Rohit watched Akansha leave through the exit, her face streaked with tears. The way her husband and son had treated her gave him a vague idea of just how "supportive" they really were.
It was a pity he couldn't catch the full cause of the commotion from that distance, but one thing was certain: this was his opening. His chance to approach her.
Yet before he could move, Ragini hugged him tightly, pressing her face into his chest as if the world outside didn't matter. She was utterly unfazed by her rival's humiliation.
But for Rohit, it was different.The memory of Akansha's earlier threat and the leverage of her scandalous video gnawed at him. She might have already left, but his instincts told him she was still around.
It was a pity he couldn't fully enjoy the softness in his arms, the warmth of the woman whom he just confessed—but work came first.
He slid a hand over Ragini's back, patted her head, and let her rest against his neck."Sometimes you act like a baby," he teased softly. "Want me to carry you?"
"Shh, not now. Stay like this," she whispered, clinging tighter, her voice nagging yet full of comfort.
For a moment, Rohit almost surrendered to it. Her soft curves brushed against him, her perfume softened his edge, and his chest loosened in a rare, unguarded warmth. But time was merciless. Each second ticked louder in his head.
He pulled back slightly. "Are you sure? People are looking again."
Ragini stiffened, then lowered her gaze. "Let's leave. I want to rest."
Rohit smirked. A harmless lie was still a good lie. People were too busy dancing to notice, and now he had the perfect chance to slip away.
"Alright," he said smoothly.
They made their way back to the table. Ten minutes had slipped by, and many guests were already sitting down again. Ragini slipped on her jacket, her face flushed still shy from the attention earlier.
Just then a waiter passed with a tray of ice cream. Rohit flagged him down."Two, please."
Ragini frowned. "That's too much sugar…"
"Come on," he chuckled. "At least have some from mine—it's a party."
She rolled her eyes but relented.
A beat later, Rohit checked his watch and cursed under his breath."Oh, shit. I'm late."
Ragini looked up. "Late? For what?"
"Actually, my friends arranged a small group meeting about the school project. I picked this time myself, and I'm already five minutes late."
Ragini took a bite of ice cream. "Okay, go ahead."
"The music's a little loud, so I need to go out," Rohit added, brushing it off.
Ragini's voice softened. "Rohit, when it's about studies, I'll never stop you. Now go."
He smiled, kissed her hand, and turned to leave.
"Don't be too late," she called after him. "Or I'll eat this whole."
"Then I'll just order another," he grinned, before slipping away.
Through the crowd and out the exit, Rohit found himself in the quieter corridor. No sign of Akansha.
A boy, much younger than him, in a janitor's uniform was sweeping nearby. Rohit pulled up a photo on his phone, zooming in on Akansha's face."Hey, bud. Seen this woman pass by?"
The boy nodded. "Yeah, she went into the ladies' washroom over there."
Rohit's expression turned serious. "Listen, I need your help. That woman is my girlfriend's stepmom, and she's trying to tie herself up with someone else. I need to talk to her and stop this. That washroom is the only place. Please don't tell anyone I went in."
The boy, who had looked sympathetic at first, suddenly stiffened. "What? Are you out of your mind? That's the ladies' washroom."
Rohit placed a hand on his shoulder, pressing. "Please. It's about my girlfriend. Her mom's the only one who can fix this. Just five minutes."
The boy snapped, shaking his hand off. "Stay out. Whether it's your girlfriend's mom or your own stepmom, I don't care. I can't allow it."
Rohit raised an eyebrow. "Oh really? Do you even have the age permit? Where's your card?"
The boy faltered. "What nonsense? Can't you see my uniform?"
"Then show me your card," Rohit pressed.
The boy hesitated. "I… I have it—"
Before he could finish, Rohit pulled out his wallet and flashed a stack of cash—about 10k in 500 notes. "Maybe we can settle this. How about 2k?"
"I'm not that kind of person," the boy stammered.
"Four," Rohit said flatly.
The boy gulped hard. Rohit peeled off half the notes and shoved them into his hand. "I don't have time. Cover me, and you'll get the rest."
The boy's face lit up as he counted. "Five now and five later?" His voice lowered. "All right, bro. Take ten minutes."
Rohit grinned and rushed in.
Meanwhile, in the washroom,
Akansha was sobbing quietly. She splashed water on her face again and again, but the tears wouldn't stop.
The reason?
She felt betrayed.
From the beginning of the party, her body was already sore . It was the aftermath of the debaucherous threesome she had been forced into with her husband and Mr. Goenka.
Goenka may have had a pitiful size, but his relentless thrusting had been brutal, and her husband's rough handling of her mouth left her throat and back aching. Still, she had endured it all, believing she needed to prove her worth.
But her mood soured the moment she crossed paths with Mrs. Singhania—her long-time rival in terms of both beauty and fame—and that woman's cocky son, who brutally humiliated her.
She wanted to avoid further drama and stay out of sight, but under pressure, she was pushed into dancing with someone she despised—an old aide of Mittal's.
That humiliation only worsened. In the middle of the dance, he groped her in public, and when she protested, he slapped her across the face. The crowd stirred with commotion, and the worst part was seeing her husband and son smirking—not out of genuine malice, but with the cruel satisfaction of watching her fall. It was a reminder to not forget her place.
That broke her.
It was a harsh reminder that no matter how much she sacrificed or proved herself, she was nothing more than the Mittal family's whore—a pawn, used as a business tool and nothing else.
If not for her own family's pressing issues, she might have ended it all right there. She tried to reassure herself—at least she had wealth, at least she had fame. But her heart refused the lie. Respect was gone. Even her old life, poor but dignified, felt like paradise compared to this.
And, then a male voice cut through her misery.
"Do you think crying is enough? Will that fix your situation?"
Akansha stiffened instantly. Her blood ran cold.
She turned—and there he was. Her rival's son. Rohit. Leaning on the wall, with that same cocky grin.
Her lips trembled. "Wh-what are you doing here? This is the ladies' washroom."
Rohit shrugged casually. "I know. That's exactly why I came. No one else would dare."
Her face paled. Feeling far too vulnerable being alone, she stepped back. "Stop right there! Don't come closer—or I'll scream."
Rohit leaned lazily against the wall, folding his arms. "Go ahead. But at least hear me out first."
Akansha exhaled shakily, leaning on the faucet for support. Gathering a shred of composure, she asked, "Fine. What do you want?"
Clicking his tongue, Rohit said, "Not much time, so I'll keep it short. I saw what happened out there. And honestly? It was sad. A pretty face like yours, treated like trash. What if I told you I could make things better?"
Akansha eyed him from head to toe. She noticed the faint bulge in his pants and scoffed bitterly. "Another teenager with hormones. You think I'm some naïve girl you can 'comfort' and then bed with that sorry excuse of a dick?"
Rohit raised his hands, smirking. "Don't flatter yourself. I can smell cunts from a mile and yours is the most rotten. Now.. will you listen to my proposal or keep whining?"
Her pride flared at his bluntness, but she was too shaken to argue further. She sighed. "Fine. One minute. What are you offering?"
"First," Rohit began, "we don't have to be enemies. We only met today. Second, you know as well as I do that Mittals and Singhanias are rivals. If you play double agent for me, I'll make sure you're treated like a queen. Yes, you'll be under me—but at least you won't be humiliated like tonight."
Akansha crossed her arms, skeptical. His words weren't completely without logic, but how could she take such a proposal seriously? He was just a boy. "You think this is a joke? We're talking about the Mittals. Sure, you embarrassed Jayesh in chess, but Mittals are an ocean. You?.. You're barely a drop."
She jabbed her finger toward the door. "Now get out before I lose my patience."
Rohit chuckled softly, shaking his head. "So you doubt my capability, huh? I guess polite words aren't enough for you."
He stepped closer, pulling out his phone. On the screen, it was her worst nightmare: A snapshot from earlier that night, the threesome with her husband and Goenka. The image was crystal clear.
"I also have the full video in 4K quality," Rohit said, tilting the phone toward her. "Want me to play it?"
Akansha staggered forward, shocked. "How—how do you have this? We were on the 30th floor!" She tried to snatch the phone, but Rohit slipped back with ease.
"Relax," he said calmly. "It's all backed up on the cloud."
Her legs buckled. She collapsed onto the tiles, trembling as tears streamed uncontrollably. "It's over… it's all over…"
Rohit crouched slightly, his voice cold but steady. "Not everything. Right now, only I know. And I'll keep it secret—if you agree to my condition."
Sniffling, she looked up at him, broken. "W-what do you want?"
His grin sharpened as he stood up. "Be my bitch. Obey without question. Or else…" He let the silence finish the threat.
Akansha wiped her face with shaky hands, trying to steady herself. Broken, she nodded. "I'll do it. Just—please—don't leak the photos."
Rohit tilted his head, feigning disappointment. "Hmm. Not convincing enough. Feels like you lack motivation."
She gulped and, with trembling resolve, moved closer. Her hands reached for his waist, unzipping him. But when his length sprang free, her eyes widened in shock.
Rohit sneered, "Sorry excuse of a dick, huh?"
Akansha froze. She had never seen one this big. Her throat tightened, her mouth watering against her will. She leaned forward to lick—only for Rohit to shove her back abruptly.
"You'll have to earn it," he said coldly. "It's not for free."
She blinked in confusion. Weren't men supposed to exploit her in situations like this? Why was he holding back? Part of her was disappointed. Another part… relieved.
Rohit slipped a card from his pocket and tossed it at her feet. "Text me. I'll give you instructions. Obey them, and your secret stays safe."
Without waiting for her reply, he turned and walked out. He had other priorities as the time was short.