Stuck With You This Christmas”(Holiday Romance + Emotional + Addictive)

---# **📍Chapter 4 — The Past That Refused To Stay Buried**

Night had fallen over the city.

Lights glittered like stars, but inside Aarav’s apartment, darkness ruled.

He stood near the window, the signed contract clutched in his hand.

Vidha Arora’s signature stared back at him like a scar he could never erase.

“She’s back…” he whispered.

“And she hates me.”

His phone buzzed.

**Mom**.

He ignored it.

What would he say?

That the girl he once abandoned now owned half of what he built?

That she looked at him like he was nothing?

Aarav closed his eyes—and the past came rushing back.

---

### **Five Years Ago**

Rain poured heavily.

Vidha stood outside the café, soaked, clutching a small gift wrapped in blue paper.

Her eyes searched every face that walked out.

Then she saw him.

Aarav…

Laughing.

Happy.

With *another woman*.

Her world shattered quietly.

When he finally noticed her, guilt flashed across his face.

“Vidha… you shouldn’t be here,” he said.

She smiled weakly.

“I just wanted to wish you luck for your interview.”

The gift slipped from her hands.

Aarav didn’t pick it up.

“I’m getting engaged,” he said coldly.

“My family decided. You should understand.”

Vidha nodded.

She always understood.

Even when it destroyed her.

That night, she walked home barefoot, tears mixing with rain—

and promised herself one thing:

**Never again.**

---

### **Present — Sterling Global Private Lounge**

Vidha stood at the balcony, the city breeze brushing her hair.

Adrian watched her silently.

She was calm on the outside, but he sensed the storm within.

“You don’t look like someone celebrating a victory,” he said.

Vidha smiled faintly.

“Victories don’t always feel good.”

Adrian stepped closer—but not too close.

“Someone hurt you deeply,” he said.

“It shows in the way you control your emotions.”

Vidha looked at him for a moment.

Then spoke.

“I loved someone once,” she said quietly.

“He chose comfort over me.”

Adrian didn’t interrupt.

“He taught me a lesson,” she continued.

“That love without power is weakness.”

Adrian’s eyes darkened.

“And now?” he asked.

“Now,” Vidha said, turning toward him,

“I never lose control.”

Adrian nodded slowly.

“Good,” he said.

“Because people like us don’t survive by being soft.”

Their eyes locked.

For the first time, Vidha felt something unfamiliar—

not pain…

but safety.

---

### **Aarav Sees the News**

The next morning.

Aarav scrolled through his phone—and froze.

**BREAKING NEWS:**

*Arora International & Sterling Global spotted together. Partnership rumors spark.*

Below it—

a photo.

Vidha.

Standing beside Adrian Sterling.

She was smiling.

A real smile.

Something twisted painfully in Aarav’s chest.

“She never smiled like that with me…” he murmured.

Jealousy burned through him.

Who was this man?

Why did Vidha look so comfortable with him?

And why did it hurt so much?

---

### **Unexpected Encounter**

Later that day, Vidha walked into a luxury bookstore.

She loved quiet places—always had.

As she reached for a book—

A familiar voice spoke behind her.

“Vidha.”

Her fingers stiffened.

She didn’t turn.

“Aarav,” she replied calmly.

He stood just a few feet away.

“You look… different,” he said.

“So do you,” she answered, finally facing him.

“More… nervous.”

He swallowed.

“I saw the news,” he said.

“Sterling Global?”

“Is that a problem?” she asked.

“No,” he said quickly.

“I just— I didn’t know you moved on so fast.”

Vidha laughed softly.

“That’s funny,” she said.

“Because you moved on *before* I even knew I was replaceable.”

The words hit him hard.

“I made a mistake,” Aarav said, his voice low.

“I regret it every day.”

Vidha stepped closer—

but her eyes were ice.

“Regret doesn’t rebuild broken souls,” she whispered.

“And I didn’t come back to be your ‘what if’.”

She turned to leave.

Aarav grabbed her wrist.

“Please,” he said.

“Give me one chance to explain.”

Her eyes flashed dangerously.

“Touch me again,” she said coldly,

“and this city will watch your empire fall faster than you can beg.”

He let go immediately.

Vidha walked away—

strong, unshaken.

But inside her chest…

her heart was racing.

---

### **Elsewhere — Adrian Watches**

From across the street, Adrian saw everything.

The tension.

The pain.

The unresolved history.

His jaw tightened.

“So that’s him,” he muttered.

When Vidha reached the car, Adrian opened the door for her.

“Old flame?” he asked gently.

She nodded once.

“Burnt out,” she said.

Adrian smiled—but there was possessiveness in his eyes.

“Good,” he said.

“Because I don’t like competition.”

Vidha looked at him.

“And what makes you think I’m something to compete for?”

Adrian leaned closer, his voice a whisper.

“Because women like you don’t get forgotten.”

The car drove off.

And Aarav stood there alone, realizing—

He wasn’t just losing Vidha.

He was losing her to someone far more powerful.

---