Hurt

Ridhima was in the kitchen, pouring herself a glass of water, trying to calm her racing thoughts. The scene from the bedroom kept replaying in her head, and she hated how her body betrayed her for even a second.

Just then, Veer entered the kitchen.

She didn't look at him, just focused on the glass in her hand.

Veer sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Ridhima..." his voice was softer this time.

She still didn't turn.

"Look, I'm sorry about earlier. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

Ridhima finally glanced at him, her eyes unreadable. "It's fine." She turned back to her glass, taking a sip.

Veer folded his arms. "No, it's not. If something is bothering you, tell me."

Ridhima sighed. "You don't have to say sorry, Veer. Just... maintain some boundaries."

Veer nodded, but there was something unreadable in his gaze. He changed the topic. "By the way, we have a dinner invitation tonight."

Ridhima frowned. "Dinner? With whom?"

"Yash Thakur."

The glass in her hand almost slipped.

She turned fully to face him. "Are you serious?"

Veer raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, why?"

Ridhima clenched her jaw. "Is it necessary for me to go?"

Veer took a step closer. "Yes, it is. We are a couple, Ridhima. It would look odd if my wife doesn't accompany me."

She looked away, her fingers tightening around the edge of the counter.

She hated this. She hated that she had to sit across from Yash Thakur, the man from her past she wanted to forget.

But she also knew Veer wouldn't take no for an answer.

Taking a deep breath, she nodded. "Fine. I'll go."

Veer smirked slightly. "Good girl."

Ridhima glared at him, but Veer just walked away, completely unaware of the storm inside her.

Veer and Ridhima arrived at the grand Thakur Mansion, its lavish entrance glowing under the night lights. Veer stepped out first and walked around the car to open the door for Ridhima.

She stepped out gracefully, but her breath hitched the moment she saw Yash Thakur standing at the entrance, waiting for them with his signature smirk.

"Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Arora," Yash greeted, his eyes lingering on Ridhima for a second too long.

Ridhima straightened her shoulders, putting on a composed front, but Veer did not miss the tension in her posture.

They walked inside and settled into the luxurious hall, where servants served them drinks.

The conversation flowed, mostly about business, until Yash suddenly leaned forward and casually asked, "So, Ridhima... which university did you attend?"

Ridhima's fingers tensed around the glass.

She froze.

She could feel Yash's piercing gaze, waiting for her reaction.

After a moment, she forced herself to answer, "Jaipur University."

A slow, knowing smile curled on Yash's lips. "What a coincidence! Me too."

Veer's sharp eyes immediately noticed the uneasiness flickering in Ridhima's expression.

He didn't like it.

Without hesitation, Veer smoothly interrupted, "We're actually starving. Should we move to the dining table?"

Yash smirked but didn't push further. For now.

The Truth Unfolds

Dinner started, and the tension still lingered in the air.

In between conversations, Yash suddenly leaned back in his chair and smirked. "You know, Veer, Ridhima and I go way back."

Ridhima's spoon halted midway to her lips.

Veer's jaw tightened. "Oh?"

Yash continued, eyes locked onto Ridhima, "We were in a relationship. She loved me madly."

Ridhima's stomach churned. She wanted to scream that it wasn't love—at least not the way he made it sound.

She felt Veer's body stiffen next to her.

His fingers curled into a fist on the table.

But before Yash could say anything more, Veer's voice cut through the tension like a blade.

"I know everything, Mr. Thakur."

Ridhima's eyes snapped toward Veer, startled.

Yash blinked, momentarily thrown off. "You do?"

Veer leaned back in his chair, his face unreadable. "Yes. I know that in the past, she was your girlfriend." He tilted his head slightly, his voice dropping a degree colder. "But now, she is my wife. So have some decency when you speak about Veer Arora's wife."

Yash froze.

He had expected Veer to be shocked, maybe even furious.

But instead, Veer effortlessly shut him down, protecting Ridhima from further humiliation.

Ridhima, still in shock, stared at Veer.

There was something in the way he said 'my wife' that made her stomach flip.

She had no idea if Veer really knew about her past with Yash or if he was just saying this to protect her.

But at that moment, she felt something she hadn't felt in a long time.

The car ride back was silent.

Too silent.

Veer's hands gripped the steering wheel tighter than usual. His jaw clenched, and his eyes fixed on the road, but the way his fingers kept flexing gave away the anger simmering beneath his calm façade.

Ridhima shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

She could feel the tension thick in the air, pressing against her chest like a heavy weight.

She couldn't take it anymore.

"Veer..." she spoke softly. "Thank you."

Veer didn't respond.

Ridhima bit her lip and hesitated before adding, "I was going to tell you about Yash... but—"

Before she could finish, Veer cut her off, his voice sharp.

"Are you still in love with him?"

Ridhima's head snapped toward him. "What?"

Veer finally turned to face her, his dark eyes unreadable. "You heard me, Ridhima."

Ridhima felt her heart stutter for a second.

Before she could say anything, Veer continued, his voice lower but still demanding, "Why do you always keep your distance from me? Why don't you want anything from me?"

Ridhima swallowed hard and said, "Yes, I don't want anything from you—"

The car suddenly sped up.

The speed wasn't reckless, but it was faster than usual.

Ridhima's nails dug into the seat. She could feel his anger radiating through the confined space.

"Veer... slow down."

But he didn't listen.

Instead, his grip on the steering wheel tightened as he snapped, "But what, Ridhima? You don't love him anymore, but you still can't forget him?"

Ridhima stayed silent.

Her silence was enough of an answer.

Veer exhaled sharply and turned his head slightly to look at her—just for a second—but that second was enough for Ridhima to notice something she hadn't before.

His eyes.

There was something else besides anger in them.

Hurt.

His jaw tensed as he quickly looked back at the road.

The rest of the drive was suffocating.

By the time they reached the Arora Mansion, the clock was nearing midnight.

Veer pulled the car to a stop and, without looking at her, said in a low voice, "I have work to do. You should go inside and rest. It's already very late."

Ridhima looked at him, but he didn't meet her gaze.

Before she could say anything, Veer added, "I'll come in the morning."

And with that, he stepped out of the car, closing the door behind him a little too forcefully.

Ridhima watched him leave, her heart twisting painfully.

She had never seen him like this before.

And for the first time, she realized...

She had hurt him.