“Order for table eleven,” a server interjected suddenly, slipping between them like an uninvited ghost. The clatter of dishes on wood broke the fragile tension that had just begun to coil around the table. One by one, the plates were arranged neatly, the aroma of Raellyn’s favorite dishes rising in warm spirals between them.The interruption shattered the moment.From the corner of his eye, Arnav caught the subtle shift in his wife’s expression. The sharp intensity that had moments ago promised an interrogation and the glint of suspicion in her gaze softened into something else the moment her eyes fell on the familiar dishes before her. It was as if the sight of comfort food had melted her resolve.The intimidating mask, that flicker of fire ready to burn him with questions, vanished into a quiet, almost reluctant curiosity. She reached for her chopsticks with a small, distracted movement, as though the memory of what she had meant to say was slipping like water through her fingers.A
Normally, a question like that would have lit up her face. She would have smiled, laughed even, maybe teased him with her usual charm and infectious excitement. But not today.Today, her voice was flat. No joy. No sparkle. Just a quiet acknowledgment.That silence, more than her words, gnawed at Arnav. Then, unexpectedly, she reached out and placed her hand over his, her fingers warm and steady. Without a word, she leaned her head gently against his shoulder. The gesture was small, but it meant everything.Traffic moved sluggishly around them. The city buzzed with the chaos of daily life, but inside the car, there was a stillness that felt almost sacred. Arnav tightened his grip on the steering wheel with one hand, but he didn’t let go of her with the other. He held her hand firmly, silently promising to be her anchor even when she didn’t say a word.A large roadside sign caught his attention. A Chinese restaurant is just up ahead. Without hesitation, Arnav pulled into the parking are
At precisely four o’clock in the afternoon, Arnav called home to let them know he would soon arrive to pick up Raellyn. His voice was calm yet firm, carrying the familiar tone of someone who rarely left room for negotiation. He even spoke to Mrs. Maddy, the ever-dependable housekeeper, instructing her to make sure that his wife did not leave on her own under any circumstances. The middle-aged woman, who had long since learned the depth of his protectiveness, immediately agreed without question.By that point, Arnav had already raced through his workload with the sharp precision of a man on a mission. He had skipped lunch entirely, ignoring the grumble of his stomach, his focus locked solely on clearing the mountain of reports and approvals that had piled up on his desk. This time, there was no room for the kind of errors he had made days earlier; he had been meticulous, deliberate, and unrelenting. In eight hours, he had conquered what might have taken others several days, leaving his
Of course, he was right. Arnav almost never made mistakes. The only time he had faltered before was during the turbulent final months of his first marriage. When the arguments, the distance, and the quiet resentments had found their way into his otherwise impenetrable professional armor. Even then, the lapse had been brief; he had emerged sharper and more unyielding than ever, channeling every ounce of his frustration into flawless results at work.But now… this was different. This wasn’t anger or distraction born from conflict. This was something quieter, subtler, a slow drift of his focus from the world he once dominated effortlessly. He didn’t understand why his performance had slipped, why his attention was fractured. Or perhaps, if he was honest with himself, he did understand.His mind wasn’t in this office anymore. It lingered elsewhere, back at home where Raellyn’s laughter, her soft footsteps, and the fragile rhythm of her pregnancy had become the pulse of his world. Even now
Arnav pushed open the door to his office at the agency, the familiar scent of polished wood and faint traces of coffee greeting him. In his hands were several sheets of documents, along with a folder filled with reports from various divisions. Files that required his careful review and signature before any final approval could be given. After the earlier meeting, he had little desire for conversation. He simply moved toward his desk in measured silence, placing his belongings neatly atop the smooth surface. His movements were deliberate, almost ceremonial, as if each gesture carried its own weight.He was careful not to disturb the meticulous arrangement of papers and reports already waiting for him. Clearly, his assistant had taken the time to organize everything, aligning the documents in precise stacks to streamline his workload. It was a small gesture, perhaps, but one that carried quiet significance.Arnav paused for a moment, noticing the neatness and order on his desk. He consi
Even the household staff had grown comfortable in this rhythm. They would often exchange knowing smiles when they saw the master and mistress of the house sharing such effortless affection, soft touches, tender glances, and quiet laughter that filled the air like a melody. After waving her husband off that morning, Raellyn lingered at the doorway for a moment, basking in the soft afterglow of his presence before turning back inside. Her steps, light and unhurried, led her toward Arnav’s study. She knew very well that if her husband were home and caught her in this particular act, he would not approve.And yet, she couldn’t bring herself to spend the entire day lying idle in bed. Even pregnancy couldn’t chain her to stillness for long. Her fingers itched for movement, her body craved a little purpose. So, she decided to busy herself with tidying Arnav’s study, a room that was not only his workplace but also his personal library.She paused at the doorway, her eyes sweeping over the spa