Tangled Beliefs

Chapter-44: Reconcile

He wasn't supposed to care, and she wasn't supposed to stay. Yet here they were, rewriting the rules of a forced destiny.

Nandini’s POV,

The soft hum of the air conditioner filled my silent cabin as I stared at the SWOT analysis documents in front of me. The words blurred as my mind drifted elsewhere—toward him.

Bhai.

Today, after everything, I would be facing him again. The brother who had always been my shield and protector had distanced himself from me, and I knew why. And now, today… would he talk to me? Would he look at me the same way?

The shrill ring of my phone snapped me out of my thoughts. I glanced at the screen—a message from Priyanka, the receptionist.

"The clients (Murthys) are here."

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. It was time.

Standing up, I adjusted my blazer and stepped out of my cabin. As I walked toward the lift, Manik and Papa joined me, their presence grounding me.

The elevator doors slid open, and there they were—Dad, and Bhai. And three senior representatives from our company.

My grip tightened around the tablet in my hands. This was business. Nothing personal.

I kept my expression neutral, stepping forward with professional courtesy.

“Welcome, Mr. Murthy,” I greeted formally, addressing my father. “Mr. Murthy,” I said again, looking at my brother this time.

Bhai didn’t respond immediately. His gaze flickered toward me, cold and unreadable, before he nodded stiffly.

Ignoring the sinking feeling in my chest, I gestured for them to follow. “Please, this way.”

As I led them to the conference room, my heart pounded. Would Bhai talk to me? Would he continue treating me like a stranger?

Soon, Manik and papa entered with additional members from our side—senior heads from key departments of Malhotra Industries.

The meeting began with formal introductions, and the discussions started immediately. Terms were laid out, agreements were analyzed, and finally, after much deliberation, the papers were signed.

I should have felt relieved.

The deal was done. The partnership my father had pushed me into this marriage for was finally sealed.

But my heart wasn’t at ease.

I had discreetly watched Bhai the entire meeting, waiting for him to acknowledge me. To say something. Anything.

But he didn’t.

Instead, he kept his focus entirely on business, ignoring me completely.
The pain settled deep in my chest. This wasn’t the Bhai I knew.

After the documents were signed, Papa took Dad and the legal team to look around, leaving behind Manik, Bhai, and me.

“Rudraksh, come with me,” Manik said, his voice casual yet firm. “Nandini, arrange food for the guests in the visiting room.”

I nodded silently, turning on my heels to leave.

Fifteen minutes later, I wheeled a trolley of food into the room.

Placing the dishes carefully, I turned to leave, but Manik’s voice stopped me.

“Nandini, sit.”

I hesitated, my fingers tightening around the handle of the trolley.