Author POV

Not every war begins with weapons.

Some wars begin with words.

With doubts.

With small situations carefully created to look normal.

Aryan Darat was not the kind of man who attacked directly.

He preferred to watch.

To wait.

To study people until he found the exact place where they would break.

And now he had found it.

Rhea Malhotra.

An innocent girl in a family full of power, ego, and secrets.

Breaking her wouldn’t be difficult.

Breaking her marriage would be even easier.

All he had to do…

Was make Karthik Malhotra stop trusting her.

Aryan POV

Aryan sat in his office, looking at the city through the glass wall.

His assistant stood beside him.

“Sir, Mr. Malhotra has a meeting tomorrow at the Oberoi hotel.”

Aryan smiled slightly.

“And Mrs. Malhotra?”

“She goes to temple every Thursday morning.”

Aryan turned.

“Good.”

His assistant hesitated.

“What exactly are you planning?”

Aryan picked up Rhea’s photo from the table.

“People like Karthik don’t lose in business.”

He placed the photo down slowly.

“So we won’t attack his business.”

His lips curved.

“We attack his life.”

Rhea POV

Thursday morning.

Rhea stood in front of the small temple near the mansion.

She folded her hands and closed her eyes.

Praying had become her habit lately.

Whenever she felt lost, she came here.

“Please… just give me strength,” she whispered.

When she opened her eyes, she saw someone standing near the gate.

Aryan.

Her heart skipped.

He smiled politely.

“Good morning.”

Rhea frowned.

“You again?”

“I didn’t know this temple belonged to Malhotras too.”

She stayed silent.

He stepped closer, but kept distance.

“You look sad every time I see you.”

“That’s none of your business.”

He chuckled softly.

“You’re right.”

Pause.

Then he spoke again.

“You don’t look like someone who belongs in that house.”

Her eyes flashed.

“I’m his wife.”

Aryan looked straight at her.

“And is he your husband?”

She froze.

For a second she had no answer.

Aryan noticed that.

He smiled slightly.

“Take care, Mrs. Malhotra.”

He turned and left.

But the words stayed in her mind.

And they hurt more than she expected.

Author POV

At the same time…

In another part of the city…

Harshita was losing patience.

Harshita POV

Harshita threw the magazine on the table angrily.

Her friend looked shocked.

“What happened now?”

“He didn’t come last night.”

“So?”

“He said he had work.”

Her friend sighed.

“He is married, Harshita.”

Harshita glared.

“He was mine before that marriage.”

“And now?”

Silence.

Her nails pressed into her palm.

“He still loves me.”

Her friend didn’t reply.

Harshita picked up her phone.

Dialed Karthik.

He answered after a few seconds.

“Yes?”

“Where are you?”

“At office.”

“You didn’t come yesterday.”

“I was busy.”

Her voice became soft instantly.

“Are you avoiding me?”

“No.”

“Then come tonight.”

Pause.

Then he said,

“Okay.”

She smiled slowly.

But inside…

Jealousy burned stronger.

Because she could feel something changing.

And she didn’t like it.

Not at all.

Karthik POV

Evening.

Karthik entered the mansion, loosening his tie.

He looked tired.

As he walked toward the stairs, he saw Rhea coming from the kitchen.

She stopped when she saw him.

For a moment neither spoke.

Then he said,

“You went out today?”

She looked surprised.

“Yes… temple.”

He nodded.

Then asked casually,

“You met someone there?”

Her heart skipped.

“What?”

“Aryan.”

Her eyes widened.

“How do you know?”

His expression became serious.

“I have people who tell me things.”

She frowned.

“He just came there.”

“And you talked to him.”

“He talked to me!”

“You should have left.”

“I did!”

His voice became cold.

“You don’t understand how dangerous he is.”

“And you don’t understand how insulting this sounds!”

Silence.

She spoke again.

“You act like I’m doing something wrong every time!”

“Because you don’t listen!”

“I’m not your employee, Karthik!”

His jaw tightened.

“You’re my wife.”

“And that only matters when you want to control me!”

The words hit hard.

For a moment both were breathing fast.

Then his phone rang.

Harshita.

He looked at the screen.

Then at Rhea.

Then answered.

“I’m coming.”

Rhea’s eyes fell.

He turned and started walking out again.

She whispered,

“You always go.”

He stopped for a second.

But didn’t turn.

Then he left.

And the sound of the door closing felt louder than anything.

Ending – Author POV

Outside the mansion, a black car was parked across the road.

Aryan sat inside, watching the gate.

His assistant spoke,

“Sir, everything is going as planned.”

Aryan smiled.

“Yes.”

He looked at the mansion again.

“They’re already fighting.”

“And soon…”

He leaned back calmly.

“They won’t even need me to destroy their marriage.”

His eyes darkened.

“And when she finally breaks…”

He looked at Rhea’s photo.

“She will have nowhere else to go.”

The car slowly drove away.

Inside the mansion,

Rhea stood alone in the hall.

And for the first time…

She felt like she didn’t belong there at all.

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