chapter 65 - The Madness of Jealousy
Ira hadn’t realized it until later, but something had shifted between them.
It was subtle—like the way her heart didn’t ache as much when he was around, or how she didn’t feel the overwhelming urge to shut him out.
And it happened so naturally that she barely noticed when she spoke to him first.
"Aarav, have you seen my book?" she asked one evening, standing at the doorway of his study.
Aarav, who had been flipping through some files, froze mid-page.
He looked up slowly, almost as if he couldn’t believe his ears.
"What?" His voice was softer than usual, careful.
"My book," Ira repeated, shifting awkwardly. "I left it in the living room, but I can’t find it."
Aarav blinked, as if processing the fact that she was talking to him voluntarily.
Then, in true Aarav Malhotra fashion, his lips curved into a slow smirk.
"Oh? You’re asking your husband for help now? Should I be honored?"
Ira rolled her eyes. "Forget I asked."
She turned to leave, but before she could, Aarav was already out of his chair.
"Wait," he said, a teasing glint in his eyes. "I did see your book. But… I might have hidden it."
Ira narrowed her eyes. "Why would you do that?"
He leaned against his desk, arms crossed, smirking. "Because it was keeping you busy. And I’d rather have your attention on me."
Ira exhaled sharply. "Aarav…"
"Yes, my love?" he asked, his voice dripping with mischief.
"Just give me the book."
Aarav chuckled, walking over to a nearby shelf and retrieving the novel. But instead of handing it to her, he held it out just beyond her reach.
"Take it," he challenged.
Ira huffed, stepping closer, her fingers brushing against the cover. But before she could grab it, he pulled it back.
"Aarav!" she snapped.
"Say please," he murmured.
Ira narrowed her eyes, debating whether the book was worth putting up with his antics. But then she sighed. "Fine. Please."
Aarav grinned and finally placed it in her hands. "See? That wasn’t so hard, was it?"
Ira shook her head, but before she walked away, Aarav called after her.
"Ira."
She turned back, raising an eyebrow.
"You’re talking to me again," he said softly. "That means I’m winning."
Ira didn’t respond. But the faint blush on her cheeks was all the confirmation he needed.
The next morning, Ira woke up to something unexpected.
The room was filled with the soft scent of jasmine—the same fragrance she had loved since childhood.
And beside her bedside table, a box sat with a note.
With hesitation, she picked it up. The handwriting was unmistakable.
“Open it, Mrs. Malhotra. – Your husband”
Ira rolled her eyes but opened the box.
Inside, she found a silver anklet.
Her fingers brushed over the delicate design, her heart feeling strangely warm.
"Damn you, Aarav Malhotra," she muttered under her breath.
That afternoon, as she walked past the living room, Aarav caught sight of the anklet wrapped around her ankle.
His smirk grew. "Beautiful."
Ira pretended to ignore him, but he saw the way her lips twitched—a sign of a smile she was trying to hide.
Later that day, Ira was in the office working when she overheard a conversation between some employees and a business associate.
"Aarav has been acting strange these days," the man commented. "Less aggressive, softer. I never thought I’d see the day."
One employee chuckled. "He’s changing."
"Or maybe he’s losing his edge," the man said mockingly. "Love does that. Makes men weak."
Ira froze.
Something inside her twisted.
Without even thinking, she turned toward the man, her voice sharp and clear.
"Aarav isn’t weak," she said, making both men look at her in surprise. "Loving someone doesn’t make a person weak. It makes them stronger."
The associate blinked, taken aback. "I—"
"If you think kindness is a weakness, then you don’t understand true strength," Ira continued, her eyes fierce.
The room went silent.
Aarav, who had just entered the dining hall, heard every single word.
His heart stopped.
Ira had defended him.
Not out of obligation. Not because she had to.
Because she wanted to.
Aarav couldn’t stop himself.
As soon as the man left, he walked over to Ira, tilting her chin up with a finger.
"Mrs. Malhotra," he murmured, his voice low and smug, "Are you… defending me now?"
Ira swallowed, realizing what she had just done.
"No," she said too quickly. "I was just—"
"Just what?" Aarav leaned in, his breath warm against her skin. "Admitting that you care?"
Ira’s cheeks burned. "I— No— Shut up!"
Aarav laughed.
And Ira did something even more shocking.
She smiled.
A real, genuine, unintentional smile.
And that was it.
Aarav knew he had won another battle.
Game on, Mrs. Malhotra.
Some other day in the office, Ira had come to the office that day with no intention of thinking about Aarav.
She had convinced herself that whatever was happening between them was under control.
Yes, she had started talking to him again.
Yes, she had smiled at his stupid antics.
Yes, he was making it harder and harder to stay angry.
But she wasn’t going to fall for him again.
Not yet.
At least, that’s what she thought—until she heard it.
She was passing by his cabin, intending to ignore him completely, when a sound made her stop.
Laughter.
Not just any laughter—Aarav’s deep, husky laugh.
The kind she hadn’t heard in weeks.
And then came his voice—soft, teasing, affectionate.
"Baby, don’t be mad at me."
Ira froze.
Her heart skipped a beat, then dropped.
"Come on, sweetheart. You know I love you, right?" Aarav’s voice was so gentle, so intimate.
Ira felt something dark and ugly coil in her stomach.
"I promise I’ll see you soon, hmm? Don’t pout. You know I can’t say no to you."
Ira’s fists clenched at her sides.
He’s flirting. He’s pacifying someone. He’s calling someone ‘baby.’
And it wasn’t her.
The realization hit her like a punch to the gut.
"Okay, okay. I’ll make it up to you, I swear. Love you, baby."
Love you, baby.
Ira didn’t even realize her nails were digging into her palms until she felt the sting.
Her chest was burning with fury.
Who the hell was he talking to?!
Was this why he had been so sweet to her lately?
To distract her while he was flirting with someone else behind her back?
Oh, he had some serious explaining to do.
Ira had spent the rest of her workday trying to calm herself down.
She had tried everything—
Drinking cold water.
Taking deep breaths.
Counting to ten.
Nothing worked.
The image of Aarav laughing and flirting on that stupid phone call was stuck in her mind like an annoying song on repeat.
She had never seen him smile like that before. Not even at her.
And now she had to go home and see his face all over again.
Fantastic.
Ira tried not to look at him. She really did.
But it was impossible when Aarav Malhotra was grinning like a lovesick fool at his phone during dinner.
She stabbed her food with unnecessary force, watching him smirk at his screen. His fingers were typing something quickly, pausing, and then typing again.
Who the hell was he talking to?
"Aarav, pass me the dal," his mother said.
He didn’t even look up. "Hmm? Yeah, sure."
His mother gave him a confused look but didn’t say anything.
Ira, however, noticed everything.
The slight curve of his lips, the way he shook his head fondly at whatever "someone" was texting him.
The final blow?
The way he bit his lip to keep himself from smiling too much.
That was it.
She wasn’t going to sit here and pretend she didn’t care.
She was going to find out.
When dinner was over, everyone slowly started leaving the table.
Aarav placed his phone down for a second, distracted by a conversation with his father.
Ira saw her chance.
Her heart pounded as she scooted closer, glancing at the screen.
And then she saw it.
A string of messages.
From someone saved as… "Baby "
Her stomach dropped.
---
Baby : You never listen to me. I hate you. ??
Aarav: Oh, come on, don’t be mad, jaan.
Baby : No! I am mad!
Aarav: Okay, okay, I’ll make it up to you.
Baby : How?
Aarav: Anything you want.
Baby : Hmm… I’ll think about it. ??
Aarav: You’re such a brat.
Baby : And you love me for it.
Aarav: Unfortunately, yes. ??
---
Ira stared at the screen, her body going completely still.
Who. The. HELL. Was. Baby ?
She barely had time to process it before Aarav picked up his phone again.
She quickly looked away.
"Why do you look like you want to commit murder?" Aarav asked, amusement in his voice.
Ira forced a smile. "Oh, don’t worry. I’m just thinking of ways to make someone disappear."
Aarav chuckled. "Remind me never to get on your bad side."
Too late, Malhotra.
Because Ira was already seething.
As they made their way upstairs, Ira’s thoughts were a mess.
Her jaw was clenched. Her fists were tight. Her heart? An absolute wreck.
Baby? Jaan? Flirty messages?
And the worst part?
"And you love me for it."
"Unfortunately, yes."
Her steps halted.
Aarav turned slightly, raising an eyebrow. "You coming?"
Ira’s expression was cold. "I’ll be sleeping in the guest room."
Aarav’s smirk faded. "Excuse me? I thought everything between us is now ok so why now?
She crossed her arms. "You heard me."
"And why exactly?"
"Ask your ‘baby’ that."
And with that, she turned on her heel and walked away towards the room and slam the door.
Aarav stood there for a moment, watching her go.
Then, a slow, knowing smirk spread across his face.
"Interesting."