Avani pvo ///

"I knew you would come! You're the best!" she said excitedly, still holding onto him.

Then, as if realising something, she abruptly pulled away and turned to look at him with wide eyes before shifting her gaze to me.

Her expression changed in an instant as she stepped closer.

Her eyes locked onto me as observing me like I was some kind of puzzle.

I shifted in place, suddenly feeling like prey under her gaze.

Suddenly, she pulled me into a hug.

I stood there, completely stiff. What... is happening?

As she pulled away, she beamed at me and said, "My brother's choice is the best! You're so beautiful, Bhabhi."

I froze, my mind struggling to catch up. Brother?

Realization hit me like a wave. They're siblings?

Vrishabh simply shook his head at her antics, as if he was used to them. Then, he glanced at me with an unreadable expression before turning away as his phone rang, and without another word, he walked out while answering the call.

Her eyes filled with warmth. "My name is Arati your sister-in-law," she said happily.

Something about her presence made me feel at ease.

I smiled softly and introduced myself, "I'm Avani."

"I've heard so much about you," she said, her voice filled with excitement.

I stood there, slightly confused. My brows furrowed as I looked at her, unsure what she meant.

She noticed my expression and quickly answered, "My Dadi told me about you."

Slowly, I began to understand what she was talking about. Before I could say anything, she suddenly grabbed my hand.

"Come, let me show you around," she said with a bright smile.

I hesitated for a second but let her pull me along.

As we walked through the hall, I noticed how busy everyone was maids moving around, servants cleaning, the whole place alive with activity. But one thing caught my attention more than anything else.

Everywhere I looked, I saw the same portrait of that beautiful woman.

Curiosity bubbled inside me. "Who is she?" I asked, turning to Arati.

She stiffened slightly. Just for a moment, something unreadable flashed across her face hesitation? Unease? I couldn't tell.

Then, just as quickly, she straightened and forced a smile. "Avani, come. I'll show you something."

Before I could question her, she grabbed my wrist and led me toward the kitchen.

As soon as we stepped inside, the warm, rich aroma of freshly made sweets filled my senses. The scent of ghee,cardamom, and sugar wrapped around me like a comforting embrace.

Nalini ma'am stood at the counter, rolling laddus.

Nalini ma'am, as she insisted looked up from where she stood, her hands skillfully shaping fresh laddus.

"You both here?" she said with a gentle smile. "Come, come."

She picked up a warm laddu and extended it toward me.

"Here, Avani. Taste and tell me how it is." I hesitated for a second before taking a small bite. The moment the sweetness hit my tongue, a strange warmth spread through my chest.

"It's so good, Nalini ma'am-..." I stopped myself as her gaze sharpened slightly.

"Call me dadi," she corrected, her tone leaving no room for argument.

I nodded quickly. "It's so good, dadi."

Before I could say anything more, Arati, who had been standing beside me, reached out eagerly for a laddu. But before she could grab one, Nalini swiftly moved the plate out of reach, her actions effortless yet firm.

Arati gasped dramatically. "Dadi! You're doing discrimination!" She pouted, trying to look offended. "Only one, please!"

Nalini narrowed her eyes at her. "You've already eaten a bunch of laddus. These are for my Virshu and for Avani."

Arati groaned in frustration. "That's not fair!"

"It is fair," Nalini countered, raising an eyebrow. "Take one and that's it. Too many sweets aren't good for your health. You're getting married soon; you should be eating healthy."

Married?

The words echoed in my mind as I turned sharply to Arati, who merely gave me a sheepish smile.

"She's getting married this week," Nalini added, her voice filled with a quiet sense of pride. "I'm glad you both came in time."

I forced my lips to curve into a small smile. "Congratulations, Arati."

"Thanks," she said, then pouted again. "But I'm still upset with you both. You should have invited me to your wedding!"

My breath caught in my throat.

My wedding... the wedding I had only learned about on the day of the wedding itself.

Vrishabh hadn't invited them?

I swallowed, forcing myself to meet her gaze. "I... I'm sorry," I said quietly. It was the only thing I could think of to say.

Nalini reached out and gently patted my hand. "Leave it," she said kindly. "Come, lunch is ready. I know you both haven't eaten, go call Vrishabh."

I nodded, grateful for the distraction, and turned to head upstairs.

As I made my way down the long corridor, my mind was still buzzing with thoughts.

Did he keep his family away because he didn't want them to question things.

I was so lost in thought that I almost missed it.

A sharp, commanding voice called out behind me.

"Hey, you. Stop right there!"

I turned, startled, and my gaze fell upon a woman elegant yet imposing, probably in her late 30s or early 40s.

She stood with her arms crossed, her dark eyes raking over me with an expression that was far from welcoming.

"Who are you?" she demanded, her voice sharp with arrogance. "A new servant?" She said.

For a moment, I didn't know how to answer.

The way she looked at me as if I didn't belong, as if my presence itself was an inconvenience made my skin prickle.

My lips parted, but before I could speak, a deep, firm voice rang out, cutting through the air like a blade.

"She is my wife."

The air in the hallway shifted.

I turned toward the voice, and there he was.

Vrishabh stood at the end of the corridor, his grey eyes locked onto the woman with an expression that was calm, yet completely unyielding.

A shiver ran down my spine.

The woman's eyes widened in disbelief, her perfectly painted lips parting as if she wanted to protest but couldn't find the words. Her gaze flickered between Vrishabh and me, as though she was struggling to accept the reality standing in front of her.

She took a slow step forward, her sharp heels clicking against the marble floor, her expression hardening.

"You're joking, right?" she scoffed, her voice laced with doubt. "She...this girl is your wife?"

A cold shiver ran down my spine. The sheer condescension in her tone made my stomach twist.

But before I could react, before I could even attempt to defend myself, a strong hand wrapped around my waist.

Firm. Unyielding.

Vrishabh's grip was possessive, almost searing against my skin as he pulled me slightly closer.

The air around him darkened, his towering frame exuding raw authority.

His voice, when he spoke, was dangerously calm like the stillness before a storm.

"Remember who you're speaking to before you throw words so carelessly. Unless you're looking for consequences."

His grey eyes were unreadable, but there was an unmistakable warning in them a silent, heavy threat that made the woman falter.

She swallowed, her confidence wavering for just a moment, but I saw it.

She still didn't accept it.

I could feel the tension radiating off Vrishabh, his fingers tightening just slightly around my waist

The woman stiffened, her fingers twitching at her sides, but she said nothing.

I didn't know who she was.

I didn't know why she looked at me as though I had taken something from her.

Vrishabh didn't even falter as he A sharp gasp escaped my lips. effortlessly lifted me into his arms, his grip strong and possessive.

"Wh-what are you doing?" My voice came out shaky, but it wasn't just because of the suddenness of it was the way his touch.

But, as always, he ignored me.

His face remained blank, unreadable, as he started walking, carrying me as if I weighed nothing.

Over his shoulder, I caught sight of the woman still standing there, frozen in place.

Her face contorted with fury, her nails digging into her palms as her fists clenched tightly. Hatred burned in her eyes, pure and undisguised, directed solely at me.

I swallowed hard.

Before I could think any further, Vrishabh reached our room. Without breaking stride, he nudged the door open with his foot, stepping inside with ease.

The door shut behind us with a soft thud, locking out the outside world.

In the next second his lips crashed onto mine with an intensity that stole the breath from my lungs.

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