The tension between Meera and Aarav had shifted.

It wasn’t cold anymore, but it wasn’t exactly warm either. It was something in between—an unspoken understanding that neither of them acknowledged, but both felt.

Since her visit to his office, things had subtly changed. Aarav wasn’t as distant, though he still held back. Meera, on the other hand, was more aware of him now—not just as her husband, but as a man weighed down by responsibility, by expectations, by a life he hadn’t entirely chosen.

And maybe, just maybe, he was beginning to see her too.

---

One evening, after dinner, Meera was in the study, flipping through files related to their charity work. She had truly grown to love it—helping underprivileged women find employment, setting up educational programs for children. It gave her a sense of purpose.

Aarav walked in, loosening his tie. "Still working?"

She looked up, surprised. He rarely sought her out unless necessary.

"Just going through some reports," she said. "We’re setting up a vocational training program next month."

Aarav leaned against the desk, arms crossed. "You really enjoy this, don’t you?"

She nodded. "I do. It makes me feel like I’m actually doing something meaningful."

Aarav studied her for a moment. "You are."

Meera blinked. Compliments from Aarav were rare.

Before she could respond, he glanced at the files and asked, "What kind of training?"

"Tailoring, handicrafts, and basic computer skills," she explained. "We want these women to have real opportunities to be independent."

Aarav nodded approvingly. "It’s a good initiative."

Meera hesitated before asking, "What about you? Does your work feel meaningful to you?"

Aarav smirked. "Are you trying to analyze me again, Meera?"

She laughed lightly. "Maybe."

He exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "It’s… complicated. Business is about numbers, profits, strategies. It’s about building something bigger than yourself."

"But does it make you happy?" she pressed.

Aarav looked at her, as if considering whether to answer.

Then, for the first time, he gave her something real.

"Sometimes," he admitted. "But other times, it feels like I’m just following a script."

Meera’s heart clenched at the honesty in his voice.

"Then maybe it’s time to rewrite the script," she said softly.

Aarav held her gaze. And for a brief moment, the walls between them weren’t so high.

---

The next day, Meera was invited to one of the charity centers to oversee the progress of their programs.

She was excited—it was the first time she’d be seeing their work in action.

As she prepared to leave, Aarav walked in. "Where are you going?"

Meera smiled. "To one of our training centers. Want to come?"

Aarav raised an eyebrow. "Me?"

"Yes, you," she said, amused. "You run an empire, but have you ever seen the real impact of charity work?"

Aarav hesitated. He wasn’t the type to get personally involved in these things.

But then, to Meera’s surprise, he said, "Alright."

---

The drive to the training center was quiet, but comfortable.

When they arrived, Meera was greeted warmly by the women running the program. Aarav, on the other hand, was met with nervous curiosity.

He was, after all, Aarav Malhotra, the powerful businessman. People expected him to be intimidating.

But Meera watched as something shifted in him.

As he observed the women sewing garments, as he listened to them talk about their struggles and ambitions, something in Aarav softened.

"This is incredible," he murmured as they walked through the center. "These women… they’re building something for themselves."

Meera smiled. "They just needed a chance."

Aarav nodded, thoughtful. "Maybe we can expand this. Provide them with retail opportunities."

Meera’s eyes lit up. "You’d help with that?"

Aarav met her gaze. "Why wouldn’t I?"

She didn’t say it out loud, but in that moment, she realized something—Aarav wasn’t as detached as he seemed. He cared, even if he didn’t always show it.

And that made her see him in a new light.

---

That night, back at the mansion, Meera sat on the balcony, sipping tea and thinking about the day.

Aarav walked out, hands in his pockets.

"You’re thinking too much," he observed.

She smirked. "And you’re avoiding talking about today."

He leaned against the railing. "It was… different."

Meera smiled. "That’s one way to put it."

Aarav hesitated, then said, "You were right, Meera. Sometimes, I forget there’s more to life than business."

Meera’s heart skipped a beat.

This was the first time Aarav had admitted something so personal.

"Then maybe," she said, "we should remind each other of what really matters."

Aarav looked at her, and for the first time, she saw something more than just guarded indifference.

She saw possibility.

And that scared her more than anything.