Chapter Twenty Four
Author's POV
Aansh stood at the floor-to-ceiling glass, the city stretched beneath him like prey waiting to be devoured. His jaw was clenched, shoulders squared, the faint reflection of his own stormy face staring back at him.
The doors to his cabin swung open without a knock. He didn't move, didn't even flinch-because only one idiot had the guts to disrespect him like that.
"What the fuck do you want?" His voice was sharp, low, dangerous-without a glance back.
Karthik smirked as if the hostility rolled right off him. He sprawled lazily on the leather couch.
"It's my lunch break," he said lousily, throwing his arms behind his head.
Finally, Aansh turned, a dark brow raised. His gaze burned through him.
"You moved all the way from your company to waste my time... because it's lunch?" His voice dripped disbelief.
Karthik chuckled, unbothered. "Come on. Don't act like it's the first time."
But Aansh was not in the mood for games.
He stalked to his desk, sliding into the chair, his long fingers brushing over the stack of files.
His eyes fell on one file in particular-placed earlier on his desk by Ria.
His jaw tightened as memories of her trembling voice and downcast eyes flashed before him.
His grip on the file turned white-knuckled.
Karthik noticed the shift, the darkening in his friend's face, but for once he didn't joke. He stood, pacing closer.
"You know..." he paused, tone suddenly measured. "I saw bhabhi on my way in."
Aansh's eyes flicked up-sharp, dangerous-but then slid away, uninterested.
"She seemed... hurt," Karthik finished quietly.
Aansh sat up slowly, amusement tugging his lips though his eyes were nothing but ice. "Did I ask what she looked like?" he asked, his tone mocking, deliberately cruel.
Karthik frowned. "Bro, she's literally the sweetest. Why do you keep hurting her? I mean, I've met her once and I can tell she has a good heart."
The chair screeched back as Aansh stood, every inch of him radiating lethal fury. He walked to Karthik, leaned over the desk, arms folded. His shirt stretched tight over his frame, but it wasn't the muscles that intimidated-it was the venom in his eyes.
"You think I give a fuck about her heart?
" he hissed. "The only thing I care about is that my name-my fucking name-is tied to her.
And that, Karthik, is a chain I never asked for.
I don't care if she's sweet, I don't care if she's made of gold.
To me, she's nothing but a burden strapped to my neck.
" His words sliced the air like a blade, merciless and deliberate.
Karthik felt sorry for both of them, but his eyes held quiet disappointment.
He pushed off the desk, shaking his head.
"Come on, bro. She's your wife. If not love.
.. at least treat her with respect. She's a human being.
" His voice carried the weight of someone who knew his words wouldn't matter, but said them anyway.
He didn't wait for a reply. The door clicked shut behind him.
Aansh didn't move. His hand curled around the file again, the veins in his wrist bulging, but his eyes-dark, merciless-stared blankly at the wall. Not a flicker of guilt touched him.
---
Meanwhile, Ria's world was the exact opposite.
She booked a cab, heart racing as the city blurred outside her window. Her chest felt too tight, her throat raw, but when the familiar lane of her home appeared, her tears spilled freely. She didn't wait for the driver to stop fully-she threw open the door and ran.
The moment she stepped inside, she saw Siya sitting on the steps, lost in a book.
"Siya!" Ria's voice cracked.
Siya's head snapped up, eyes wide, and before she could react, Ria flung herself into her cousin's arms. Her sobs shook her fragile body. Siya, shocked for only a heartbeat, crushed her back into a hug, her own eyes welling.
"I missed you," Siya whispered, her voice trembling.
Ria tried to respond, but her tears choked her. No words came-only broken sobs muffled against Siya's shoulder.
The Malhotra family rushed out at the commotion. Her mother's gasp, her father's trembling hands on her hair, her brother's stunned silence-each face lit with a joy that stabbed deeper into Ria's heart. They engulfed her in warmth, pulling her from one embrace to another.
It was overwhelming. Love she hadn't felt in days-pure, unfiltered-wrapped around her.
They pampered her. They scolded her gently for being thin. They laughed with her. They served her favorite dishes, piling her plate as if afraid she hadn't eaten in years. They touched her cheeks, her hair, as if making sure she was real.
Ria smiled. She laughed. But every laugh burned. Every lie she spoke lodged like a dagger in her chest.
Because inevitably, the conversations turned to Aansh.
"He takes care of you, na beta?" her mother asked softly, eyes brimming with hope.
Ria's smile froze. Her nails dug into her palm beneath the table.
"Yes... he does," she whispered. Her lips curved upward, but inside she was screaming.
Each lie tightened her chest until she could hardly breathe. Siya's sharp eyes caught the cracks-saw the tremor in her cousin's smile, the glassiness in her eyes. But Siya said nothing, only gave her a long, concerned look.
Ria kept going, kept spinning the tale of happiness, because she could not bear to break their hearts. How could she tell them the truth? That her husband hated her? That every word from his mouth was poison? That her mangalsutra-a chain meant to symbolize love-felt like a diamond noose?
The evening rolled on in laughter, in love. And Ria let herself be carried by it, her soul drinking in the warmth like a starving child.
But deep down, terror clawed at her. Because she knew-this was temporary. Soon, she would have to leave. Soon, the darkness would claim her again.
Her family's love felt like borrowed light, and she... a moth too afraid of when the flame would burn out.