Mafia's Heartbeat

ch 28

The sun had barely begun its descent, casting long shadows over the haveli. Inside, tension crackled like dry leaves underfoot. The entire family was gathered in the main hall, summoned not by any ritual or celebration—but by Kritika’s call.

She stood in the center of the room, poised and furious, her phone in one hand and a thick file in the other.

Nikhil, Raj, Kai, Tanuj—curled safely on Nishant’s lap—Aarav, and the rest watched her, confused. Even Rahul and Anjali stood near the stair railing, eyebrows furrowed.

Kritika’s voice was icy calm. “It ends today. All the games. All the lies.”

She tossed the file onto the center table. It flew open—revealing photographs, screenshots, and handwritten notes. Pages fanned out, showing evidence of Komal and Komolika’s sabotage.

“I collected everything,” Kritika said. “The Haldi sabotage. The Mehendi. The poisoned food. The fake guest at the engagement. The twisted social media post blaming Tanuj after that monster tried to hurt him.”

She turned, her gaze sharp as glass. “Komal. Komolika. This is all yours.”

A sharp gasp echoed. Komal’s face turned pale. Komolika stiffened.

“You tried to destroy us all,” Kritika snapped. “Tanuj could’ve died. Aarav cried all night because of your mehendi trick. And still, we forgave. But last night, you tried to protect that disgusting man who touched Tanuj—and you posted a photo blaming him!”

Komolika snarled, stepping forward. “And what? Are you going to throw your own family out for this drama?”

“I already did,” Rahul’s voice cut through the room like a blade.

Everyone turned.

He walked forward slowly, his expression dark, calm, and deadly. “You think being my sister gives you a license to destroy my sons? To harm my family?”

Komolika’s face contorted. “Bhaiya, please… I raised Komal alone. You helped me. We’re family.”

Rahul’s jaw clenched. “No. No sister of mine would ever try to kill my children.”
Komolika flinched. “I… I didn’t—”
“You did,” he said. “You watched Nishant almost break down when Tanuj got sick. You watched Aarav burn his hand trying to feed his brother. And you—” he turned to Komal—“you twisted your obsession with money and made yourself a parasite.”

Komal looked stunned for a moment—then defiant. “So you’ll throw us out? After everything—”

“Yes,” Anjali said, stepping up beside Rahul. Her voice was calm but fierce. “We raised you both like our own. And you spit on that love.”

“Get out,” Rahul said coldly. “Right now.”

The silence that followed was broken only by Tanuj’s soft whimper, nuzzling deeper into Nishant’s chest.

Nishant’s arm curled protectively around him.

Komal and Komolika were dragged out by security, screaming, kicking, and cursing. Their voices echoed through the marble halls like banshees fading into the night.

---

That Night – The Basement

The haveli was quiet. Too quiet.

Nikhil was asleep with Aarav curled beside him. Tanuj lay between Nishant and his plushies, in deep little space, clutching a soft toy.

And in the hidden basement of the estate… darkness waited.

Nishant stood before the bound and gagged receptionist—the same woman who had insulted Aarav and mocked Tanuj during their visit to office

The man whimpered, struggling against the ropes.

Behind him, two other bodies lay still—Komolika and Komal.

Their deaths were clean. One laced drink. One staged fall. The receptionist would be next.

Footsteps echoed.

Rahul descended the stairs, silent as a ghost. His eyes swept over the scene, but he didn’t flinch.

“She begged,” Nishant said quietly. “She called you ‘bhaiya’ till her last breath.”

Rahul nodded slowly. “And I stood by the window. Listening.”

“You’re not angry?” Nishant asked, knife in hand, blade shining under the low light.

Rahul looked him straight in the eye. “No. I’m just tired of people thinking they can hurt my children and get away with it.”

There was a long pause.

Then Nishant pressed the blade to the man’s throat.

“This is for touching what’s mine,” he whispered.

The scream never escaped. Only silence remained.

---

Hours later, the haveli stood peaceful. Tanuj stirred gently in his sleep, nuzzling into Nishant’s neck. Aarav clung to Nikhil’s arm. Raj had fallen asleep halfway through a text to Kai.

And Rahul sat in his study, pouring a drink, looking at the stars from his window.

He raised the glass quietly. “To peace. Finally.”

He didn’t feel guilt. He didn’t feel sorrow.

Just calm.

And the knowledge that his family was safe.

---