Chapter 12

The routine of having dinner with Veeranshu every evening brought a sense of stability to my days. It was a small gesture, but it meant more to me than I could admit.

I didn't know what made him change his mind or why he started coming home early. The conversations during dinner were still short—polite exchanges about our days or a quick comment about the food—but it was enough. For now, just knowing I wasn't eating alone, that he was making an effort, was more than I could have hoped for.

After school, I felt lighter than usual. The day had gone well—my students had been unusually cooperative, and a colleague had even complimented me on how I handled a challenging class.

As I drove home, the radio played softly in the background, and I allowed myself a rare moment of calm. But as I turned onto a quieter stretch of road, something felt... off.

I glanced in the rearview mirror and noticed a car trailing me. It wasn't too close, but it had been there for several turns now.

It's just a coincidence, I told myself, shaking off the unease. Probably someone heading in the same direction.

But when I took an unexpected turn to test my theory, the car followed. My chest tightened as recognition set in. The car wasn't just following me—it belonged to Sameer.

Panic surged through me. My grip on the steering wheel tightened as I pressed the accelerator, trying to put as much distance as I could between us.

The quiet road stretched on endlessly, and I kept glancing in the mirror, my heart pounding. Sameer's car was still there, its dark shape looming like a shadow I couldn't escape.

I turned onto a side road, hoping to lose him. For a moment, I thought it hadn't worked, but then his car was gone. I didn't know if he had given up or simply taken another route, but the relief was overwhelming.

It wasn't until I slowed down that I realized where I was. The road had led me to a small, secluded lake surrounded by trees. It was quiet, serene, and completely deserted.

I parked my car and stepped out, the cool air brushing against my skin. The stillness of the lake was a stark contrast to the chaos I had just fled, and I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart.

My moment of peace was shattered by the shrill ring of my phone. I fumbled to answer it, my aunt's voice already ringing in my ears before I could say hello.

"Tara," she began, her tone sharp and demanding. "We need more gifts for the relatives. And you need to stop being useless in that mansion of yours. Satisfy your husband and give us good news soon. You should already be thinking about a child by now!"

Her words stung, the casual cruelty cutting deeper than I wanted to admit. I was too stunned to respond, and before I could gather my thoughts, she continued. "Here, Kiara wants to talk to you."

The phone was passed to Kiara, and her voice, dripping with entitlement, greeted me. "Hi, Didi. Can you send me that new handbag from Gucci? You know, the one everyone's talking about. Oh, and maybe some matching shoes?"

I didn't respond.

Kiara's tone turned sarcastic. "why are you not responding do you think you did a favour on me by letting me study in the USA and you think If you hadn't given up your dream, I wouldn't be here. what now you want a thankyou for it and I know your husband earns in billions so how hard it can be for you to gift me a bag ."

Her words reopened an old wound I had tried so hard to forget.

Years ago, I had dreamed of becoming an archaeologist. I had been accepted to a prestigious program in Italy, a chance to study something I was deeply passionate about. But the funds my parents had left behind were only enough for one of us to study abroad.

Kiara had insisted she wanted to pursue fashion in the USA. My uncle and aunt, always favoring her, had made it clear that her dreams were more important.

So, I had given up my dream. I stayed behind, took a job teaching, and watched as Kiara left to live the life I had always wanted.

Hearing her mock me for it now, as if my sacrifice was something trivial, was more than I could bear.

I ended the call abruptly, not trusting myself to respond without breaking down. The lake that had felt so peaceful moments ago now felt suffocating.

I got back in my car and drove home, the anger and frustration bubbling just beneath the surface. By the time I reached the mansion, it was late.

When I stepped inside, I found Veeranshu waiting for me in the living room. He was still dressed in his suit, his tie slightly loosened, his expression calm but concerned.

"You're late," he said, his voice steady.

"I had a long day," I replied curtly, brushing past him.

"Tara." His voice stopped me in my tracks. "What happened?"

And that was all it took for the dam to break.

"You want to know what happened?" I turned to face him, my voice trembling with anger. "I got chased by a man who can't take no for an answer, I got a phone call from an aunt who treats me like a tool, and a sister who doesn't even realize what I gave up for her! That's what happened!"

Veeranshu didn't respond, his expression unreadable.

"And you know what's worse?" I continued, the words spilling out before I could stop them. "I feel like I don't even belong here. I don't know what to do, what to say, where I'm allowed to go! This house, this life—it's all so perfect, and I feel like a stain on it!"

Tears welled in my eyes, but I blinked them away, refusing to let them fall.

Veeranshu remained quiet, his gaze steady. He didn't interrupt, didn't try to defend himself or offer empty platitudes. He just listened.

And somehow, that made it harder to stop.

"All my life, I've been giving things up—my dreams, my freedom, my happiness. And now I'm here, in this golden cage, waiting for... I don't even know what!"

My voice cracked on the last word, and I turned away, my hands trembling.

For a long moment, there was silence. Then, quietly, Veeranshu spoke. "I didn't realize how much you were carrying."

His words were simple, but there was something in his tone that made me pause. When I turned back to him, I saw something in his eyes I hadn't expected—guilt.

"You don't have to do this alone, Tara," he said softly. "This is your home as much as it is mine. If you need something, say it. If something's wrong, tell me."

His words weren't a solution, but they were an acknowledgment. And for now, that was enough.

As I stood there, exhausted but a little less alone, I realized that maybe, just maybe, this could be the start of something better.

After my outburst at Veeranshu, I stormed into our room, my emotions still raw. I quickly changed into a simple cotton nightgown, trying to brush off the lingering anger and frustration.

I threw myself onto the bed, hoping that sleep would come quickly and wash away the weight of the day. But rest was elusive.

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