Reha walked downstairs beside Yash, her face composed, but inside her chest was chaos. Ved followed them at a distance, his expression blank — just a bodyguard to everyone else. Nothing more.
But Reha knew better. She could feel his silent gaze on her back, heavy with unspoken emotions.
As they reached the living room, Yash's hand suddenly brushed against hers… and then rested on her shoulder, pulling her slightly closer in a subtle, almost intimate gesture.
Ved's jaw tightened. His fingers curled into fists at his sides, veins straining against his skin.
Reha felt the weight of Ved's stare, but she couldn't react — not here, not now. She had no choice but to pretend. Her silence killed her more than Yash's touch.
Yash wasn't subtle either. He leaned in closer to Reha, lowering his voice just enough so Ved could still hear. "You look so beautiful today," he said softly, almost teasing, and then — as if to provoke Ved further — he picked up a small sweet from the table and held it to Reha's lips.
Reha froze. Her throat tightened.
"Go on," Yash whispered, his lips curving into an innocent smile that didn't reach his eyes.
Reha hesitated but eventually took the bite, forcing a small, polite smile while her heart raced. Her eyes darted toward Ved.
He was standing by the corner, expression cold as ice, but his eyes… they burned with restrained fury.
And Yash? He knew exactly what he was doing.
After some time, Ved stepped out to the veranda, away from the suffocating room. He stood under the soft moonlight, his hands buried in his pockets, trying to calm the storm inside him.
But Yash followed.
"You saw that, ved?" Yash's voice was casual, almost mocking. "You might be her little secret lover, but I'm her soon-to-be husband."
Ved turned his head slightly, his piercing gaze locking on Yash.
Yash smirked. "You're nothing, Ved. Just a man standing behind us. Our bodyguard. You're no one."
For a moment, Ved didn't move, didn't speak. But his silence was lethal. His stare alone was sharp enough to cut.
From the hallway, Reha had noticed them talking. She rushed closer, her breath uneven. "Yash," she said softly, her voice laced with guilt, "thank you… for not telling anyone about us."
Yash turned to her, his expression suddenly shifting into something heartbreakingly soft."Reha, I know…" he said gently, his voice trembling as though he was confessing his soul. "When you love someone… and you lose them… it breaks you. I can't do that to you. You both love each other. I know it. Your marriage should be with him, not me. I'll step back… for you."
Ved's eyes widened in disbelief and rage. His hands twitched, and before he could stop himself, he grabbed Yash by the collar and shoved him back.
"What the hell are you saying?" Ved growled, his voice low and dangerous. "A second ago, you were mocking me. Now this act? What game are you playing?"
Reha instantly stepped between them, placing both hands on Ved's chest, pushing him away."Ved! What are you doing?!" she snapped, her voice breaking. "He's… helping us. Can't you see that?!"
Ved clenched his fists, his breathing ragged. "Reha, he's lying. I know he's—"
"Stop!" she cut him off, her voice louder this time, desperate. "Do you want to marry me or not?"
Ved froze. Her question hit him like a blade.
For a long moment, he stared into her eyes… and then, without another word, he stepped back, turned around, and walked away, his figure disappearing into the shadows.
Reha watched him leave, her chest aching, tears stinging her eyes.
But what she didn't see… was the way Yash's lips curved into the faintest smirk as Ved disappeared.
Yash wasn't stepping back. He was planning something. And Ved knew it.
Ved already knew what Yash was trying to do — every gesture, every word, every fake display of affection. He wasn't blind. He had been watching.But what Ved didn't know was that Yash's plan wasn't to hurt Reha… it was to tear Ved away from her.
And Yash had just made his first move.
The Next Day
Same routine.Reha sat beside Yash at the dining table, her face calm but her heart heavy. Ved followed like a shadow, maintaining his position as her "bodyguard", keeping his distance even though every instinct screamed to pull her close.
But today, Yash chose his words carefully — words that seemed harmless now but would become dangerous later, especially for Ved and Reha.
"Reha, uncle… I was saying something," Yash began casually, placing his fork down.
Reha glanced up mid-bite, wiping her lips gently. "Yes, Yash… what were you saying?"
Yash leaned back, his tone light, almost playful."My sister — well, not by blood, but by relation — she's coming from London. And… honestly, my family isn't very fond of her." He paused, letting his words sink in, his gaze flickering briefly to Ved before returning to Reha."So, I was hoping… if she could stay here for a while. At least until our wedding. If that's okay."
She leaned slightly toward him, whispering in his ear, her smile sweet but layered with meaning:"You helped us… Now it's my turn."
Straightening up, Reha turned to her father with her warmest voice:"Papa, she can stay, right?"
Mr. Oberoi nodded without hesitation."Of course, beta. She's family. Why not?"
"Thank you, Reha," Yash said smoothly, hiding the cunning glint in his eyes. "And thank you, uncle."
Ved, standing behind them, tightened his fists slightly.Something about this didn't feel right.Not yet… but soon, he knew Yash was setting the board for something bigger.