SHATTERED HER HEART

CHAPTER 5

I got up from my seat and stood near the window once again, the glass cool beneath my fingertips as though it wanted to remind me that Nainital had always been a place that forced me to feel more than I wanted to. Reyansh’s presentation had unsettled me in ways I hadn’t expected— it had been sharp, confident, and clear, and for the first time I questioned my pre‑made decision of rejecting the proposal outright. His words lingered in my mind like echoes, refusing to be dismissed.

Sameera stood quietly beside me, her eyes darting between me and the lake, as if she was afraid to break the silence. I could sense her hesitation, her loyalty, her desire to protect me from my own frustration.

“Don’t look at me like that,” I said finally, my tone laced with sarcasm but softened by the faintest smile.

“I’m not about to throw myself into the lake. I’m just thinking about how cleverly Mr. Malhotra has orchestrated this little trap. No flights out until tomorrow morning, no way to escape without looking like I’m running away. If he had arranged this meeting in Delhi, I could have walked out at five when he hadn’t shown up. Now I’m trapped— and because of me, even you are. Don’t worry, I’ll compensate you and check for the first direct flight tomorrow. That man has a brilliant strategy, really. He’s already wasting my time without even being in the room.”

Sameera chuckled nervously, her voice thin. “Maybe it wasn’t intentional, Isha. Maybe it’s just a coincidence.”

I turned to her, raising an eyebrow, my sarcasm sharpening. “Coincidence? Sameera, I don’t believe in coincidences when it comes to men like him. Men like Vihaan Malhotra don’t leave things to chance. They plan, they calculate, they trap. And right now, I’m the mouse in his carefully designed maze. The only difference is, I bite back.”

Later, when I looked at Sejal, her face pale and her voice trembling as she awaited my decision, I felt a strange mix of emotions. Sympathy, yes, because I am not heartless. But irritation too, because I felt trapped, played by a man I barely knew.

“Sejal, I have come to a decision which you may not like…”

Her shock was palpable, but I didn’t flinch.

“You see, I’m a businesswoman, Sejal. I don’t have the luxury of sentiment when deals are on the table. If he’s hurt, I hope he recovers quickly. But if he’s absent, someone else needs to step up. You did step up, you tried your best, but you and I both know the presentation you gave was a disaster—no offence. You weren’t prepared.”

She nodded stiffly, excused herself, and left the room before I could finish. I wanted to stop her, but of course my phone rang— my overprotective parents.

My father’s voice carried sadness yet a shrill amusement.

“Ishu, I spoke with Vihaan’s manager. He said Sejal, his cousin and also his secretary, is there in the resort. She will arrange everything for your stay. I’ve booked your tickets for later this week, so you stay there, let Vihaan recover, and until then enjoy Nainital. It’s a beautiful town, your mother’s favorite place. Destiny brought you kids together, now we don’t want to ruin that, do we?”

I rolled my eyes, though he couldn’t see me.

“Destiny? Dad, please. Don’t turn this into some fairy-tale reunion. You may have found your long‑lost friend, but I didn’t sign up to meet his son under the guise of business. And let’s be honest, if destiny wanted me here and wanted me and Vihaan to meet, then he wouldn’t have met with an accident. This whole thing makes me feel trapped. You know how much I despise this country, this place in particular, the people here— I hate everything. And you know what? I haven't met Vihaan but I hate that man, Vihaan more than anything, for trapping me here with no way out.”

I expected him to be angry, but instead he chuckled, undeterred.

“I love you, my sweet pea. And I know you— Vihaan is perfect for you. Anyways its unto you kids. I already spoke with his dad, even he is excited, he said he wants to meet you.” His teasing tone made me furious.

“You’re stubborn, Ishu. But Vihaan is a good man. Intelligent, ambitious, respected. I get it you don't want to do anything with people in India or wish to seettle there but Vihaan.... He was born and raised in Liverpool, just like me, and he’s a British citizen who moved to India as I told you earlier. He is such a noble soul.”

“Noble or foolish, depending on how you spin it,” I replied dryly.

“Who leaves Liverpool for this place? Honestly, Dad, you’re making him sound like some hero. He’s just another money-minded ambitious, power-hungry businessman claiming he's protecting a legacy.”

Mom’s voice joined in, gentle and comforting.

“Oh, Ishu, don’t be so harsh. I understand you hate that place, but there are some wounds that you should let time heal, baby. You’re just on edge because you think Vihaan intentionally made you visit Nainital. But baby, in reality he wanted to make you feel special, to show you the beauty in the rural, to let you enjoy nature. You see, Nainital is one of the most beautiful places in Northern India, unlike the extremely polluted Delhi. You see how caring and considerate Vihaan is. He knows how much you cherish peace and love nature. It’s unfortunate he met with an accident, but don’t blame him. Be patient. Your dad sees something in Vihaan that reminds him of himself.”

I sighed, frustration clawing at me. “Mom, Dad, I don’t care if he’s the reincarnation of Shakespeare. I’m not here to admire him. I’m here to finish this meeting, reject the deal, and go home. I think that’s not possible, but I’ve made a decision— one that might upset you. In return, I agree to stay here until Vihaan is back, without any fuss. And I will also let him present that project.”

Dad’s voice softened, but the hope in it was unshakable.

“Just give him a chance, Ishu. For me. You might be surprised.”

I thought back to Reyansh’s presentation. Honestly, he had impressed me more than I expected. His confidence, his clarity, his ability to answer every question without hesitation— it was refreshing, almost disarming. I wanted to offer him a position in my firm, not out of charity, but because talent deserves recognition, and I am not blind to competence. He deserves to be something more than an intern.

I stared at Reyansh, contemplating how to put my thoughts in words that should sound polite. Reyansh was indeed a handsome man— jet black neatly combed hair, dark brown eyes, a pointed nose, a neatly trimmed thick beard and mustache that made his jaw appear sharp and precise. His lean body carried muscle that showed through the neatly tucked shirt, his posture perfect, his presence commanding without arrogance. He was charming, undeniably handsome, and he had the ability to impress me.

I praised Reyansh, and he smiled— it was definitely a million‑dollar smile. I was about to talk about the offer to him — a post in my company when Sameera walked in with flushed cheeks. Maybe she had cried.

Though Sameera was present, I didn't hesitate to talk to Reyansh about my offer.

“Reyansh… As I mentioned I loved your presentation. After Vihaan’s disrespect, I wanted to reject this deal no matter what, but you really impressed me. So here’s a deal. Would you like to come to London and join my company? I can’t really decide what position I can offer you right now— that my team will decide after reviewing your resume— but I will make sure you are well taken care of. You definitely deserve to be something more than a intern. I am surprised how Vihaan didn't see potential in you.”

Sejal watched me with wide eyes, clearly stunned by my offer and me badmouthing Vihaan in front of his employee. Reyansh himself looked as though the ground had shifted beneath his feet, his silence heavy with disbelief.

“You don’t have to answer now,” I said, my tone firm but kind. “Think about it. Opportunities like this don’t come often, and I don’t hand them out lightly. But you’ve earned my respect, and that’s not easy.”

I checked my phone again. It was late, yet still no message from Vihaan. No update, no apology, no explanation. Just silence.

I turned to Sejal, my voice sharp but not cruel.

“Tell your cousin that his trap worked. I’m stuck here until tomorrow morning, thanks to the lack of flights. I hope you have arranged everything for mine and my assistant's stay. And now that my father has asked me to stay until he comes, I don’t have a choice. But let him also know that I don’t forgive easily. If he wants this deal, he better come up with a good apology and a proposal that gives me maximum profit. And he better convince me about it in fifteen minutes— by the end of tomorrow, in person or online, I don’t give a damn. He wasted my precious minutes, and for me, time is money. If he doesn’t, then tomorrow by midnight I will be out of this place, and this deal dies with his absence. I don’t care how he tries to manipulate my father— the deal will be off.”

Sejal nodded, her expression torn between loyalty and fear.

Sameera touched my arm gently, reminding me of the kindness I often bury beneath sarcasm. I softened, just a little. “Don’t worry, I’m not mad at Sejal or anyone here. I just don’t like being played. And right now, Vihaan Malhotra is playing a game I didn’t sign up for.”

The evening settled over Nainital. Sejal guided us to our rooms, the lake shimmering under the fading light, the air thick with the scent of pine

I stood by the window in my room, arms folded, the lake shimmering under the fading light, its surface calm but deceptive, like the silence before a storm. My reflection in the glass looked back at me— sharp suit, sharper eyes, a woman who refused to be cornered even when the walls were closing in.

Vihaan Malhotra had wasted my time, played his little game, and left me stranded in this town I loathed. But if he thought I would bend, he was mistaken. I am not a woman who forgives easily, and I am not a woman who forgets.

The phone buzzed on the table, a single notification lighting up the screen. My heart skipped, though I refused to admit it. For a moment, I wondered if it was him — finally, belatedly, daring to reach out.

I picked it up it was message from an unknown number, I believed it was Vihaan and my lips curled into a sarcastic smile. “Well, Mr. Malhotra,” I whispered to the empty room, “let’s see if you’re worth the trap you’ve set.”

Outside, the wind howled against the glass, carrying with it the promise of a night that would not end quietly.

And somewhere in the distance, I could swear I heard footsteps approaching.