The morning air in the Malhotra mansion carried an unsettling quiet, only broken by the occasional rustling of maids moving around the house. Sayantika sat at the breakfast table, feeling dwarfed by the grandeur of the dining room. Every inch of the space, from the towering walls to the intricate chandeliers, screamed opulence, but to her, it felt cold and isolating.
She stared at her untouched plate, picking absentmindedly at the toast in front of her. It had been three days since the wedding, and every day felt heavier than the last. Harshvardhan had barely spoken to her, and when he did, his tone remained as icy as it had been on their wedding night. He was distant, withdrawn, and emotionally unavailable.
But there was something different today.
As she sipped her tea, she heard the sound of footsteps approaching. Her heart skipped a beat as she recognized the firm tread. Harshvardhan. He entered the room, his presence commanding as always, dressed sharply in a crisp navy suit. His eyes scanned the room, landing on her briefly before moving away as though she were just another piece of furniture in the house.
"Good morning," he said, his voice deep and controlled, as he sat down at the head of the table.
"Good morning," Sayantika replied softly, unsure if he even wanted her to acknowledge him. She had learned quickly that Harshvardhan valued silence over conversation. Yet today, there was something about his demeanor that felt different—less rigid, less severe.
As breakfast was served, they ate in silence. Sayantika glanced at him occasionally, hoping to find a crack in his cool facade, but his expression remained unreadable. Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted, if only slightly.
When he finally spoke, it was unexpected. "I have a meeting downtown later today. I'll be out most of the day."
Sayantika blinked, surprised that he was offering information about his schedule. It was such a small thing, but it felt like the first personal detail he had shared with her since they had married. "Oh... okay," she replied, trying to mask the surprise in her voice.
Harshvardhan didn't look at her as he sipped his coffee. "If you need anything, you can ask Deepa. She'll make sure you're comfortable."
"Thank you," Sayantika said, though she didn't feel comfortable asking for anything. She still felt like an outsider in this house, even though it was now her home. Harshvardhan's indifference only made that feeling worse.
As they finished breakfast, Harshvardhan stood, preparing to leave for work. Before he turned to go, he hesitated, his hand lingering on the back of his chair for just a moment longer than usual. "There's something else," he said, his voice quieter now.
Sayantika looked up, her heart pounding slightly. "Yes?"
"My mother and Natasha will be visiting today," he said, his eyes hardening slightly at the mention of the two women. "They can be difficult, especially Natasha. I want you to be aware of that."
Sayantika swallowed. She had been dreading this moment. She had heard stories about Natasha, the family friend who had always been close to Harshvardhan. It was no secret that Natasha had feelings for him, and though Harshvardhan seemed uninterested, the dynamic between them was enough to make Sayantika uneasy.
"I understand," Sayantika replied, her voice steady but nervous.
Harshvardhan's eyes flickered with something she couldn't quite read—was it concern? Or maybe guilt? Whatever it was, it vanished quickly, replaced by his usual stoic expression.
"Good," he said simply, then turned and left the room, his footsteps echoing down the hall.
Sayantika sat there for a long time after he was gone, her mind racing. She had no idea what to expect from Natasha or Harshvardhan's mother, but if Harshvardhan was warning her about them, it couldn't be good.
YOU ARE READING
Vardhan's Bride
Romance"This marriage may be real on paper, but I don't expect us to act like we're anything more than strangers." His words stung, but Sayantika had expected no less. She had heard the rumors about his first marriage-that his ex-wife had betrayed him, lea...
