"I know that too."
"But I'm trying." His arms tightened around her. "For you, I'm trying."
It wasn't an I love you. It wasn't a grand declaration. But it was something. It was progress.
"That's all I ask," she whispered. "Just keep trying."
They fell asleep tangled together, and for the first time in their marriage, Advika felt like maybe—just maybe—they had a chance.
Even if the road ahead was still uncertain. Even if trust was still fragile.
They were trying.
Together.
And for now, that was enough.
Chapter Eleven
The news came during breakfast, three weeks after the luncheon incident.
Advika was pushing eggs around her plate, only half-listening to Rishabh discuss some shipment issue, when Sidharth's head of security, Arjun, appeared in the doorway. His face was grim but triumphant.
"Sir, we found him."
Sidharth's fork stilled. "You're certain?"
"Completely. Vikram has confessed. He's been feeding information to the Khanna family for the past six months. We have evidence—bank transfers, phone records, everything."
The room went silent. Advika felt everyone's eyes shift to her—Rishabh's sympathetic, Nisha's stunned, Sidharth's unreadable.
"Vikram," Sidharth said slowly. "My father's guard. The one who's been with us for fifteen years."
"Yes, sir. The Khannas approached him eight months ago. Offered him enough money to retire comfortably. He gave them warehouse locations, security schedules, shipment details." Arjun's voice was flat, professional, but Advika could hear the anger beneath. "He's the one who planned the attack."
Not Advika. Never Advika.
She set down her fork carefully, her hands surprisingly steady despite the emotion churning in her chest. Weeks of suspicion, of being treated like a potential traitor, of having her every movement monitored—and it had been someone who'd been part of the family for over a decade.
"Where is he now?" Sidharth asked.
"Secured location. Waiting for your orders."
"Good. I'll deal with him personally." Sidharth's voice was cold enough to freeze blood. "Dismissed."
Arjun left. The silence that followed was suffocating.
"Well," Advika said finally, standing. "At least now you know I wasn't selling you out to my father. That's something."
"Advika—" Sidharth started.
"Save it." She grabbed her coffee cup. "I'm going to the library. Try not to investigate me for any crimes today. I'd like a break."
She walked out before anyone could respond, her head high even as her hands shook.
She'd been in the library for maybe an hour, staring unseeing at a book, when the door opened.
Sidharth stood in the doorway, and for a moment, they just looked at each other.
