INNOCENCE : An Innocent Lovestory

Chapter : 15

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Ananya sat behind her massive oak desk, the soft hum of the city below barely reaching her ears through the thick glass windows of her office. The sun cast a warm glow across the room, highlighting the minimalist decor that reflected her sharp, no-nonsense personality. The silence in the office was sweet and peaceful, a rarity she seldom enjoyed. Today was different—there were no distractions, no playful interruptions from her husband, Rihaan, who, despite his childlike innocence and antics, often filled her day with an unexpected joy.

Rihaan had gone to the amusement park with Raj and the kids, leaving Ananya to immerse herself fully in her work. She had thought the solitude would be a welcome change, but instead, she found herself missing him. His childish pranks, the way he would try to help with her work only to create more mess, and the innocent smile he would flash when she would catch him in the act—it was all absent today, and she realized with a pang how much his presence had become a comforting routine in her life.

She sighed, pushing the thoughts away, and focused on the report in front of her. Numbers and charts filled the screen, but her mind kept drifting back to Rihaan, imagining him laughing and playing with the kids. The thought brought a soft smile to her lips, and she allowed herself a brief moment to relish in it.

But her peace was soon shattered. The door to her office swung open with force, the sudden noise breaking through the calm like a thunderclap. Without needing to look, Ananya knew who it was. She calmly set down the pen she was holding, her gaze lifting slowly to meet the cold, piercing eyes of her father, Mr. Sharma.

He stood there, rigid as ever, his expression a mask of disdain that she had grown used to over the years. Behind him, almost hidden by his imposing figure, was Shivya Khurana, her former employee. Shivya’s presence was no surprise; Ananya had expected this confrontation the moment she had fired her. And behind Shivya stood Dhiraj Khurana, the powerful businessman and her father’s long-time benefactor.

Ananya’s eyes flickered over to Shivya, noting the barely concealed rage in her eyes, before returning to Mr. Sharma. She greeted them with a cool, formal nod, her voice steady. “Mr. Sharma. Mr. Khurana.” She deliberately ignored Shivya, who bristled at the slight, her fists clenching at her sides.

Shivya wasn’t used to being ignored; her life had always been one where people bent over backward to accommodate her whims. The fact that Ananya, someone she considered beneath her despite the latter's position, could so easily dismiss her sent a wave of anger coursing through her. Yet, she knew better than to voice her frustration in front of her father.

The tension in the room was palpable as Mr. Sharma stepped forward, his cold gaze never leaving Ananya’s. “I understand you’ve fired Shivya,” he said, his tone laced with accusation, though he already knew the answer.

“Yes,” Ananya replied without hesitation, her voice calm and unwavering.

“And what, may I ask, was the reason for this decision?” His voice was cold, but there was a dangerous edge to it, a warning that she was treading on thin ice.

Ananya leaned back in her chair, her eyes meeting his with equal intensity. “Shivya attempted to sell an important file to one of our rival companies,” she said, her tone matter-of-fact.

Before Mr. Sharma could respond, Shivya cut in, her voice dripping with indignation. “Do you have any proof of these baseless accusations?”

Ananya didn’t spare Shivya a glance, keeping her gaze locked on her father. Mr. Sharma, on the other hand, raised an eyebrow, his cold demeanor slipping just enough to let a hint of curiosity through. “Well, Ananya?” he asked, his voice betraying a trace of mockery. “Do you have proof?”