Author POV

Sometimes relationships don’t break in one moment.

They crack slowly.

One misunderstanding at a time.

One insult at a time.

One silence at a time.

Rhea Malhotra didn’t know it yet…

But the distance between her and Karthik was growing every day.

And the people around them were making sure it never decreased.

Because in the Malhotra world…

Love was never simple.

And innocence was never safe.

Harshita POV

The lights inside Harshita’s apartment were dim.

Soft music played in the background, but the mood was anything but peaceful.

She stood near the balcony, holding a glass of wine, when the door opened.

Karthik walked in.

His face looked tired.

“You said you weren’t feeling well,” he said.

Harshita smiled faintly.

“I wasn’t.”

He walked closer.

“What happened?”

She looked at him for a long moment before speaking.

“You changed.”

Karthik frowned.

“What?”

“You don’t come here like before.”

“That’s not true.”

“It is.”

Her voice became softer.

“Ever since your marriage… everything changed.”

Karthik sighed.

“Harshita, I told you that marriage means nothing.”

She turned toward him suddenly.

“Then why do you keep talking about her?”

Silence.

He didn’t answer.

She stepped closer.

“Yesterday at the party… you got angry because Aryan talked to her.”

“I got angry because it was Aryan.”

“You never get angry for anyone else.”

Her words hit exactly where she wanted.

Karthik looked away.

She touched his arm gently.

“You promised me… no one would come between us.”

“No one has.”

“Then prove it.”

He looked at her.

“What do you want?”

Her eyes softened.

“Stay tonight.”

A long pause.

Then he nodded slowly.

“Fine.”

Harshita smiled, but her eyes looked cold.

Because she knew…

Every time Karthik chose her,

Rhea would lose.

And that was exactly what she wanted.

Author POV

Back at the Malhotra mansion…

Morning was not peaceful.

It never was.

Rhea POV

Rhea was in the dining hall helping the staff arrange breakfast plates.

She liked doing small work.

It made her feel less useless.

Just then Ayesha entered.

Her eyes immediately narrowed.

“What are you doing?”

Rhea turned quickly.

“I was helping.”

“I told you before, this is not your job.”

“I know, but—”

Ayesha cut her off.

“You should focus on learning how to behave in high society instead of acting like a maid.”

The words hurt more than she expected.

“I didn’t mean—”

“You never mean anything,” Ayesha said coldly.

“You just do things without thinking.”

Rhea lowered her eyes.

“Yes, Mom.”

At that moment Anjali walked in.

She noticed Rhea’s expression instantly.

“What happened?”

Ayesha replied before Rhea could.

“Your bhabhi doesn’t understand her place yet.”

Anjali frowned.

“She was just helping.”

Ayesha looked irritated.

“You always defend her.”

“Because you always blame her.”

Silence filled the room.

Rhea quickly spoke,

“It’s okay… I’ll go.”

She turned and walked out before anyone could stop her.

Author POV

Rhea didn’t stop until she reached the garden.

Her eyes were already wet.

She sat on the bench and tried to calm herself.

But the tears came anyway.

“I’m trying… why is it never enough…”

She wiped her face quickly.

She didn’t want anyone to see her crying.

But she wasn’t alone.

Someone was watching from the gate.

Aryan Darat.

He had come to meet Mr. Malhotra.

But his attention stopped the moment he saw her sitting alone.

Crying.

He tilted his head slightly.

“That doesn’t look like a happy marriage.”

He didn’t go closer.

He just watched for a moment.

Then he smiled slowly.

“Perfect.”

He turned and walked away.

Because now he was sure.

Rhea was the weakest point in the Malhotra family.

And he knew exactly how to use it.

Karthik POV

Late afternoon, Karthik returned to the mansion.

He looked slightly irritated as he entered the hall.

Ayesha spoke immediately.

“You came late again.”

“I had work.”

“You always have work.”

He ignored the comment.

“Where’s Dad?”

“In the office.”

He nodded, then asked casually,

“Where’s Rhea?”

Ayesha looked surprised.

“In the garden, I think.”

He didn’t say anything more.

But without realizing it…

He walked toward the garden.

He stopped when he saw her.

She was sitting quietly, looking down.

Her eyes looked red.

He frowned slightly.

“What happened?”

Rhea quickly stood up.

“Nothing.”

“You were crying.”

“I wasn’t.”

He stepped closer.

“Did Mom say something?”

She stayed silent.

That was enough answer.

Karthik sighed.

“You shouldn’t take her words seriously.”

Rhea looked at him.

“You don’t either.”

His expression stiffened.

“She’s like that with everyone.”

“She’s not.”

Silence.

She spoke again, very softly.

“I know this marriage doesn’t matter to you… but it matters to them… and to me too.”

Her voice shook slightly.

“I’m trying to fit in here.”

For a moment Karthik didn’t know what to say.

He had never seen her like this.

Not stubborn.

Not arguing.

Just… hurt.

He looked at her for a long second.

Then said quietly,

“You’ll get used to it.”

Her eyes fell.

That answer hurt more than shouting.

She nodded slowly.

“Yes… I will.”

She walked past him.

Karthik watched her go.

Something felt wrong inside his chest.

But he ignored it.

He always did.

Ending Scene – Author POV

Night fell over Mumbai again.

Inside his office, Aryan Darat looked at the file in front of him.

Photos of Rhea.

Notes about Malhotra family.

Schedules.

Weak points.

He smiled slowly.

“Phase one is clear.”

His assistant asked,

“What’s next, sir?”

Aryan leaned back.

“We make the husband doubt the wife.”

“And then?”

“We break the wife.”

He picked up Rhea’s photo.

“And when she has nowhere to go…”

His smile turned dangerous.

“She will come exactly where I want.”

Far away, in the Malhotra mansion,

Rhea stood alone on the balcony again.

And inside the same house,

Karthik was talking to Harshita on the phone.

Neither of them knew…

Their story had already started falling apart.

And the person pulling the strings…

Had just begun the game.

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