He Faked His Death for Another Woman
Chapter 4: The Joke’s on Me
Kunal’s face faltered for a split second, then steadied:
“How...how could that be? Bhaiya’s clothes and shoes were already fished out, you saw them yourself.”
He swallowed, glancing at Amit, who lingered behind like a shadow, hands twisting a house key on a ring. Their whole act was rehearsed.
A week ago, Rohan drove into the river late at night. The police concluded he was swept away by the current while escaping the car. I stayed by the river all night, sleepless. The rescue team dredged the river for days, but only found his coat and shoes. I was so grief-stricken I nearly fainted. Today was supposed to be our wedding day. I cried over our photo until my head throbbed. Now I’m told all of this was his scheme. My grief, from beginning to end, was a joke.
Even now, the memory of that night came back—the flickering blue lights on the riverbank, the sound of water lapping against rescue boats, endless cups of tea forced into my hands by strangers. My mother’s trembling voice on the phone. My father, silent for once. And all the while, his friends playing along, as if my pain was part of their prank.
[Of all things, the hero learns to keep a nightingale. So low.]
[I thought this was going to be a super sweet novel at first. Didn’t expect to be force-fed this drama.]
[The heroine is such a stunning beauty from Mumbai’s elite. If he doesn’t want her, I’d fight to have her.]
A wave of nausea and pain crashed over me. My stomach churned, and I pressed my palm against the wall, steadying myself as the world tilted. The scrolling comments, for once, felt like comfort. Kunal said again: “Bhabhi, don’t overthink. If Bhaiya could see you, he’d be heartbroken.”
Heartbroken. The word stung. This morning I’d thanked him for helping me handle Rohan’s affairs. Now I saw them all for what they were—birds of a feather.
A hollow laugh bubbled inside me, the kind you suppress at funerals when someone says something ridiculous. If Rohan was watching, would he find this hilarious?
[If only it were that easy, I thought, reading the comment urging me to fight back.]
