CHAPTER 12
The next morning, Karan drove his car speedily through the bustling streets of Mumbai, his eyes fixed on the road.
Beside him, Abhimanyu had been quiet for a while, but not anymore.
He couldn’t forget what he’d seen last night, the pain in Mishti’s eyes when Karan had humiliated her, the way she’d walked off silently, holding herself together. It hadn’t left his mind since.
“Bhai,” Abhimanyu finally said. “You’re making a mistake. Hurting Mishti Bhabhi like this isn’t right. A woman so innocent and kind-hearted like her doesn’t deserve all this.”
Karan’s hand tightened around the steering wheel, but he still didn’t respond.
“I know you don’t like hearing this, but I’m saying it because I care about you.
Yesterday, when I spoke to her, there was something about her, something I haven’t seen in anyone around you for years.
She’s the kind of woman who doesn’t just love, Bhai, she heals.
I don’t know why, but after meeting her, I felt that maybe she’s the one who could bring back that smile you’ve lost.”
“Don’t,” he warned, glaring at him once before turning his gaze on the road again.
But Abhimanyu wasn’t done. “Please let me complete. I know why you married her. But maybe it’s time to move on. Let go of the past, Bhai. You’ve punished yourself long enough. Maybe this marriage isn’t a curse. It could be your second chance.”
The car screeched to a halt at a red light. Karan turned sharply to his brother again.
“You must have forgotten everything, Abhimanyu. I haven’t.”
Abhimanyu frowned. “Bhai, I’m not asking you to forget what happened. I’m asking you to stop punishing someone who had nothing to do with it.”
Karan’s nostrils flared as he took a deep breath, trying to hold himself back. “This is the last time you’re saying this to me,” he snapped. “Am I clear?”
Abhimanyu stared at him in disbelief. He wanted to argue, to shake his brother and make him see what he was doing to himself, and to her. But the look on Karan’s face warned him not to.
The light turned green. Karan drove off, with that same rage in his features, while Abhimanyu sighed, leaning back against the seat, staring out the window as the city blurred past. He didn’t agree with a single word Karan had said.
He saw what Karan couldn’t, or rather what he refused to see.
Mishti wasn’t just a name in Karan’s revenge story; she was the woman who could rewrite it.
He looked at the passing skyline and made a silent promise to himself. No matter what his brother said, he wouldn’t give up. He vowed to do whatever it takes to bring them closer. One way or another.
*****************
KW Capital Ventures – Boardroom
The tension in the boardroom was predictable as Abhimanyu had just returned from his overseas trip. Today, in this meeting, his presence would change everything. The previous meeting had ended in a stalemate, but today, the decision was to be made.
Rajat exchanged a quick, knowing glance with Abhimanyu before addressing the board. “As you all remember, last time we were one member short. Now that Mr Abhimanyu Wadhwa is present, let’s finalise the pending vote regarding Mrs Mishti Wadhwa’s appointment as Non-Executive Director.”
Karan gripped the pen, which he had been twirling between his fingers. “We are not reopening that discussion,” he said flatly.
But Rajat didn’t back down. “We have to, Karan. It’s on record. The vote was incomplete.”
Abhimanyu leaned back in his chair. “I agree with Rajat. The company needs stability right now, not more ego battles. And if Mishti can contribute, even a little, it’s worth giving her that chance.”
“You think I don’t see what’s going on here?” Karan snapped. “Rajat manipulates, you support, and suddenly my wife, who has never worked a day in this field, is sitting on this board making decisions? I’m not letting that happen.”
Rajat exhaled slowly. “As mentioned before, your wife, Karan, holds a Master’s in Business Administration. She’s smart, educated, and has the composure half the people in this room lack.” He shot a brief look at Kanika. “No offence.”
Kanika’s lips thinned. “Plenty taken,” she hissed. “You think just having a degree and running a household qualifies her for corporate strategy? She’ll crumble the minute she faces pressure.”
Rajat shook his head in denial as he responded. “She’s a woman who’s holding together a marriage with Karan Wadhwa. If she can handle that, she can handle anything this board throws at her.”
A few members chuckled under their breath, then tried to stifle it as Karan glared at them.
Abhimanyu agreed. “What’s the harm if Mishti Bhabhi works with us?”
Karan’s eyes locked with his brother’s, his patience thinning. “This is not up for debate.”
“Actually, it is, Bhai. You said it yourself…this company runs on votes, not dictatorship.”
The tension spiked. Even Kanika looked uneasy.
Rajat clapped once. “Exactly. So, let’s take the final vote, shall we?”
Hands slowly began to rise—first Mr Roy, then another member raised his hand too. Rajat went up next, followed by Abhimanyu’s. Kanika’s hand stayed firmly down.
Karan’s gaze swept across the table. The math was clear: four votes in favour, three against, including his. The decision was sealed.
“Great.” Rajat leaned back, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. “Majority rules. Mrs Mishti Wadhwa is officially a Non-Executive Director at KW Capital Ventures.”
Karan rose, buttoning his blazer.
“She can have the title,” he said. “But let’s be clear—if she fails even once, I won’t think twice before removing her myself.”
“Fair enough,” Rajat replied smoothly. “But knowing her, I doubt she will.”
Karan shot Rajat and Abhimanyu a cold look before his gaze darted towards the rest. “Meeting adjourned.”
The room emptied until only the three of them remained.
Karan’s hand curled into a fist on the edge of the table as he turned to Rajat. “You called him in from France for this vote, didn’t you?” he asked. “This whole stunt was your doing.”
Rajat didn’t flinch. “Yes. I called him here, and why not? He’s part of the board. He deserved to be here. This isn’t about going against you, Karan. It’s business.”
Karan took a step forward, his temper slowly starting to blow up again.
“Bringing Mishti anywhere against my will is going against me, Rajat.”
“Okay, guys, that’s enough.” Abhimanyu stepped between them, hands open like a bridge.
“We don’t need to turn this into another argument.
The vote is done. Let it be done.” He angled his head toward Rajat and smiled.
“Bro’s keeping a welcome party for me tomorrow.
You need to come. Please don’t miss it.”
“Party? Wow.” Rajat’s grin widened. “You know I never wait for an invitation, Abhi. I’ll be there.” The two men clasped forearms in that quick, brotherly hug.
Karan watched the exchange before leaving the boardroom. Mishti would be on the board now, and he had no choice. But that didn’t mean he had lost. If she was going to be placed in his world, then he would learn how to turn that placement into his advantage.
***************
Wadhwa Mansion – Next day
Karan had organised Abhimanyu’s welcome party at the garden of Wadhwa Mansion, and the guests had already started arriving. The garden was no less than a private oasis behind the palatial home, which could easily host a high-profile private event without ever feeling crowded.
He descended from the staircase overlooking the living room in a black silk shirt with a matching tuxedo. He was halfway down the stairs when he finally saw Mishti near the living room archway, speaking to Maria.
She’d worn a deep designer red saree that immediately drew attention, not because it was bold, but because he had never seen any other woman looking so breathtakingly gorgeous in his favourite colour.
The drape fell neatly over her shoulder, the sleeveless blouse was devastating…
perfectly cut, showing just enough elegance without daring too much.
Her hair was left loose with soft waves framing her glowing face, and the sindoor gleamed like a declaration of who she belonged to. Him.
“Ma’am, you look very beautiful today,” Maria said before spotting Karan halfway down the stairs and didn’t hesitate to involve him. “Sir will agree too,” she said cheerfully. “Red suits you the most.”
Mishti’s eyes widened as she turned towards him immediately.
She hadn’t realised he was there. Their eyes met for a heartbeat.
Karan’s expression didn’t show anything clearly, but something in his gaze slowed.
His eyes lingered on her form for a bit too long, even to her surprise.
Not the hurried, casual glance of a man acknowledging a pretty woman.
This was different.
His eyes travelled slowly along her form…
taking in the red saree wrapped flawlessly around her, the shimmer of jewellery at her collarbone.
It slipped downwards to the faint tremor of her breathing, her chest rising and falling with barely contained nerves, before settling on the curve where the drape shaped her waist.
His Adam’s apple bobbed once in a hard swallow as he could hardly look away. Even his steps lost their rhythm for a moment, almost as if the sight of her had thrown him off balance.
Mishti clutched her pallu tighter with her trembling fingers, trying to analyse his scorching stare.
He didn’t believe in softness.
He didn’t want this marriage.
He claimed he didn’t want her.
But the way he looked at her now… said something very different.