Chapter 25 -HIS TO PROTECT
The silence after Vikram's words felt catastrophic.
Aadhira looked at Arjun instantly.
And what terrified her most was that he didn't immediately deny it.
His expression didn't change. Not shock. Not confusion. Something worse.
Recognition.
A slow, dangerous realization spreading beneath his skin while rain battered against the balcony glass behind him.
Vikram laughed softly through the speaker.
"There it is," he murmured. "That look."
Arjun's voice turned to ice.
"Choose your next sentence very carefully."
But Vikram sounded almost entertained. "You know what's fascinating about powerful families, Oberoi? The secrets are never in boardrooms."
Aadhira's heartbeat pounded painfully inside her chest.
"No..." she whispered under her breath.
"They're hidden in family dinners," Vikram continued smoothly. "Old loyalties. Silent arrangements."
The call disconnected violently.
Arjun lowered the phone slowly, jaw tight enough to crack. For several long seconds he didn't move at all.
The storm outside continued raging across Mumbai's skyline, lightning flashing through the massive glass windows of Aadhira's apartment.
But somehow-
the silence between them felt louder.
Aadhira watched him carefully from across the balcony. His head remained slightly lowered, every muscle in his body tense like he was holding himself together through pure control alone.
Thinking.
Calculating.
Breaking apart quietly where nobody could see.
Then finally-
he spoke.
"My mother refused to explain anything."
His voice sounded distant. Controlled too tightly.
Aadhira stepped closer slowly. "Maybe she's trying to protect you."
Arjun laughed softly under his breath.
A hollow sound.
"My family has spent years protecting me from truths nobody wanted me to question." His dark eyes lifted toward her finally. "And tonight suddenly everyone wants secrets."
Something about the exhaustion in his expression hurt her chest deeply.
Because Arjun Oberoi was not a man who got overwhelmed easily.
He dominated rooms. Negotiations. Entire industries.
Yet tonight-
he looked like someone standing alone in the middle of a collapsing empire.
Aadhira moved toward him instinctively. "You don't have to deal with it alone."
His gaze softened immediately at that. Always for her.
No matter how angry. How exhausted. How dangerous the situation became.
Arjun reached for her waist automatically, pulling her against him until her palms rested against his chest.
Warm.
Solid.
Safe despite the storm surrounding them.
"You realize," he murmured quietly, "you keep saying things that make leaving impossible for me."
Aadhira looked up at him softly. "Then stop leaving."
That hit him harder than she expected.
She saw it instantly.
Something raw flickered across his face before disappearing behind control again.
Then calmly-
"I'm staying here tonight."
Her heartbeat stumbled.
"What?"
Arjun's expression turned almost offended. "Did you think I was walking out after hearing Vikram knows where you live?"
"Arjun-"
"No."
His tone left absolutely no room for argument.
That familiar possessive authority settled around him again as he brushed damp hair away from her face slowly.
"My security team is already downstairs."
Aadhira blinked. "Already?"
"They were outside the building twenty minutes ago."
Her eyes widened.
Arjun looked completely unapologetic.
"You are my wife."
The way he said it-deep, certain, dangerously possessive-sent warmth through her chest despite everything.
"I increased building surveillance," he continued calmly. "Changed entry authorization and placed two men near the elevator."
Aadhira stared at him. "You did all that while arguing with me?"
"I multitask well."
Despite herself, a tiny laugh escaped her lips.
Arjun visibly relaxed hearing it.
Only slightly.
But enough for her to notice.
Then his thumb brushed beneath her eye gently.
"You look exhausted."
She was.
Emotionally drained after hours of fear, arguments, revelations, and crying she barely realized had happened.
The thunder outside cracked loudly again.
Instinctively, Aadhira flinched.
Arjun noticed immediately.
Of course he did.
His eyes narrowed slightly. "You're scared of thunderstorms?"
Her cheeks warmed faintly. "Not scared."
Another loud thunderclap interrupted her instantly.
This time she unconsciously moved closer to him.
Arjun stared down at her for one long second before a dangerous smirk touched his lips for the first time that night.
"Cute."
Aadhira glared weakly. "Don't start."
But he was already calmer now.
Because she was close.
Because touching her grounded something violent inside him.
Without another word, he guided her inside the apartment.
Hours later, the storm still hadn't stopped.
Rain battered against the windows while dim city lights glowed softly through the glass walls of her bedroom.
Aadhira lay curled beneath the blankets, exhaustion finally dragging heavily at her body.
Meanwhile Arjun remained awake beside her.
One arm behind his head.
The other resting possessively across her waist.
Eyes fixed on the ceiling.
Thinking.
Always thinking.
About Vikram. His mother. His father. Naina. The lies. The betrayal.
But every few minutes his gaze shifted back toward Aadhira sleeping beside him.
Like reassuring himself she was still there.
Still safe.
Still his.
Another loud thunderstorm rolled across the sky suddenly.
Half asleep, Aadhira instinctively moved closer until her face pressed against his chest, fingers curling lightly into his shirt.
Arjun froze.
Then slowly looked down at her.
She was asleep.
Completely exhausted.
Still unconsciously seeking him.
Trusting him.
Something inside his chest tightened painfully.
Carefully-almost reverently-he wrapped both arms around her fully and pulled her against him protectively.
Possessively.
Like he wanted to shield her from the entire world.
Only then-
for the first time all night-
did Arjun finally close his eyes.
The next morning sunlight filtered softly through the curtains while rainwater still clung to the glass outside.
Aadhira woke slowly, expecting emptiness beside her.
But instead she found Arjun already downstairs.
Black suit.
Rolled sleeves.
Phone against his ear while typing on his laptop simultaneously.
Power radiated from him effortlessly.
Yet the second he noticed her, his attention shifted instantly.
Like nothing else mattered more.
He ended the call immediately.
"You slept."
It sounded almost like relief.
Aadhira crossed her arms. "Did you?"
"That's not important."
Meaning no.
Of course not.
Multiple files covered the dining table-contracts, financial reports, legal approvals.
"The contract you won yesterday requires final approval," he explained calmly.
Her eyes widened slightly.
After weeks away from work, after emotionally distancing herself from everything, she had finally restarted her career.
And won one of the biggest design collaborations in the city.
"You reviewed it yourself?" she asked softly.
Arjun looked almost offended.
"You think I'd trust anyone else with your first major comeback?"
Heat spread through her chest.
Dangerous man.
Even his support sounded possessive.
He slid the contract toward her. "I adjusted the protection clauses."
Her brows lifted immediately. "Protection clauses?"
"No late-night client meetings without security clearance."
"Arjun."
"No overseas travel without informing me first."
"Arjun."
"No after-parties with drunk investors."
She narrowed her eyes. "You're being ridiculous."
"I'm being a husband."
The calm confidence in his voice made her want to throw something at him.
Instead she rolled her eyes dramatically and reached for coffee.
Arjun watched her quietly for a moment before speaking softer.
"I'm proud of you."
The words caught her completely off guard.
Because Arjun rarely praised people openly.
And when he did-
he meant every word.
That evening her girl gang declared celebration mandatory.
"You disappear for weeks and suddenly win the biggest contract in the industry?" Rhea gasped dramatically. "Absolutely not. We're partying."
Aadhira should've refused.
Especially after everything happening.
Especially with Arjun practically deploying military-level security around her.
But for the first time in weeks-
she wanted to feel normal again.
Wanted laughter.
Music.
Freedom from fear.
Which was exactly how she ended up inside one of Mumbai's most elite clubs three hours later, slightly tipsy beneath flashing lights.
The silver dress hugged her body beautifully while music thundered through the crowded dance floor.
Vivaan stood beside her grinning. "You finally look alive again."
Aadhira laughed brightly before stealing his drink playfully.
"Maybe because nobody here is threatening security lockdowns every ten minutes."
Vivaan smirked knowingly. "Ah. So Oberoi is still in obsessive husband mode?"
Before she could answer, her phone buzzed.
One message.
From Arjun.
Where are you?
Aadhira smiled despite herself.
Possessive.
Impossible man.
She typed back lazily.
Out.
Three dots appeared instantly.
Then-
Send location.
Her eyes rolled automatically.
Meanwhile, far above the dance floor inside the private VIP lounge, Arjun Oberoi stared down at her with dangerously dark eyes.
The lounge itself was quieter than the chaos below. Dim golden lights glowed across expensive whiskey glasses while low conversations floated between people powerful enough to avoid crowds.
Arjun sat in the corner, one arm resting against the leather seat while business associates discussed contracts around him.
But he hadn't heard half the conversation.
Because every few minutes his eyes drifted downstairs again.
To her.
Laughing beneath flashing lights like the past few weeks hadn't nearly destroyed both of them.
And Vivaan-
too close.
Always too close.
Arjun's jaw tightened slowly.
The whiskey in his system wasn't helping.
If anything, it was making his possessiveness worse.
Sharper.
More instinctive.
One of the businessmen beside him noticed his attention downstairs and chuckled lightly.
"Your wife?"
Arjun didn't look away from her.
"Yes."
Dangerous answer.
Possessive enough that nobody asked anything further.
Downstairs, Aadhira spun laughing before nearly losing balance in her heels.
Vivaan caught her instantly.
Hands gripping her waist.
Too familiar.
Too comfortable.
The crystal glass in Arjun's hand landed against the table harder than intended.
The sound cut sharply through the VIP section.
Everyone went silent immediately.
Arjun stood.
Slowly.
Controlled.
Deadly calm.
Every instinct inside him suddenly focused on one thing only-
getting his hands back on his wife.
People moved aside automatically as he walked downstairs.
Not because he asked.
Because power followed him naturally.
Aadhira noticed him halfway down the staircase and immediately froze.
Oh no.
That expression.
That terrifyingly calm expression.
Her friends noticed too.
"Someone pray for Vivaan," Rhea muttered dramatically under her breath.
Vivaan turned, saw Arjun approaching, and visibly straightened.
Smart man.
Arjun stopped directly in front of them.
His gaze swept over Aadhira once.
Slowly.
Silver dress.
Bare legs.
Flushed cheeks.
Dilated pupils.
Drunk.
Then finally-
"We're leaving."
Aadhira blinked lazily at him. "I'm not done dancing."
His eyes narrowed slightly. "You can barely stand."
"I absolutely can."
Vivaan tried laughing lightly. "Relax, man. She's just having fun."
Arjun finally looked at him.
Cold.
Emotionless.
Lethal enough to make Vivaan step back instantly.
"Did I ask you?"
Complete silence followed.
Even the music suddenly felt quieter.
Aadhira sighed dramatically. "You're being possessive again."
"Again?" His brows lifted dangerously. "You disappeared into a crowded club while there's an active security threat around you. And somehow I'm the unreasonable one?"
Okay.
Maybe slightly reasonable.
Still annoying.
Aadhira crossed her arms stubbornly. "I'm staying another hour."
Arjun stared at her for two long seconds before asking calmly-
"Can you walk properly?"
"Obviously."
To prove her point, she stepped forward confidently.
Her heel twisted instantly.
And before she could recover, she stumbled directly into him.
Strong arms caught her immediately.
Solid.
Warm.
Steady.
The scent of his cologne mixed with whiskey wrapped around her instantly.
Arjun looked down at her silently.
Aadhira looked up at him.
And unfortunately-
the dangerous amusement in his eyes made her stomach flip.
Then suddenly-
he lifted her over his shoulder effortlessly.
A loud gasp escaped her lips.
"ARJUN!"
Nearby people turned instantly.
Her entire face burned with embarrassment.
"What are you doing?! Put me down!"
Completely unbothered, Arjun secured one arm behind her thighs while walking calmly toward the exit.
"No."
Rhea burst into hysterical laughter.
"Oh my God this is the hottest thing I've ever seen."
"RHEA DON'T ENCOURAGE HIM!"
Arjun descended the stairs without slowing once.
Aadhira squirmed immediately. "Everyone is staring!"
"Good," he replied calmly. "Maybe next time you'll think before getting drunk around men who keep touching you."
Vivaan nearly choked behind them.
Aadhira smacked his back weakly. "Vivaan is my friend!"
"So is the problem your judgment or mine?"
"You're impossible!"
"And you're drunk."
Another squirm.
Another frustrated kick.
Arjun's hand landed sharply against the back of her thigh instantly.
Not enough to hurt.
Just enough to shock her completely still.
Her breath caught.
"Did you just slap me?!"
Arjun opened the car door one-handed calmly.
"Keep moving and I'll do it again."
Heat exploded across her face instantly.
The low warning in his voice.
The possessive authority.
The fact he sounded completely serious.
Destroyed whatever dignity she had left.
Meanwhile Arjun slid into the backseat beside her like carrying his wife out of a club over his shoulder was a perfectly normal activity.
The second the doors closed, his expression changed.
Not calmer.
Worse.
His hand settled immediately on her bare thigh possessively while his eyes studied her flushed face carefully.
"You drank too much."
Aadhira leaned back dramatically. "You stress me."
His jaw tightened faintly before he spoke quieter.
"You scared me tonight."
The honesty beneath those words softened her instantly.
Arjun rarely admitted fear.
Especially his own.
The city lights blurred past outside while silence settled softly between them.
Then suddenly Aadhira smiled lazily.
"You came to the club because you missed me."
Arjun gave her a long, unreadable look.
Then finally-
"No."
She grinned knowingly. "You did."
His fingers tightened slightly against her thigh.
"I came because my wife ignored three calls, sent me one-word replies, and was dancing beside another man while half the city stared at her."
Aadhira bit back a smile.
Possessive.
Obsessive.
Completely insane.
And somehow-
the safest she'd ever felt.