Author’s POV

The Malhotra party had ended hours ago.

But the tension it created still lingered in the air.

Sometimes a single night is enough to change the direction of many lives.

And tonight had done exactly that.

Three people had walked away from that party with very different thoughts.

One with jealousy.

One with curiosity.

And one with growing confusion.

The problem was…

All three of them were thinking about the same woman.

Rhea Malhotra.

Rhea’s POV

The mansion felt strangely quiet after the party.

Rhea slowly removed the heavy diamond necklace from her neck and placed it on the dressing table.

Her shoulders relaxed slightly.

The entire night had been exhausting.

So many strangers.

So many eyes watching her.

And most of all…

The uncomfortable confrontation between Karthik and Aryan.

She still remembered how suddenly Karthik had grabbed her wrist.

Almost like he was protecting her.

But his anger afterward had confused her.

“Stay away from him.”

His words echoed in her mind.

She sighed softly.

“Why does he care?” she whispered.

The door suddenly opened.

Rhea turned.

Karthik walked inside.

His face looked serious.

For a moment neither of them spoke.

Then he said,

“Why were you talking to Aryan?”

Rhea frowned slightly.

“He came to talk to me.”

“You should have walked away.”

“I didn’t even know who he was!”

Karthik rubbed his temples in frustration.

“You need to understand something.”

“What?”

He looked straight at her.

“Aryan Darat isn’t a normal businessman.”

Rhea crossed her arms slightly.

“And yelling at me is supposed to fix that?”

Karthik’s jaw tightened.

“I’m trying to keep you out of trouble.”

“I didn’t ask you to.”

The words slipped out before she could stop them.

Silence filled the room.

Karthik stared at her for a moment.

Then he spoke quietly.

“You’re part of this family now.”

His voice became firm.

“Which means our enemies are your enemies.”

Rhea looked away.

“But I’m still treated like a stranger here.”

The words were soft…

But they hit harder than she expected.

For a moment Karthik didn’t know how to respond.

Then his phone suddenly rang.

Harshita.

He looked at the screen and answered.

“I’ll be there.”

Rhea watched silently as he grabbed his car keys and left.

Just like that.

Without another word.

Her chest felt heavy.

Because tonight had shown her something clearly.

In Karthik’s world…

She would always come second.

Karthik’s POV

Karthik drove through the empty Mumbai streets toward Harshita’s penthouse.

His mind was still irritated.

The party.

Aryan.

Rhea’s stubbornness.

Everything felt messy.

He reached Harshita’s building within minutes.

When he entered the penthouse, she was waiting near the balcony.

Her expression looked troubled.

“You came.”

“Of course.”

She walked toward him slowly.

“You seemed distracted at the party.”

Karthik sighed.

“Aryan showed up.”

Harshita frowned.

“That man again?”

“He was talking to Rhea.”

Harshita’s eyes flashed slightly.

“Oh.”

The reaction was small.

But it revealed something deeper.

“So you’re worried about her now?”

Karthik frowned.

“It’s not like that.”

“Then what is it?”

“She’s naive.”

Harshita smiled faintly.

“You sound protective.”

Karthik didn’t answer.

Instead he walked toward the balcony.

Harshita followed him and gently wrapped her arms around him from behind.

“You promised me something.”

“What?”

“That no one would come between us.”

Karthik turned to face her.

“No one will.”

Harshita looked into his eyes carefully.

“Then stop worrying about her.”

Karthik nodded slowly.

“You’re right.”

But somewhere deep inside his mind…

The image of Rhea in the red saree kept appearing.

And that annoyed him even more.

Author’s POV

Meanwhile…

In another part of the city.

Aryan Darat stood inside his office looking at the lights of Mumbai.

His assistant walked in.

“Sir, we’ve gathered information about Rhea Malhotra.”

Aryan turned slightly.

“Tell me.”

“She’s 18. Recently married. Comes from a middle-class family. No connections.”

Aryan smiled slowly.

“Perfect.”

His assistant hesitated.

“What exactly are you planning?”

Aryan walked toward the large window.

“Karthik Malhotra has always been careful.”

He picked up a glass of whiskey.

“But even the smartest men have blind spots.”

His lips curved into a dangerous smile.

“And his blind spot…”

He placed Rhea’s photo on the table.

“Is her.”

Rhea’s POV

The next morning sunlight filled the garden again.

Rhea sat quietly on a bench reading a book.

The fresh air helped clear her mind.

For a moment she felt peaceful.

Until a shadow appeared in front of her.

She looked up.

And her heart skipped a beat.

Aryan Darat stood there.

Looking completely relaxed.

“Good morning, Mrs. Malhotra.”

Rhea immediately stood up.

“You shouldn’t be here.”

Aryan chuckled.

“That’s exactly what your husband said yesterday.”

She frowned.

“How did you get inside?”

“I was invited.”

He stepped slightly closer.

“You seem nervous.”

“I’m not.”

“But your husband clearly is.”

Rhea crossed her arms.

“What do you want?”

Aryan looked at her carefully.

“To understand something.”

“What?”

“How someone like you ended up in a family like the Malhotras.”

Before Rhea could reply—

Another voice suddenly cut through the air.

“She didn’t.”

Both turned.

Karthik stood a few steps away.

His expression was dark.

And his eyes were locked on Aryan.

The tension between the two men filled the entire garden.

Aryan smiled slightly.

“Relax, Karthik.”

“I’m just having a conversation.”

Karthik walked forward.

Until he stood directly in front of him.

His voice was cold.

“I warned you yesterday.”

Aryan shrugged casually.

“And yet here I am.”

The air felt electric.

Rhea looked between them nervously.

And somewhere deep inside her chest…

A strange realization began to form.

Because for the first time…

Karthik Malhotra didn’t look indifferent.

He looked furious.

And strangely…

Protective.

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