Beneath The Storm (Completed)

Chapter-52: A Sacrifice of Dignity

The study of the Rajvansh mansion was bathed in the somber light of the late afternoon.

The large windows, typically so welcoming with their view of the sprawling garden, now seemed like a barrier between Inaara and the world outside.

The thick mahogany desk stood in the center, papers scattered across it, and the air was thick with tension.

Inaara sat at the far end of the room, her back straight but her eyes heavy with exhaustion, betraying the turmoil within.

Her once-bright eyes were now dull, red from hours of unshed tears, each blink a small effort against the emotions choking her.

One by one, the higher-ups who had been present for the meeting left the room, casting glances of quiet judgment before stepping out.

The door clicked softly as they exited, leaving behind a trail of silence that felt suffocating.

Inaara stared at the floor, her fingers twisting nervously in her lap, as the sound of footsteps approaching interrupted the stillness.

The Rajvansh women entered, and the air seemed to grow colder.

Sangeeta, her face etched with concern, looked at her son, who was sitting rigidly by the desk.

Vihaan, equally tense, exchanged a fleeting glance with Arjun, whose expression mirrored that of the others—strained, as if bracing for what was to come.

Sangeeta’s voice cut through the silence, soft but firm.

“What’s the solution, Atharv?” Her words were heavy with expectation, and all eyes turned toward him.

Vihaan was the first to speak, his voice tinged with frustration.

“Aunty, this article... it’s going viral. The shares are dropping rapidly. Rajvansh’s name is at risk. We’re in serious trouble.”

Inaara’s heart dropped at his words.

Each syllable felt like a hammer blow, crushing her already fragile resolve.

Rajvansh, her husband's empire—everything he had built was slipping away, and it was all tied to a lie she had never uttered.

Atharv’s voice was colder than she had ever heard it.

“The solution is simple,” he said, his gaze fixed firmly on her.

“Inaara has to apologize publicly.”

The words hit Inaara like a wave, leaving her breathless.

She stared at him, her mind racing to process what he had just said.

Her throat tightened as the weight of his command bore down on her.

She had to apologize for something she didn’t do?

A crime she hadn’t committed?

She couldn’t breathe.

“Apologize for what?”