The drive home from the gala was silent.
Not the uncomfortable kind.
The heavy kind.
Anaya stared out the window, watching the city lights blur past, her thoughts tangled in everything left unsaid.
Aarav kept his eyes on the road, his expression unreadable.
When they finally reached the house, Anaya stepped out first, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor.
She removed her earrings, then her necklace, placing them carefully on the dresser.
She exhaled.
"It was exhausting," she said quietly.
"Yes," Aarav replied from the doorway.
She turned to look at him. "But you handled it like it was nothing."
"I've been doing it my whole life."
"That doesn't make it easy."
Silence.
"You protected me tonight," she said softly.
He hesitated. "It was necessary."
"Was it?" she asked. "Or was it instinct?"
He looked away. "There's no difference."
---
Later, Anaya found herself in the kitchen, unable to sleep.
She poured herself a glass of water.
Footsteps approached.
"You're awake," Aarav said.
"So are you."
He poured himself coffee. "Sleep doesn't come easily."
"Not for me either."
They stood there, two people sharing the same space but different worlds.
"Why did you marry me?" she asked suddenly.
He froze.
"What?" he asked slowly.
"You heard me," she said. "Not the contract. You. Why me?"
He took a long breath. "Because you were… safe."
"Safe?" she repeated.
"Yes," he said. "You weren't part of my world. You didn't want anything from me."
"That doesn't sound like a compliment."
"It wasn't meant to be one," he admitted. "It was a decision."
"And now?" she asked.
He looked at her.
"I don't know."
---
She nodded, absorbing the honesty.
"Rhea was important to you," she said gently.
He stiffened. "Why do you think that?"
"Because she still looks at you like something was unfinished."
Aarav's jaw tightened. "Some things end without closure."
"And some don't," Anaya replied.
Their eyes met.
"You don't have to talk about it," she added. "But don't pretend it doesn't exist."
Silence fell again.
Then Aarav said quietly, "She left."
"For what?"
"For a life I couldn't give her."
Anaya studied his face. "And could you give it now?"
He didn't answer.
---
"Do you regret marrying me?" she asked.
The question hung in the air.
"No," he said finally.
She blinked. "That was fast."
"Because it's true."
"Then what do you feel?"
"I feel… responsible."
"That's not comforting."
"I'm not good at comforting."
"I've noticed," she said with a faint smile.
He almost smiled back.
Almost.
---
Anaya yawned softly. "I should sleep."
"Yes," he said. "You should."
She paused before leaving the room. "Good night, Aarav."
"Good night, Anaya."
As she walked away, she realized something.
This marriage was no longer just a contract.
It was a question.
And neither of them had the answer yet.
---