Your Husband, Wifey

Kartik’s piercing gaze locked with Bella’s as he spoke in an icy tone, “Did you ask me, wifey? Before stepping out of the visiting room, did you consider asking if I wanted to leave as well?”

Bella’s beautiful black-and-white eyes narrowed at his words.

With Kartik leaning closer, Bella found herself gradually lying back on the bed until she was fully reclined. Kartik loomed over her, his presence both commanding and unyielding.

Placing her delicate hands on his chest, Bella replied with a hint of exasperation, “So, you created all this fuss over something so trivial? Honestly, Kartik, what are you?”

Kartik’s voice dropped to a dangerously seductive whisper. “Your husband, wifey.”

As the words left his lips, he gently lifted her chin, his intent clear.

He was mere moments away from kissing her when a soft, sweet voice interrupted the moment: “Daddy, don’t do this. Mommy might get hurt.”

The familiar sound startled both Kartik and Bella. They turned simultaneously to see their little daughter, Bartika, standing by the door. Her innocent eyes brimmed with concern as she watched them.

Blinking her large lashes, Bartika pleaded, “Please, don’t hurt Mommy, Daddy. She’s so delicate.”

Bella’s lips curved into a soft smile at her daughter’s innocence, while Kartik’s flawlessly handsome face darkened with frustration.

He had intended to express his love for his wife, but in the process, his daughter now viewed him as an abusive husband.

If it had been Reyansh or Aditya in Bartika’s place, Kartik wouldn’t have been as affected. But Bartika—she was his little girl, his treasure. Everyone said daughters were a father’s greatest joy, and for Kartik, this was undeniably true.

In Bartika’s eyes, Kartik was nothing short of a saint, a man incapable of wrongdoing.

Kartik quickly moved away from Bella and scooped Bartika into his arms.

Bartika, however, wasn’t ready to forgive. Her tiny lips formed a pout as she glared at him. Her displeasure was evident in her expressive, doll-like eyes.

Gently brushing the hair away from her face, Kartik said, “I wasn’t doing anything, okay? Ask your mommy. I was just showing her how much I love her.”

At his words, Bartika turned her questioning gaze to Bella. Always ready to stir trouble, Bella feigned a hurt expression, lowering her head as though deeply wronged.

It didn’t take Bartika long to side with her mother. Her glare sharpened as she turned to Kartik and said, “Daddy, I didn’t expect this from you. You’re a bad dad. You’ve disappointed me.”

The Kartik Kapoor—unshaken by the collapse of empires or the roar of storms—was now visibly rattled by his daughter’s unfounded accusations.

He looked helplessly at Bella, who watched him with a sly, victorious smile. Clearly, this was her way of taking revenge.

“Wifey, don’t do this,” Kartik pleaded. “Tell her I wasn’t hurting you.”

Feigning shock, Bella responded, “Kartik! Are you threatening me with that look to lie for you?”

Bartika’s eyes widened as she looked at Kartik, now seeming like the world’s greatest villain.

---

Meanwhile,

Far across the ocean, a storm raged with a ferocity that seemed almost apocalyptic.

The wind howled through the night, and waves rose like towering giants, as if threatening to engulf the very earth.

Amid the chaos, a lone figure stood unmoved on the deck of an unknown ship—a man as formidable as an Ashoka Pillar.

His crimson eyes burned like embers, his clothes whipped wildly in the gale, threatening to tear away. Yet the man remained indifferent to it all.

Without hesitation, he began to shed his garments, revealing a muscular frame adorned with intricate tattoos. Their meanings were enigmatic, unfathomable.

Once down to his shorts, the man leaped into the turbulent waters without hesitation.

In an astonishing turn, the moment his body entered the sea, the waves stilled. The fierce winds died, and the stormy skies calmed, leaving an eerie tranquility in their wake.

Two hours later, the man stood once more on the ship’s deck, now dressed in a tailored camel cream suit. His striking appearance was a sight to behold.

A thick cigar rested between his lips, and his fiery eyes scanned the ocean as if measuring its depth with his gaze alone.

Beside him, a subordinate bowed respectfully and reported, “Emperor, new information about Madam Richard has surfaced. I believe it is something you should hear.”

The man’s response was curt: “Speak.”

The subordinate continued, “Madam Richard is married. Her husband’s name is Kartik Kapoor. They wed six years ago and have twin sons studying at the Royal Academy. The boys are twelve years old. They also have a four-year-old daughter.”

A flicker of interest passed through the emperor’s crimson eyes. “Married six years ago, yet they have twelve-year-old sons? Explain.”

Hesitating slightly, the subordinate replied, “Emperor, the customs of this world are different. I discovered that it is not uncommon for people here to have children before marriage. Thirteen years ago, Madam Richard was drugged, and unknowingly, she spent the night with Kartik Kapoor. Their twin sons were conceived that night. Years later, they married for the sake of their children.”

As the subordinate finished, the emperor’s fists clenched tightly. The redness in his eyes deepened.

“And who is Kartik Kapoor?” he asked coldly.

“Emperor, Kartik Kapoor is a businessman. His father was Indian, and his mother, Princess Lisa, is from the British royal family. A few years ago, the Queen of Britain transferred all her wealth and power to him. He is now both a billionaire and the King of Britain. Additionally, years ago, Kartik Kapoor angered the Chairman of Rockwave, but Madam Richard’s influence saved him. It is said that Madam Richard is close to the Chairman and may even have seen their face.”

A scornful smile appeared on the emperor’s lips.

Murmuring to himself, he said, “Kartik Kapoor—a coward hiding behind his wife’s protection. Love, you deserve better. With me, you would be a queen, not a shield. You would be proud of me. Unlike that useless husband of yours, you’d never have to defend me—I’d defend you.”

Snapping out of his musings, the emperor commanded, “I want Bella Richard.”

The subordinate bowed. “You shall have her within two days, Emperor.”

“Good.”

After a moment’s pause, the emperor asked, “What news from the Empire? What’s happening there?”

The subordinate’s tone grew serious. “Your stepbrother’s coronation was held yesterday, Emperor. It seems the time has come—the Empire is preparing to emerge.”

The emperor’s lips curled into a cunning smile, one that held countless secrets.

Fixing his gaze on the sea, he spoke with a quiet menace, “So, the Empire and Rockwave will clash at last. In the end, everything will be mine. My dear brother, my best wishes are with you. I hope the Chairman kills you; otherwise, your death will simply add another sin to my name.”

---

On the Other Side

Far out in the heart of the ocean, the atmosphere was untamed and wild.

Fierce winds howled through the air, and waves crashed violently against each other, as if nature itself were unleashing its fury.

In the midst of this raging storm stood a solitary ship, its deck illuminated faintly by the moonlight. On this deck, a man stood tall—a figure of unwavering strength, resembling an immovable Ashoka pillar.

His piercing red eyes glowed in the storm's chaos, and his sharp features were framed by the wild flutter of his garments. Yet, he stood resolute, unfazed by the storm around him.

Slowly, he began to remove his clothing. Beneath them lay a sculpted body adorned with intricate, enigmatic tattoos, each one bearing a meaning only he could understand.

Once stripped down to his shorts, he leaped into the tumultuous sea below.

Astonishingly, as soon as he entered the water, the raging waves stilled, and the violent winds came to a halt. The storm dissolved into an eerie calm, as if the ocean had bowed to his command.

Two hours later, the man emerged back on the ship's deck, transformed. Now dressed impeccably in a tailored camel cream suit, his demeanor exuded effortless authority. A thick cigar rested between his lips, and his crimson eyes surveyed the endless expanse of water with an air of dominance.

A subordinate standing nearby bowed low before speaking. "Emperor, I’ve gathered further information about Madam Richard. It is vital you hear this."

Without looking at him, the Emperor responded curtly, "Speak."

The subordinate continued, his voice reverent. "Emperor, Madam Richard is married. Her husband's name is Kartik Kapoor. They wed six years ago and have twin sons attending the Royal Academy—they are twelve years old. They also have a daughter, who is four."

A flicker of emotion crossed the Emperor’s impassive face. His crimson eyes darkened. "Married six years ago, and the twins are twelve? Explain," he demanded in a voice like ice.

The subordinate hesitated before replying. "Emperor, this world operates differently. There are no restrictions on bearing children before marriage. Thirteen years ago, Madam Richard was drugged and unknowingly spent a night with Kartik Kapoor. Their twin sons were conceived from that encounter. Six years ago, they met again, and for the sake of their children, she married him."

A sharp breath escaped the Emperor. His fists clenched, his crimson eyes burning with an unspoken rage.

"Who is Kartik Kapoor?" he asked coldly.

"Emperor," the subordinate began, "Kartik Kapoor is a businessman of Indian descent. His father was Indian, and his mother is Princess Lisa of the British Royal Family. Several years ago, the Queen of Britain inexplicably transferred her entire legacy to him. Currently, he is not only a businessman but also the King of Britain. However, a few years back, Kartik Kapoor crossed paths with Rockwave. The Chairman was furious, but because of Madam Richard’s intervention, he was spared. It is rumored that Madam Richard is extremely close to the Chairman and might even have seen his face."

A mocking smirk curved the Emperor’s lips.

"Kartik Kapoor," he murmured, "a man hiding behind his wife’s shadow. But love, you deserve better. You deserve me. I’ll make you my queen. You’ll never have to shield me—I will be your shield. Unlike your weak husband, I’ll give you a reason to be proud."

Breaking from his thoughts, the Emperor’s voice hardened. "I want Bella Richard."

The subordinate bowed. "You shall have her, Emperor. By the day after tomorrow."

"Hmmm," the Emperor acknowledged. After a pause, he asked, "And the Empire? What news do we have?"

"Emperor, your stepbrother was crowned yesterday. The Empire is preparing to rise," the subordinate informed him gravely.

A sly smile played on the Emperor’s lips, concealing the depth of his thoughts.

"Interesting," he mused, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "The Empire and Rockwave will collide. And in the end, it will all be mine. My dear brother, my best wishes are with you. I only hope the Chairman kills you first; otherwise, your death will stain my hands yet again."

---

Opera Palace

Late at night, the bedroom was cloaked in the silence of intimacy.

Kartik and Bella lay entwined on the bed, their bodies concealed beneath a single white sheet. The remnants of their passion lay scattered—clothes strewn across the floor.

Bella rested her head on Kartik’s chest, her exhaustion evident in her serene, flushed face. Her eyelids drooped, heavy with the haze of sleep.

Kartik, however, lay awake, his gaze fixed on the ceiling as his fingers traced idle patterns on her back.

"Can’t sleep?" Bella asked softly, her voice a gentle whisper. "Are you worried about the ship?"

"No," Kartik replied, his tone detached. "I’m just not satisfied yet."

Bella’s cheeks flushed deeper as she murmured, "But I’m tired, Kartik. You..."

He interrupted her with a quiet command. "Go to sleep, wifey."

Her eyes fluttered open, meeting his intense gaze. After a moment, she sighed. "Ten minutes?"

"Go to sleep, wifey," he repeated, his voice unwavering.

"Fifteen, then," she offered.

Kartik’s eyes darkened. "Go to sleep, wifey."

Relenting with a heavy sigh, Bella whispered, "Fine. Twenty minutes, no more. You’ve already been relentless for over an hour."

At her words, Kartik’s restraint snapped. In an instant, he flipped her beneath him, his lips claiming hers in a fervent kiss.

The room ignited, the air thick with passion as their desire consumed them once more.

---

The Next Morning

Kartik sat on the couch, holding little Bartika in his lap as she quietly sipped her milk.

Bella stood before the mirror, adjusting her watch. Her eyes flitted to the two of them—a scene of familial tranquility.

With his free hand, Kartik scrolled through his phone.

"Will you attend Bin’s engagement?" Bella asked. "He specifically invited you."

"I have meetings today," Kartik replied. "If time permits, I’ll come by evening. Don’t wait for me."

"Alright," Bella said with a small sigh. "But do try to make it."

Kartik nodded.

At that moment, his phone rang.

The name on the screen read Reyansh.

Answering the call, Kartik brought the phone to his ear. After a brief pause, a soft voice spoke from the other end.

"Dad..."

__________________________________

What will happen next?

To know…

To be continued…

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