The days passed with an odd mix of tension and quiet companionship. Despite the strain in their relationship, Sia found solace in something she hadn't given much time to in the pastâher writing.
At night, while the mansion slept, Sia would sit by the window, a notebook in hand, pouring her thoughts into stories. Her words painted worlds where love triumphed over doubt and strength emerged from heartbreak.
Unbeknownst to her, these writings had found an audience. Neha, curious and supportive as ever, had posted some of Sia's anonymous pieces online. They resonated with readers, gathering a quiet but growing following.
One afternoon, Neha burst into the room where Sia was folding laundry. "Sia, you won't believe this!"
"What happened?" Sia asked, looking up with a small smile.
"A publishing house reached out. They want to turn your stories into a book!" Neha exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement.
Sia blinked in disbelief. "A book? Neha, I... I'm not even a proper writer. This was just something to distract me."
"Distract you or not, it's amazing. Don't you see? People love your work. You've created something beautiful," Neha said, squeezing her friend's hand.
Sia's eyes softened. For the first time in weeks, she felt a flicker of pride. Maybe, just maybe, she deserved happiness too.
Arjun's Bond with Snowy
Meanwhile, Arjun had found an unlikely ally in Snowy. The husky had taken to him surprisingly well, much to Candy's dismay.
One morning, as Arjun crouched to tie his shoelaces, Snowy padded over and nuzzled against his leg.
"Good morning, Snowy," he greeted, scratching behind her ears.
Candy, watching from across the room, let out a huff and stomped over, wedging himself between Arjun and Snowy.
"Oh, come on, Candy," Arjun teased, laughing. "You've got Sia all to yourself. Let me have a moment with Snowy."
Snowy, unbothered, leaned into Arjun, her tail wagging. Candy barked indignantly, clearly unhappy with the attention shift.
Sia walked in just then, carrying Arjun's neatly pressed shirt and tie for the day. She paused, watching the scene unfold, a soft smile on her lips.
"Looks like Snowy has a new favorite," she remarked.
Arjun smirked. "Jealous, Candy? Don't worry, you're still my number one rival."
Sia chuckled as Candy barked again, wagging his tail grudgingly.
Sia's Daily Routine
Despite the distance between them, Sia's quiet care for Arjun hadn't faltered. Every morning, his outfit was neatly laid out, the fabric carrying a faint trace of her floral perfume.
It was in the little thingsâhis coffee made just the way he liked it, her habit of closing his laptop when he worked too late, or the way she always knew where his misplaced cufflinks were.
Arjun couldn't ignore it. No matter how much doubt clouded his mind, her presence was woven into every corner of his life.
Moments of Laughter and Ease
One evening, as they sat in the living room, unexpectedly, Sia tried to teach Arjun a tongue twister.
"Say it fastâ'She sells seashells by the seashore,'" she challenged, giggling.
Arjun raised an eyebrow. "That's easy. She sells seasâ" He stumbled, glaring at her amused expression. "Okay, your turn."
Sia repeated it flawlessly, her laughter filling the room.
"You've been practicing," Arjun accused, though a small smile tugged at his lips.
"Maybe," she admitted, her eyes twinkling.
For a brief moment, the tension between them melted away, replaced by something that felt almost normal.
Arjun's Lingering Doubts
But as the laughter faded and the day wound down, Arjun's mind returned to the turmoil.
He sat in their room that night, watching Sia as she read, Snowy curled up at her feet. Candy was beside her, his head resting on her lap.
Arjun's gaze lingered on her, the faint scent of her perfume filling the air, a reminder of her quiet presence in his life.
He wanted to trust her, to believe in the purity of her love. But the shadows of doubt, planted by Riya's scheming, still lingered.
As Sia turned the page of her book, her brow furrowed in concentration, Arjun sighed inwardly.
Who should I trust? he wondered. The woman who quietly held his world together, or the whispers that threatened to tear it apart?