Part 8

MAHER POV 

 I stood in front of the mirror, gripping the edge of my dresser so tightly that my knuckles turned white.

I didn't want to go.

My heart weighed heavy in my chest, a silent plea echoing in my mind. Just one day. Just let me avoid this one day. But I knew I couldn't.

Today was the meeting with Singhania Enterprises.

If it had been yesterday, I would have gone without a second thought, believing I'd be meeting Rudra's father—the man who had been running the empire for years. But after yesterday's cruel twist of fate, I knew exactly who I would be facing today.

Rudra.

The man I had spent years trying to forget.

The very thought of seeing him again, of being in the same room as him, sent a painful jolt through my chest. It was an ache I had buried, a wound I had forced myself to ignore. But fate had a twisted sense of humor, dragging me back into the past when I had fought so hard to escape it.

I cursed under my breath, cursing my destiny, my helplessness, and most of all, the universe for putting me in this position. Why? Out of all the companies in the world, why did Veltrix have to collaborate with his?

I took a deep breath, pushing back the emotions that threatened to drown me. This wasn't about my past. This was about my job. My career. I would not let my personal history affect my professionalism.

With that resolve, I forced myself to get ready. My hands were steady as I applied my makeup, my face a carefully practiced mask of indifference. My hair was neatly tied up, my clothes perfectly ironed. On the outside, I looked calm. Composed. But inside, a storm was raging.

Once I was done, I stepped out of my room and walked toward the dining area.

The smell of freshly made parathas and tea filled the air, a comforting scent from my childhood. My mother was serving breakfast while my father read the newspaper, occasionally responding to her with soft murmurs.

For a moment, I wished I could freeze this scene, stay here in this warmth, away from the storm waiting for me outside.

I slid into my chair, greeting my parents with a small nod. My appetite was nonexistent, but I forced myself to eat. The last thing I needed was my mother worrying about me.

And then there was her.

Isha.

She sat across from me, looking as perfectly put together as ever, her manicured fingers elegantly holding a glass of juice. The moment I walked in, her lips had curled into a knowing smirk, like she had been waiting for this exact moment.

I ignored her and focused on my food, letting my parents' conversation wash over me. They were discussing some family friend's upcoming event, something about wedding preparations. Normally, I would have paid attention, but today, my mind was too tangled in thoughts of what lay ahead.

I finished my breakfast as quickly as possible, ready to leave before my emotions betrayed me. Just as I pushed back my chair, Isha's voice rang out, cutting through the air like a dagger.

"Oh, by the way, Dad," she said, her tone laced with artificial sweetness, "I'm going to surprise my fiancé at his office today."

The room fell silent.

My heart clenched so painfully, I thought I might gasp out loud.

Isha's eyes flickered toward me, watching—waiting—for my reaction. She had said it loud enough for me to hear, loud enough to make sure it hit where it hurt the most.

I forced myself to stay still, my fingers tightening around the strap of my handbag. My throat felt tight, my chest constricted as if someone had just wrapped a steel band around it.

Fiancé.

That word echoed in my mind, cutting through me like a blade.

I told myself it shouldn't matter. That I had no right to feel this way. That Rudra and I were nothing but a closed chapter—a story long ended.

But no matter how much I tried to convince myself, the pain was still there.

A lump formed in my throat, my vision blurred for a second. No. Not here. Not now. I refused to let her see me break.

Swallowing hard, I blinked back the sting in my eyes, steeling myself.

Isha's smirk widened slightly, as if she could see the cracks forming in my mask, as if she knew exactly what she was doing.

I could feel my mother watching me, probably sensing something was wrong, but I didn't dare meet her gaze.

Taking a deep breath, I stood up. I adjusted the strap of my bag, smoothed out my blazer, and turned toward the door without saying a word.

Isha tilted her head, still smiling. "Aren't you going to wish me luck, didi?"

I paused for a fraction of a second. But instead of looking at her, I simply straightened my posture and walked out, my heels clicking against the floor.

My heart was shattering with every step I took.

But I didn't let her see it.

I wouldn't give her the satisfaction.

I wouldn't break.

Not in front of her.

I gripped the steering wheel tightly as I drove toward the office, my mind a tangled mess of emotions. The morning had already drained me, and the day hadn't even properly started.

Isha's words still echoed in my head. My fiancé... my fiancé...

I pressed my foot harder on the accelerator, as if speeding would help me outrun my thoughts. I need to focus. Work was my only escape, my only distraction from the chaos that my life had become.

By the time I reached Veltrix Corp., the parking lot was almost empty. I had come in earlier than usual, hoping to compose myself before the meeting. As I walked through the sleek, glass-paneled hallways, the quiet atmosphere of the office was a relief. Fewer people meant fewer eyes watching me, fewer distractions, and more time to prepare for what was ahead.

I entered my cabin, letting out a slow breath as I placed my bag on the desk. The large windows gave me a view of the city skyline, the morning sun casting a golden hue over the buildings. Normally, I loved this view—it made me feel powerful, in control. But today, even the city felt suffocating.

I needed to get my head in the game.

Without wasting time, I picked up my phone and dialed him.

"Where are you?" I asked the moment the call connected.

A deep chuckle came from the other end. "Good morning to you too, Your Highness."

I rolled my eyes, a small smile tugging at my lips despite my mood.

Kian Malhotra.

CEO of Veltrix Corp.

My boss. My best friend.

And the only person in my life who treated me like I was normal—not someone broken, not someone to be pitied, but just Maher.

Kian respected me a lot, and in the years we had worked together, we had formed a bond that went beyond a typical boss-employee relationship. He was more like an annoying older brother who just happened to sign my paychecks.

"Where are you?" I repeated, ignoring his teasing.

"I'm right behind you," Kian replied smoothly.

I spun around just in time to see him enter my office, his signature smirk in place. Dressed in his usual three-piece suit, his dark hair styled to perfection, he looked effortlessly charming. But I had known him long enough to be completely immune to his charms.

"Seriously?" I sighed, hanging up the call. "You could've just walked in instead of wasting my time."

"But where's the fun in that, Your Highness?" he said, leaning against my desk, arms crossed. "You love hearing my voice first thing in the morning, don't lie."

I rolled my eyes again. "Yes, absolutely. My day is incomplete without your terrible flirting."

"I knew it." He winked, unbothered by my sarcasm. "Anyway, are you ready for the meeting with Singhania Enterprises?"

At the mention of that name, my stomach twisted.

Singhania.

Rudra.

My nails dug into my palm, but I forced myself to keep my expression neutral. "Of course."

Kian studied me for a second, his usual playful smirk softening into something more serious. "You sure? You seem... off today."

I inhaled sharply. Kian was one of the very few people who could read me so well.

"I'm fine," I said, plastering on a small, practiced smile.

He didn't look convinced but didn't push. "Alright, if you say so."

Kian knew about my complicated relationship with Isha—that she was my adoptive sister. He knew I didn't share a bond with her. He also knew that Rudra was my soon-to-be jiju.

But that was all.

He didn't know that Rudra had once been my entire world.

He didn't know that my heart had once belonged to him.

And he certainly didn't know how badly I was breaking inside.

"Come on, let's go," I muttered, grabbing my files, eager to leave before my emotions betrayed me.

But then—

"I don't get why you're so stressed," Kian said casually, stretching his arms. "It's just a meeting with your jiju, right?"

I froze.

The word hit me like a slap.

Jiju.

Jiju.

Jiju.

My breath hitched, my vision blurred for a split second. My hands trembled, my throat tightened, and for a terrifying moment, I thought I was going to break down right there.

No. Not here. Not in front of Kian.

I clenched my fists, forcing myself to breathe. Calm down, Maher. You can't let this affect you. Not now. Not ever.

Kian must have noticed my sudden reaction because his teasing smile disappeared instantly.

"Hey... you okay?" he asked, stepping closer. His voice had lost its usual lightheartedness. It was softer now, filled with concern.

I swallowed hard and forced myself to nod. "Yeah. I just... I just didn't get enough sleep."

Kian narrowed his eyes at me, clearly unconvinced. "Are you sure? You look like you're about to cry."

His words made my heart clench even more, but I quickly turned away before he could read my expression. "I'm fine, Kian. Let's just go."

A heavy silence hung between us for a moment before he finally sighed.

"Alright," he said, but his tone told me he wasn't letting this go.

I didn't care. I just needed to get out of there.

With Kian by my side, I walked toward the entrance, forcing my mind to focus on the meeting ahead. But no matter how much I tried, one thought refused to leave me—

Today, I was going to see Rudra again.

Hello guys,

I am also uploading the book on wattpad and that would free but there the updates would be bit slow .

So choice is yours.

I hope you like the chapters.

Please, if find any grammatical error then do tell me.

Thank you