Chapter 38 - Winning Back His Wife
Aarav Malhotra was a man of power, dominance, and control. In the business world, a single look from him was enough to make people shiver. But today? Today, he was at the mercy of his wife.
And Ira Malhotra was unforgiving.
He had never seen her this cold, this distant. She was polite but distant. Present but absent. She still did everything a wife would—helped serve food at the table, spoke when spoken to, even sat beside him. But she didn’t look at him the way she usually did. No warmth. No affection.
And it drove him insane.
Aarav had one goal—make Ira smile. And he was willing to do anything.
Attempt #1 – Flowers & Gifts? Failed.
He sent her a grand bouquet of roses, chocolates, and a handwritten letter.
She glanced at it, nodded, and went back to reading her book.
"Cold. So cold," Aarav muttered under his breath.
Attempt #2 – Apology in the Kitchen? Failed.
He followed her into the kitchen while she was cooking.
“Ira… I’m sorry,” he said softly, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind.
She stiffened. “Step back, Aarav. The oil is hot.”
“I can handle the heat,” he whispered.
She turned slightly, her eyes narrowing. “You clearly can’t handle your drinks.”
Ouch.
His Last Attempt – Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures
That night, Ira was in bed, reading, when Aarav suddenly collapsed onto her lap.
She gasped. “Aarav?”
He groaned. “I’m dying.”
Her brows furrowed. “What?”
He placed a hand over his heart dramatically. “Dying of heartbreak. My wife won’t forgive me. Won’t smile at me. Won’t even scold me properly. Just kill me, Ira. End my suffering.”
She rolled her eyes but felt her lips twitch. “You’re ridiculous.”
He turned his face to her stomach, speaking in a muffled voice. “I was wrong. I shouldn’t have drunk. I promise, I won’t ever do it again. Just please… talk to me properly, sweetheart.”
Ira sighed, playing with his hair absentmindedly. Aarav wasn’t just apologizing—he was truly sorry.
“I wasn’t just angry, Aarav. I was hurt,” she admitted. “I hate alcohol because I’ve seen what it does to people. I don’t ever want to see you in that state again.”
He looked up at her, holding her hand. “And you won’t. I swear it.”
She stared at him for a moment before finally relaxing. “Fine. You’re forgiven.”
Aarav broke into a full grin.
“Really?”
She nodded.
“Can I get a kiss?” he asked, cheekily pointing at his lips.
She smacked his chest lightly. “Don’t push your luck.”
Aarav laughed, pulling her into his arms. “My wife is back.”
Aarav held Ira close, his arms wrapping around her like he never wanted to let go. And honestly? He didn’t.
He had spent the one whole day desperate for her attention, her warmth, her smile. Now that she had finally forgiven him, he wasn’t about to waste a second of it.
Ira shifted slightly in his arms, trying to pull away. “Aarav, I need to—”
“No,” he mumbled into her neck, tightening his hold. “Stay.”
She sighed but didn’t push him away. Instead, she reached up, running her fingers through his hair. “You’re impossible.”
“And you’re too forgiving,” he murmured, pressing a small kiss against her shoulder. “But I’m grateful.”
She smiled softly, though he couldn’t see it. “Just don’t make me regret it.”
Aarav immediately sat up, cupping her face in his hands. “Never.” His voice was firm, his eyes burning with sincerity. “I will never let you down again, Ira.”
She gazed into his eyes, searching for any trace of hesitation. But there was none. Just pure, raw devotion.
And that was what finally made her heart soften completely.
Ira let out a breath she didn’t realize she had been holding. “Good.”
Aarav’s lips twitched. “So… about that kiss?”
She gave him a pointed look. “Aarav.”
He smirked, leaning in. “Just one?”
She rolled her eyes but didn’t stop him when he gently brushed his lips against hers. It wasn’t demanding or rushed. Just a soft, lingering kiss—a silent promise that he would never break her trust again.
When he pulled away, he rested his forehead against hers. “I'm really so sorry, Ira.”
Her heart skipped a beat.
She smiled, brushing a thumb over his cheek. “I know.”
And for the first time in day, everything finally felt right again.
_____________
Next day at the office
Aarav was buried in work, his eyes scanning through reports, when his cabin door swung open without a knock.
He knows who will come in his cabin without knocking
Then he saw her.
Ira walked in, carrying herself with the same quiet grace she always did, but something was different. She looked calm—too calm. The fire that usually sparked in her eyes when she argued with him was missing. She wasn’t angry. She wasn’t soft. She was distant.
She was also wearing a saree—her usual choice—but this time, something about the way she held herself made it look… more professional. As if she had drawn a clear line between them.
Aarav leaned back in his chair, forcing a smirk. "Missing me already baby?”
Ira didn’t react to his teasing. Instead, she stepped forward and placed a neatly folded envelope on his desk. "I need leave."
His smirk faded. His eyes dropped to the letter. “For how long?”
"For a few days after Holi."
Aarav's fingers clenched around the paper. His instincts told him he wasn’t going to like this.
"Why?" he asked, his voice sharper than he intended.
Ira met his gaze without hesitation. You know na about papa health so I need to be home."
Aarav's jaw ticked. He hated this. Hated that she was leaving. Hated that she could say it so casually, as if it wouldn't affect him at all.
His grip on the letter tightened. "I don't like this."
Ira exhaled, a tired sigh. "Aarav, please."
The way she said his name—so patient, so final—made something twist inside him.
"I can come with you," he said immediately.
"You have work," she reminded him.
"I'll reschedule," he shot back.
"Aarav."
He knew that tone. She had already made up her mind.
He ran a hand through his hair, frustration bubbling up. “So that’s it? You’re leaving, and I’m just supposed to sit here and wait?”
Ira gave him a small, knowing look. “You’ll survive.”
He scowled. "I don’t like it when you’re away."
For a second—just a second—her expression softened. Then she straightened. “I have to go.”
Aarav let out a sharp breath, staring at her like she had just declared war on him. “I’m calling you every hour.”
Ira rolled her eyes. “That’s excessive.”
“That’s non-negotiable.”
She shook her head, amusement flickering in her gaze. “You’re impossible.”
Aarav crossed his arms. "And you’re too stubborn for your own good."
But he couldn’t help the way his chest felt lighter at that tiny hint of playfulness in her voice.
As she turned to leave, Aarav watched her go, his frustration still simmering beneath the surface. He wasn’t happy about this. Not at all.
But he wasn’t going to sit still either.
Because there was no way in hell he was letting her go for long.