CHAPTER 11 : A shattered Peace

The days following the gala brought a fragile sense of calm to the Malhotra household. For Meera, however, it felt like walking on thin ice. Each interaction with the family carried an unspoken tension, a quiet sense that someone—or perhaps everyone—was waiting for her to slip.

Her mornings were no longer her own. Ishani made it a point to corner her during breakfast, her syrupy words and sharp glances like knives cloaked in silk. This morning was no exception.

"You've settled in quite well, haven't you, Bhabhi?" Ishani asked, a slight smirk playing on her lips as she stirred her tea.

"Trying my best," Meera replied, her voice steady despite her unease.

Ishani leaned forward, her gaze penetrating. "You know, adjusting to life here isn't just about smiling for the cameras or attending galas. It's about understanding this family—our expectations, our rules."

Meera stiffened, but before she could respond, Shalini entered the room, her presence immediately commanding attention.

"Ishani, leave Meera alone," Shalini said, her tone sharp but not unkind. "She's already doing more than enough."

Ishani gave a mock pout but said nothing more. Meera shot Shalini a grateful glance, but the matriarch's expression remained unreadable.

Later that day, Meera found herself sitting in the study with Arjun. He was immersed in a stack of documents, his focus unyielding.

"Do you ever take a break?" Meera asked, leaning against the desk.

"Do you?" Arjun shot back without looking up.

She rolled her eyes. "We need to talk."

"About what?"

"Ishani wants us to host a dinner," Meera said, crossing her arms.

Arjun finally looked up, his brow furrowing. "Why?"

"She thinks it'll solidify my place in the family," Meera replied, her tone laced with sarcasm. "And by extension, yours as my husband."

Arjun sighed, rubbing his temples. "Fine. We'll do it. But don't expect me to be enthusiastic about it."

"Oh, don't worry," Meera retorted. "I'm not thrilled about it either."

Their eyes met, a flicker of understanding passing between them. For all their differences, they shared the same goal: survival.

The evening of the dinner arrived too quickly for Meera's liking. The dining room sparkled with opulence, the table set with fine china and flickering candles. Meera had spent the entire day ensuring every detail was perfect, her nerves fraying with each passing hour.

When the guests began to arrive, she forced a smile onto her face, greeting them with practiced charm. Arjun stayed close by, his hand resting lightly on her back—a gesture that felt more like a warning than support.

As the evening unfolded, Meera found herself seated next to one of Arjun's childhood friends, Aditya.

"So, how did you and Arjun meet?" Aditya asked, his tone casual but curious.

Meera's heart skipped a beat. "Through family friends," she said smoothly. "It was... unexpected, but sometimes the best things in life are."

Aditya nodded, though his expression remained thoughtful. "Interesting. He never mentioned you before the wedding. It's almost like you appeared out of nowhere."

Meera's pulse quickened, but she kept her composure. "Arjun isn't exactly the sharing type, is he?" she replied with a laugh.

Aditya chuckled, but his gaze lingered on her a moment longer than necessary. Meera couldn't shake the feeling that he, like Ishani, was watching her too closely.

As the night wore on, the weight of the act she and Arjun were putting on began to take its toll. But as they stood side by side, toasting their guests, Meera couldn't help but wonder: how long could they keep up this charade?

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