Meera stood in the grand Malhotra mansion, staring at her reflection in the mirror. A week had passed since her visit to the charity center with Aarav, and things had changed between them in ways she hadn’t expected.

They weren’t just two strangers bound by marriage anymore.

There was something more now—understanding, respect, and perhaps even a quiet longing neither of them dared to name.

But the question still remained: Was that enough?

She sighed, smoothing the folds of her saree before stepping out of the room. Tonight was another high-profile gathering at the Malhotra estate, and she was expected to be there, standing beside Aarav, playing the perfect wife.

Only this time, it didn’t feel like just a role.

---

The evening was a grand affair, filled with business magnates, politicians, and socialites. Meera had grown accustomed to these events now, but tonight, something felt different.

Aarav stayed close to her—not just out of obligation, but by choice.

She could feel the subtle shift in his demeanor. He introduced her with ease, engaged her in conversations, and made sure she never felt out of place.

For the first time, she felt like she truly belonged.

At one point in the evening, Aarav leaned in and whispered, “You’re handling this better than I ever expected.”

Meera smirked. “You underestimated me?”

He chuckled. “Maybe.”

Sunita Malhotra watched them from across the room, a small smile playing on her lips. It hadn’t gone unnoticed—this change in them.

Later that night, as the guests started to leave, Aarav excused himself to handle some last-minute business. Meera, wanting a moment to herself, stepped out onto the balcony, breathing in the cool night air.

“Meera?”

She turned to see Riya standing there.

“Riya,” Meera greeted cautiously. Their relationship had always been polite but distant.

Riya hesitated before saying, “You’ve changed things.”

Meera frowned. “What do you mean?”

Riya sighed. “Aarav. He’s… different with you.”

Meera’s heart skipped a beat. “Different how?”

Riya smiled softly. “I’ve known Aarav a long time, Meera. He doesn’t let people in easily. But with you… it’s different. He looks at you like you matter.”

Meera swallowed hard. She didn’t know how to respond to that.

Riya continued, “I used to think he’d never find happiness in this marriage. But now, I think he just might.”

Meera looked away. “It’s complicated.”

Riya nodded. “It always is. But just… don’t walk away from this, Meera. I think you mean more to him than he even realizes.”

---

Later that night, when Meera returned to their room, she found Aarav sitting on the couch, a glass of whiskey in his hand.

“You didn’t like the party?” she asked.

He smirked. “I never do.”

She chuckled and sat beside him. “Then why do you throw them?”

Aarav sighed. “Because it’s expected.”

Meera studied him for a moment. “And what if, for once, you did something not expected of you?”

Aarav turned to look at her. “Like what?”

She hesitated before saying, “Like choosing your own happiness.”

Aarav was silent for a long moment. Then, softly, he said, “What if I don’t know what that is?”

Meera’s heart ached at his vulnerability.

She reached for his hand—a small gesture, but one that spoke volumes.

“We’ll figure it out together,” she whispered.

Aarav looked at her, his gaze unreadable. But then, slowly, his fingers tightened around hers.

And for the first time since their wedding, Meera felt like this wasn’t just an arranged marriage anymore.

It was something real.

Something worth fighting for.

Something that could finally become theirs.