Chapter 26 — The Marks On Her Face

Veeresh reached home late that evening, but for the first time in years, his penthouse felt strangely restless without her presence.

After changing clothes, he picked up his phone almost immediately.

Poornima.

No answer.

He frowned slightly and called again.

Still nothing.

Veeresh walked toward the table absentmindedly before his eyes landed on the platinum bracelet ring Poornima had slipped onto his finger during the engagement.

His gaze hardened slightly.

Something felt wrong.

He called again.

No answer.

That was enough.

Within minutes, Veeresh’s car stopped near the Rathore mansion. Instead of using the entrance, he moved silently through the side area and climbed toward Poornima’s balcony the way someone trained in danger naturally would.

The room was dark.

Too quiet.

“Poornima,” he called lowly while entering through the balcony.

No response.

Then he saw her.

Collapsed on the floor beside the bed.

Veeresh’s heartbeat stopped for one terrifying second.

“Poornima!”

He immediately rushed toward her and lifted her into his arms carefully. Her body felt weak, frighteningly limp against him.

Then he saw her face clearly.

Finger marks.

Red swollen handprints across her cheek.

Something inside Veeresh snapped instantly.

His jaw clenched so hard it hurt.

“Wake up,” he said sharply, shaking her gently. “Poornima.”

But she didn’t respond.

Her breathing was shallow.

Veeresh’s eyes darkened into something lethal.

Without wasting another second, he carried her out through the balcony itself, moving silently enough that nobody in the mansion noticed.

By the time anyone realized she was missing—

Salvatore Dreewan was already gone with her.

The hospital staff panicked the moment Veeresh walked inside carrying an unconscious Poornima in his arms.

“Doctor. Now.”

One look at his face was enough to make everyone move faster.

Doctors immediately shifted her onto a stretcher and rushed her inside for treatment.

“Sir, please wait outside.”

Veeresh stood frozen for a second before slowly stepping back as the emergency room doors closed in front of him.

And for the first time in a very long time—

Salvatore Dreewan felt helpless.