Beneath The Storm (Completed)

Chapter-33: Echoes of a Broken Heart

Third Update of the Day 🎉

The evening had turned into a slow, languid affair. Inaara stood near the corner of the hall, quietly sipping on her juice, her fingers loosely curled around the chilled glass.

The ache in her feet from standing too long made her shift her weight occasionally, but her calm facade remained intact.

Atharv was nowhere to be seen, and for reasons she couldn't place, his absence made her feel out of place in the sea of silk gowns and glittering diamonds.

Her thoughts were broken by the sudden intrusion of a bold, honeyed voice.

"Hi, Inaara."

Inaara turned her head and found herself staring at a woman in an eye-catching crimson gown-sleek, backless, and cutting dangerously low at the neckline.

Her jewelry sparkled under the warm glow of the chandeliers, and her carefully painted smile spoke of arrogance more than warmth.

Inaara blinked, searching her memory for a name, but found nothing.

"Hello," Inaara greeted politely, her voice soft but steady.

The woman smirked knowingly, tilting her head as though she could read Inaara's confusion.

"I see you don't recognize me. I'm Ratna Chatterjee," she announced, as though her name held weight.

The name tickled the edge of Inaara's memory, but she brushed it off with a polite nod.

"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Chatterjee."

Ratna stepped closer, her perfume sharp and overwhelming.

"You look lovely tonight. Quite the simple elegance," she said, her words laced with backhanded flattery.

"Thank you," Inaara replied softly, shifting uncomfortably under the woman's scrutinizing gaze.

The smile on Ratna's lips widened, her next words slipping out smoothly.

"How is married life treating you? I know Atharv as a businessman, but what's he like as a husband?"

The question landed like a sharp pin, its unexpectedness pricking Inaara's calm.

She straightened slightly, discomfort creeping across her expression.

"Atharv is a very good husband," she replied curtly, trying to keep her tone civil.

But Ratna wasn't done. She leaned in conspiratorially, her voice a syrupy whisper.

"And tell me, when are you both planning for a baby?"

Inaara's breath caught mid-sip.

She stared at Ratna, blinking as though she'd misheard. "Excuse me?"

Ratna's expression turned mockingly innocent, yet her eyes gleamed with something sharper.

"What's so surprising, dear? You've been married for almost three months, haven't you?"