"Doctor.......... Patient's condition is critical. We need to reach the hospital as soon as possible..."

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Dev's POV

I didn't know what to do.... Her screams were still ringing in my ears, turned my brain to a mental soup of conflicting instructions. My hands froze the moment I heard the loud sound. No... My brain was screaming to go back and search for her but my feet kept going forwards, quickening the pace to an almost-run. My house was just a few kilometers away... She's fine. She's really fine.

I could feel it, building like an unstoppable snowball in the pit of my stomach. I couldn't concentrate on anything else that I was doing. My heart started beating harder and faster, adrenaline levels rose, the chills crawl up inside my body and my brain starts to fire out negative thoughts like a machine gun.

I ran to the car and started it instantly, not even caring about the safety belts and traffic rules. All I needed now was to see her face, fine and healthy. As I drove my car towards my house, the negative thoughts kept coming like waves on rocks. I started moving around irrationally. The arguments in my head got wild and was so disturbing that my brain decided to shut down my body. The sweat has completely covered my body and my heart felt like it was going to explode.

That's when I received a call from an unknown number. I didn't know whether I should pick it or just continue driving but alas, I decided to answer it as it might be Sonakshi, calling me from a different number. I tried to get my hopes high but the minute a random lady answered the call, my heart sank.

"Hello.... Is this Mr Dixit, I am talking to?" the lady on the line spoke.

"Yes....?"

"Hi, I am calling from St Andrews Hospital.... Your wife Mrs Dixit, she met with an accident and is admitted in our hospital. It would be convenient if you could come here quickly." she spoke as I stopped the car with a sudden brake.

"Sorry...... You must be mistaken..... How do you know it's my wife?" I answered with a shaky tone as I refused to belief whatever the lady was saying.

"I am pretty sure it's your wife sir. She is wearing a peach-colored top and white bottoms.... And there is a guy who admitted her here. He is the one who gave me your number." she answered as I quickly cut the phone. A guy?

My body felt cold and numb. Every muscle felt tight and sprung for action but I couldn't even move. My body screamed at me to sprint down the street, and rush to the hospital but the question here was, am I ready to do this?

Pushing away all my negative thoughts, I drove the car as fast as I could. How? How could my family leave her alone at night? I told my parents to take care of her before I left, didn't I? This wasn't possible.... Or was it? She sounded so broken.... Who did she see in the road? She sounded so panicked.... Was someone chasing her.... Damn, I didn't even say a few consoling words to her... I hope it's nothing serious. God.... Just make it a small injury. Don't make her go through much pain, please...

My internal prayers lasted until I reached the hospital.

I quickly parked the car in the parking zone and rushed inside the emergency department like a mad man.

"Excuse me, I am looking for my wife, Sonakshi Dixit. She was admitted after an accident... Could you check for me?" I blabbered as the receptionist glanced at my breathless state and turned to her desktop.

"Sir, she is now in the ICU room right now. Second floor to the left... Room number, 202." She said.

ICU? What's going on?

*End of POV*

Dev was paranoid. His ears blocked away all the noises that happened in the surrounding. He looked around, trying to drag his feet towards the ward room. But he was unable to walk even one step ahead. His head buzzed with a tone while his eyes blurred in tears.

Sonakshi's last words were echoing on his ears. How she had begged him to trust her? Why didn't he trust her? Why???

She fought with the world to keep their relationship intact but what had he done? How he had effortlessly walked away from her. He humiliated her in front of his family. He believed some stupid photos and let her down so easily.... He still recalled her teary face when he walked away from her the last time. That broken look was enough to kill him for ages.

His voice choked as he ran forward in fear.

"Excuse me.... Is my wife Sonakshi admitted here?" Dev asked a doctor who looked like he was in his early thirties.

Dev wasn't even in the situation to speak properly. His tears were blocking his vision as he stared at the man helplessly.

"Yes.... Are you her husband?" that man asked and Dev immediately nodded.

"Ouh, hello sir. I am Dr Prathap. Come this way..." The man smiled and showed him the way towards the nearest ward room.

"Doctor how's my wife?"

"Hmm...actually... I am sorry to say this. But your wife has met with a bad accident. She also has lost lots of blood and many internal injuries are suspected. We also detected a TBI, which needs serious medical attention. We may need to proceed with a surgery soon. We are trying our best. I just would like to know if she had any back injuries or head injuries during the past few weeks?" he asked as Dev swallowed the lump which was forming on his throat.

"Erm.... She fell on her back and hit her head about two weeks back" he choked as the doctor nodded.

"That explains the internal bruises..... We are going to proceed with the CT scans. Just stay strong. And yea thank the person who admitted her on time..." he said motioning to the person behind him before he left.

Once Dev turned behind, his eyes froze upon seeing Neil. His face flared with anger which made Neil take two steps backward. Dev quickly strode in front of him and grabbed his collar and punched him hard on the stomach.

"Dev!!! Stop, listen.... Please-" but before Neil could continue, Dev whirled a punch which landed solidly on his jaw, right below his eye.

"How dare you do this to her you BLOODY B***ARD! What the hell were you doing there? Why don't you just let her live in peace?" Dev roared and hit his stomach twice. He kicked him hard on the midsection, knocking the breath out of him.

"Dev please listen to me! I did wrong to her.... Everything was wrong....BUT THE ACCIDENT WAS NOT BECAUSE OF ME!" Neil screamed as Dev just pushed him away harshly on the walls. The anger in his just rose with every word Neil said but he didn't want to create a mess in the hospital. He just wanted to kill Neil with his bare hands but the words he said stopped him.

"What do you mean by that? She was running away from you! You filthy piece of shit. How dare you go behind her despite my warnings? Were you trying to kill her? Haven't you have done enough?" Dev screamed as he towered against Neil's limping frame.

"Look you can beat me up however you want but just listen to me once. I know I have done lots of misdeeds.....but this is what exactly happened..... I saw her walking along the highway road....she was so lost! Trust me I really wanted to help her..............but" he choked as he explained everything which happened in the road. How she faced the accident, how she was talking on the phone and how she spoke the last few words to him.

Listening to Neil, Dev's heart broke ten time more. He didn't believe her when she said that she was in the streets. He thought that it might be a way to bring him back. But no. He was wrong.

"I was the one who threatened her in the shopping mall..... I forced her. Even when she was in the restaurant, I came there! I scared her till she was traumatized of me. There was no fault of hers. You can give me whatever punishments you want but please just don't break your marriage with her. You mean the world to her! I............. am really sorry......" Neil spoke as he lowered his head in shame.

Dev was still in a daze until he heard his phone ringing. He looked at the caller-Id and realized that it was Jay. He quickly picked up the phone with a heavy heart. He didn't know how he was going to bring out a normal voice to them.

"Dev....beta. Are you alright? Have you taken the flight? Not yet right? Listen..... I just realized that Sonakshi was gone from the house. You mother informed me that she had left. I don't know what to do. I don't think it's right for us to leave her alone in this timing. Please can you-"

"Sona met with an accident........" Dev said interrupting Jay's pleas.

"W-What?"

"She....she....is in t-the ICU dad....St Andrews Hospital." He breathed as he the line abruptly. He had no courage to speak to anyone else that day. Everything was too much for his brain to consume.

He desperately wanted to kill Neil for his deeds but he was emotionally weak to even get up. The thoughts of something grave happening to Sonakshi just killed him. He wanted to punish her but never wanted to see her like this. He was upset but he never hated her. He just needed some time but everything happened so quickly.

Soon everyone was there... in the hospital. No one spoke a word as Dev was not in the state to listen to them. Even when his mother approached him, he brushed her away saying that he needed some time alone.

However, after fifteen minutes, Asha and Bijoy Bose were there with Elena following them. They came rushing towards the ward with tear filled eyes.

"What happened to my daughter?" Bijoy asked as Dev stood rooted at his spot. He didn't know what to tell his parents in law. How could he reveal what had happened? Would they believe whatever he told them or would they be more hurt?

However, looking at Dev's silence, Jay mustered his courage and walked forward. He placed his hands on Bijoy's shoulder and explained the situation.

"Bijoy.....Wohh actually...................Sonakshi beta met with an accident when she walked away from home" Jay spoke hesitantly as both Asha and Bijoy stood baffled.

"Why would she walk away in the middle of the night?" Asha asked as she still couldn't come in terms with Sonakshi's accident.

"We....had a fight...........and she........was....I don't know" Dev said as he was too ashamed to even stare at his parent's in-law. He was too embarrassed with the situation they were placed in. He didn't have the courage to even explain what happened. How could he say that he was the one who suspected their daughter and made her go through an emotional turmoil. But he knew, one day or another, he would have to go through this.

So clenching his fists hard, he cleared his throat.

He started explaining how the office money got lost, and how Sonakshi was responsible of the keys in charge. Then he also explained how his mother's bangles got lost and it was found registered under her name. Lastly he also explained how Asha got the money and how the argument broke in the family. In the confrontation, he left the entire information about Neil and Sonakshi. He didn't reveal to them about how he had suspected her because he knew that if he revealed that, maybe that would be the last time he will see Sonakshi.

"I swear maa...... I didn't mean to argue with her like that. But I was angry and I needed my space alone. I left the house and I didn't know what happened back there. I didn't expect her to......leave the house...... Or maybe she never left... I don't know..... I just.." Dev blabbered as he saw Asha crying on her knees.

Bijoy Bose was burning in rage as he held Dev's collar accusingly. The entire family members standing there was shocked at the scene.

"How? How could you accuse my daughter for stealing? If the proofs are against her, will you just trust them? Did you even try talking to her? I trusted my daughter with you..............and...and what have you done? You have brought her till the ICU?........................ Why am I still alive to watch all this?" he cried as Dev clenched his eyes shut in pain. He never wanted to do this but now, every pair of eyes in the hospital was accusing him. He never wished to see Sonakshi in such a painful state.

He felt like a criminal. He regretted his actions truly. He should have been patient. It just wasn't his trait. Patience and him were too far away.

"I............am.....sorry" Dev choked but he was pushed away by Bijoy who just sat on the chair dejectedly.

"I was so wrong. What can I do with your sorry now? Will it bring back my daughter to me? It was all because of me.... that my daughter is struggling so hard...... Because of my useless operation! She worked day and night to save for my medical expenses.......... BUT YOU.....You just accused her as a thief in a day?" he yelled making everyone stare at them.

"Please lower your volume. There are other patients on the wards..... Keep your family drama outside!" a nurse spat harshly as Jay nodded and assured her that everything will be fine.

"Baba...."

"Please stop it.... Don't call me that. I gave you my daughter, thinking that you will protect her.... But you just abandoned her in the middle of the night......You literally killed her soul... She is not a girl who gives up and walks away from home. I know her more than you! You guys tried to kill her.......... I-I dddon't think I woul-d everrr be able" Bijoy stammered as he held his chest.

His breath seemed to stutter in his lungs before he let it go, feeling the tension drain from his body. Dev's eyes widened in shock and fear. Asha screamed in fright as she held her husband's body from shivering. Tension grew in Bijoy's face and limbs, his mind replaying the last attack. His breathing became more rapid and shallow. He was having another panic-attack.

Dev quickly ran and brought a doctor. Soon Bijoy was admitted in another ward. His condition was even more critical than the previous time. The doctor who came out from his ward had a serious expression on his face. They informed Asha that the treatment was going on and not to panic.

Dev felt like the whole world was spinning. The desolation he felt was all consuming him. His mind became an icy wasteland, the wind howled in his soul and wrapped icy tentacles around his heart so tightly that it almost stopped beating.

He wanted to console Asha maa but he didn't know how he could even start his conversation with her. They were so right.... They trusted him with their daughter and he broke their trust. Dev wondered whether Sonakshi would ever forgive him after this. He didn't even want to think about that at the moment.

Dev's family members all went home after Jay's insistence as Sona's treatment was told that it would take longer than expected. Dev sat there like a lost child the whole night. He constantly kept praying for Sonakshi's life.

Just as he was sitting outside the ward, Kichu walked inside the hospital. Dev watched at Kichu in confusion as he walked closer and stood infront of him guiltily.

"Dev bhaiya.....I have something to tell you.." he stuttered.

"What?"

"I.....saw Ishwari mam and Nisha mam chasing out Sona di out of the house..... They were really very harsh towards her. She was crying all the way..... Sonakshi didi is a genuine person...... Please don't doubt her." His voice croaked as Dev looked at him in dismay.

"What are you saying? Are.....you sure?" Dev asked to which Kichu just nodded.

"Not just that...............Even during your Sangeet, I saw Radharani Mamiji adding something into Sona di's milk........ and she told me not to tell anyone. She threatened me that she would hold back my pay if I told that to anyone." he cried as Dev stood numb.

"Is that all?" Dev's voice came out like a lifeless person.

"I also.........................saw Ishwari mam.........."

"Tell me what the hell you saw Kichu!" Dev was losing his patience.

"I saw her pouring the oil in the kitchen floor on Diwali....... Just before Sona di fell"

Dev's heart was too weak to face any more attacks. He was already broken and now this confession just tore him apart. The people whom he believed so much, were they all playing their own game behind him? Did everyone backstab him? He trusted his family members more than anyone in the world. Even more than Sonakshi's words. He still recalled the words Sonakshi told him.....

"Dev....I was fine till I came here... It was only after drinking the milk.."

The words she said during their Sangeet. How his mami had lied to him that it was some relative who gave the milk to her.

"I feel so unsafe.........I feel like this fall wasn't really an accident. It felt more like planned"

The words she said during their shower..... He recalled how she managed to tell him every fear of hers but he did nothing to protect her. He was finding for their enemies outside the house but now he realized that his enemies were all not outside. Instead they were all surrounding him. He felt like the whole world was spinning.

Why would his mum, mami and Nisha do such a cruel thing? Nisha said that Sonakshi left the house on her own when they clearly chased her out... Why? How could they do this to her?

Whatever Sonakshi claimed the day before, was it the truth? Have he been blind all the time? The money? What about that? If that money going missing wasn't Sonakshi's fault................. Would he ever be able to forgive himself?

He didn't know what to do as lots of questions popped in his mind and gave him supreme pain. His head throbbed as eyes blurred. He leaned his back against the wall behind and looked at the door of the ICU ward helplessly. He regretted every single action of his but it was too late.

Realizing Dev's state Kichu walked away with guilt etched on his face. Dev still had his hopes. Now all he wished was for Sonakshi to come back and tell him that everything was ok. He never wished for her any harm. Even if she had really stolen the money from him, he was ready to forgive her. He was ready to beg for her forgiveness. He never knew that she suffered in his house so much.

He never wanted to cause her pain at any moment but all he had done in the past was to give her pain. He was guilty at the fact that Sonakshi could never be open to him about the tortures at home due to his possessiveness over his family. He realized the truth of why Sonakshi never told him anything...

Because he would have never trusted her even if she had told him. There was no point. If she told him that his mother was physically abusing her, would he believe it? He was now doubting himself.

Breaking his chain of thoughts, the door of the ward opened, and the doctor came out with worried looks....

"Mr Dixit.... I have something important to tell you..." he said and Dev looked puzzled.

"Y-yess?"

"Uhm.... We are trying our best....but I am sorry......we couldn't save your child"

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Precap: Dev in trauma! Shocking revelations....