Aditya was walking through the hospital corridor.

  He was heading toward the exit, eyes glued to his phone.

  He had captured photos of almost every important area inside the hospital.

  It wasn’t an easy job—but the last time he had come here with Anamika,

  Dr. Niharika had introduced him to the staff. Because of that familiarity, today’s work became a little easier.

  Scrolling through the pictures one by one, he muttered to himself, “Do I really need to know her past?

  Isn’t it enough that we’re trying to uncover Saaniya’s past?

  We already know a lot about Anamika…

  So why… why do we have to dig into her past too?”

  He was completely lost in thought when suddenly Niharika appeared from the opposite side, rushing with a nurse.

  They ran right past him.

  Their hurried conversation hit his ears— “Who told her where her father is?! I specifically said she should NOT meet him!”

  Aditya froze. He knew instantly—they were talking about Anamika.

  He called out, “Doctor Niharika!”

  She turned, and the moment she saw Aditya, her expression tightened.

  “You?! Come with me. Now.”

  Her voice was sharp. All three got into the elevator.

  Aditya spoke politely but firmly, “Why do you keep Anamika away from her father?

  Earlier, even Saaniya hid his health condition from her, and now you’re trying to keep her away too!”

  But Niharika said nothing.

  She only shot him a sideways glance and looked away.

  When the elevator doors opened, she walked straight toward the room next to her cabin—her steps fast and tense.

  But the moment Aditya stepped inside… he stopped dead.

  The room was a mess.

  A weak, elderly man—unconscious because the staff had just sedated him— had, just moments ago, been strangling a girl.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  And that girl was Aditya’s whole world— Anamika.

  Anamika was sitting on the floor, coughing, gasping for breath.

  Blood had gathered at one corner of her lip. Finger marks were visible on her cheek.

  The sight made Aditya’s blood boil.

  The rage inside him was impossible to describe.

  He took a step forward toward the man who had done this— But then he heard Anamika’s trembling voice, “Niharika… Aunt… m-my father… is he okay…?”

  Niharika hurried to help Anamika up.

  “Are you out of your mind?! I should be asking YOU if you’re okay! Why did you come here? What were you thinking?!”

  Anamika lowered her eyes, and Aditya noticed it from afar.

  He then looked at the man lying unconscious on the bed— the man who had tried to choke her…

  He was her father.

  A weak old man, sedated out of necessity— yet capable of hurting her in ways unimaginable.

  Aditya’s chest tightened.

  “Why… why does all of this happen only to my Anamika…?”

  Niharika took Anamika out of the room. The nurses followed behind.

  Some of their whispers caught Aditya’s attention—

  “Poor girl… something terrible must have happened in their family for her father to be like this.”

  “Did you see? Even when he was choking her, she didn’t resist. She didn’t even struggle…”

  “Who knows what their past is… I heard her sister always keeps her away from him. Niharika ma’am also helps them.”

  “Sister?”

  "Anamika was supposed to be an only child. Then who is this sister?"

  He felt utterly helpless.

  A junior doctor walked up to him and said, “Sir, please step outside. This is a special patient room. Only doctors, nurses, and relatives are allowed.”

  Aditya nodded silently and walked out.

  He went to Niharika’s cabin— where she was tending to Anamika’s injuries.

  Light finger marks around her neck… A faint scratch near her lip…

  Niharika said while applying ointment, “Look at the force he used… His body has become so weak, yet he still held your neck so tightly.”

  Anamika listened quietly— then her eyes shifted to the door… where Aditya stood.

  Her eyes held a strange emotion… A familiar one.

  Helplessness.

  Fragility.

  A silent plea.

  Just a few steps separated them, and yet the distance between their hearts felt larger than ever.

  Her gaze carried hesitation— as if she wanted to say something… while Aditya’s eyes carried questions he couldn’t voice.

  He couldn’t stop looking at her wounds.

  And Niharika noticed all of it silently.

  As soon as she finished treating Anamika, Aditya quietly left the room.

  Niharika looked at Anamika and said, “You hid THIS from him too?”

  Anamika lowered her gaze. “I didn’t think it was important.

  I’m grown up now… so many years have passed… I thought enough time had passed for my father to forget my face.

  But… he didn’t.”

  Niharika sighed.

  “He only remembers YOU… You and your mother.

  He has forgotten everything else—even himself.

  But he remembers you two. Even if you met him after 10 or 20 years… his fading eyes would still recognize you.”

  Anamika whispered, “He doesn’t recognize me… He recognizes the demon living inside me.”

  Her voice was soft… painfully soft.

  After a moment, Niharika said, “I messaged Saaniya about what happened.”

  Anamika’s eyes widened. “What? Why?!”

  Niharika wrote a prescription calmly. “Even if I didn’t tell her, your injuries would.

  Anyway, I haven’t told her who brought you here.

  Should I tell her that Aditya brought you today?”

  “No!” Anamika clenched her clothes, panicked.

  “He didn’t bring me! I’m the one who asked him to. He just came along later. Please don’t tell Saaniya he brought me here!”

  She stood up abruptly. “I’m going home.”

  Niharika watched her walk away— her eyes calm, like still water.

  And she murmured, “Are you afraid Saaniya will stop you from meeting that boy after this?

  Silly girl… It’s not his fault. Why would Saaniya punish him?

  Though… you have hurt him deeply. I just hope you become his healing.”

  She added in a low, firm voice, “I told you before— Secrets and lies weaken relationships.

  Whatever truth you’re hiding… tell him before it bursts out on its own.

  Because if it does… it’ll be far worse.”

  Meanwhile…

  Anamika rushed outside to where Aditya stood near the car.

  He didn’t say much— just opened the door for her and said softly, “Let’s go home.”

  She didn’t have the courage to say anything. She just sat quietly.

  The car started its journey… a long, silent drive…

  Two people, two wounded hearts, both helpless in their own ways.