind was a wreck , everytime he thought about love , it now hurt him like a stab. Love has become the worst thing to his mind and soul. 


He also contemplated the ramifications. Obviously the path forward for him was divorce. But how messy was it going to be? Hemant remembered Karan , he was no fool when it comes to family courts and laws in this country. He knew that no matter the situation , the rulings will favor her as she is a woman. So getting the sole custody of Karan was out of the equation. So he will now be forced to live in a close proximity with her because of the scenario of a shared custody. Plus he also knows that Karan has a deeper and more emotional attachment to his mother than to him. So he knows he was loosing this fight too. At the end of the day , Sonarika was going to have Karan with her and Anjali as well considering once the divorce commences the brother in law relation cannot be recognized.


Then his mind went to the despicable thoughts , how she will forget him and move on with her new man in her life. After all , she willingly slept with him , so its safe to say a part or whole of her heart beats for him now. Then something diabolical and cold blooded came in his mind.

What if there is no Sonarika?

But he instantly let it go on realizing how messed up that thought was. He could not do that , no matter what. And it was because of two important things , first being Karan. He wasn't willing to take his mother away from him , not right now. And second , regardless of what she did , he loved her unconditionally. His love for her was loyal and honest and a deep care , but she turns out doesn't have that same feelings for him.

His thoughts were immediately interrupted upon the arrival of Raquel into his room. He looked worried as he enquired about his mentor.

"Bhaijaan.....what happened to you"

"Its nothing serious Raquel.....I am alright now"

"But you're not the type to suffer strokes?"

"Life can be unpredictable sometimes Raquel....we just have to adapt"

"That is true Bhaijaan , especially after what happened"

Hemant was a little curious by Raquel's words as he asked his worry.

"What happened Raquel"

"Bhaijaan.....Ricky.....Ricky is gone.....there was an attack....at the Golden Yang"

Hemant was stunned , he never anticipated for things to escalate this further. He was already shaken up by his life turned upside down in the last 24 hours and now he learned one of his trusted ally was taken out in cold blood. Hemant knew who could it be behind the assault

"Lai Tong?"

That is the only word Hemant said looking at Raquel. And Raquel nodded in agreement confirming his intuition. Lai killed Ricky for one reason , to hurt him. And he knew , he is his target. Hemant moved his bed's head section so he could sit upright.

"Raquel , go and handle the proceedings of the factory. I will be here for the next 24 hours. Oversee the developments Kamya and Vaibhav made on Kohinoor"

"Bhaijaan , what about Tong?"

"He cannot attack me now , judging by the Tong legacy. But we have to prepare"

Raquel understood his concern.

"Looks like we are starting the recruitment phase. You are in charge of it Raquel , hire the best men for our cause. People who won't falter upon seeing death before their eyes"

"What about our factory workers?"

"They will be treated as backup. If Lai brings a war here , he will have an army waiting to send him to hell!"

"Got it Bhaijaan"

"Tell Kamya and Vaibhav to continue working on our secret project. Stall the paperwork for few days. I'll clear it once I am back in the office"

"Jo Hukum Bhaijaan!"

Saying that Raquel left with a confidence in his stance. Hemant was already feeling furstrated lying on the bed like this. An hour later , Sonia arrived for her check up. As she was conducting it , Hemant voiced his concern.

"Please doctor , any chance I get an early discharge. I cannot tolerate the environment of a hospital"

"Is that so? Even if its the hospital you built?"

"I was just part of the planning phase. Most of the work was Pranitha's"

"Pranitha did say you were such a chivalrous person"

"Yeah , turns out that didn't get me anywhere in life now"

Sonia noticed the sadness in his face. She knew the situation for his health detoriating.

"Look , Sonarika told me about the possible reason behind your stroke....and you have my sympathy and well wishes"

"Thanks....but right now the only well wish I need is the wish to leave this hospital"

"Tell you what , stay another 24 hours , let me do the round the clock checkups and if the results are fine. Then I'll let you go"

"Best news I heard for the day. Besides I don't think I can afford more days for a VIP room like this"

"Oh you don't need to. Pranitha is covering your expenses"

"WHAT?"

"Yeah , I contacted her when you were admitted. She is the one who ordered me to put you in a VIP room and reroute the bill to her personal account"

"Then where is she?"

"She is not in the country. She is currently in Amsterdam for a meet to bring advance CT Scan system for the hospital"

"Hmm.....glad she is taking care of the hospital"

"I am not trying to be her IT girl. But Pranitha is definitely a very caring and genuine manager here. She always faces the problems with an open mind. Guess its the Mehta genes"

"Might be....or it just might be her speciality"

"That too"

"But Doctor....can you atleast allow me a change of clothes? I don't like being here in this hospital linens.....I need to freshen myself"

"Sure you can but no tight fittings"

Once her check up was done , Sonia continued her rounds in the hospital. Hemant called Raquel to bring some spare clothes from his office wardrobe mentioning loose clothes. He arrived at his room half our later with brand new clothes which was a kurta and pyjama but with good textures. Raquel joked that he had no loose clothings in his wardrobe as he left for the factory again. Hemant went and had his warm shower.

Hemant eased himself onto the bed, the fresh scent of soap clinging to his skin, the green kurta and black pyjama fitting comfortably. For a moment, the comfort almost tricked him into feeling at peace. But the moment he let his mind drift, Sonarika’s tear-stained face flashed before him—her confession still echoing in his mind like a wound that refused to clot. Karan’s innocent smile, Anjali’s carefree chatter… both now felt like fragile glass figurines, unknowingly placed on a table already cracking beneath them. He had thought the shower would wash away some of the heaviness in his chest, but the ache persisted, stubborn and raw.

The door creaked open, and Hemant’s eyes darted up. His breath caught. 

"Pranitha?" he said, almost disbelieving. 

Doctor Sonia had told him she was in Amsterdam. Yet here she was—standing in his hospital room, still in her travel-worn jacket, her hair loosely tied back, a mix of worry and exhaustion in her eyes. For the first time since the heartbreak, a flicker of relief stirred in him.

"I heard you were admitted" Pranitha said, stepping in briskly. 

"What on earth happened, Hemant? You look… well, not terrible, but not fine either" 

Her tone was blunt, but the undercurrent of concern was unmistakable. She glanced at the IV stand, then at his face, searching for answers.

Hemant tried a half-smile. 

"It’s nothing. Just a small… mishap, that’s all" 

He tried to wave it off, but Pranitha’s expression told him she wasn’t buying a single word. She pulled a chair closer and sat down, folding her arms.

"Mishap?" she repeated. 

"Your blood pressure was through the roof, you had a stroke, and you call it a mishap? I’ve known you long enough to know when you’re hiding something" 

Her voice softened. 

"This isn’t just about health, is it?"

Hemant hesitated, his eyes falling to his hands. He could almost feel Sonarika’s betrayal trying to claw its way to the surface, but he forced it back down. 

"Pranitha" he said quietly. 

"can we… not talk about it? Not today. I just want to… have some normal moments" 

His gaze met hers, pleading but steady. 

"Please"

For a moment, she looked like she might push him for answers. But then she sighed and leaned back. 

"Fine. We’ll talk about something else. You know, I just got off a conference call this morning while at the airport—our supplier from Berlin finally agreed to the revised shipment terms"

Hemant chuckled faintly. 

"You’re still dragging Berlin into every conversation we have. Do you ever stop working?"

"It’s called multitasking, Hemant" she said, grinning. 

"Besides, I thought you liked hearing about my business dramas. You get free entertainment without having to deal with the headaches"

The banter flowed more naturally than he expected. By noon, they had wandered through topics from the ridiculous antics of her marketing team to old memories of their first ground work of this hospital. For brief stretches, Hemant forgot the stabbing weight in his chest. Pranitha had that rare gift—to talk about her world so vividly it distracted him from his own.

Eventually, Pranitha stood, brushing imaginary dust off her trousers. 

"I have a couple of important video meets this afternoon thanks to my unexpected detour. The world won’t run itself, sadly" 

She gave him a mock-serious look. 

"But I’ll be back in the evening. And don’t think about sneaking out of this place, understood?"

"I’ll try to restrain my wild side" Hemant smirked. 


As she left, the room felt a little emptier, but not in the suffocating way it had before she arrived. For the first time in days, Hemant sensed a faint thread pulling him toward something beyond the heartbreak—a reminder that life had more than just pain to offer, if only for a few hours at a time. But then he also remembers that he cannot risk it , how many more heartbreaks can he truly endure. Sonarika has already put a dent to his spirit , and right now he cannot think about moving on. Because this was the universe telling him that he has unfinished business. In that deep moment , he realized. The heartbreak , the tragedy that commenced in Shanghai. This was giving him the telltale sign that the path forward will soon become dangerous.


The late afternoon sun filtered weakly through the hospital’s glass windows, washing the room in a subdued glow. Hemant sat quietly on the bed, his legs still feeling the weakness from yesterday’s ordeal. His mind, though, was far from his health—it was still tangled in the jagged mess of the previous evening, when Sonarika had stood before him and confessed the one thing that could rip his world apart.

The door clicked open. Sonarika stepped in, holding a steel tiffin against her chest as though it were a fragile offering. Her hair was tied hastily, her face pale and drawn, the skin beneath her eyes darkened from a sleepless night. Hemant’s pulse quickened—not out of longing, but because the wound inside him split open again at the mere sight of her.

"I…I brought you food" 

She said, her tone careful, like she was approaching a wounded animal that might strike. She avoided his eyes, walking to the side table and laying the tiffin down. Her hands moved automatically, twisting lids, arranging containers. Hemant rose slowly from his chair and moved to the bed, his gaze fixed on her movements.

"Split the food" He said suddenly. 

His voice was calm, but the calmness was a dangerous kind. Sonarika stilled. 

"I’m not hungry" she murmured.

"You haven’t eaten since last night either" he replied without hesitation. 

"Your face is pale. You’re weaker than you think" 

His tone wasn’t gentle—it was observant, cutting through her feeble excuse.

She didn’t respond, only lowered herself into the chair beside him, her fingers brushing against the edge of the plate. They began to eat. Every bite felt hollow, a mechanical act with no taste. The scbang of spoons against metal filled the space between them. Hemant’s eyes stayed on his plate; Sonarika’s gaze hovered somewhere on the floor, as if speaking would shatter the fragile quiet.

Minutes dragged. Her throat tightened with every mouthful, not from the food, but from the knowledge that every shared meal from now on would carry this same weight. Her mind ached with memories of their family dinners, Karan laughing, Hemant teasing her about her cooking. That world felt impossibly far now.

They finished without a word. The basin tap hissed softly as they washed their hands. Hemant dried his fingers slowly, his movements precise, deliberate. She stood near him, willing herself to speak, her heart hammering. 

"Hemant…" She whispered, voice trembling. 

"I am sorry. For everything. For breaking us. For ruining us… for destroying what we had"

The silence after her words was deafening. Then, without warning, the sharp trill of her phone split the air. Both of them looked toward the table. On the screen, one name glowed in bold letters—Vikram. Hemant’s eyes locked on it, and something in his expression darkened instantly.

She reached over quickly and ended the call, her breath catching. 

"It’s nothing" she said too fast, too desperately. 

He didn’t answer. His silence wasn’t empty—it was full, brimming with rage and betrayal. She stepped closer, tears threatening. 

"Please… whatever happens to us, I’m still worried for Karan. And Anjali. Don’t—"

But he turned his back on her, walking to the large glass window. Mumbai sprawled beneath them, indifferent to the devastation in this room. He stood there, hands in his pockets, as if her voice couldn’t reach him anymore. Sonarika’s throat burned. Her steps toward the door felt heavy, her chest aching with the weight of leaving.

Then she heard it—so faint she almost thought she imagined it. 

"Sona" 

The nickname he used only in love. Her heart lurched violently, a dangerous flicker of hope igniting. She turned, searching his face for softness.

But his eyes were not soft. They were ablaze with fury. He closed the distance between them in two steps, his hand rising to her neck. In one swift movement, he unhooked her mangalsutra, the chain slipping away like the last tether between them. She gasped, her hand flying instinctively to her bare neck.

Hemant walked to the table, dipped three fingers into a glass of water, and returned. His touch was cold as he rubbed her vermillion, smearing the red into nothingness. Her breath trembled, her tears fell unchecked, her whole body shaking. 

"You are dead to me" he said, each syllable like a blade. 

"Get out" 

Her sob broke free, raw and unrestrained, as she fled the room. Alone now, Hemant sat heavily on the bed, his own tears coming, knowing the life they had was gone forever. Outside, Sonarika stumbled down the hall, barely seeing Tamanna approaching from the other end. She walked faster worried ever since she got a message from Hemant that he is in the hospital this morning. As she walked in , she saw Sonarika crying running away. Tamanna caught a glimpse of her ravaged face and realized instantly—something has gone terribly wrong in the last 24 hours.

Tamanna froze in the doorway, her breath catching at the sight of Hemant sitting on the edge of the bed. His shoulders were hunched, his face pale, and though his eyes were dry, she could see the storm he was holding back. The faint beeping of the heart monitor beside him made her chest tighten. 

"Hemant…" she whispered, stepping inside. 

He didn’t look up, just clenched his fists. Without thinking, she crossed the room and wrapped her arms around him. 

"What happened?"

For a long moment, he stayed stiff, his breathing shallow. Then, as though her embrace cracked something inside him, he exhaled a shuddering breath. 

"Its over for me Tammu....its all over!!!" he said, voice barely audible. 

"Sona...My Sona....she loves someone else now…" 

He swallowed, the weight of the words dragging him down. 

"She’s been… with someone else. Vikram Bajaj" 

His voice broke on the last word. Tamanna’s fingers gripped his back as if she could physically hold his pain for him.

She pulled back just enough to look into his eyes. 

"Hemant… oh my God" 

Her voice trembled, not from shock alone but from the raw ache of seeing him like this. 

"How could she… to you of all people?" 

The thought of Sonarika’s betrayal boiled inside her—she’d known Hemant since college, had quietly admired him, his whole personality. Now, to see that heart shattered made her chest ache in ways she couldn’t fully hide. 

"You didn’t deserve this" she murmured, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead.

He shook his head, staring at the floor. 

"After she said it, I couldn’t breathe. It was like everything inside me just… collapsed. I passed out in my vehicle , some pedestrians took me to this hospital. Stroke, they said. I guess you can say she literally broke my heart" 

The words came out flat, but Tamanna could hear the tremor underneath. His vulnerability was uncharacteristic—he was the one who usually comforted others, not the one needing comfort.

Tamanna sat beside him, her hand finding his. 

"Listen to me, Hemant. This—what she did—has nothing to do with your worth. You’re still the same man you’ve always been. You just… got dealt a cruel hand. But we can work through this. Together" 

She squeezed his hand, her eyes steady on his. But Hemant knew at that moment , he was not the same man anymore. In a more higher sense , Sonarika basically killed the old Hemant , what he is now is something more darker , more cold. 

"You’re not alone. Not now. Not ever" 

The sincerity in her voice was heavy enough to make him finally meet her gaze. His eyes glistened, and for a moment, he simply looked at her, as if searching for something—confirmation, permission, maybe hope. Then he pulled her into a tighter hug, burying his face in her shoulder. 

"Thank you, Tammu…..I feel greatful that there is some connections to my past that isn't scarred" 

She felt his arms around her, strong yet desperate, and in that closeness, she felt something shift—an intimacy that she once fantasized with him , long when he was someone else's boyfriend.

Resting her cheek against his hair, Tamanna spoke softly. 

"You will get through this , you always do. And I’ll make sure you never have to face a day like this alone again" 

She meant every word. For years, her feelings for him had been locked away, but seeing him broken like this made her want to shield him from every pain life could throw. Hemant eased back, his expression softer now. 

"I still have people who care… and maybe that’s enough for now" 

Tamanna smiled faintly, brushing his arm. 

"It’s more than enough. And I will be here when you need me" 

They sat there in silence for a while, his hand in hers, the room no longer heavy with despair but warmed by the quiet certainty that even in the ruins, something steady remained. Hemant's mind was a wreckage , an amalgamation of old pains and new ones. Tamanna was there as a comfort , to tell him that not everything is a ruined part in his life. As she left him due to her commitments as a single mother , Hemant was once again in his own thoughts. And the deeper question he asked is where? where did it all went wrong?

But the most important question was what is next? What is next for him? What is his future?

He had dreams and aspirations , an ideal lifestyle for his family. But that has been sliced in different ways and now he is caught in a maze of his family's ruination. He knew that he cannot throw Sonarika from his life forever as long as Karan exist. He knew Karan was the only link to his sanity for the moment. And Anjali , her relation to him exist as long as Sonarika is the wife. The moment that goes , she becomes a stranger to him.

Every single moment he spent that day was filled with sometimes rage and sometimes sorrow. But he was having a hard time to accept that everything will change from now on.


The city outside had sunk into the golds and purples of evening when the door opened again. Hemant looked up from the untouched magazine in his lap. Pranitha stepped inside, no jacket this time, just a soft cream blouse and dark jeans, her hair falling loosely over her shoulders. In one hand, she carried a bag of food, in the other, her tablet.

"I told you I’d be back" she said softly, closing the door behind her. 

"I couldn’t leave you to suffer another round of hospital curry"

A faint smile tugged at his lips. 

"Don't forget this is your own hospital. Next, you’ll start bringing a five-star chef in here"

She laughed, the sound instantly warming the sterile room. They sat together on the small couch, sharing warm naan and paneer curry, talking about her work. She described negotiating with stubborn suppliers, late-night calls with Europe, and the chaos of dealing with a client who thought deadlines were 'a vague suggestion'. Hemant listened—not just to her words, but to the rhythm of her voice, the way her eyes lit up when she spoke about challenges she’d overcome.

When there was a lull, Hemant set his plate down. 

"Pranitha… the doctor’s agreed to discharge me tomorrow"

"That’s wonderful" she said, her face breaking into a smile. 

"But promise me you’ll take it slow. No heroics"

He nodded, then hesitated. Something in her presence—the warmth, the familiarity—made him feel safer than he had in days. 

"There’s something I didn’t tell you earlier… the real reason for my stroke" He met her gaze. 

"Sonarika confessed toto me that she’s been having an affair. With Vikram Bajaj"

Her eyes widened. 

"Vikram Bajaj? As in BAJAJCORP Vikram?"

"Yes. And… remember a while ago your assistant mentioned Vikram’s secret woman in Mumbai? That woman turns out to be Sonarika"

The shock on her face gave way to anger—raw, unfiltered. 

"Hemant, how could she? How could she betray a man like you? You’ve done nothing but give her love and stability. It’s disgusting"

"Pranitha…" He reached for her hand, his touch steady. 

"Its okay Pranitha.....turns out pain and my life are destined for each other"

She didn’t answer—she moved closer instead. Her arms slid around his shoulders, her embrace warm and grounding. The scent of her hair mingled with the faint aroma of dinner still between them. Her face was close, too close, and in that silence, he could hear both of their breaths deepening.

Their lips almost touched before Hemant pulled back, the tension in his chest almost painful. 

"Pranitha....I....I… can’t. Not now. I’m still grieving. And this… it could make things complicated between you and Rony"

Her brows lifted, then she laughed—soft, but full of irony. 

"Hemant… there is no me and Rony. I broke up with him back in college because he’s gay. He’s been with Simon for years—the same Simon you did business with recently"

Hemant blinked. 
"You’re serious?"

"Dead serious, and half the reason I acted close to him was to see you fuming with jealousy" 

She murmured, her gaze locked on his. 

"And besides… something tells me we both need this" 

She leaned in, her lips brushing his before deepening the kiss. At first it was slow, testing, but then it turned hungry—urgent. Her mouth moved against his with a fervor that melted the last of his restraint. They kissed wildly, their mouths clashing, tongues meeting, tasting. The world beyond that room faded entirely.

When they finally pulled apart, a thin strand of saliva connected them. Her voice was low, almost trembling. 

"I guess now we can never be just friends. I didn't see it first but now I do. It’s like fate pushed us into this moment.”

She smoothed her hair, her tone shifting. 

"I have to fly back to Amsterdam tonight. I came here only to see you. I know you’re hurting, but remember—after every storm, there’s a spring. When I return… we’ll find a different meaning for each other. I have a feeling that we will need each other to heal....to redefine who we are!"


She kissed his forehead gently, then left. The silence that followed wasn’t heavy—it was charged. Hemant sat there, heart still pounding, torn between the warmth she’d left behind and the shadow Sonarika’s betrayal had cast over him.


Love had only brought him pain—Sanjana, Kira, Ashnoor, and now Sonarika. Each story ended in loss, each chapter closing with a wound. Love, for Hemant, had always ended in pain. First there was Sanjana, whom he had to leave behind because of the direction his life had taken. Then Kira, who chose her vengeance over him. Then Ashnoor, taken from the world entirely. And now Sonarika—the one who had lifted him from darkness into light—only to give him the worst betrayal of all.


How many more chances could he give to love? How many more times could he risk falling, knowing the crash would come? He decided then and there not to succumb again. But even as he made that vow, he knew he would have to decide where he stood with Pranitha… and what course his life would take from here.

                                                                                                                                                                                  (CHAPTER TO BE CONTD)

[Harry Jordan]

                                                                                                                                                       (CHAPTER CONTD)

THE NEXT DAY



The morning sun poured softly over the streets of Mumbai as Hemant’s cab pulled up to his apartment home. His body still felt weak from the day spent in Sanjeevani Hospital, recovering from the stroke that had struck him like lightning. On the doorstep, Anjali stood with Karan, both smiling, their eyes filled with relief. Behind them was Sonarika, smiling too—but her smile was heavy, almost brittle, weighed down by the guilt she carried.


“Papa!” Karan rushed forward, wrapping his arms around Hemant’s waist. 

The boy’s warmth was real, grounding. Hemant put a hand on his son’s head and ruffled his hair, forcing the corners of his lips upward into something that looked like a smile. Anjali stepped in next, hugging him gently, mindful of his condition. 

"It’s good to have you home, Bhaiya” she said. 

Her voice was bright, but her eyes were measuring his mood. Karan’s excitement dimmed a little when he noticed his father’s subdued tone. 

"Are you okay Papa? You don’t look… happy.” 

Before Hemant could answer, Anjali placed a hand on Karan’s shoulder. 

"Give papa time Karan. He needs rest more than anything right now” 

Hemant didn’t contradict her. He simply gave a quiet nod.


The day unfolded slowly. Hemant let Karan pull him into a series of light activities—board games, sketching silly doodles, watching an old cricket match on TV. For brief moments, genuine laughter slipped out of him. Sonarika observed from the doorway at times, watching her husband’s rare smiles. Yet her peace was constantly broken by her phone buzzing on the table. She glanced at the screen—Vikram. Again. Her chest tightened. She muted the call without answering.


By evening, the living room was scattered with game pieces and half-finished snacks. Hemant’s body was tired, but his mind was restless. He excused himself and walked into the bedroom, closing the door softly. His eyes fell on the framed wedding photo sitting on the desk. Not long ago, it had been his anchor—a reminder of love and commitment. Now, it felt like a cruel joke carved into glass.


Sitting on the bed, Hemant rubbed his temples. He hoped sleep would come early tonight, but his thoughts refused to settle. The door creaked open. Sonarika stepped in wearing a nightie, her hair loose, her face carrying a faint smile that once would have softened him instantly. He didn’t return it.


"I need to go out of the city for an important meet tomorrow" 

Hemant said abruptly, his tone flat. Sonarika’s brow furrowed. 

"Hemant… you shouldn’t be thinking of travel. Your health isn’t—"

"I’m going" he cut her off. 

"I’ll manage"

"You can’t just push yourself like this. I’m… I’m worried" Her voice trembled slightly.

"Your concern" Hemant said quietly. 

"doesn’t change anything anymore" 

His words landed like stones between them, heavy and cold.


He got up, grabbed a pillow and blanket from the bed, and started walking toward the door. 

"What are you doing?" Sonarika asked, panic edging her tone.

"I can’t sleep here" he said, his voice shaking. 

"I’m not comfortable… being around you. Even looking at your face makes me feel like my life is a mockery"


Her lips parted, but no words came at first. Then, in a voice thick with remorse, she said. 

"I never wanted to hurt you like this… I don’t know what I was thinking. You’ve only ever loved me—"

Hemant turned to her, eyes glistening. 

"You know Kunal.....You never liked my friendship with him because you said he was a cuckold. Funny thing is… you turned me into one. An unwilling one"


The silence that followed was unbearable. Sonarika covered her face with her hands, her shoulders shaking. Hemant turned away before he could crumble, walked into the guest bedroom, and shut the door without another word.


Sonarika fell back onto their bed, clutching the pillow to her chest. Tears soaked the fabric as she reached for the wedding photo. She held it close, as if proximity to that moment in time could undo everything. Her thoughts were a whirlwind of regret. She cursed the day she had met Vikram. She wished she could erase every call, every meeting, every lie.


In the guest bedroom, Hemant lay staring at the ceiling. Sleep refused to come. His hand drifted to the thread tied around his wrist, where the Archangel ring hung. His fingers traced its familiar grooves. The memories came unbidden—Azerbaijan, the streets of London, the Shanghai market, the underground weapons cache in Yemen, the burning warehouse, the charred home. His mind was a carousel of shadows.


He removed the ring from the thread, holding it between his fingers. The intricate design seemed to whisper to him of battles fought and survived. Slowly, he slid it onto his finger, next to the Garuda ring he already wore. As the metal touched skin, the visions sharpened—until all he could see was himself standing before the statue of Archangel Michael in his London church on Causeway Street.


And then, the pain receded. The hollow ache in his chest dulled. Something else replaced it—something steady, cold, but grounding. His breath slowed, and for the first time since the hospital, his mind was quiet. As his eyelids grew heavy, a voice deep inside whispered, Welcome back. Hemant exhaled and let the darkness take him.


The morning light streamed into the guest bedroom, tracing soft gold lines across Hemant’s face. His eyes opened slowly—not with the heaviness of exhaustion, but with a certain alertness he hadn’t felt in weeks. The rings sat snugly on his finger, cool and unmoving. Whatever storm had been in his mind the night before now seemed like it had passed, leaving behind an ocean still in appearance but deep in current.


In the kitchen, Sonarika stood by the counter making tea, her hands trembling slightly as she poured. She had barely slept. The wedding photo she had clutched last night was still lying on her bedside table, smudged from her tears. Every footstep she heard in the hallway made her heart race.


Hemant walked in quietly, dressed in casual but neat clothes—jeans and a crisp shirt. His hair was combed, his expression unreadable. Karan was still asleep, and Anjali was out buying groceries, leaving just the two of them in the house.


"Good morning" Sonarika said, her voice tentative.

"Morning" Hemant replied, his tone even. 

No warmth, no edge—just a plain acknowledgment. She tried to smile. 

"I made your tea just the way you like it. Less sugar" She placed the cup in front of him.

Hemant took it without looking at her directly. 

"Thanks" He sipped slowly, as though the tea was nothing more than fuel for the day ahead.

The silence stretched. Sonarika shifted in place, desperate to break it. 

"Hemant… about last night—"

He set the cup down gently. 

"Last night is over" he said. 

"The past is the past. I have nothing more to add"

His calmness unnerved her more than his anger had. 

"But I need to explain—"

"You already did" he interrupted. 

"You explained with your actions. And I understood" 

He didn’t raise his voice, but the words landed like glass falling onto marble. She sat opposite him, leaning forward. 

"I know I destroyed something precious between us. But please… I don’t want to lose you"

Hemant’s gaze finally met hers. His eyes were steady, and for a brief moment, she felt like he was looking right through her. 

"You lost me the moment you made that choice. The only thing left is… how we live with it"

Tears welled in her eyes. 

"So that’s it? You’re just going to… move on without me?"

"I’m going to move forward" he said. 

"With or without your understanding. Staying stuck in yesterday will kill me faster than any stroke"


She reached out, her hand hovering over his. 

"I can change, Hemant. I can—"

He pulled his hand back, not harshly, but decisively. 

"Change for yourself, not for me. I’m not your reason anymore"


The words hollowed her out. For years, she had been his center, his constant. Now, she could feel the gravity between them collapsing into nothing. He finished his tea, stood up, and adjusted the cuffs of his shirt.


"Where are you going?" she asked, her voice almost breaking.

"Out" he said. 

"There are things I need to take care of. People to see"

Her throat tightened. 

"Are you… leaving me?"

He paused at the doorway, his back still turned. 

"If I were leaving, you’d know. For now, I’m just… not staying close" 

And with that, he stepped out, the door clicking shut behind him.


Sonarika sank into the chair he had vacated, staring at the untouched tea she had poured for herself. She had thought the worst thing she could endure was his anger. Now she realized—it was his distance. His absence while still being in the same house.


Outside, Hemant got into his SUV, silencing the noises of the city around him. Now he felt only that strange clarity, like the Archangel’s whisper still lingered in his ears. He knew exactly where he was headed. Even though the path forward for the future wasn't clear, he felt a power in him , finally accepting of who and what he is right now.



FEW HOURS LATER IN SHANGHAI CHINA


The cemetery at Shuangqiao Mountain was a kingdom of silence, broken only by the lazy flutter of prayer flags and the scent of burning sandalwood. The air was cool, heavy with mist, and every headstone here told a story of loyalty, betrayal, and blood spilled in the name of the Triads. At the center of this sacred ground, a funeral pyre waited for Ricky Tan—SunOnYee’s Red Pole, cut down in his own empire, The Golden Yang Hotel, by hands still unknown for them.



Rows of black-clad mourners stood in formation, a living testament to Ricky’s reach. The guard's hands rested on rifles, their mirrored sunglasses hiding the flicker of unease in their eyes. No outsider had ever been allowed this deep into the heart of Triad ground without a death sentence attached.


Old Rey Shen, the chairman of the Triads sat beneath a black silk canopy, his cane resting across his lap. Time had shrunk him, but his gaze still held the gravity of a man who’d buried emperors and crowned new kings. Beside him stood Jiu Mey, the feminine leader figure of the SunOnYee faction,  wrapped in deep emerald silk, her painted lips pressed into a line so tight it threatened to break. Her eyes shimmered with grief that she would never let fall in public. Henry Lee loomed on the other side, hands clasped behind his back, his smirk faint but poisonous.


Howard Tsao, Vincent Ma, Sam Lin, and Conroy Wu lingered just beyond, each one dressed to kill in bespoke suits, their gold cufflinks flashing like the fangs of predators. They had all risen from street enforcers to Red Poles, and their eyes flickered between respect and suspicion.


The atmosphere shifted when the sharp staccato of high heels struck the stone. Sharon moved like she owned the space, her black qipao tracing the shape of a body carved in steel and fire. She approached the chairman, bowing with the exact depth required to honor him—no more, no less. 

"My condolences, Chairman Shen" she said softly. 

"Ricky was… irreplaceable"

 "We bury him in an hour, yet I’m told we still wait. For what?" Shen’s voice came out in gravel.

Jiu Mey’s gaze lifted to the distant sky. 

"For someone who must say goodbye. Someone whose presence… changes everything"


The wind shifted, carrying a sound that made even the veterans tense—the low, deep thrum of rotor blades. Heads turned upward. Through the rolling mist, a black Sikorsky S-76 helicopter emerged, gold stripes catching the pale light. But it was the emblem on its fuselage that froze every breath—the winged sword. A symbol burned into Triad memory as the mark of a man who once walked their streets like a specter of death.


Engines growled from the cemetery gates as a convoy of black sedans and armored jeeps swept in. Their synchronized precision was military—doors opening in unison, men in tailored black stepping out with M6 rifles and RP submachine guns slung across their chests. They moved without wasted motion, flanking the path to the helipad.


The helicopter descended in slow motion, rotor wash sending chrysanthemums and incense smoke swirling in a gold-tinted haze. On the far edges of the gathering, younger Triad soldiers whispered, trading stories they’d been told as warnings when they were green—stories of the man behind that sigil. The older ones stayed silent, eyes narrowed. They knew the stories weren’t enough.


Richard Williams, now helming the current Williams Estate and Business in London stepped down from the co-pilot seat, his suit perfect, his expression carved in stone. He walked to the rear passenger door, opening it with a deliberate pause, as though announcing the arrival of something not quite human.


A polished Italian shoe touched the stone first, followed by the immaculate line of black executive trousers. A right hand adorned with two heavy rings—the Garuda and the Archangel—caught the sunlight, scattering it into the crowd. Then came the gold-framed aviators, reflecting Ricky’s pyre in their mirrored lenses.


This was not Hemant Kumar, the Industrialist and owner of YOD Industries. This was Michael King, the once-forgotten reign of terror at Shanghai’s darkest nights. The man who had once carved a path through Triad corruption with surgical violence. A man the underworld swore was gone forever—until now.


Every step he took toward the pyre felt heavier than the one before, as though the earth itself acknowledged his return. Triad Red Poles watched with measured breaths. Some looked at him with respect forged in battle, others with the memory of the terror he once brought.


He stopped before the pyre, removing his glasses in a slow, deliberate motion. His eyes—steel grey and unblinking—studied Ricky’s photo. He knelt, placing a hand on the polished wood. 


"May you finally find peace , Old Friend" 

He murmured, his voice carrying enough weight to cut through the wind. A single tear slid down his cheek before his jaw tightened again.

Rising, he walked to the chairman, nodding briefly to Mey and Tsao, who gave the faintest nods back. Michael dropped to one knee before Shen, taking the old man’s frail hand. 

"Uncle Shen , sorry to leave you , its been a long time!"

"Time heals the old wounds but it seems not the case for you"

"I am afraid not" Hemant showed affection to the older man.

"I promise you Uncle Shen" He said, voice low but sharp. 

"Whoever killed Ricky will not breathe long enough to regret it. I will erase them from existence"

Henry Lee’s laugh cracked the tension like a whip. 

"Bold talk, Michael King. You don’t even know who they are. Whoever they are, they hide in the shadows… watching. Maybe watching you"

Michael’s smile was thin, predatory. 

"Shadows are strong… until they meet the light. I’ll burn this one until there’s nothing left but smoke. And my sword—The Inquisitor—is thirsty. When I find them, I’ll make them wish they were never born" 

His words landed like gunshots, final and absolute.

Sliding the aviators back on, he turned, his coat flaring with the wind. His men moved with him, the convoy already aligning for departure. The Sikorsky’s rotors began to spin, whipping petals and ash into the air like a storm of fireflies.

As the helicopter lifted, Shen’s gaze stayed locked on it, his lips curling into the faintest smile. He glanced at Ricky’s photo, speaking in a voice only the dead could answer. 

"Your death brought him back Ricky. He will avenge you.…"


AN HOUR LATER AT SHANGHAI AIRPORT PRIVATE LOUNGE.


Sharon was shocked by the details Hemant revealed minutes ago regarding his personal life. She was still having a hard time believing it as they both sat on their own private lounge section.


"Sonarika? Really? Cheating on you? You’re good-looking, your business is booming, you actually care about people, you’ve got the whole partner package—what the hell was she thinking?"


Hemant just stared at his black coffee, swirling it absently. Sharon leaned in, narrowing her eyes. 


"Wait… don’t tell me you’ve got performance issues now? Because the Michael King I knew back in London sure as hell didn’t have that problem"


A faint smirk tugged at his lips. 

"No, Sharon. That’s not it" He took a long sip, then set the cup down. 

"Truth is… I think I’m the reason she went looking elsewhere"

"You’re joking" Sharon blinked.

"I’m not" he said quietly. 


"When I started a life with her, I buried my past—every scrap of it. I thought it was the only way to keep things from crumbling like they did before. But in burying it… I buried the good parts too. The boldness. The fire. The man who lived life, not just moved through it"


He looked out the airport window as he spoke. 

"I slowed down. Got soft. Out of shape. Lost the drive. I convinced myself that my wild ways were the reason I’d lost everything once, and I didn’t see that they were also the reason I was me. Sonarika never met the real me. Maybe… if Michael King had been her husband instead of Hemant Kumar, Vikram Bajaj wouldn’t have even crossed her mind"

Sharon tilted her head. 

"That’s a hell of a confession"

He chuckled faintly. 

"And if I was my old self… I would’ve appreciated the vixen she really is. God knows she’s the epitome of the perfect MILF—big boobs, a meaty ass, all the right curves in all the right places. There were times in our past where I wanted to let the old me out just to enjoy her fully.… but I didn’t. I thought bringing my past back meant losing her, like I lost everything else"


Sharon raised an eyebrow, teasing. 

"So you’re telling me you held back out of love?"

"Yeah" Hemant said, smiling bitterly. 

"And the irony is… I lost her anyway" He leaned back. 

"In a twisted way, I should thank her. Her betrayal gave me clarity. I can’t hold her fully accountable—I hid who I was from her. That’s its own form of betrayal"

He looked straight at Sharon now. 

"I hope Vikram genuinely loves her. That he takes care of her. Because at the very least… she deserves a man who appreciates her for all she is. I was just too late to be that man"

Sharon exhaled slowly, her voice softer now. 

"So fix it. Go back to her. Fight for her. If you know what went wrong, there’s still a chance to make it right"

Hemant shook his head. 

"Even if I bury the hatchet and stay with her, the path I’m about to take will put her in danger. This isn’t just about us anymore. There are wrongs that were done to me long before she came into my life—things I need to close, to settle. I need to put Michael King to rest for good before I can ever be free"


"At least I still have Karan" he continued. 

"He’s… the symbol of what we had, even if it’s broken now. I know neither of us will compromise in our love for him. That’s one thing we’ll always share"


Sharon studied him, her expression caught between sympathy and frustration. 

"It’s like pain’s your oldest companion, Hemant. Every time I see you, you’re either bleeding or bandaging someone else’s wounds"


He rose from his seat, leaving a few bills on the table. 


"Maybe. But this time, I’m not staying wounded. I’m letting her go—to be with the man I believe she loves now. I still love her and cherish her as part of my life. But I am willing to let her go so that she can have her peace. I’m embracing both the past and the present. That’s the only way forward for me. My focus now is on avenging the old wounds"


Sharon didn’t stop him as he walked to the direction the flight announcement was done. She knew that look in his eyes—it was the same one he had before every storm in his past life. Hemant stepped into entry gate of his flight to Mumbai, the noise of the commotion of the travellers wrapping around him. For the first time in years, he wasn’t trying to be the man Sonarika needed. He was ready to be himself again, no matter where it led.





FEW DAYS LATER IN MUMBAI



The city’s mid-morning traffic hummed all around her, but inside her car, Sonarika’s hands were locked tight on the steering wheel. Her pulse drummed in her ears as she glanced at the location Hemant had sent her—a place she had never been before. She kept telling herself it was just a meeting, maybe about Karan, maybe something about the house. But deep down, something in her gut told her this was going to hurt.


When she finally parked, her eyes widened. The brass plaque by the glass door read in bold: Meera Sethi & Associates — Family Law Specialists. Her stomach tightened like a fist.


Through the tinted glass, she spotted Hemant standing near the reception desk, his posture straight, his expression still and cold—like a man made of stone. No smile, no flicker of warmth. Just… nothing.


"Mrs. Kumar?" 

The receptionist’s voice broke her stare. She nodded silently, stepped inside, and walked toward him. Hemant’s gaze met hers only for a moment before he turned toward the corridor.


A tall, confident woman in a charcoal-grey suit appeared. 

"Mr. and Mrs. Kumar? I’m Meera Sethi. Please, come in" 

Her voice was professional, but her eyes were sharp, already sensing the tension between them.


The office was warm and modern, the faint scent of sandalwood lingering in the air. Meera gestured to two cushioned chairs opposite her desk. 

"Have a seat"


As soon as they sat, Meera laced her fingers and asked. 

"So, what’s the purpose of today’s meeting?"

"We’re here to file a petition for divorce. Out of court settlement" Hemant didn’t hesitate. 

The words hit Sonarika like a physical blow. Her mouth went dry, and her eyes widened in disbelief. 

"What?" she whispered, as if maybe she had misheard. 

But Hemant just stared at Meera, unmoving.

Tears welled in her eyes before she could stop them. Meera noticed, sliding a box of tissues toward her. 

"Did you… not tell her?" 

Meera asked Hemant, her voice carrying a faint note of reproach. He shook his head once.

Meera sighed softly. 

"Out of court settlements work best when both parties are prepared, Mr. Kumar. Surprises rarely help" 

Hemant said nothing, his face unreadable.

"Well then" Meera continued, pulling out a form. 

"Reason for divorce?"

"Irreconcilable differences" 

Hemant replied, his tone as plain as if he were reading a weather report.

Meera tilted her head. 

"That’s vague. The court might want more clarity"

"Then we’ll keep it vague" Hemant said. 

"It’s enough"

"No… it’s not just differences" She wiped her cheeks. Sonarika finally found her voice. 

"It’s because I had an affair"

Meera’s pen froze mid-note. 

"If that’s the case, the petition should be on grounds of adultery"

"No" Hemant cut in. 

"It stays as irreconcilable differences"

"Why?" Meera pressed.

"For Karan" Hemant said, his voice softening just slightly. 

"I don’t want his future tainted by court records painting one of his parents in bad light. He’ll have enough to process without that"

There was a silence between them before Meera moved on. 

"Custody arrangement?"

"Shared" Hemant said. 

"Equally"

Sonarika nodded in agreement, her body trembling.

"And assets?" Meera asked. Hemant leaned forward. 

"I’ll opt out of our joint account. She can take everything—family savings, deposits. It’s about a crore"

Sonarika’s head snapped toward him. 

"Hemant…" she whispered, unable to process the generosity amidst the ice in his voice.

"But" he continued. 

"I keep the rights to the house. I plan to sell it"

"Why such a drastic step? To bury the past?" Meera raised a brow.

Sonarika raised the same sentiments with concern.

"Yeah why? That apartment has been a testament of your hard work. Don't let it go to ruin for me"

Hemant leaned back, exhaling slowly. 

"Actually that is not the reason , its actually quiet the opposite. I actually dreamed bigger. Something I never got to tell my family. I was going to after our summer vacation. I bought a villa at Silver Beach, Andheri. Worth two crores. Already paid an advance thanks to the thriving business. But to close the deal and renovate, I need to sell the apartment"

Sonarika’s breath caught. Her hands covered her mouth as tears poured freely now. She remembered the countless evenings they’d dreamed of a place by any water body, the one constant fantasy in their years together. 

"You… you did this for us?" she asked, her voice breaking.

"For us" Hemant said quietly. 

"For Karan. For the life I thought we were building" 

His eyes flicked away, not wanting her to see the tiny fracture in his calm. Even Meera’s expression softened. 

"That’s… a hard truth to carry. A dream home becoming a casualty of this process" 

She tapped the form gently. 

"Mrs. Kumar? Do you agree to these terms?"

Sonarika stared at the table for a long time. Her heart screamed no, but her throat refused to fight him. After a long pause, she nodded in agreement. 

"Very well. I’ll file the petition next week" Meera said. 

"But be aware—the court will impose a cooling period. Ten to twelve months. It’s mandatory. Gives you both time to rethink"

"I understand" 

Hemant said. Sonarika just nodded, eyes downcast.

Outside, the afternoon sun was blinding. Hemant walked toward his SUV without looking back, until he felt a hand on his wrist. 

"Is this it?" Sonarika asked, her voice raw. 

"Is this where we part ways?"

For the first time that day, his eyes glistened. 

"The path will be there Sonarika and that path is Karan , but we will never walk that path ever again towards each other"

"But why? Hemant I understand I made a terrible mistake , but can't we find our way back to each other?"

"No we can't"

"Am I that cursed to you"

Hemant took a breather and responded

"No Sonarika , you were never a curse. Matter of fact , you were something opposite of that. But that is the problem , My sun , My light , My source of strength , My Sona. I cannot see her in you. The Sona I know and love , she is no longer standing before me. Instead in front of me is a woman who has seemingly found love in another man. If anything , I have only gratitude for you Sonarika. That instead of getting to know about the affair from someone else , you told it yourself. That I definitely appreciate. Deep down , even now , I still love my Sona , the woman who shared a life with me. But right now , I cannot find her!"

His confession created a chasm of doubt in Sonarika. Making her realize the truth to his words. As Sonarika looked at him helplessly with teary eyes , Hemant concluded.

"For now we are not parting ways, like the lawyer said , we have nearly a year time to prepare. But mentally , I am already separate from you because you are not my Sona. You can stay in the apartment , I am going to opt to sleep at my factory thanks to a comfortable room I build there in my office. Get used to this new norm. Soon… we’ll be separate forever"

He pulled away, climbed into the SUV, and drove off. Sonarika stood there until the sound of the engine faded. Then she sank onto the stone steps outside the building, knees folding under her, grief crashing over her in waves. Somewhere between the tears and the choking breaths, the truth settled in: 

Her family was gone.



                                                                                                                                                                                             END OF CHAPTER 20

[Speedy21]

I hope don't justify hemant hooking up with Pranitha...... quiet alot emotions depth.....good one

[siva05]

Ohh king is arrived , from now expect the unexpected

[DeanWinchester00007]

I hope  don't justify hemant hooking up with Pranitha...... quiet alot emotions depth.....good one

Same , I hope Hemant dont take Sona betrayal as Hall pass for his own dalliance or become a fuck boy . 

[DeanWinchester00007]

Good Update ! 

[RCF]

I do not understand why would Sonarika call this a mistake over and over lol , that's a total flip of her character Uturn from how she felt when she is with Vikram, Some how I do not feel Harry did enough justice to her character and its being played as per circumstances. Just before all this when she was boarding Jabalpur flight she knew and acknowledged that Vikram has become a part of her life which she couldn't ignore, She mentioned several times to him that if not for her family she would have been with him no questions asked and he is perfect for her, So now she is not even defending her actions, not once she mentioned Hemanth pushed her away over long period of time, Its like our Michael king is a Gandhi and most innocent ever to live on this planet.

People make decisions and pick choices based on their heart and circumstances. We all know she did wrong by betraying him but we also know how she feel based on what was written and what we read over last few chapters and most of the readers agree that it was more than lust, then the writings change as per convenience when she is with Hemanth vs Vikram, When she is with Vikram, she will sing that tune, now she is with Hemanth, what she did suddenly became a terrible mistake and she is ready for punishment? ...Ideally she is only eligible to take punishment when she has taken out Vikram from her system organically. She did not resolve those feelings and she just ran away from him and chose her family but when Vikram puts his mind into it he can still make her weak. Totally felt off reading her arc as there is no consistency in her words or actions.

At least she had the guts to reveal her betrayal and not wrong him over and over again, What about Mr. perfect Hemanth Kumar? Isn't he wronging her and his family over a decade concealing his true identity as a gangster? Who knows how much blood is on his hands? Who would want to share life with such a person and live with him if he reveal his true nature....and he betrayed Sonarika all these years. Does he have guts to reveal to her? Obviously this story is biased so his true nature will be revealed in some dramatic heroic kind of moment rather than in bad light. Even if Hemanth as Michael was cleaning the streets and living by a code, he is still a killer and a don at some point in his life and not keeping that page open to your soul mate is a betrayal and equally sinful in my eyes.

What would have happened if he revealed his past to Sonarika before Vikram was in the picture and Sonarika walked out with kids? Would Hemanth have survived that separation?

As I predicted, Hemanth confessed that his past nature would have been a better partner for Sonarika and he buried his good parts of his past life which would have been perfect for Sonarika...when he has this knowledge why is he not giving another chance to rebuild his life right away? Letting her go to keep her safe is bullshit reason while keeping his son close...future holds danger for both his wife and son..not just Sonarika.

Totally disappointed in this chapter...Sonarika was not given enough scope to put her thoughts out and explain why Vikram took over her life and why there exists a gap even for some one to fill. Coming that from her would have been nice rather that again our intelligent heroic Michael figured it out suddenly in Shanghai lounge.

~RCF

[DeanWinchester00007]

Finally, The update we have been waiting for !   

Oh boy , The story progressed too quickly . 

To be honest ,  I was expecting more drama and more tension , and more verbal fight between Hemant and Sona . But my fear was Right , MICHAEL is too calculative . Hemant might have fought with her but Michael would never . He is dealing his marital problem just like his official deals or gangster problem , No time for tears or remorse , Strike as soon as possible . Again took calculative measures . NO outburst no nothing , yes silently swallowing pain . 

And Not even thinking about VIKRAM too , No hate No Anger . Not a single thought of changing the jaw line of VIKRAM . 

Not for Sona but also for me Michael's Stoic nature and his calmness feels very irritating . 


The divorce matter arrived too quickly , Sona did not even fight it . At least she could have  try to refuse or fight or even leaving the office without even listening etc etc , But Nope ! , I guess her guilt stopped her to do anything or Is it the Love for VIKRAM stopping her. 

Sona , This women , will never learn , Her whole life and family destroyed in front of her and still She could not cutt off VIKRAM from her life ? What the hell was that she still have his number and She did not even blocked him , The writer missed the chance to add more ghee in fire when they were in hospital and VIKRAM called her  . Imagine Hemant seeing his name on her wife cell phone , while  they were still talking . lol . But thats okay . 


Finally Michael understand , His whole life did not crumble because he felt short , He was never meant to have life like Hemant . He can never be someone like Hemant . His dishonesty from his true nature, cost him 10 years of life . I hope he do not commit the same mistake twice by getting close with Tammana , He is bad choice for her and Pranitha too . He needs to go where he belongs . Back to his world . He left too many loose ends . Finally He can consider himself to be Free. 

As for Sona , She always wanted a man like VIKRAM or Man with few qualities of VIKRAM but she never realizes the MAN like VIKRAM IS VIKRAM himself . 
 

I thought she cut him off but nope which is good , Now that she is going to be divorcee , There is no reason not to get into Relationship with VIKRAM now . VIKRAM loves her and will take care of her both Financially and physically , Specially the latter    .
More important She also loves now the path is clear , so no need to steer away from each other or at least giving the chance . 

But as of now , She is mess , The divorce will wreck her . So who is gonna giver her should to cry on and also D.... to ride on .VIKRAM , Even if not Megha ( i forget her name ) she will create situation and manipulate her in way so she would fall on Vikram lap and clearing her way towards Hemant . Megha should have visited him in the hospital 
No matter how hard she can try A part of Vikram will always gonna be live with in her , His essence will be forever with her . Its better to become whole with him . ( her words not mine   )

This divorce will give them what they need 1 .Michael will get himself back and whole and Sona will finally have the chance to live the life she has always dreamed of with VIKRAM , without having to hide. 


Destiny brought them together so they could help each other , to built themselves , heal their wounds and so they will be prepare  to face the dangers ahead and now, having fulfilled their purpose, Same destiny is guiding them apart, so each can follow the destiny meant for them alone. Their Own Destiny . 

A parallel path is still a path . As an individual and as parent  , maybe as friend , Their journey will continue . I dont think Michael will harbor any hate towards Sona .

Now Best Part of the Update . THE FUNERAL . The New characters , The setting and atmosphere was too good . The whole Triad thing is fun , linking with other parts of under world . 

What is the past of Michael ? Was he a soldier ? Member of Triad ? European Mafia boss ? All of them ( I might be missing few details ) . Was not the whole Azerbaijan accident , Military operation gone wrong ? or it was Gangwar ? How he ended up here in Mumbai ? What made him to give up his old life and why did he choose to move mumbai ? ( If it mentioned in earlier chapters , Then I might have forget the details , My Apologies )


One thing is funny , How come he owns an industry and still worrying about Hospital bill ?   He is rich . 

Over all Good Update ,  The update was more Streamlined   . The tone was a little lighter, which was a good and felt more mature approach. 

Thank Harry for this wonderful story . 



         
 .
Yaar , Netflix jaise Habit ka tarah ho gya , Ab next update ke liye , Next week wait krna pdega   .

Also One request Harry , Can you tell us How much story has progressd ? How many chapters left in Part 1 , If I am not wrong There will be total 20 chapters In part 1 ? 

( Note :- The comment are for fun , and for casual conversation for readers , not for writer , Also comments are not criticism of the story nor the suggestion for the writers )

*PEACE OUT*

[SMOD-P]

I wish Sonarika would do something that will erase all the tension and betrayal between them like there was a mafia guy who wanted Sonarika in his bed , maybe something storyline like that may happen that will make them closer.

[Speedy21]

I do not understand why would Sonarika call this a mistake over and over lol , that's a total flip of her character Uturn from how she felt when she is with Vikram, Some how I do not feel Harry did enough justice to her character and its being played as per circumstances. 


~RCF

Yep u said it right with vik she dance for his tunes.... But with hemant.. she forgot her tunes.....y  I don't understand sona arc  u made ur choice leave with it.... No matter what the conquesnces r ......mAybe she thinks she loves hemant... But heart desire  for vikram.....  Hemant acknowledge his mistake he change made her having affair .... If he was still Micheal.... Things should been different ... I expected  more emotions n more arguments .. tho..... Hemant n Michel to different mindset... One is forgiving..... One is cunning sharp .

[Harry Jordan]

~RCF

Well , this chapter is about grief , which is why Vikram is kept in the backburner. Sonarika is being overwhelmed with the nasty amount of loss she is facing here at this moment. The reason Sonarika is ignoring Vikram is not because she dislikes him now , but because she is shielding him from her sins. She said it to Vikram when she left Jabalpur , that she believes she is Hemant's biggest betrayer and it should be her to take whatever punishment she will get. Her not answering Vikram is not her circling her stance here , but rather keeping him away from the chaos that has erupted in her life. In a way , she is protecting Vikram from Hemant. Also this is her accepting her own mistake , her reasoning will come later.


Another factor that plays in is Sonarika's expectations. She expected that Hemant will lash out , throw a tantrum , chastise her for her sins. Then everything will fall apart and she can pick the pieces in her grief. But the opposite happened as Hemant suffered a stroke , went silent , completely cold on her. In a way her confession not just broke Hemant , it killed him in a way. And then the realization that Hemant deeply cared for their family and loved her even now to the point he had a surprise planned for all of them with a new house made Sonarika see the extent of her betrayal. Which is why Sonarika showcased her guilt and heartbreak rather than be a completely ignorant woman who will still swoon over Vikram. Her reaction and response to Hemant is an implication that the Sonarika that was in love in Hemant is still there with her. She just has to find out where her future leads.


Nowhere have I implied or stated that Hemant is someone "Perfect" , matter of fact he is far from perfect. He is a man who has only made terrible decisions after one , and half of it was because of his trauma. As Hemant confessed to Sharon , he admits his mistakes knowing that him wasting his life resulted in Sonarika choosing someone else. In a way admitting that he didn't just betray Sonarika , he betrayed himself. His life and family with Sonarika was supposed to be a second chance in life , but when you have unfinished business and old wounds that are still fresh , you tend to return to that same world. And Hemant did just that , not to betray his family , but to finally get closure from his past and become true to himself. And this is the truth Hemant has accepted. Also he is not leaving Sonarika because he is guilty of his own sins or don't love her anymore. He is leaving her simply because he believes she loves Vikram and not him anymore.


I don't intend to show that only one character in the wrong , which is not true. I envisioned this story with deeply flawed characters. The core narrative is always been that Sonarika and Hemant were mean't for each other in their true selves but they both changed to start fresh. Which was a mistake for one and a blessing for other. Hemant is no saint , neither is Sonarika. But the truth is they both weren't true to each other , and the ironic part is their truth would've been incredibly compatible to each other and no third person could've came in between them.

[RCF]

Well , this chapter is about grief , which is why Vikram is kept in the backburner. Sonarika is being overwhelmed with the nasty amount of loss she is facing here at this moment. The reason Sonarika is ignoring Vikram is not because she dislikes him now , but because she is shielding him from her sins. 

Just an opinion...as always thanks for the story and effort! 

~RCF

[Harry Jordan]

Just an opinion...as always thanks for the story and effort! 

~RCF

Well , I get your point. But Sonarika's stance is there for a reason. Plus not to forget , Sonarika always had that submissive side in her. She became the strong and confident woman she is because of Hemant. And the evidence is there in the sex scenes , when you read Vikram and Sonarika in their passionate moments , most times Vikram is dominating her , and Sonarika likes it. But when it comes to Hemant and Sonarika , there is a passage of control between them , sometimes its Sonarika who initiates and has fun with Hemant,  while sometimes its Hemant. But Sonarika always had one frustration with Hemant , he always held back. But Vikram didn't , which is why her physical relation with Vikram felt more connecting as Vikram was willing to show his true self to her , while Hemant didn't. And thus their physical acts formed a deeper connection between them , but this also resulted in Sonarika loosing some of her own identity of a confident and strong woman she was. In a way , her relationship with Vikram is also a downgrade as she is also becoming her true self and not improving herself.



And even now I still say Yes , she still has some love for Hemant. If she didn't love Hemant , she wouldn't initiate sex with him and actually enjoy it , yes she feels guilty and pain , but deep down she is always grateful and in debt to Hemant for fixing her life. In a way it was goodbye sex but if she didn't love him , she wouldn't have been physical with him. The arc right now is just Sonarika accepting her sins which is why we didn't see her reasoning. This will indeed happen soon and we will see Sonarika to finally come clean. As for the house twist , he made it clear he was planning that as a surprise like many couplle does , the problem was he was too late for that. Hemant only wanted time to give Sonarika a life full of love and togetherness and he was this close. But he was unaware that Sonarika had drifted away in the sea of her pleasures. He only revealed it now because he wanted the divorce proceedings to go clean without another issue. Its not negligence in Hemant's matter , the problem was that Sonarika wanted more from Hemant , but he only gave her a promise for a wholesome future. But sadly , that future took its time coming and Sonarika faltered in her path unaware and now in regret realizing that future was just a cusp away. The dream house they envisioned together is now a relic of a shattered dream.


As for his switch in character , that is basically the result of Hemant's trust being broken. He trusted Sonarika blindly , never expected her of all people to cheat on him. This not only killed the innocence and kindness in him , but also broke his own perspective , making him realize that this ten years worth of starting over was a mistake. As for the "husband being hailed" well I took this narration for a fresh approach rather than portray the husband as the "loser" in the story and have the wife being gifted reward after reward. Its like Hemant said in the chapter itself , he inadvertadly will end up the looser in their separation story as Sonarika is only going to gain while Hemant will loose everything. Just think it in a general perspective , if divorce happens right now. Sonarika will move away , start a new life with Vikram , he will make her a part of his empire, make her quit TANISHQ and be part of his family business. She goes from a COM of a company to someone who leads a business empire. While Hemant will loose his time with Karan , completely loose his relation to Anjali , live in a house that no longer is part of a family dream he once had , leaving himself in his own chaos of unfinished business and trauma for the rest of his life. 


On paper this can happen too. Regardless , both of them are loosing something at this point. Just the grieving process will be different than other stories.



All opinions are welcome , including yours RCF , appreciate your read

                    HARRY JORDAN 

[RCF]

Well , I get your point. But Sonarika's stance is there for a reason. Plus not to forget , Sonarika always had that submissive side in her. She became the strong and confident woman she is because of Hemant. 



All opinions are welcome , including yours RCF , appreciate your read

                    HARRY JORDAN 

Bro, Do not think I am annoying you again and again, but you are not getting my point, Being submissive in bed and being submissive outside are two different things, One who likes to be submissive in bed and craves rough sex and dominance is totally different, its a state of mind where especially women who are usually dominant outside sometimes feel they desire to relinquish the dominance and not be the decision makers...they choose partners who are dominant than themselves and it bring them relief and satisfaction and they prefer bedroom for this and cannot accept it outside. So we are talking about two different things, My earlier thoughts are Sonarika has always been the dominant one in the relationship with Hemanth..The fact that she went and blasted Sandeep while Hemanth took the beating or the fact that she thought Hemanth did not take right direction in reporting Rafique to Sanjana initially all prove that she is a very strong woman..Such a personality when she makes a choice it usually can be a mistake once but when she makes that choice again then it is not a mistake anymore, It will be a well thought choice made out of necessity and her own feelings sorted out..I feel she did that exactly when she agreed to go to Jabalpur second time, she knew she will be vulnerable there and how she will feel around Vikram but she still made that choice and the dancing in the rain and touch that ignited fire everything was a choice she made not because she forgot about Hemanth then, but because she craved such a life with Hemanth and she never got it, the alpha that she was seeking from her partner never existed in her eyes in her life. That craving was satisfied by being with Vikram and she still craves it so it doesn't make sense to me suddenly she feels she wished Vikram never existed in her life...you are now saying she did this to protect Vikram from Hemanth hence she was not listing the phone or keeping him away from the chaos in her life..but your last chapter portrayed as if this is a mistake...Either Sonarika should feel this a mistake all the time or she should feel its a right choice all the time, not different at different places. She herself agreed with Meghana and other girls when she was seeking the advice that both Vikram and Hemanth satisfy two different Sonarika's with in her and if that is true then both of them cannot be mistakes. She should explain that to Hemanth and make him listen. At least not initially but she has time in hospital or later in the day when she made tea for him...I felt that conversation is totally missing and instead you write as if Hemanth deduced it himself whose mistake it is and how he is part of that mistake...This glorification of Hemanth is what I couldn't take from this story...Very unconventional and not natural. 

Think about it,  when she decided herself that I will confess to Hemanth because he is a good man who deserves better and truth, she should not only confess but explain her state of mind and why she was vulnerable with Vikram, She is always strong woman and usual characteristic arc should at least ask Hemanth to listen to her and give her a chance to listen but she never even says that, she is portrayed as a sinner...I get that, every one here thinks she has sinned Hemanth including me but that is a neutral reader we thinking should be different than the character itself, Here Sonarika should not think that she sinned Hemanth, Her guilt should be confined to only betrayal of their marriage and family but her choice was a right one in failing for Vikram as there is a part of herself which needs Vikram in her life and other part needs Hemanth, she should explain why she took that step...This explanation coming at a later point of time doesn't make sense to me especially since the story went from confession all the way to Divorce in one single chapter so what would be the point in her explaining this to Hemanth later. While Hemanth figuring out where it went wrong all by himself again seemed like another arc for Hemanth where he will be the hero again and again here...Why? 

Man doesn't make sense to me why every time its Hemanth who gets to become the beacon of light for every problem in this story? We should agree that relationships are not strong suit for Hemanth, He is a good father but has been a terrible husband yet he could figure out his problems and self realization came in a day. If you remember when I started reading this story I have mentioned in the beginning that this story was written to give the protagonist the most respect that usually the Heros of other stories do not give them and make them cuckold, I understand that but the respect and glorification that comes after humiliation only gets the most awaited love and affection. The underlying tones of him being a hero on every instance kills the essence of a person growing into a Hero. I guess you are getting my point. I will end my vent here...

~RCF

[Harry Jordan]

~RCF

Believe me bro , you can never annoy me , because all of our conversations are healthy and is about perspectives. And yes to the most part I agree , your observation of Sonarika's sex life and her personality is somewhat spot on. And this chapter was heavily focusing on grief. Which is why the logical talk didn't happen. I built a scenario that Sonarika will not only be Hemant's undoing , but also become the catalyst to awaken the "Michael King" inside him. And that is why the whole hospital episode comes through. As for the divorce happening , its still part of the arc and in character with Hemant signifying that he has changed , he is not the sweet , calm and collective Hemant that Sonarika knew. Her cheating has merged both the past and present of him turning him into someone far more calculative and different person than Hemant was. And Sonarika is calling it a mistake right only out of grief , because right now , in this chapter , Sonarika's mindset of loss and heartbreak was the focal point which is why the logical talk has been stalled for a later chapter. I know you might feel this will take the impact away , but her arc needs it considering this is the point of the story for her where she will have to define her path to the future.


Yes and that confession would not work here. Because Sonarika in this chapter is worried. Worried for Hemant , her reveal already made him end up in a hospital. And then more than that , more than the honesty , the part of Sonarika that loves Hemant dominates in this chapter as part of her arc here. Which is why she ignores Vikram in this chapter because like she said in the past , she is not choosing , her heart duelled out to both Vikram and Hemant , both being two parts of her. And here , the part that loves Hemant is more concerned about him. Here her focus is completely on Hemant's health. But that too surprises her as Hemant is behaving in a way he has never been in her life. And this paved the way for confusion. And then as she is contemplating it , Hemant drops the divorce making her grieve further. But this was needed to be done , because once that grieving part is done , Sonarika can finally have that talk with Hemant and find a logical resolve in this.


Well the answer to that is pretty simple. Hemant is not a normal character to me, he can bring solutions to all other's problems but he can never find one for his own. Like I said in this chapter , its clearly shown Hemant isn't going to walk out a victor if this divorce happens. He already has the villains coming to surround him , his wife will soon leave him , he will loose his relation to his sister in law Anjali who he treats as his own sister. And he will also loose Karan's custody , forcing to share his future with a woman who no longer loves him according to him. And I believe you might be concieving Hemant in the wrong way , don't see him as an underdog fighting to bring his glory. He is the Dark Horse of this story , only he is treated as a main character here rather than coming from the unknown and taking the lead. And then you know the greatest challenge of a man , you can be a master stretegist , an expert fighter , a tactician , a ruthless hitman , hell even a KINGPIN. But there is one place a man will always falter no matter how strong or invincible he is , and that is to understand a WOMAN! LOL!


Once again , I iterate , you will never be an annoyance. Our conversations are always meaningful and thought provoking. Its always welcome!

[EPLOVER4U]

Letter to My new writer friend harry 

JUST IGNORE MAN JUST IGNORE THERE ARE ANNOYING PEOPLE EVERYWHERE, WHO JUST WANTS TO PROVE THEIR OWN POINT OF VIEW REGARDLESS OF THE FLOW AND WEIGHT OF THE CANVAS

THIS IS YOUR STORY & WRITING A ONE SHALL NOT BE EASY 

WHAT IS EASY! IS TO POINT OUT THAT THIS IS NOT RIGHT THIS IS THIS THIS IS THAT AND BLAH BLAH.......

Were you able to identify a pseudo-feminist around? Hahahaha......

Genuinely appreciate this update why?

1. As it is already been clear that it will be all about Hemant and his dealings 

Check out very well 

2. He is not a sissy so this will be the reaction of any normal man

3. As the character of Hemant aka MK is very calculative as shown in the update 

Check out well enough 

I can understand about the pov of other for asking more detailing but it doesn't matter much.

4. The last line and the conversation in the lounge are the hints of his will sona catch up with the real one when she knows what she missed hahahahaha

What a character you have designed my friend just love the thrill of it.

This cuckness is like a disease which is spreading like cancer FUCKKKKKK 

AFTER A LONG TIME A GOOD STORY IS  GOING ON WHERE THE CHARACTER EDGE STYLE AND DESIGN ARE GOOD NOT SOMETHING AS USUAL IT WAS GOING AROUND AND THEN THIS VERBAL REASONING 

IT'S KINDA COMEDY SCENE 

As the saying goes on you can hate me but you can't ignore me.


And YOU YES YOU HARRY WHY MAN WHY?

You just started playing on with readers desires just go with the AK, i don't remember the name of the movie of him and Trisha, there are 2 movie of their, one where wife cheats and husband ask her for long drive, and other one where he is the kingpin of the underworld and change for his son, i think you just mixing both movies with your imagination hahahaha

Kudos

Enjoy the reading and write without any hesitation my friend and try not to please just write what you want to write as I promised you I am hooked up on this thriller 

Always remember "They will hate they will differ but they can't ignore"

Regards 
Ep 

[RCF]

When some one writes an opinion on a story it means they like the story and discussion on logic only makes the story better and different perspectives are what makes every one human. Doesn't need you to point fingers and name others as Pseudo feminists...Talk to Harry and present your feelings about story and keep your fucking comments to that extent, Do not need you to comment on other's comments..its between me and Harry and no need for your interference.

Alas brainless people cannot be mature enough to understand the context. so expecting them to understand the discussion is a hard ask.

I guess this will be my last comment on this story...Have a peaceful time with the rest of the story.

~RCF