WARNING : Mention of detail violence/torture. Reminder that the author does not support this act. It's all fiction.

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Luthra Company

Preeta got down from the car and looked at the building through her sunglasses. Sahir stood next to her and both walked inside.

Every hustle and bustle froze for a moment; the question everyone was asking themselves:

Who is that woman who is walking in with a powerful aura?

Preeta and Sahir ignored them and went towards the receptionist, who straightened her posture.

"Is Rishabh sir here?" Sahir asked.

"Yes sir, but he asked to not disturb him. Sameer Sir is also here with him."

"Inform him that we are coming up. Follow me Di."

"But sir-" Sahir ignored her and guided Preeta towards the elevator.

Arriving on the 3rd floor, Sahir knocked on the the door and opened it, letting Preeta in first.

"Rishabh, Sameer." Preeta said, announcing her arrival.

Rishabh and Sameer quickly stood up from the couch. Sahir locked the door behind them. Preeta went towards Rishabh's chair and sat on it.

"You guys can sit down. Rishabh, please give me the financial statement of this company. All the transactions, deals done, everything." Preeta said sternly.

Rishabh nodded and asked Sameer to help him. Both left the room, avoiding to look at Sahir. Sahir sighed and Preeta looked at him.

"It will be hard to gain their trust again, right di?" Preeta smiled sadly.

"That's why I didn't want you to come here. You love them, right?"

"Yeahh I didn't plan to actually become part of their family. My main mission was to befriend them and collect information for our mission. I never know when I start to accept them as my own." Sahir admitted.

"That's how their nature are... they are not bad people; they are the only one who have always supported me so don't think I'm angry. In fact, I'm happy that they look after you so well in this one year."

Her eyes roamed around until they fell on the photo-frame on Rishabh's table. Her eyes softened a bit as she picked it up and caressed it gently. Sahir looked at the photograph.

"Rishabh has always missed you. He doesn't say it but he miss his family too. Sometimes when his sadness is too large, he would sit hours in this office and admired this." Sahir said gently.

"The times when everything was alright...when we had such a strong friendship bond despite our difference in status." Preeta said lostly.

Her thumbs caressed Karan face, who was admiring her while she was laughing looking at Shrishmeer; Sameer had a smug smile while Shrishti was glaring at him. Rishabh had 'Oh god, where am I trapped' look on his face while Kritika face-palmed herself. But then she gripped the frame tightly, her eyes becoming red.

"But then he ruined everything, he ended our love story before it could ever start. That family ruined me, destroyed me, snatched my everything: my love, my innocence, my self-respect. I won't ever forgive them. I will trap Karan in such a way that when I leave, I will leave him in ruins, just like he did to me... but the first person to get ruined will be Kritika. She is very fond of defending of her mom, right? I will see what she will do when she will leave her house forever."

"What did you plan in this head of yours?" Sahir asked curiously.

"You'll see...Come in!" Preeta said, as the door knocked.

Rishabh and Sameer entered with a pile of files. Preeta cleaned the table to make some place. They sat down and waited for Preeta's instructions.

"I will ask you a simple question; does Sherlyn has the right to take decision of the company?"

"Yes, in fact all Luthra's bahus and daughter have a said in the company decision. A clause added by Kareena bua." Rishabh replied, rolling his eyes.

"Of course it should have been Kareena's doing. It's because of their wastage of money and your blindness that the company was about to get bankrupt."

"Excuse me? What do you mean by this?" Rishabh asked, a bit offended.

"Look at all the transaction done. 10% of the revenue gained went into an anonymous account. Whose account is it? I don't know. But who approves of this transaction?" Preeta gave him the paper, "Your wife, Sherlyn."

Rishabh held the paper and quickly read it. His eyes reddened in anger and he pushed his chair angrily. Sameer flinched while Preeta and Sahir were expressionless. Rishabh looked at Preeta sternly.

"But now she is not my wife. So she does not have any right to sign anything, right?" Preeta crossed her legs.

"Technically yes. Your divorce might be finalised but I know your family will not accept it. But I can do something but I need something in return?"

"What? I will agree to anything." Rishabh said eagerly.

"You will remove everyone's name in the decision making of this company and will put my name only, that way Sherlyn will no longer have access to the company bank account and transfer money to this unknown account.

In return, I will help you by any means in getting Shreya. I know you are fighting for her custody and court hearings are near. " Rishabh looked at her in shock.

"How do... Of course you know, You are Mr X after all." Rishabh said, smiling slightly.

Rishabh stared at her for a minute then at Sameer. The latter nodded at him. Rishabh looked back at Preeta and forwarded his hand. Preeta shook it, finalising the deal.

"Now let's get back to business. I know you are asking why you are here, Sameer, the truth is we need your intelligence. In these 6 years, Rishabh was a bit lost without you. With now you two reunited again, you will make wonder and will bring back Luthra company to the 1st position."

Sameer smiled lightly at her but didn't say anything. The four of them got engrossed in their works when Preeta's phone rang. She looked at the caller and took the phone.

"Okay...okay...I'm coming, held him back." Preeta stood up and picked her things.

"I need to go. Your brother is making a scene at home and is trying to punch my man. I will see you at dinner Rishabh, Sameer." Rishabh stopped her.

"I'm sorry Preeta, I can listen to every of your rules but not this one. I will never eat anything make by them." Rishabh looked at her sternly.

Preeta stared at him for a bit. Seeing his serious expression, Preeta nodded.

"Very well, Shrishti and Mehr will prepare yours, Shreya, Sameer and their food. Any other wishes?" Rishabh shook his head.

"No and thank you for complying to my wish. I just don't trust them."

"I understand, you don't want to take risk again concerning Shreya. I'm not that heartless, as I make me seem, and I don't trust them also. Excuse me." Preeta nodded at them one last time and left.

"Let's continue." Sahir said and the three of them got engrossed again in their works.

Luthra House

"Let me go! How dare you to stop me!" Karan shouted angrily at the men stationed in front of the kitchen.

He woke up sometimes ago, hangover as hell, and he got to know of the situation. Kareena had told him what Preeta did and why. He tried to went in the kitchen but Preeta's men weren't letting him. Instead they pushed him away.

"Karan please calm down, don't try to fight them." Mahira said with concern.

"All of this is your fault! If you woke up early and did as Preeta said, we wouldn't be in such condition. My dadi, my mom wouldn't be empty-stomach for an entire day." Karan scolded her.

"Karan! Why are you blaming this poor girl? It's not her fault. All of this is because of Preeta Arora!" Kareena spat out angrily.

"Don't talk in between, bua! You are the one to blame. You are so fond of spoiling your bahus, right? Now enjoy staying hungry!"

"Karan! Is this the way to talk to your bua? Apologise now!" Sherlyn shouted.

"You shut up! It's also because of you we are in such situation. You were never a good wife, at least you could have been a good bahu but no, your sleep in more precious than food, right?"

"Karan! Stop it now. Stop..." Rakhi said, holding his arms.

Karan remained silent but still he was furious. One, he was hungry and his headache was killing him, on top of this, he couldn't see his family, especially his mom, being hungry. He again went towards the kitchen angrily. Seconds later, one of the men came back to the living room, holding him by the collars, and dropped him on the floor.

"How dare you to hold me like this! I'm The Karan Luthra! Respect me!" The man looked at him, bored.

"So? I don't care. You might be the Prime minister's son or anyone's son, you are not allowed to go in the kitchen." The man said in a bored voice.

"Teri tohh..." Karan raised his hand to punch him...

Instead, Karan was stopped by someone's palm. Everyone gasped as Preeta held Karan's punch. She enclosed his punch and pushed his hand away.

"You may leave now, I will deal with them." The man bowed at her and left.

"Just because you are angry doesn't mean that you let out your anger on my man. It's so humiliating for me." Preeta said, looking at Karan.

"Oh just shut up! How dare you? Huh, HOW DARE YOU TO NOT GIVE MY FAMILY FOOD!" Karan roared.

"Mr Luthra, awaas niche else I will do more than just stopping your punch." Preeta said sternly, "and yes I dare. It is as simple as water, you don't obey my rules, you face consequences. So shout at the ones who is really responsible that's your wife, your pyaari bhabhi, your family and yourself included."

"Just shut up okay! Who do you think you are? Huh? I'm telling you, don't expect me to follow these stupid rules of yours. You're not the boss of me and you'll never be. Just wait and watch how I will throw you out of this house in only 2 days. Mark my words."

Karan glared at Preeta furiously while Preeta was looking at him with a blank expression. She looked at the rest of Luthras who were smirking at Karan's threat. Preeta scoffed internally.

"Very well, you want to play like this," Preeta snapped her finger. One of her men came and gave her a gun.

Preeta loaded the gun and unlocked the safety lock. She looked at everyone whose expression turned nervous seeing the gun in her hand.

She walked past Karan and took her first step upstairs when Karan spoke up, "Where are you going?"

Preeta smirked but didn't turn to look at him, "I'm going to do what I promise if you don't listen to me, killing Mahesh Luthra."

Everyone let out a loud gasp as their face paled in fear. They knew that she wasn't kidding. They got reminded of yesterday's event when Preeta killed a man in front of them. Except for Karan who started smirking.

"NOO WE ARE SORRY! PLEASE I BEG YOU. If needed I will kneel in front of you but please don't hurt Maheshji. I apologize for my family's mistake, for Karan's misbehavior but please don't hurt my husband." Rakhi cried loudly.

Preeta turned around and looked at Rakhi who had folded her hands and was kneeling down. Both Kareena and Dadi were trying to make her stand but in vain.

"Don't worry mom, she can't do this. She is just barking." Karan taunted.

Preeta looked at him in amusement, "And why do you think that I can't do this?"

Karan gave her a winning look, "because your principle won't let you do this, you don't go after innocent, that's the motto of your gang, right?"

Everyone stopped to look at their confrontation. Rakhi wiped her tears, a small hope formed in her heart that Preeta won't hurt Mahesh.

Preeta let out a small chuckle and bit her lips, "Are you sure that your father is innocent? Who knows what he did behind the back."

These words left a bitter taste in Preeta's mouth. She knew that Mahesh Luthra was the most sensible and honest person ever. Mahesh Luthra was a great man, her father like figure is the most innocent person ever.

Karan took a step closer to her," You and I both know that my dad is the most respected and innocent man ever. He can't even kill a fly let alone hurt it."

Preeta was impressed by Karan strong attitude. This was one of the reason why she fell in love with him. Too bad that his personality was rotten to the core.

Preeta descended and walked around Karan. She stopped behind him and slowly traced his back with her gun.

"You're right, I don't go after innocent. It would be an insult to my brother if I break our gang code. Kabir bhaiya sorry," Preeta looked up as if apologizing to Kabir, "But you, my dear husband, you're not innocent, are you?"

Karan froze when he felt the gun pressed against the back of his head. Preeta pushed him forward and Karan obeyed silently, stopping in front of his family. Preeta looked at the Luthras.

"What do you think? Karan isn't that innocent. I can kill him. Just one press and boom, dead!" Preeta pressed her gun against his temple this time.

The Luthras visibly panicked at the sight of the gun aimed at Karan. They started shouting at her to remove the gun. Preeta was just enjoying their distress, their pleads, their tears.

"You know what, I won't get any enjoyment if I kill you right now,"

Preeta removed her gun and put it in her pocket. She stood behind Karan and slowly trailed her hands on his arms. Goosebumps arose on Karan's skin, he felt as if he was burning. After so long he felt Preeta's touch.

Preeta took one of his hand and twisted it behind his back and kicked him in the back of his knee so that he kneeled down. Karan let out a loud shout of pain.

"KARAN!" Everyone shouted and tried to come near him but Preeta twisted his hand more tightly, making him shout again.

"One more move and Karan will end up having his arm broken. Stand back." Preeta said coldly.

"You are the jaan of your family. The Karan Luthra, the star cricketer. You're famous, handsome, maybe a good son. In short you're perfect in the eyes of the world. Killing you and portraying it as an accident will only make people think of you as a hero.

Your family loves you so much. See how they are looking at me helplessly, they are scared that I'm going to hurt you more. Apart from your wife who is looking so furious that I'm touching you. Aww even sherlyn bhabhi is looking at you with concern. It's like as if I'm holding their reason to breath."

Karan looked at his family who was in tears and was looking so helpless. At that moment, he regretted messing with Preeta. If only his family listened to her rules, then they wouldn't be in pain looking at him being tortured.

"One day of no food and you all created such a drama when clearly it was your mistake. You are the one who didn't take me seriously. As always, you will complain to Karan as if he can do me anything. Who am I to him? No-one accept me as his wife then how did you expect me to listen to him? Because he's my husband? All wives should listen to their husbands, right? Karan don't accept me as his wife but I'm forced to accept him as my husband, right?" Everyone looked down, making Preeta more furious.

"LOOK AT ME IN MY EYES WHEN I'M TALKING TO YOU!" She roared. Everyone looked at her.

"As I was saying, Karan is the jaan of this house right? Okay, from now on, if you don't obey my rules, Karan will be the one who will receive the punishment. Just like he is being tortured right now, I won't hesitate to do worst. What's my worst? Hmm, Dadi, what is my profession apart from being a gangster? "

"You, you were a doctor." Dadi replied fearfully.

"Oh dadi, I'm still a doctor, a physiotherapist to be more precise. And you, out of all person, know better what's the job of a physiotherapist, right?" Dadi remained silent.

"I will tell you, someone who treats physical injury or dysfunction or pain, usually with exercise. Now you need to know what points you need to press to get relief. Also what you shouldn't press else the person will be in unbearable pain or can also get paralyzed. "

Karan looked at Preeta shockingly. Fear started creeping his heart that he forget about the pain he was feeling.

"You won't dare..." Karan said but Preeta just smiled.

"The next time you disobey my rules or even disrespect my men, you can say goodbye to cricket forever and I'm very serious. So take this as the last warning."

Preeta left his hand and dusted her hands. At the same moment, Girish entered the house with some bags. He gave Preeta one bag and left to the kitchen. Preeta placed it on the table.

"Here's some food. This will be the last time I will pity you. Now if you excuse me, I need to tell Girish what to prepare for dinner. Because I don't trust Sherlyn and Mahira. Who knows maybe they will poison the food and harm my special guests.

I hope all arrangements are done and this house is clean. After all this house's younger son and the choti- bahu are coming back together with Rishabh's honewali biwi. "

Preeta smirked at Sherlyn who was boiling in anger. She looked at Karan, whose eyes had became red and filled with tears because of the pain. But still he didn't dare to let the tears drop.

Karan looked back at Preeta, his eyes burning but still, he tried to retain his tears. He saw something flashed in Preeta's eyes but she put on her sunglasses and walked away. Was it regret that he saw in her eyes? Karan doubted that Preeta has a heart to even feel regret. But then what was it in her eyes?

Unknown to him, it was pain and regret that flashed in her eyes that took form of a tear which escaped her eye. Her heart was unknowingly squeezing with hurt while her mind had just these questions,

Why am I getting affected by your tears, Karan? Why am I regretting? But most importantly... Why do I still feel your pain?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Heyaaa here is a long awaited chapter. Honestly, this story was supposed to be on hold until I finish 'Forever Yours' but since you guys were requesting for its update, well here it is.

Please to vote and comment down your view and I'll see you in the next chapter ❤️

21/10/2022