He still worked long hours, still commanded his empire with an iron fist. But he made time for her. Came home for dinner. Attended events at her bakery. Held her hand in public without hesitation.
And he'd started including her in business meetings.
"Your wife has a mind for strategy," one of his associates noted after Advika suggested a solution to a logistics problem they'd been wrestling with. "You should use it."
Sidharth had smiled—that proud, possessive smile that saidI know. She's incredible."I intend to."
Advika started learning the business. Not the violent parts—she had no interest in that—but the legitimate operations, the strategic decisions, the negotiations. She had a knack for reading people, for finding solutions that satisfied multiple parties.
"You're good at this," Sidharth said one evening after a particularly successful meeting.
"I'm good at a lot of things," she replied with a smirk. "You're just finally noticing."
Her bakery became the official caterer for all Singhania events. High-profile clients came to her because of the association, and her business exploded. She had to hire three more staff members to keep up with demand.
And through it all, Sidharth supported her. Promoted her work. Bragged about her skills to anyone who would listen.
"That's my wife," he'd say, pride evident in his voice. "Isn't she incredible?"
One evening, three weeks after their reconciliation, Advika received an unexpected call.
"Advika." Her father's voice on the other end.
She hadn't spoken to Yash Pradhan since before the wedding. Hadn't wanted to.
"What do you want?" she asked flatly.
"To talk. In person. There's a matter I'd like to discuss."
She almost refused. But curiosity won out. "Fine. Neutral territory. I'll text you the address."
She met him at a café near her bakery, Sidharth's guards discretely positioned nearby. Yash showed up alone, looking older than she remembered.
"You look well," he said, sitting across from her.
"What do you want, Father?"
He flinched at the formal address. "I wanted to see you. To talk about the business."
"I'm not interested in being your pawn again."
"That's not—" He stopped, studying her. "You've changed. You're harder. Stronger."
"I grew up."
"More than that." He leaned back, something like respect in his eyes. "You're not the girl I married off nine months ago. You've become... formidable."
"Was that a compliment?"
"It was an observation. And an acknowledgment." He paused. "I was wrong. About you. I thought you were weak, easily manipulated. I thought I could use you to secure peace and that would be the end of it."
"But?"
"But you've thrived. Built alliances. Made yourself essential to the Singhania operations. You're not just Sidharth's wife—you're a power in your own right."
Advika said nothing, waiting.
"Your brothers don't have that strength," Yash continued. "Abhishek is impulsive. Rahul is weak. But you..." He shook his head. "You were always stronger than them. I just couldn't see it because I was too focused on legitimate versus illegitimate."
