"For the girls who dared to believe in love, only to have their hearts shattered. She craved a love without conditions. He built walls to keep love at bay. Will he surrender to his heart's desire, or will he leave her with nothing but broken dreams?"
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After getting ready for the day, Kiara headed to Whales Group, but her steps felt heavier than usual. The events of the previous night played on a loop in her mind, each moment cutting deeper than the physical pain she now carried.
The memory of her father's rage haunted her.
--- Flashback:
"Have you brought the information with you?" her father's voice was sharp, his glare piercing as he stood in the doorway of her apartment.
Kiara hesitated, clutching the hem of her shirt as she struggled to find the right words. "No," she whispered, her voice trembling.
"What the hell do you mean, no?" he roared, stepping closer. "We gave you enough time to get it! This was your one chance to make yourself useful, and you couldn't even do that?"
Tears welled in Kiara's eyes as she took a step back, but her father closed the distance, gripping her chin tightly and forcing her to look at him. His hatred burned into her soul.
"Do you understand what this means? You'll get the information tomorrow, or you'll regret it. Do you hear me?"
Her lips quivered, but no words came out.
"Do you hear me?!" he shouted, his hand snapping up to her neck. The pressure was suffocating, and Kiara fought to hold back her sobs.
But something inside her snapped.
"Enough!" she screamed, shoving his hand away and stepping back. "This is the last time you'll come near me. Do you hear me?" Her voice cracked, but she stood her ground. "I don't owe you anything. You don't get to control my life anymore."
The words barely left her mouth before pain exploded across her cheek. Her father's slap sent her stumbling backward, her head hitting the edge of a table. Blood trickled down her forehead, but she didn't cry out. She simply held her cheek, glaring at him through teary eyes.
"Don't think you can get away with this," her father spat before storming out, leaving her crumpled on the floor.
--- Present Day:
Reaching the office, Kiara plastered on a smile, though her heart felt heavy. She had spent extra time concealing the swelling and the cut on her forehead, but the pain lingered beneath her makeup.
The first thing she did was head to Agastya's office with his coffee. Ever since he tried her coffee, he refused to drink anything else, teasing her once that even Starbucks couldn't compare.
"Good morning, sir," Kiara greeted, placing the coffee on his desk.
"Good morning," Agastya replied, taking a sip. A smile spread across his face as the rich aroma filled the room. But then, as if remembering something, he stood abruptly.
"We did it, Kiara," he announced, his voice brimming with excitement. "We cracked the deal! The toughest, most important deal in the company's history!"
Kiara couldn't help but smile. "Congratulations, sir!"
Before she knew it, Agastya had crossed the room and lifted her in a celebratory spin. Her surprised laughter filled the air, and for a brief moment, she forgot everything.
But as he set her down, his smile faded. His gaze zeroed in on her face, and the room fell silent.
"What is that?" he asked, his tone suddenly sharp.
Kiara's heart sank. She instinctively touched her cheek, but her makeup was still intact-or so she thought.
"It's nothing," she said quickly, stepping back.
Agastya's eyes darkened, his jaw tightening as he took a step closer. "Nothing?" he repeated.
She flinched as he raised his hand toward her face, closing her eyes. But instead of the slap she expected, she felt his fingers gently graze the swollen area.
"Who did this to you?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.
Kiara shook her head, avoiding his gaze. "It doesn't matter."
"The hell it doesn't!" Agastya snapped, his fist clenching at his side. "Tell me who hurt you."
Her eyes flicked to his for a moment, then away again. "It's my problem, sir. I'll handle it."
Agastya's expression softened for a fraction of a second, but it quickly turned stormy again. "Kiara, I don't care who it is. No one-no one-has the right to hurt you."
"Why do you care, sir?" she asked quietly, her voice trembling.
Agastya froze, the intensity of her question leaving him momentarily speechless. Why did he care? Was it guilt for how he treated her before, or was it something more?
