CHAPTER 8: THE BREAKING POINT

CHAPTER 8: THE BREAKING POINT

Pia's Point of View

I didn't know how long I stood frozen in our bedroom after coming home from the ultrasound clinic. My mind was a storm. The scan photos felt like burning evidence in my bag, proof of a truth I never saw coming. I'd tried convincing myself that it was a mistake—maybe the scan was off, maybe I miscalculated—but deep down, I knew better.

Twelve weeks.

Three months.

I was pregnant long before our wedding. And that meant something had happened without my knowledge… or my consent.

There was only one person who could give me answers. And I wasn't going to wait another second.

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Arjun's office was in the sleek high-rise building he co-owned in the heart of the city. I'd been there only once since our wedding. He always said he didn't like mixing business with home, and I had respected that. But today, boundaries didn't matter.

I walked past the receptionist without pausing. She stood to greet me, startled. "Ma'am—do you have an appointment?"

I didn't answer.

His assistant stood outside his cabin. "Mrs. Mehra—Arjun sir is in a meeting—"

"I don't care," I snapped.

Without waiting, I pushed open the heavy glass door.

Arjun looked up, surprised. He was alone, seated at his desk, typing on his laptop. His tie was slightly loosened, sleeves rolled up. The usual calm, confident expression he wore flickered when he saw me.

"Pia?" He stood quickly. "Is everything okay?"

"No," I said, my voice tight. "Nothing is okay."

He took a step forward, concern painting his face. "What happened?"

I reached into my purse and pulled out the scan reports, slapping them onto his desk. "That's what happened."

He picked up the papers and skimmed through them. His brows furrowed. I saw it—that tiny flash of tension in his jaw.

"Twelve weeks, Arjun," I said, my voice trembling. "Twelve weeks and three days."

He didn't look at me.

"You knew, didn't you?" I whispered.

"Pia…"

"You and Maa were talking about this the other day. I heard you. You were hiding something. You were scared I'd find out."

"I wasn't scared," he said quietly. "I was… trying to figure out the right time to explain."

"Explain what?" I snapped. "That I'm three months pregnant and you let me believe it was one?"

He pressed a hand to his temple. "It's complicated."

"No," I said, my eyes burning. "It's simple. Something happened, and you're not telling me what."

He finally looked at me then, and I hated how unreadable his expression was.

"There was a party," I said. "Three months ago. I had a drink. I don't remember anything after that. You told me I passed out and you brought me home."

His eyes darkened. He gulped but looked confused.

"I thought it was innocent," I continued, voice cracking. "But now I wonder—what happened that night, Arjun? What did you do to me?"

His face paled. "Pia, what are you…."

I stared at him, "it did happen, right?"

"Ok…so there was a party which you attended with me. You passed out… and I brought you back to our place." He said after a long pause. I wonder why he looked so confused as if he couldn't comprehend what I was saying.

"To your place," I repeated, every word like acid.

He nodded slowly.

I stepped back, my voice low and hollow. "Did you sleep with me that night?"

Arjun didn't speak.

"I asked you a question!" I shouted, tears spilling down my cheeks. "Did. You. Sleep. With. Me?"

He turned away, still looking confused.

I let out a choked laugh. "Unbelievable. You had sex with me when I wasn't even conscious. And then you married me and thought I'd never find out?"

"No, Pia—please," he rushed toward me, trying to grab my hand, but I yanked it away.

"You broke me," I whispered. "You broke everything we built in just one moment."

"You are getting everything wrong. Nothing of this sort happened. We were both drunk at that party and we…"

"Don't you dare excuse it!" I cried. "You could've waited. You should've known better!"

His face twisted with pain. He looked as if he finally surrendered. But there was sadness on his face and not guilt.

"You didn't protect me," I hissed. "You lied to me. You let me believe this child came from love, from a moment we shared together. But I don't even remember it!"

Silence stretched between us. The weight of everything crushed me until I couldn't breathe. My chest was tightening, every breath shallow and painful.

"Pia, please sit down," Arjun said, coming closer.

I stumbled back. "No. Don't touch me."

"Pia—your breathing, you need to calm down—"

"I can't. I can't do this anymore. I'm leaving."

"No, please—just listen—"

"I can't trust you," I whispered. "And without trust, there's nothing left."

I turned toward the door, my legs shaking, vision blurred with tears. I barely made it to the handle before a wave of dizziness hit me. My knees buckled slightly. My pulse was erratic, chest heaving too fast.

"Pia—wait—please don't go like this—"

"Don't follow me," I said, voice breaking.

And that's when I felt it.

A sudden, sharp prick in my upper arm.

I gasped and turned just in time to see him holding a syringe.

"Wh—what…?" My body turned ice-cold. "Arjun… what did you…?"

"Pia, I'm sorry," he whispered, catching me as my legs gave out. "I just… I need time to fix this. I can't lose you."

"No… no… Arjun…"

But blackness was already clouding the edges of my vision. I couldn't fight it. I couldn't even lift my arms.

The last thing I saw was his face, distorted and panicked, before the darkness swallowed me whole.

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