Bloodlines and Broken Bonds

The sharp sound of the slap echoed through the hospital corridor.

For a split second, silence followed.

Then, a slow, triumphant smile curved across Chhaya’s lips. Beside her, Nitya looked as though she could burst with satisfaction. The sight of Gagan standing there—married to another man—felt like destiny finally favoring her.

Nitya had loved Kriyansh for years. But his heart had always belonged to Gagan. That truth had planted a poisonous hatred inside her long ago. And now, seeing Gagan humiliated felt like justice.

But someone else saw only red.

The moment Garima’s hand struck Gagan’s cheek, Ridhansh’s expression darkened violently. His jaw tightened. His eyes turned bloodshot.

“How dare you, Mrs. Shastri!” he thundered.

The corridor seemed to tremble under his voice.

“What gives you the right to raise your hand on my wife? I told you—she is mine. The right to touch her, the right to hurt her… belongs to me alone. Do you understand?”

Rage radiated from him.

He pulled Gagan sharply toward himself and snatched a gun from one of his guards. In one swift motion, he aimed it at Garima’s forehead.

Gasps erupted.

He was about to pull the trigger—

But Gagan reacted instinctively. She shoved his arm upward.

Bang!

The bullet tore into the ceiling.

The deafening gunshot sent people screaming and ducking in panic.

Nitya hid behind her mother. “Mom… who is this madman? He was about to kill Badi Maa! He looks insane…”

Garima stood frozen, trembling violently. She had seen death a second ago.

Gagan tried to snatch the gun from Ridhansh’s hand, intending to strike him—but he caught her wrist mid-motion and twisted it behind her back with brutal strength.

“No, baby doll,” he hissed into her ear. “Don’t test me.”

His voice dropped lower.

“Challenge me again, and I will decorate this hospital floor with the bodies of your family… including your precious lover.”

There was no bluff in his eyes.

Only terrifying certainty.

Garima, shaking with fury and fear, glared at him.

“Leave my daughter! You must have trapped her. She could never do this willingly. I do not accept this fraudulent marriage!”

Ridhansh turned his gaze to Gagan.

“Go on,” he said loudly. “Tell them how much you love me.”

Then he leaned close and whispered near her ear.

“Before you speak, think carefully about Kriyansh. I can give him life… and I can take it away. Want proof?”

He tapped his smartwatch.

Within seconds, a nurse ran out of Kriyansh’s ICU screaming for the doctor. Panic spread instantly. Doctors rushed inside.

On the bed, Kriyansh’s breathing had turned irregular again.

Everyone ran toward the ward.

Gagan tried to follow—but Ridhansh pulled her back.

“Going there won’t help,” he murmured. “His medication is under my control. Disobey me, and anything can happen to him.”

Tears streamed down her face.

“Why are you doing this? What do you gain from destroying me?” she cried.

He pulled her closer, a cruel smile playing on his lips.

“What I gain will reveal itself in a few months,” he replied coldly. “For now, I enjoy watching your lover suffer.”

Disgust filled her eyes.

“You are the most wretched man I have ever seen.”

His expression hardened. Veins bulged at his temples. He gripped her jaw mercilessly.

“You will never meet another man like me,” he growled. “Enough time wasted. When we return home, I will deal with your sharp tongue properly.”

His grip tightened painfully.

“For now, say exactly what I told you. Or you will see a side of me worse than this.”

He released her.

Gagan stumbled forward and rushed into the ICU.

The doctors stepped back from Kriyansh’s bed.

One of them spoke quietly.

“Mrs. Rajvansh… your son has slipped into a coma. We cannot say when—or if—he will regain consciousness.”

The words shattered the air.

Gagan felt her legs weaken. Before she could fall, Ridhansh caught her from behind.

“I’ve only sent him into a coma for now,” he whispered coldly. “Disobey me, and I’ll send him straight to the heavens.”

“Please,” she sobbed. “Don’t harm him. I’ll do whatever you say.”

“Then tell them you love me.”

With no escape left, Gagan stepped forward.

She looked at Kriyansh.

His once vibrant face looked drained of life. Seeing him like this felt like watching her own soul being buried.

She moved closer—but Mamata pushed her away angrily.

“Don’t touch my son! Even your shadow is unlucky for him. Before marriage itself, he is fighting death because of you!”

Each accusation pierced Gagan’s heart.

Garima stood silently, torn between grief and helplessness.

Meanwhile, Chhaya watched with satisfaction. Nitya’s hatred burned openly in her eyes.

Kriyansh had loved Gagan obsessively. He had once even attempted suicide when their relationship faced opposition. That was why Mamata had agreed to the match.

And now—this.

“Leave with your husband,” Nitya snapped bitterly. “We don’t want to see your face. Because of you, he’s in this condition.”

“You also think this is my fault?” Gagan asked brokenly.

Chhaya stepped forward.

“Not think. I’m certain. You must have poisoned him yourself to marry this rich monster. Clever plan—kill one, secure another. Brilliant.”

Mr. Santosh intervened. “Chhaya, stop accusing her without proof.”

“You stay quiet!” she snapped. “You’ll defend her even if she commits murder.”

Garima could not bear it anymore.

She stepped toward Gagan, cupped her shoulders gently.

“Gagan, beta… why? You love Kriyansh. Then why marry this man? Tell me the truth. Your mother is with you.”

Ridhansh’s cold gaze locked onto Gagan.

A silent threat.

One wrong word—and Kriyansh would die.

Gagan lowered her tear-filled eyes.

“Mom… I don’t love Kriyansh. I love Ridhansh. I married him because I wanted to. I did not poison anyone.”

The lie tasted like blood.

“See?” Chhaya smirked. “She’s not innocent. Betrayal must run in her blood. Just like her father.”

That one sentence reopened Garima’s deepest wound.

Pain flashed across her face.

Gagan reached for her mother’s hand—but Garima pushed her away violently.

“Get out! From today, you are dead to me. I have no daughter. My child died today.”

The words crushed Gagan more than the slap ever could.

Ridhansh’s anger flared again at the sight of Gagan being shoved.

“You will regret making my wife hear all this,” he declared coldly. “From this moment onward, you will not even have the fortune of seeing her face. I will take her so far away that even her last rites will be beyond your reach.”

His voice was final.

“This is Ridhansh Singh Rathod’s promise.”

With that, he gripped Gagan’s hand and dragged her away, leaving behind broken families and shattered trust.

What dark motive drives Ridhansh to torment Gagan so ruthlessly?

What secret from her father’s past made Garima sever ties so mercilessly?

And will Gagan ever breathe freely in a marriage built on threats and blood?

To be continued…

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