For a brief, fragile moment, Mishti almost believed him.
Hope stirred quietly inside her. The longing to be chosen by her own family had lived within her for too many years to disappear easily.
But then Daksh spoke again.
“One of the Goels,” he said calmly, “you…are on the board ofthiscompany now.”
The warmth vanished from his face, and Mishti stiffened once again, trying to connect the dots.
“We need to make use of that opportunity, Mishti,” he added quickly.
Her heart dropped.
Slowly, she stepped back, and Daksh’s hands fell away from her face.
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“You can be an insider for me here,” he replied without hesitation.
Mishti stared at him. “An insider?” she repeated in disbelief.
“You do not need to worry,” Daksh quickly reassured her. “I am not asking for much. Just keep your eyes open. Look for anything related to what Karan might still be planning against the Goels’ business.” His expression hardened slightly. “I am certain he is doing something behind my back, even now, despite being married to you.”
Her heart skipped a beat. What was her brother asking from her?
“I only want information,” Daksh continued. “So that this time, when he decides to play his card, I am ready. Ready to beat him at his own game.”
A heavy, suffocating silence followed as Mishti stood there, absorbing the truth with clarity. She was not a sister being reclaimed. She was in a position of being exploited. Whatever fragile hope had risen within her was shattered completely.
Just then, the door of her cabin was pushed open with force, and Karan stormed inside.
His face was hard, his eyes dark with rage that had clearly been building long before he crossed the threshold. Daksh and Mishti both turned in shock, neither of them having heard his approach.
Karan did not speak at first.
He just glared at Daksh before his eyes moved to Mishti. It was not anger alone. It was disappointment mixed withsuspicion. But more than feeling nervous, Mishti was confused, wondering why he was here. How did he know Daksh was here? Had someone informed him? Had he come looking for her, or had he come because of Daksh?
Karan finally spoke, barely able to control his anger.
“What are you doing here in my office without my permission?” he asked Daksh.
Daksh straightened, unbothered by the hostility.
“I came to meet my dear sister,” he replied easily. “To congratulate her for joining your company.”
Karan’s jaw tightened.
“And I did not realise,” Daksh added deliberately, “that I would needyourpermission to see my own sister.”
“Yes, you will,” Karan said flatly. “Because she is my wife now. I should know who she meets and why. So, next time keep that in mind and if you are done, you may leave.”
The rudeness did not go unnoticed. Daksh’s expression hardened, too. But his purpose here had already been served. He had said what he came to say. The rest could be handled later, away from these walls.
He turned to Mishti instead. Stepping closer, he patted her cheek gently.
“See you soon, Mishti,” he said softly.
Then he walked out of the cabin without another word.
