chapter 3
Chapter 3 — The Woman Who Belonged
It started with a name.
Rhea.
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Kavya didn’t hear it from Aarav.
She heard it from someone else.
Casually.
Carelessly.
Like it was something everyone already knew.
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“You haven’t met her yet?”
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Kavya looked up slightly.
“Met who?”
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The woman smiled.
“Aarav’s… past.”
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Past.
Such a simple word.
Such a dangerous one.
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Kavya didn’t ask more.
Didn’t need to.
Because the rest came anyway.
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“She’s back in the city.”
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And just like that—
something shifted.
Not loudly.
Not dramatically.
But quietly enough to matter.
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That evening, Aarav came home earlier than usual.
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Kavya noticed.
Of course she did.
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“You’re back early.”
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Aarav placed his keys down.
“Mm.”
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No explanation.
But there didn’t need to be one.
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His phone rang.
He picked it up immediately.
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Kavya wasn’t listening.
She wasn’t trying to.
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But some names…
had a way of making themselves heard.
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“Rhea.”
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A pause.
Then—
“I’ll be there.”
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He didn’t look at her when he said it.
Didn’t hesitate.
Didn’t explain.
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He just left.
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The door closed behind him.
Again.
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Kavya stood there for a long moment.
Still.
Unmoving.
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Then quietly—
she turned off the lights.
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