Chapter Fourteen #2
Advika started learning the business. Not the violent parts—she had no interest in that—but the legitimate operations, the strategic decisions, the negotiations. She had a knack for reading people, for finding solutions that satisfied multiple parties.
"You're good at this," Sidharth said one evening after a particularly successful meeting.
"I'm good at a lot of things," she replied with a smirk. "You're just finally noticing."
Her bakery became the official caterer for all Singhania events. High-profile clients came to her because of the association, and her business exploded. She had to hire three more staff members to keep up with demand.
And through it all, Sidharth supported her. Promoted her work. Bragged about her skills to anyone who would listen.
"That's my wife," he'd say, pride evident in his voice. "Isn't she incredible?"
One evening, three weeks after their reconciliation, Advika received an unexpected call.
"Advika." Her father's voice on the other end.
She hadn't spoken to Yash Pradhan since before the wedding. Hadn't wanted to.
"What do you want?" she asked flatly.
"To talk. In person. There's a matter I'd like to discuss."
She almost refused. But curiosity won out. "Fine. Neutral territory. I'll text you the address."
She met him at a café near her bakery, Sidharth's guards discretely positioned nearby. Yash showed up alone, looking older than she remembered.
"You look well," he said, sitting across from her.
"What do you want, Father?"
He flinched at the formal address. "I wanted to see you. To talk about the business."
"I'm not interested in being your pawn again."
"That's not—" He stopped, studying her. "You've changed. You're harder. Stronger."
"I grew up."
"More than that." He leaned back, something like respect in his eyes. "You're not the girl I married off nine months ago. You've become... formidable."
"Was that a compliment?"
"It was an observation. And an acknowledgment." He paused. "I was wrong. About you. I thought you were weak, easily manipulated. I thought I could use you to secure peace and that would be the end of it."
"But?"
"But you've thrived. Built alliances. Made yourself essential to the Singhania operations. You're not just Sidharth's wife—you're a power in your own right."
Advika said nothing, waiting.
"Your brothers don't have that strength," Yash continued. "Abhishek is impulsive. Rahul is weak. But you..." He shook his head. "You were always stronger than them. I just couldn't see it because I was too focused on legitimate versus illegitimate."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Because you deserve to know. You're not my pawn anymore, Advika. You're not anyone's pawn. You've made yourself into a queen." He stood, preparing to leave. "I'm proud of you. For what it's worth."
The words should have meant something. Should have filled the void his neglect had created.
Instead, they just felt... empty. Too little, too late.
"It's worth something," Advika said finally. "But not as much as you think. I don't need your pride anymore, Father. I don't need your approval. I've built a life without it."
He nodded, accepting that. "Good. You should never need anyone's approval but your own."
After he left, Advika sat for a long moment, processing. She'd spent so much of her life craving her father's acknowledgment. And now that she had it, it didn't matter.
Because she'd found her own power. Built her own kingdom. Become her own person.
She pulled out her phone, texting Sidharth.
Advika: Just met with my father. I'm okay. Coming home soon.
His response was immediate.
Sidharth: Want me to come get you?
Advika: No. I'm good. See you at home.
Sidharth: I love you.
The words still made her heart skip. Still felt new and precious.
Advika: I love you too.
She drove back to the estate—home, she corrected herself. Home.
Sidharth met her at the door, pulling her into his arms the moment she stepped inside.
"How was it?" he asked.
"Strange. He said he was proud of me."
"He should be. I'm proud of you."
"I know." She pulled back to look at him. "And that's what matters. Not his approval. Yours. Mine. Ours."
"Ours," he agreed, kissing her forehead. "Come. I have something to show you."
He led her to his office—their office now, since she'd started attending meetings there. On the desk was a set of documents.
"What is this?"
"Partnership papers. For the legitimate businesses." He handed them to her. "I want you to be an official partner. Not just my wife, but my business partner. Equal stake, equal say."
Advika's eyes widened. "Sidharth—"
"You've earned it. You're brilliant at this. And I want it official. You and me. Partners in everything."
She looked at the papers, then at him. This man who'd started as her enemy, become her captor, and finally, finally become her partner.
Her equal.
Her love.
"Partners in everything," she repeated, signing the documents.
"Partners in everything," he confirmed, pulling her into a kiss that promised forever.
And for the first time in her life, Advika felt like she'd found where she belonged.
Not in the shadows. Not as someone's dirty secret or political pawn.
But as herself. Powerful, loved, and free.
Finally, finally free.