Meant To Be

CHAPTER - 45

Present

Arjun's pov -

Her diary slipped from my hands, falling to the floor, but I couldn’t look away. I sat there, frozen, the weight of every word sinking in. My heart shattered with every sentence. I couldn’t stop the tears, and they came harder, faster. My body trembled as I punched the wall, the pain from my knuckles bleeding only adding to the agony inside.

I hated myself.

I rushed to my bedroom, locking the door behind me.

She lay there, her lips slightly parted, looking so peaceful while she slept. I couldn’t resist—leaning down, I kissed her forehead gently. My hand drifted slowly to her stomach, and I kissed it, feeling the empty ache.

“Our baby,” I whispered, tears spilling down my cheek.

“It’s okay, princess. We’ll have another child soon,” I said through a choked smile, still crying. I wrapped her body in the bedsheet and took a long, much-needed shower, my mind still reeling from the diary’s words.

I wrapped a towel around my torso, staring at my reflection in the mirror. My eyes traced the tattoo on my chest. Meera.

I had been preparing to meet her again after my medication in Delhi. I missed her more than I could express. I had been angry with her, but now I understood. It wasn’t her fault. If I had been in her shoes, I would’ve done the same thing—hell, I might’ve even taken her life. But she saved me. She brought me to the hospital when I couldn’t see through the rage.

I decided I had to apologize for how I had treated her, for ignoring her when she needed me the most. I had gotten this tattoo of her name, a permanent reminder of what she meant to me, but I never got the chance to show her.
It's all my fault. The words echoed in my mind, sharp and unforgiving. I should have never left her alone. I should have told her that I forgave her, that I was with her through everything. If I had, maybe she wouldn't have been so broken. Maybe our baby would have survived.

We would have been a family—a happy one. But now... everything felt like it was slipping through my fingers.

She wouldn’t have faced her stepmother alone. She wouldn’t have been forced to endure that kind of torment. The thought of it made my blood boil. My fists clenched as I imagined the people who had hurt her. I picked up the phone, calling James.

“Bring those bastards alive,” I ordered.

I dialed Sam’s number next, my voice cold as I spoke. “I need all the information you can get on her stepmother. Everything.”

I was still in shock at how Meera had survived it all. The strength it took for her to keep going, despite everything she had endured. But I was thankful to the woman who saved her. If it weren’t for her, I might have lost Meera forever. I couldn’t bear the thought of that.

Sitting beside her on the bed, I gently stroked her hair, my heart aching.

“You’re so strong, Meera,” I whispered. “I had my family with me. I was lonely, but I wasn’t alone. You endured all this pain, all by yourself. You’re braver than I could ever be.”

Tears welled in my eyes as I kissed the top of her head.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry I couldn’t save you back then. But I promise, I won’t leave you now. I can’t live without you. I’ll take you back, Meera. I’ll make sure you never have to face anything like that again. I’ll bring the old Meera back.”