Chapter 18 Bring My Wife Back.
Chapter 18
"Bring My Wife Back."
The Oberoi Group headquarters had never felt this tense before.
Employees lowered their voices the moment Arjun entered the building.
Nobody dared greet him casually.
Because the internet scandal had already spread everywhere.
And worse—
For the first time, Arjun Oberoi looked visibly unstable.
Not angry.
Unfocused.
Cold in a dangerous way.
The elevator ride to the top floor remained silent except for the constant vibration of his phone.
PR Head.
Legal team.
Board members.
Everyone panicking.
The moment he entered the executive floor, his assistant rushed toward him nervously.
"Sir, the media outside is increasing rapidly and—"
"Cancel all interviews."
"Yes, sir."
"And remove every unnecessary visitor from today's schedule."
"Sir, Singapore investors are already inside the conference room with Ms. Naina."
Arjun stopped walking instantly.
His expression darkened.
"With Ms. Naina?"
The assistant visibly hesitated. "Yes, sir. Mrs. Savita requested her presence personally."
Of course she did.
A humorless smile almost appeared on his face.
Even now.
Even after everything.
His mother still prioritized appearances over boundaries.
Arjun loosened his cufflinks slowly before walking toward the conference room.
The glass doors opened.
Inside, several investors immediately stood up respectfully.
Naina sat near the presentation screen looking perfectly composed in a cream formal suit.
Elegant.
Professional.
Untouchable.
The exact image Savita loved presenting beside him publicly.
For a brief second, Arjun suddenly remembered Aadhira standing awkwardly beside corporate wives during business events while trying her best to fit into a world that constantly judged her.
Guilt twisted sharply inside him again.
One investor smiled carefully.
"Mr. Oberoi, we were just discussing damage control regarding the media rumors."
Arjun sat down calmly.
Then looked directly at Naina.
"You can leave."
The room froze.
Naina blinked once slowly.
"Excuse me?"
"I'll handle this meeting personally."
One of the investors laughed awkwardly trying to ease tension. "I believe Ms. Naina was helping stabilize the situation."
Arjun's expression turned colder instantly.
"My marriage situation does not require another woman's involvement."
Dead silence.
Naina's face stiffened slightly.
Only slightly.
But enough.
The investors immediately exchanged uncomfortable looks.
Because suddenly the rumors didn't seem so harmless anymore.
Naina recovered gracefully.
"Of course," she said softly while gathering her files. "I was only assisting."
Arjun said nothing.
And somehow that silence humiliated her more.
As she walked toward the exit, she paused briefly beside him.
"You're letting emotions affect your judgment."
Wrong thing to say.
Arjun finally looked at her directly.
And for the first time—
There was absolutely no warmth left in his gaze.
"My biggest mistake," he replied quietly, "was ignoring emotions for too long."
The answer landed sharply.
Naina walked out without another word.
The conference room remained tense afterward.
One older investor carefully cleared his throat.
"With all respect, Mr. Oberoi... the media is questioning your marriage stability heavily."
Arjun leaned back slowly in his chair.
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Then quietly—
Like every word physically hurt—
"My wife left because I failed her."
The room fell silent instantly.
No billionaire ego.
No excuses.
Just truth.
The investors looked genuinely surprised because men like Arjun Oberoi rarely admitted fault publicly.
Arjun's eyes darkened slightly.
"But let me make one thing clear," he continued calmly. "Any narrative involving another woman between my wife and me ends today."
The authority in his tone left no room for misunderstanding.
One investor nodded carefully. "Understood."
Another hesitated before asking, "Should the PR team release a statement denying separation rumors?"
Arjun went silent briefly.
Because technically—
Aadhira really had left him.
The realization still felt unbearable.
Finally, he answered quietly—
"Do not speak about my marriage publicly without my approval."
Meeting over.
He stood immediately afterward and walked back toward his office.
But halfway there—
His phone vibrated again.
Rhea.
Arjun answered instantly this time.
"What happened?"
Rhea sighed dramatically from the other side. "Relax. Nobody died."
His silence clearly told her he wasn't in the mood.
Then her voice softened slightly.
"She finally slept."
Arjun froze.
A strange ache spread through his chest instantly.
"She didn't sleep all night?" he asked quietly.
"No." Rhea paused. "She cried a lot too."
God.
Arjun closed his eyes briefly.
The image alone made breathing difficult.
Rhea continued carefully, "Bhai... she's really hurt."
"I know."
"No," she whispered sadly. "I don't think you fully do."
The call ended shortly after.
Arjun sat alone inside his office afterward staring blankly at the city skyline.
Then slowly—
His gaze moved toward the empty chair near his desk.
The chair Aadhira once sat in during lunch breaks years ago when she used to visit him unexpectedly after marriage.
She used to bring homemade food because she knew he skipped meals.
And what did he do?
Take calls while eating without even noticing her disappointment.
His chest tightened painfully again.
Suddenly—
His office door opened without knocking.
Kabir walked in casually holding coffee.
One look at Arjun's face and he sighed.
"You look terrible."
"Leave."
"No."
Kabir sat across from him anyway.
For once, even he looked serious.
"You know what bhabhi told Rhea once?" he asked quietly.
Arjun looked up slowly.
Kabir's voice softened.
"She said she stopped competing with your work the day she realized she would always lose."
Silence.
That sentence hit harder than anything else today.
Because it was true.
Painfully true.
Kabir leaned forward slightly afterward.
"So stop sitting here drowning in guilt." His eyes sharpened. "And go bring your wife back properly this time."
Arjun stared at the city for several long seconds.
Then finally—
Very quietly—
Almost like a promise to himself—
"I will."