He turned and headed for the stairs without looking back.
Abhimanyu sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair while Mishti blinked rapidly, refusing to let more tears fall.
“It’s late,” she whispered. “You should rest.”
“But—”
“Please, Abhimanyu,” she said, stepping back.
Before he could step toward her, before he could console her, she turned away swiftly and hurried to her room, closing the door just in time for the tears to finally fall.
CHAPTER 12
The next morning, Karan drove his car speedily through the bustling streets of Mumbai, his eyes fixed on the road. Beside him, Abhimanyu had been quiet for a while, but not anymore. He couldn’t forget what he’d seen last night, the pain in Mishti’s eyes when Karan had humiliated her, the way she’d walked off silently, holding herself together. It hadn’t left his mind since.
“Bhai,” Abhimanyu finally said. “You’re making a mistake. Hurting Mishti Bhabhi like this isn’t right. A woman so innocent and kind-hearted like her doesn’t deserve all this.”
Karan’s hand tightened around the steering wheel, but he still didn’t respond.
“I know you don’t like hearing this, but I’m saying it because I care about you. Yesterday, when I spoke to her, there was something about her, something I haven’t seen in anyone around you for years. She’s the kind of woman who doesn’t just love, Bhai, she heals. I don’t know why, but after meeting her, I felt that maybe she’s the one who could bring back that smile you’ve lost.”
“Don’t,” he warned, glaring at him once before turning his gaze on the road again.
But Abhimanyu wasn’t done. “Please let me complete. I know why you married her. But maybe it’s time to move on. Let go of the past, Bhai. You’ve punished yourself long enough. Maybe this marriage isn’t a curse. It could be your second chance.”
The car screeched to a halt at a red light. Karan turned sharply to his brother again.
“You must have forgotten everything, Abhimanyu.I haven’t.”
Abhimanyu frowned. “Bhai, I’m not asking you to forget what happened. I’m asking you to stop punishing someone who had nothing to do with it.”
Karan’s nostrils flared as he took a deep breath, trying to hold himself back. “This is the last time you’re saying this to me,” he snapped. “Am I clear?”
Abhimanyu stared at him in disbelief. He wanted to argue, to shake his brother and make him see what he was doing to himself, and to her. But the look on Karan’s face warned him not to.
The light turned green. Karan drove off, with that same rage in his features, while Abhimanyu sighed, leaning back against the seat, staring out the window as the city blurred past. He didn’t agree with a single word Karan had said. He saw what Karan couldn’t, or rather what he refused to see. Mishti wasn’t just a name in Karan’s revenge story; she was the woman who could rewrite it.
He looked at the passing skyline and made a silent promise to himself. No matter what his brother said, he wouldn’t give up. He vowed to do whatever it takes to bring them closer. One way or another.
*****************
KW Capital Ventures – Boardroom
The tension in the boardroom was predictable as Abhimanyu had just returned from his overseas trip. Today, in this meeting, his presence would change everything. The previous meeting had ended in a stalemate, but today, the decision was to be made.
Rajat exchanged a quick, knowing glance with Abhimanyu before addressing the board. “As you all remember, last timewe were one member short. Now that Mr Abhimanyu Wadhwa is present, let’s finalise the pending vote regarding Mrs Mishti Wadhwa’s appointment as Non-Executive Director.”
Karan gripped the pen, which he had been twirling between his fingers. “We are not reopening that discussion,” he said flatly.
But Rajat didn’t back down. “We have to, Karan. It’s on record. The vote was incomplete.”
Abhimanyu leaned back in his chair. “I agree with Rajat. The company needs stability right now, not more ego battles. And if Mishti can contribute, even a little, it’s worth giving her that chance.”
“You think I don’t see what’s going on here?” Karan snapped. “Rajat manipulates, you support, and suddenly my wife, who has never worked a day in this field, is sitting on this board making decisions? I’m not letting that happen.”
Rajat exhaled slowly. “As mentioned before,your wife, Karan, holds a Master’s in Business Administration. She’s smart, educated, and has the composure half the people in this room lack.” He shot a brief look at Kanika. “No offence.”
Kanika’s lips thinned. “Plenty taken,” she hissed. “You think just having a degree and running a household qualifies her for corporate strategy? She’ll crumble the minute she faces pressure.”
