Sacred Games Of Twisted Fate {18+}

*STEP-MOTHER*

***author's pov***

The next morning, the Oberoi mansion was buzzing with activity. Servants rushed around, preparing for the arrival of Mahesh's second wife, Meera, and her daughter, Mehak. Mahesh stood at the center of it all, his face lit up with a rare smile.

In stark contrast, the three brothers—Arjun, Rudra, and Daksh—were far from pleased. Their moods ranged from quiet anger to outright frustration as they sat in the living room, watching the preparations unfold.

Rudra: Grumbling to Arjun "I can't believe she’s coming back. After everything she did..."

Daksh: Clenching his jaw "And we have to pretend like it’s all okay, like we don’t remember how she treated us."

Arjun remained silent, his expression cold and calculated, the anger simmering beneath his calm facade. He hated this moment, but he knew he had to stay composed for the sake of control.

Mahesh glanced over at his sons, noticing their tense expressions.

Mahesh: Cheerfully "Boys, I told you, Meera has changed. This is a new beginning. Try to make peace with it."

Arjun’s eyes flickered with barely concealed rage, but he said nothing. This was far from over.

As the gates of the Oberoi mansion opened, in walked a middle-aged woman adorned with an abundance of jewelry, her presence commanding and full of vanity. Her expensive saree shimmered under the morning light, exuding wealth and a strong sense of superiority. This was Meera—Mahesh's second wife, a woman who never shied away from flaunting her status.

Beside her, a skinny, tanned girl stepped in—Mehak. Dressed in a revealing kurti, Mehak’s outfit clung to her figure, showcasing a stark contrast between her and the traditional elegance expected in the household. Her eyes scanned the mansion with curiosity, but there was a hint of arrogance in her gaze, much like her mother.

The brothers stood silently as they watched the pair enter, their faces hard with disdain. Arjun's jaw tightened, Rudra clenched his fists, and Daksh rolled his eyes, unable to hide his disgust.

Meera smiled widely as she spotted Mahesh, her steps calculated and graceful, while Mehak trailed behind with an air of indifference, occasionally flicking her hair.

Meera: Beaming "Mahesh! It’s been so long. The house looks lovely, as always."

Mahesh smiled warmly, completely oblivious to the growing tension between his sons and the new arrivals.

Mehak: Looking around "So, this is home now?"

Her tone was casual, but the look she exchanged with the brothers said otherwise. This wasn’t just a home—it was a battleground waiting to explode.

The three brothers sat on the couches, completely uninterested in acknowledging Meera and Mehak's arrival. Their posture was casual, but the tension in the room was undeniable. Arjun leaned back, arms crossed, his expression a cold mask of indifference. Rudra absentmindedly played with a glass in his hand, his eyes narrowing occasionally. Daksh, on the other hand, pretended to be engrossed in his phone, smirking to himself as if the whole situation was nothing more than an inconvenience.

Meera, sensing the cold reception, frowned slightly but quickly masked it with a tight smile. She wasn’t new to this hostility from the brothers but had always brushed it aside with her usual air of superiority.

Meera: With forced enthusiasm “It’s good to be back, boys. The mansion feels much more alive now, doesn’t it?”

None of them responded. The silence was deafening.

Mehak, clearly irritated by the lack of attention, flopped down onto an empty chair, crossing her legs and staring at her nails, clearly unbothered by their coldness.

Mehak: In a bored tone “Guess no one missed us.”

Arjun finally spoke, his voice calm but dripping with disdain.

Arjun: Without looking at them "The feeling's mutual."

Rudra smirked at Arjun's comment, while Daksh gave a small chuckle, still not bothering to look up from his phone.

The tension was thick, and it was clear that no warm welcomes would be exchanged today.

Arjun approached Meera, his presence towering over her as he spoke, his tone laced with mockery.

Arjun: Coldly "You’ve worn all those jewels, but no mangalsutra, huh? What a perfect wife you are."

Meera’s forced smile faltered for a second, and she chuckled awkwardly, clearly uncomfortable with the jab. Her hand reflexively touched her neck where the mangalsutra should have been, her jaw clenching as she tried to keep her composure.

Meera: Tightly “You never change, do you, Arjun?”

Arjun didn’t respond, his eyes hard, making it clear that he hadn’t forgotten or forgiven anything from the past. The silence after his words was suffocating, and Meera, for once, had no retort.

Rudra and Daksh exchanged glances, quietly enjoying the scene as their stepmother was left speechless.

Mehak hurried over to Daksh, her steps quick and light as she tried to act playful and charming. Her voice took on a sweet tone, as if trying to impress him.

Mehak: Giggling "Daksh bhaiya! Look at you, all grown up and so serious. You never have time for your little sister anymore!"

She playfully tugged on his arm, flashing a bright smile as she batted her eyelashes, attempting to come off as the innocent, cute girl she wanted everyone to believe she was.

Daksh, however, wasn’t buying it. He pulled his arm away gently, his expression unreadable, but the irritation was clear beneath the surface.

Daksh: Flatly "I’m not in the mood, Mehak."

He stepped back, giving her a cold glance before turning away, leaving Mehak standing there, her fake smile faltering.

Arjun stood up from the couch, feeling the growing boredom gnawing at him as the conversations around him dragged on. Without a word, he adjusted his shirt, glancing briefly at the others before heading upstairs to his room. It was Sunday, a day he preferred to spend in solitude rather than in the company of people he didn’t care for.

Once in his room, he locked the door behind him, taking a deep breath. The quietness of the room contrasted sharply with the chaos downstairs. He walked over to the window, staring out at the vast grounds of the mansion, feeling the weight of his responsibilities and the ongoing family drama pulling at him.

But here, in his space, he could block it all out, even if just for a while.