Episode 153 || Shattered

Mishka walked into the building of Knight Group, and the staff politely greeted her. She reached the reception, holding the file of good news close to her heart, and asked. “Where is Christian?”

“Sir is at an important conference. Let me inform him,” The receptionist said, but Mishka stopped her.

“No, it’s alright. I’ll wait for him in the cabin.” She said and turned to the elevator when she slightly tripped on her heels and a look of horror washed over her face.

“Are you alright, ma’am?” The receptionist quickly came forward to help.

“Yeah! I’m fine.” Mishka said and quickly removed her heels while the receptionist looked at her weirdly. She left her heels near the reception and walked barefoot towards the elevator. All the while, she was humming a song.

The lift opened on the fiftieth floor, and Ana approached her. “Good Evening, Ma’am. Please, this way!” She escorted her to Christian’s cabin. “Would you like to have something? Sir will be free in half an hour,” Ana said.

“No, it’s fine. Please don’t tell him I am here. It’s a surprise.” Mishka said, and Ana quickly nodded, leaving her alone inside the cabin.

Mishka stood by the window, looking down at the beautiful city. She was feeling the tingling sensation inside her whenever the thought of Christian’s reaction crossed her mind. Finally, everything was falling back into its place.

She had a devoted husband, a loving family, a cute son and now the little addition growing inside her. Her life was now picture-perfect, and now she just couldn’t wait to break the pregnancy news to Christian and go to Canada to meet Aryan. Everything that she ever wished for was granted.

Minutes turned into an hour. “Where are you?” Mishka sat on his leather recliner, tapping fingers on the desk, anxiously. “Rest, Mishka, Calm down!” She throws her head back against the headrest, sitting comfortably in the recliner while her eyes were pinned to the door, waiting to see the handsome glimpse of her husband.

***

“So, this is done and my team will keep you updated with the latest developments, and you can connect with me, too.” Christian signed the last page of the document and closed the file.

“It’s a pleasure working with you,” The gentlemen shook hands and they left while Christian checked his mobile phone for Mishka’s text, but instead there was a text from the gynaecologist.

“Reports are quite depressing. Chances of pregnancy are very low, and if conceived, then it would be risky for her life,”

Christian sucked a deep breath, holding his head in his hand. He was now dreading breaking this news to Mishka. His intercom ringed, and he picked up, “Sir, Miss. Lia Smith is here to meet you,” The receptionist said and Christian groaned in frustration.

“Drive her out,” He said and ended the call. But the next moment, Lia called him and he disconnected it. He put his head on the desk to relax and plan how to disclose the news to Mishka when his phone pinged. He quickly unlocked it, hoping for it from Mishka again, but his eyes went wide.

“I met your wife at Dr James Clinic. Sad to know that she is mentally unstable and even more depressing that she can’t conceive ever,”

Christian’s face lost all colour. On one side, his smart wife never stops using her brain and on the other side, Lia was trying to meddle in their already complicated life.

Something clicked to him and it explained to him why Mishka was behaving strangely in the morning and he actually feared that Lia has said something to her, and that explains the reason she kept on asking if he was hiding something.

He picked the receiver of the intercom. “Send her into the conference room,” He said sternly and slammed the receiver. “I’ll end your chapter today,”

The door of Christian’s cabin was a transparent, one-way glass door from where Mishka could see the staff roaming on the floor, but they can’t see her. Mishka watched the Emirati clients leaving, and she quickly brushed her hair and adjusted her dress to look presentable. She was anxiously tapping her fingers on the desk, waiting for Christian to appear at any moment.

“Time to give the good news to Daddy.” She held the file in her hand, biting her lips and her eyes to search for Christian when she saw a familiar figure outside the cabin, leaving her stunned.

“Lia Smith,” She mumbled.

***

Ana was a little shocked to see Lia on the floor and her eyes slightly moved to Christian’s cabin. “Where is the conference room?” Lia asked Ana with a full-on attitude and the latter was at a loss for words.

“You can’t meet him without an appointment?” Ana tried to dodge her away as the idea of wife and ex-girlfriend on the same floor appeared like a tickling bomb to her.

“Christian has called me. Now, will you please tell me where I can find him?” Lia glared at Ana.

“This way.” Ana helped her to reach the conference room and left her outside.

***

“What happened, Leo?” Pasha asked as he slowly massaged his shoulders.

“Nothing, just thinking about everything we’ve gone through the entire year. Forcing Christian to marry Mishka, Mishka bringing back Vera, Chandelier accident, Car accident, Agatha’s unfortunate death, Eric’s adoption, Chemical Factory incident, Jake killing his father, Mishka slipping into a coma, her suicide attempt. Sometimes, I get goosebumps thinking about it all over again,” Leo’s forehead creased as he recalled all the incidents again.

“But everything is alright now!” Pasha said, “To be honest, what I feared the most was to a destiny not to repeat itself and Mishka doesn’t end up like Vera. But Mishka isn’t Vera in any manner. She’ll fight till her last breath for her rights and never let Christian dominate her. I am glad your decision didn’t backfire or else this time we wouldn’t be able to forgive ourselves.”

“Honestly, it was Rosella’s last words before dying that forced me to take such a decision, and it was quite late when I realised the consequences of my decision. It could’ve destroyed Mishka’s life if Christian turns out like his father. But you were right, he is Vera’s son, and he’ll certainly never do anything to hurt Mishka. In fact, I am proud of him now, the way he is handling the company, his wife’s trauma, and his child. It’s commendable. I never expected he’ll turn out like a complete man.” Leo smiled.

Pasha huffed, “I hope Christian knocks some sense into Danny. This boy has crossed all the limits of stupidity.”

“What happened?” Leo asked.

“You’ll see tomorrow at the party,” Pasha said, and Leo furrowed his bushy eyebrows.

***

Lia opened the door without giving a knock as if she owns the place. The door opened and Christian slightly frowned, looking at her from top to bottom, taking in her appearance while Lia gave her a seductive smile.

“How are you?” She asked, getting close to where he was sitting, and Christian stood up.

“What do you want?” He growled while Lia put her palm on his chest.

“Calm down, Chris. Did you forget how tenderly you used to treat me in the past?” She whispered and tried to get close, but Christian jerked her hand away and stepped back.

“Why are you here?” Christian asked, getting straight to the point.

“Oh, come on, Chris, why are you treating me like I am some stranger?” Lia said in her sugary tone, and Christian tried his best to control his raging temper.

Mishka stepped out of Christian’s cabin, but Ana blocked her way. “Ma’am, why don’t you rest inside? Sir, will accompany you in a few minutes,” Ana said. She was aware of her trauma as she heard Christian several times talking about her on phone calls. She didn’t know if Mishka knows about Lia or not, but she was concerned about her health as she has seen Christian always stressed about it.

Mishka took a step forward, trying to walk past her, but Ana stopped her again. “Ma’am, please try to understand, Christian sir is in an important meeting. Please!”

“Leave my way, Ana. You are forcing me to say something harsh,” Mishka glared at her, and Ana shivered under her stony gaze. She quickly stepped aside and Mishka walked barefoot towards the conference room.

Mishka stood outside the conference room and her shivering hand held the knob but she couldn’t muster up the courage to open it, her mind was divided into two teams, one was saying to open the door and confront them, but the other was saying to trust Christian, and walk away. No matter whom she decides to listen to, she was losing this, and she knew it.

She clutched the knob tightly of the wooden door as if it would help her hold back tears and but then she slowly opened the door, just enough to hear them.

“Today is the Eleventh of March!! Did you forget your promise?” Lia asked, crossing her arms across her chest.

“Are you out of your mind or something? I told you I love Mishka. Then why are you here to embarrass yourself?” Christian screeched, scratching his eyebrow.

“I love you. That’s why I am here. It’s time we get back and end what we started. For god’s sake, stop lying that you love that Indian bitch. You don’t need to do this drama in front of me,” Lia said, rolling her eyes and Christian frowned.

“What??” Christian asked, dumbfounded.

“Chris, baby, I know what I did was wrong. I shouldn’t have put this idea of contract marriage in your head. You were ready to leave the world for me and I pushed you away,” Lia said dramatically, sitting on the head’s chair where Christian was sitting before and he glared at her.

“I know your love for her was all drama. Your dearest grandpa named everything to Mishka, but he forgot his grandson is even more cunning than him. You trapped her in your fake love only to get back all the Knight’s wealth. But baby, we have everything now. Then why are you pushing me away? Today is the end of your contract marriage. Throw that mentally unstable woman out like we planned and let’s start afresh.”

Mishka was stunned to the core, and her mind buzzed with chaos, listening to her word. There was no way she was lying, as the situation she was describing was perfectly matching the time when Christian started mending his ways with her. “It was all drama that started with Let’s be Friends. All along he just wanted to get back everything, and he didn’t even think for once before using me emotionally and physically!” Mishka said inwardly. Her heart burned. But Lia’s next revelation was even more shocking for her and her eyes bulged out.

“Get out, Lia,” Christian said furiously but slowly calmed. “I am not in a mood for this shit. I told you everything clearly that day in the hospital.”

“Chris, what’s my fault if your grandpa forced us to part ways? He knew we love each other, yet he forced you to marry that bitch for the CEO position. It was his planning to trap you, not mine. He separated two lovers and god will never forgive him for that,” Lia said, tears threatening to come out of her eyes and Mishka left the knob of the door.

“I’ll take care of Eric, I promise. Just drive her out and we’ll be happy with each other. We’ll have our own small family and I promise I’ll never ill-treat Eric.” Mishka heard Lia’s promises and raced away. Ana tried to stop her, but she didn’t stop. She was shattered to the point where she could never trust him again.

Lia moved forward to touch him. “If you’re not sure how to throw her out, I’ll tell you. Just tell your grandpa she is infertile and he’ll be the first one to throw her ou…” Before she could complete it, a hard slap landed on her cheek that almost left a buzzing sound in her ear.

She looked at Christian, flabbergasted, “I know you are angry bu…” Again, a slap landed on his cheek.

Christian held the collar of her silk white blouse and pulled her a little closer. “I didn’t want to do it, but there was no other better way to shut your shitty mouth. Now listen to me carefully, Barbie doll, I love my wife, even if she couldn’t give me a child or turn completely lunatic. I’ll love her till my last breath. Your planning, plotting, or scheming isn’t gonna work now.” He said and left her collaring, buttoning up her exposed cleavage.

He smirked evilly while Lia just continued to look at him wordlessly. “Now be a good girl and tell me if you said something to my wife?” He asked, cupping her cheeks, and she quickly shook her head.

“Good girl! Come on, now, let me throw you out of this building and my life” He held her wrist in a death grip and dragged her out of the conference room.

“Sir!” Ana tried to stop him, but he paid no heed and entered the elevator.

***

The driver looked at Mishka in the rear-view mirror and she appeared awfully silent. She was still clutching the red file close to her chest and looking straight, nothing in particular. The driver opened his mouth to ask, but Mishka cut him off.

“Drive fast,” She ordered, taking a deep breath. While on the other side, Christian threw Lia out of the Knight Building and she slipped on the road, “If you dare to show up your ugly face to me or my wife. I will kill you,” He thundered and Lia gulped nervously. “Beware, Tommy ruined you, but I’ll kill you.”

The security quickly arrived, and Christian glared at them. “Never let this woman enter again,” He growled, and the security took Lia away.

***

As soon as Mishka entered the apartment, the nanny stopped her. “Eric is sleeping now. I have to run some errands. I’ll be back soon.” She said and Mishka nodded. She briefly turned to look at her leaving and then started ascending the stairs quietly.

Mishka walked into their room and sat on the bed, looking around. She felt a heaviness in her chest and tears that she was trying to suppress for so long finally started streaming down her cheeks.

She covered her face in her hand and cried in a muffled voice. But for the sake of the baby inside her, she wiped her tears and took a deep breath. Her eye travelled to the glamorous maroon gown that was beautifully placed on the bed and she picked the note lying beside it.

“Hey, Mishka! I know I behaved really bad with you in the past few weeks and I’m ashamed. This is a small gift from me as an apology. Hope you’ll accept it and give me another chance. Your Rose,”

Mishka smiled bitterly and crushed the note, throwing it away. “You all are the same. You all used me. But no more chances will be given,” She said and tore the dress with her shivering hands. “I’ll never forgive anyone of you,” She howled loudly and started destroying everything in the room and the first thing she destroyed was the wedding picture.

She sat on the edge of the bed, waiting to confront Christian, but a mere thought left her restless, and fear engulfed her. “What if he did the same his father did years ago? He’ll take my child and throw me out? My child will be raised by someone like Jennifer!! Luke didn’t plan to do this, but Christian planned everything from the beginning, he’ll take my child or worst try to kill and I’ll fail to fight against their money and power,” The trail of thoughts didn’t stop haunting her and she kept her hand on her stomach.