Sia's POV
The photos arrived at the worst possible time, delivered in an anonymous envelope that carried the same venomous intent as all the others. Sia's hands trembled as she flipped through the imagesâArjun and Riya, their proximity too close for comfort. Her chest tightened, but she forced herself to focus. She knew these were Someone's tactics to shake her belief in Arjun, and she wouldn't give him the satisfaction.
Yet, no matter how strong she tried to be, the weight of it all began to wear her down. Every time she looked at Arjun, she questioned how much of him she truly understood. And then it happenedâthe moment that shattered her resolve.
One evening, as she passed by Arjun's study, she overheard his voice. At first, she thought it was a work call, but then the name Riya slipped from his lips. Her heart sank.
"You're overthinking this, Riya," Arjun's voice was strained, but calm. "I told you I trust your words... Yes, I believe what you said about Sia being double-faced."
Sia froze in place, her breath catching. The words echoed in her mind like a cruel taunt. Double-faced? He trusted Riya? After everything, after all the times she had stood by him, defended him, believed in himâthis was how he saw her?
Her chest tightened as she walked back to her room, each step heavier than the last. Her mind replayed his words, the sting of betrayal settling deep. Tears pricked her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Not now, she thought, clinging to the shreds of her dignity.
Arjun's POV
Arjun was beginning to relish the peace that had come into his life. The laughter-filled days with his family, Sia's quiet presence by his side, and even Aarav's constant teasing were grounding him in ways he hadn't expected. Sia had become more than just his wifeâshe was the rhythm of his days, the anchor that held him steady.
That night, as he sat by the window, his thoughts drifting to the picnic they'd enjoyed earlier, his phone buzzed. Riya's name flashed on the screen. His jaw tightened, irritation bubbling to the surface. He didn't want to talk to her, didn't want to let her disrupt the peace he was beginning to find with Sia.
"What now, Riya?" he answered, his tone sharp.
Her voice was a mix of desperation and manipulation. "Arjun, you can't just ignore me. You know what's at stake."
He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Riya, I'm done with this. I told you alreadyâstop dragging Sia into this."
"She's not who you think she is," Riya insisted. "You're blind if you can't see it."
Arjun's patience snapped. "You're overthinking this, Riya," he snapped. "I told you I trust your words... Yes, I believe what you said about Sia being double-faced. Happy now?"
He regretted the words the moment they left his mouth, but his frustration was too raw to take them back. He hung up abruptly, tossing his phone onto the table.
Leaning back, he rubbed his temples. "What am I even doing?" he muttered. The words were spoken out of irritation, not conviction, but the guilt settled heavy in his chest. He thought of Sia, her unwavering belief in him despite all the chaos, and he felt a pang of regret.
Arjun didn't know that Sia had heard every word.
Arjun's POV
Arjun sighed, dragging his feet toward his bedroom. The conversation with Riya had left him more irritated than ever, and he needed the solace of Sia's quiet presence to clear his mind. He pushed the door open softly, expecting to find her reading a book or perhaps lost in thought like she often was.
Instead, what he saw made his heart sink.
Sia was curled up on the armchair by the window, her position awkward and uncomfortable. Her head rested against the edge of the chair, and her legs were tucked beneath her in a way that made Arjun wonder how she hadn't cramped up yet. The moonlight streaming through the window illuminated her face, and that's when he noticed itâher cheeks streaked with dried tears.
Arjun froze, his chest tightening at the sight. She cried herself to sleep.
He took a hesitant step closer, guilt gnawing at him. The peacefulness of her sleep only heightened his regret. He couldn't help but wonder if it was something he had doneâor worse, something he had saidâthat had caused this. The memory of his conversation with Riya flashed in his mind, and the weight of his careless words hit him like a punch to the gut.
Arjun leaned down, gently scooping her into his arms. She stirred slightly, murmuring something incoherent before settling back into sleep. He carried her to the bed, placing her down as gently as he could. Pulling the blanket over her, he tucked it around her snugly. For a moment, he simply stood there, watching her. The vulnerability on her face tugged at his heart, making him feel an unfamiliar ache.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice barely audible. He wasn't sure if he was apologizing to her or himself.
Needing to clear his head, Arjun grabbed the leashes for Snowy and Candy. Both huskies perked up immediately, their tails wagging furiously.
"Come on, you two," he muttered, opening the door. The dogs bounded out happily, their excitement contagious.
A Walk with Snowy and Candy
(Imagine it's night)
The crisp night air hit Arjun's face as he walked through the quiet streets with Snowy and Candy trotting beside him. Candy kept trying to chase every rustling leaf, while Snowy seemed more interested in sniffing every tree they passed.
"You two are lucky," Arjun said, watching as they playfully tangled their leashes together. "No drama, no complications. Just leaves and trees and... whatever it is you two are so obsessed with."
Candy barked, as if in agreement, and Snowy gave him a look that almost seemed judgmental.
Arjun chuckled despite himself. "What? You think I'm wrong? Try being me for a day. Then we'll see who's got the better deal."
They reached a small park, and Arjun let the dogs off their leashes, trusting them to stay close. Snowy immediately bolted to a patch of grass, rolling around like it was the best thing in the world. Candy, not wanting to be left out, did the same.
"You guys are unbelievable," Arjun said, sitting down on a bench to watch them. The sight of their unrestrained joy lightened the heaviness in his chest, if only for a while.
After a while, he stood and whistled. "Alright, time to head back. Your mumma's going to get worried if she wakes up and finds none of us around."
Both dogs barked and trotted over, as if they understood his words. He clipped their leashes back on and began the walk home, a small smile tugging at his lips.
Back Home
As they entered the house, Arjun found himself glancing toward the bedroom. Sia was still asleep, her position unchanged. Snowy and Candy padded quietly over to their spots, curling up without a fuss.
Arjun walked over to the bed and sat on the edge, his gaze softening as he looked at her. "I'll fix this," he whispered, a silent promise to himself.
He leaned back, resting against the headboard, and closed his eyes. For now, he would let the night be a balm to his thoughts. Tomorrow, he would figure out how to make things right.