The Unspoken Past
776 Words
Aarini knew two things for certain.
One: Kian Malhotra had secrets—dark, heavy ones that he kept buried beneath his cold, ruthless exterior.
Two: His stepmother knew exactly where to strike to make him bleed.
And now, Aarini was caught in the middle of a war she hadn’t signed up for.
Tension in the Penthouse
The penthouse was too quiet. Too charged.
Kian had barely spoken since they walked inside, but the tension rolling off him was palpable.
Aarini watched as he walked to the bar, pouring himself a drink with controlled, measured movements. But the slight tightness in his jaw told a different story.
He was furious.
Not just at Meera Malhotra—but at the past that refused to stay buried.
Aarini exhaled, pushing aside her unease. If she was going to stand by his side in public, she needed to understand the battlefield.
“So,” she said, crossing her arms, “are you going to tell me what that was about?”
Kian didn’t even look at her. “Drop it.”
Aarini scoffed. “Oh, of course. Because nothing screams ‘completely normal family dynamic’ like your stepmother throwing cryptic insults at your fake fiancée.”
Kian’s grip on his glass tightened.
Still, he didn’t answer.
Aarini’s patience snapped. “Kian.”
He finally turned, his gaze sharp. Too sharp.
“She was testing us,” Aarini pressed. “She doesn’t believe this engagement is real. You should have warned me.”
Kian exhaled sharply. “It wouldn’t have changed anything.”
Aarini frowned. “It would have prepared me.”
Kian tilted his head slightly, studying her. “You handled yourself well.”
Something in his voice—something close to admiration—sent an unexpected shiver down Aarini’s spine.
She lifted her chin. “I always do.”
His lips curled slightly, but there was no humor in his eyes. “That’s what makes you dangerous.”
Aarini blinked. “Excuse me?”
Kian took a slow sip of his drink, his gaze locked on hers. “You’re unpredictable. It’s dangerous.”
Aarini tilted her head. “For who? You?”
For the first time, Kian didn’t have an answer.
The Truth Kian Won’t Say
Aarini took a step forward, pushing past the lingering tension.
“Kian, I need to know what I’m up against.”
He sighed, rubbing his jaw. “Meera thrives on control. She always has. And she hates when she doesn’t have it.”
Aarini folded her arms. “And what does that have to do with you?”
Kian’s jaw ticked.
“Because I took everything from her.”
Aarini’s breath hitched.
There was so much weight behind those words.
“She wanted her son—my half-brother—to be my father’s successor. But my father didn’t choose him. He chose me.” Kian’s fingers tapped against the glass. “When my father died, I didn’t just inherit his empire. I inherited his enemies.”
Aarini felt something tighten in her chest.
Because for the first time, she wasn’t just looking at Kian Malhotra, the billionaire CEO.
She was looking at Kian Malhotra, the man who had fought for everything he had.
Lines Blurring
She sat down across from him, watching him carefully. “And what about your father?”
Kian’s fingers stilled against the glass.
Aarini almost regretted asking—almost.
But instead of answering, Kian leaned back, his eyes locked on hers. “You’re prying, Miss Verma.”
Aarini rolled her eyes. “I’m trying to help.”
He smirked. “And why would you do that?”
She froze.
Because she didn’t know the answer.
This wasn’t real. This wasn’t her battle.
And yet, it felt personal.
Aarini swallowed. “Because if we fail, this whole thing falls apart.”
Kian’s gaze flickered with something unreadable. Something that made her pulse race.
“Is that the only reason?” he asked quietly.
The question hung between them. Unspoken. Unanswered.
A Knock at the Door
Before she could find the words, a sharp knock broke the silence.
Kian frowned. “It’s almost midnight.”
Aarini stood as Kian moved to open the door.
The second it swung open, Aarini’s stomach dropped.
Because standing there, looking far too amused, was Meera Malhotra.
And beside her stood a man—a young man with sharp features, dark eyes, and a smirk that mirrored Kian’s.
Aarini didn’t need an introduction to know exactly who he was.
Kian’s half-brother.
The one who hated him.
And judging by the glint of amusement in his eyes?
He was here to cause trouble.
End of Chapter 5
- Writer
