It was as close to an apology as she'd gotten from him, and she'd take it.
One afternoon, she woke from a nap to find him sitting on the edge of the bed, just watching her sleep. When their eyes met, instead of looking away in embarrassment, he smiled.
"You snore," he said.
"I do not!"
"Just a little. It's..." He paused, seeming to search for words. "It's cute."
The casual intimacy of the moment—him teasing her, her blushing, both of them smiling—felt monumental.
Another evening, as she was finally strong enough to shower by herself, she emerged to find he'd changed the sheets and laid out fresh pajamas for her.
"Lakshmi would have done that," she said.
"I wanted to." He shrugged. "Get dressed. I had the kitchen make your favorite soup."
These small gestures—the care, the attention, the actual presence—meant more than any grand romantic declaration could have.
But Advika remained wary. She'd been hurt too many times to fully trust this version of Sidharth. Was this real, or would he retreat the moment she was fully recovered?
She didn't know. But she was willing to find out.
One step at a time.
Together.
Chapter Ten
One Week Later
Advika had fully recovered from the flu and was back to her normal routine—which meant dealing with Nisha's continued hostility. The tenderness Sidharth had shown during her illness hadn't completely disappeared, but it had definitely diminished as life returned to normal.
They were in a strange limbo now—better than before, but not quite okay. He still came to her at night, but now he stayed after. They'd have quiet conversations in the dark, learning each other in ways that went beyond physical. But during the day, he was still the distant mafia king, and she was still the wife he wasn't sure he could trust.
Progress, but slow. Painfully slow.
And Nisha was determined to derail even that.
"You have to come," Nisha said over breakfast, her smile too sweet to be genuine. "It would look strange if you didn't. People would talk."
Advika looked at the elegantly printed invitation. A ladies' luncheon at the estate, hosted by Nisha. Thirty of her closest friends from high society.
A setup. Obviously a setup.
"I'm sure they'll survive my absence," Advika said, pushing the invitation back across the table.
"But I'm specifically inviting you as my sister-in-law. To extend an olive branch." Nisha's eyes glittered with malice. "Unless you're too scared to face my friends?"
The challenge was clear. Refuse, and Nisha would paint her as antisocial, unfriendly, unable to handle basic social obligations. Attend, and walk into whatever trap Nisha had planned.
"What time?" Advika asked, resignation settling heavy in her chest.
"Tomorrow. One PM. Dress appropriately." Nisha's smile widened. "I'm so glad you'll be joining us."
Rishabh, who'd been watching the exchange, caught Advika's eye and shook his head slightly. A warning. But what choice did she have?
The luncheon was held in the garden, beneath white tents strung with flowers and fairy lights. Tables had been set with fine china and crystal, staff moved efficiently serving delicate sandwiches and pastries, and thirty impeccably dressed women chatted and laughed.
