Chapter: Cracks Between Hearts

Ten days had passed since Vedant's disappearance.

The police had searched bus terminals, railway stations, and hotels, but there was still no sign of him.

Roy Mansion had become unusually quiet.

Zainab barely slept.

She stared at Vedant's empty room every morning, hoping he would suddenly return.

Abhinav had stopped speaking much. Every evening he would sit on the balcony, looking at the gate, silently praying.

"Abhipriyo... come home," he whispered.

---

At Hrittik's apartment...

Krutika had noticed how peaceful Hrittik and Abhina's marriage had become.

She couldn't bear it.

One afternoon, when Hrittik had gone to his office, Krutika walked into the kitchen where Abhina was making tea.

"So..." Krutika smiled.

"How's married life?"

Abhina smiled politely.

"It's good."

Krutika leaned against the counter.

"You know..."

"Hrittik and I shared many memories."

Abhina remained silent.

Krutika continued,

"We were together for years."

"We spent almost our entire youth together."

She sighed dramatically.

"There were days when we couldn't stay away from each other."

Abhina looked down.

Krutika purposely added,

"We were deeply in love."

"There were moments only lovers understand."

"We were very close."

Abhina's hands froze.

Krutika smiled inwardly after noticing the change in her expression.

"I sometimes wonder..."

"If fate hadn't separated us..."

"...I'd probably be the one living here."

She laughed lightly before walking away.

Abhina stood motionless.

Her heart suddenly felt heavy.

---

That evening...

Hrittik returned home carrying Abhina's favourite sweets.

"Look what I brought."

There was no excitement.

She simply nodded.

"Keep it there."

Hrittik looked confused.

Usually she would run to him smiling.

Today...

She barely looked at him.

---

During dinner...

The silence continued.

Finally Hrittik asked softly,

"Abhina..."

"Hmm?"

"Have I done something wrong?"

"No."

"Then why are you avoiding me?"

"I'm not."

"You are."

She quietly finished eating and walked away.

Hrittik watched helplessly.

---

Later that night...

He gently knocked on their bedroom door.

Abhina was sitting on the bed reading.

He sat beside her.

"Talk to me."

She remained silent.

He softly held her hand.

"What happened?"

She finally spoke.

"Were you and Krutika... very intimate?"

Hrittik blinked.

"What?"

"She told me everything."

He understood immediately.

His face hardened.

"Abhina."

"Look at me."

She slowly raised her eyes.

Hrittik spoke calmly.

"Yes."

"We loved each other when we were young."

"I thought we'd get married."

"But our relationship never went beyond innocent affection."

He continued honestly,

"We held hands."

"We hugged."

"And yes..."

"We kissed a few times."

"Nothing more."

He looked directly into her eyes.

"That chapter of my life ended thirteen years ago."

"The day she left me at the wedding."

"I haven't loved anyone after that..."

"...until you."

Abhina looked uncertain.

"But she said—"

"She lied."

"I have no reason to hide the truth from my wife."

"I've already told you about my past."

"There is nothing else."

Abhina lowered her eyes.

"I don't know..."

Hrittik sighed.

"I won't force you to believe me."

"But please don't let someone else decide what you think about me."

She didn't answer.

---

The next morning...

Hrittik walked straight to the guest room.

Krutika looked up happily.

"Hrittik..."

His expression was cold.

"I think it's time for you to leave."

She was stunned.

"What?"

"You've stayed here long enough."

"I know exactly what you've been telling Abhina."

"I won't tolerate anyone creating misunderstandings between my wife and me."

Krutika tried defending herself.

"I was just talking—"

"No."

"You were manipulating."

He pointed towards the door.

"Arrange another place to stay."

"You need to leave today."

Krutika stared at him in disbelief.

"So you're choosing a twenty-year-old girl over someone you've known for twenty-five years?"

Hrittik answered without hesitation.

"I'm choosing my wife."

"And I will choose her every single time."

Krutika's eyes filled with humiliation.

Without another word, she packed her luggage and left the apartment.

---

Days passed.

One day.

Three days.

Seven days.

Ten days.

Krutika was gone.

But the misunderstanding remained.

Abhina was still distant.

She spoke politely.

Cooked.

Studied.

Smiled occasionally.

But the warmth between them had disappeared.

Hrittik missed her laughter.

He missed her teasing him.

He missed her randomly hugging him while reading.

He missed everything.

---

One night...

Abhina lay on one side of the bed reading.

Hrittik slowly moved closer.

"Can we talk?"

She quietly shifted farther away.

He stopped.

"Abhina..."

No response.

He reached out gently.

She pulled the blanket around herself.

"I'm sleepy."

Hrittik's hand remained suspended in the air.

He slowly withdrew it.

His eyes lowered.

"I understand."

He lay down facing the opposite direction.

For the first time since their marriage...

The distance between them felt far greater than the width of the bed.

Neither of them slept peacefully that night.

---

The following morning...

Abhina picked up her college bags and quietly walked towards the main door.

Just as she reached it...

A hand gently caught her wrist.

She turned around.

Hrittik stood there.

His eyes showed exhaustion more than anger.

His voice trembled slightly.

"Enough."

She looked at him silently.

"What is wrong?"

"If you're angry..."

"Scold me."

"If I've made a mistake..."

"Punish me."

"But don't keep pushing me away."

He swallowed hard.

"These ten days..."

"...have felt longer than all the thirteen years I spent alone."

He looked straight into her eyes.

"Please tell me..."

"What have I done that made you stop trusting me?"

Precap: 18+ chapter