ECLIPSED HEARTS - Twisted Fates & Unveiled Truths

Negotiating With the Past

Aarush said nothing, but his silence spoke volumes. He was lost in thought, his brows furrowed in contemplation. Jia noticed the shift in his expression. Running her fingers gently through his hair, she said softly, 

"You only lose when you let your emotions get affected by those you hate." 

After a brief pause, Aarush exclaimed with sudden realization, 

"Mom! I get it now… But I’m sure that aunty will try something again. She’ll definitely try to take revenge!" 

Holding his hand, Jia walked him out of the swimming center, offering him a calm but reassuring smile. 

"She’s too weak to shake me, Aarush. You don’t need to worry. Your mom is stronger than she seems." 

Aarush beamed with pride, shouting, 

"My mom is the best!" 

Just then, Jia’s phone buzzed. It was a message from Arjun Thakur’s secretary. 

**Arjun wanted to meet.** 

---

### **The Next Morning** 

Jia stood outside Manager Suresh’s office, about to knock when she heard muffled sobs from inside. 

*Someone's crying?* she thought, her brows rising. 

*It must be Shivani, crying her heart out to Manager Suresh about how I pushed her into the pool.* 

Silently, Jia turned the doorknob and stepped inside. 

She found Shivani slumped on one side of the sofa, sobbing dramatically. On the opposite side sat Manager Suresh, awkwardly trying to comfort her. 

Clutching her scratched arms, Shivani wailed, 

"Look at these scratches, sir! All because Jia *pushed me* into the swimming pool!" 

Then, playing the perfect victim, she added between sobs, 

"If she had a problem with me, she could have talked to me. Why humiliate me in front of everyone over a petty misunderstanding?" 

Shivani leaned closer to Suresh, placing her hand on his thigh—a move both bold and deliberate. 

Though Suresh was in his fifties, Shivani had him wrapped around her finger, using seduction as her shield. 

In a softened voice and a rehearsed innocence, she whispered, 

"Sir, listen to me… If she continues working here—" 

Unbeknownst to both of them, Jia had been witnessing everything silently. 

Then, with a clear and assertive voice, Jia interrupted, 

"Manager Suresh, may I have a word with you?" 

Suresh, caught off guard, jumped in his seat as if someone had caught him red-handed. He turned toward Jia with a guilty smile. 

"Jia… Did you really push Shivani into the pool?" 

Jia walked closer, folding her arms, her tone calm but firm. 

"I did." 

A flicker of fear passed through Suresh’s eyes. Lowering his voice, he asked, 

"Why?" 

Jia replied, her tone steady and composed, 

"I didn’t do it intentionally. Why would I hurt a colleague without reason?"