Chapter 28

The next day, Lakshmi arrived at work as usual after dropping Kittu off at school. Every step she took toward the office felt like a betrayal to herself. Her body moved mechanically, but her soul screamed in protest. Working alongside these two lecherous men was like standing in a pit of fire, each moment scorching her spirit. Yet, fate had denied her the luxury of choice. She had to endure this hell—for Kittu, for survival.

She paused in front of the office building, her eyes tracing its imposing structure from the top floor down to the ground. The building loomed over her like a prison, its walls closing in on her fragile resolve. With a heavy sigh, she stepped inside, bracing herself for another day of torment.

As soon as she entered, she began her work, her hands moving automatically as her mind drifted elsewhere. By the time she finished sweeping and cleaning all the cabins, the rest of the staff started trickling in. Vikram walked in, took his seat, and immediately called for Lakshmi.

"Bring me my coffee," he ordered, his voice sharp and commanding. After assigning her a series of random tasks, he leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing as he pondered what else he could make her do.

Just as Lakshmi was about to sit on the stool outside his cabin, Vikram called her again. "Did you clean my cabin today?" he asked sternly, his tone laced with accusation.

Lakshmi nodded nervously, her hands trembling at her sides. "Yes, sir. I cleaned everything this morning," she replied, her voice barely audible, her heart pounding in her chest. She braced herself for whatever he might throw at her next.

"Then what is this?" he demanded, pointing to a barely noticeable mark on the glass of his cabin.

"I'll clean it, sir," Lakshmi said quickly, her voice shaking as she hurried off to fetch the cleaning supplies. A few minutes later, she returned and began wiping the glass, her hands moving swiftly but unsteadily.

Vikram, who had been watching her every move, stood up from his chair and slowly walked toward her. He stopped right behind her, closing the distance until she was caged between his arms and the wall. Startled by his sudden proximity, Lakshmi turned abruptly, her eyes widening in shock as she found him inches away from her face, his breath hot against her skin.

Vikram stared into her eyes with an intensity that made her stomach churn. It had been too long since he'd been this close to her. He had longed for this moment, but now, even with her so near, she felt out of reach. His gaze was predatory, his expression a mix of desire and cruelty.

Slowly, he leaned in, pressing his lips to her neck. He closed his eyes, inhaling her scent after all these years. He just wanted to ravish her then and there. He missed her so badly. Lakshmi's heart raced, and she instinctively tried to push him away, but his grip was unyielding. The situation was pure torment for her; she despised every second of it.

Irritated by her resistance, Vikram sneered, "What? Did you forget that you're still my wife? It doesn't matter how many times you are married. Without a legal dissolution, nothing is valid. Legally, you are still mine." His voice was cold and cutting, each word a dagger to her heart. He pulled her close, gripping her waist tightly and forcing her against his chest.

Lakshmi's eyes widened in disbelief at his words and actions. "What are you doing? Please, let me go," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper, her body trembling with fear and disgust.

"What? You don't like my touch now?" he taunted, his tone dripping with mockery. "It's been so long, hasn't it? Why don't we give it a try? Come here." He leaned closer, his breath hot against her skin as he tried to pull her in.

Lakshmi's eyes welled up with tears, her vision blurring as she struggled to comprehend his cruelty. Her mind was in turmoil, her thoughts a chaotic storm of pain and confusion. The proximity to him made her skin crawl, and she felt a deep sense of revulsion. How could he do this to her? How could he reduce her to this—a mere object for his gratification?

Summoning all her strength, she pushed him away with a force that surprised even herself. Without looking back, she ran out of the cabin and hurried to the staff room. Once inside, she broke down, her body collapsing onto a chair as sobs wracked her frame. Tears streamed down her face, each one a testament to her pain and helplessness. She buried her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking as she tried to make sense of the situation.

Why is he doing this to me? she thought, her heart aching with a pain that felt almost physical. He left me after using me, and I never once disturbed him after he walked away. So why is he tormenting me like this now? What have I done to deserve this? I gave him everything I had—my love, my trust, my life—and now he treats me like this. So, he wants to use me again by manipulating me with the claim that I'm still his wife?

Her tears fell harder, each one a silent scream of anguish. She felt trapped, suffocated by the weight of his cruelty and her own powerlessness. The walls of the staff room seemed to close in around her, mirroring the prison of her life.

On the other hand, Vikram stood in the cabin, a twisted sense of satisfaction washing over him as he recalled her tears. He looked down at his hands, the same hands that had touched her bare skin after so many years. He could still feel the ghost of her warmth lingering on his fingertips.

A dark smile played on his lips as he savored the memory of her fear, her vulnerability. To him, her pain was a trophy, a reminder of the power he held over her.

But beneath his smug exterior, a flicker of something darker stirred—a hunger, a longing that he couldn't quite suppress. He had tasted her fear, and it only made him crave more. For Vikram, this was just the beginning.

Lakshmi decided she couldn't stay there for even a single minute longer. Her heart pounded as she fought back the tears, but they streamed down her cheeks anyway, hot and unstoppable. Her face was flushed, red from the effort of holding back her sobs, but she couldn't stop the trembling in her hands. She wanted to leave—no, she needed to leave. Even if he didn't give her the salary she was owed, it didn't matter anymore.

For Lakshmi, her self-respect was worth far more than money. She had already stooped too low for it—not just any money, but the fruit of her hard work, her sweat, and her sacrifices. But now, she refused to degrade herself any further.

Not another second. With a shaky breath, she grabbed her bag and stormed out of the staffroom, her vision blurred by the tears that refused to stop flowing.

It was lunchtime, and the office was nearly empty. Most of the staff had already left for the cafeteria, leaving only one or two people behind. Lakshmi stepped into the hallway, clutching her bag tightly to her chest as if it could shield her from the world. Her breath came in short, uneven gasps, and her eyes darted toward the stairs. She just wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible.

Her feet moved swiftly, but her heart felt heavy, each step echoing the pain and humiliation she had endured.

Just as she was about to pass the elevator, a hand grabbed her arm from behind, yanking her backward.

Before she could react, Charan pulled her into the elevator. The doors slid shut, trapping her inside with him. He pressed the button for the top floor, and the elevator began to ascend. Lakshmi's chest tightened, her breath catching in her throat. She tried to pull away, but Charan's grip was firm. He pulled her closer, his hands gripping her waist as he tried to hug her.

Lakshmi's tears flowed harder now, her face burning with a mix of anger, fear, and helplessness. She turned her face away, her body stiffening as she fought the urge to scream.

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