The illegitimate daughter of a powerful businessman, she was sent to live with her six half-brothers after her father's sudden death.
The boys were born from privilege, pride, and perfectly manicured bloodlines. No one welcomed her. No one cared.
De...
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The crystal on the chandelier trembled—either from the wind or the tension in the air.
I heard her heels before I saw her.
Too loud. Too self-assured.
Malvika.
The woman clung to the Rajput name like it was designer couture.
I took one long look at her.
And smiled.
Sweet. Poisoned.
"Well," I purred, tilting my head slightly, "look what the winds dragged in, or should I say, what the storm summoned?"
Her steps faltered for just a second.
She hadn't expected to see me here.
Not after everything.
Not after the brothers barely acknowledged me when I was living here.
She covered it quickly, pasting that practiced smirk on her face. "You're still here?" Her voice was laced with false concern. "I thought, well. Never mind what I thought."
"Oh no, do tell," I replied. "Your thoughts always amuse me."
She didn't reply, just glanced quickly at the brothers standing behind me. All stone-faced. All silent.
Avni's door creaked open upstairs. I didn't need to look. I could feel her gaze.
She padded down the stairs, confused. Eyes scanning us. Settling on me.
She didn't say anything. But her confusion was loud.
The tension hung between all of us like gunpowder. One spark, and this house would burn.
"Why don't you sit, Malvika?" I said suddenly, nodding at the couch across from me. "I have something to show you. Might just make your week."
She narrowed her eyes.
But she sat.
I reached for my phone, tapped twice, and said, without looking up, "Check your phone."
A second later, her phone chimed.
She picked it up with a smirk, one that froze on her lips the second her eyes hit the screen.
The color drained from her face.
Faster than I expected.
Atharyu stepped forward, slow and menacing. "What is it?"
She didn't answer.
Aditya, ever the impatient one, stormed up and snatched the phone before she could react.
"What the hell?" he muttered, scrolling.
"What is it?" Kabeer asked, fists clenched.
Aditya's jaw clenched. His voice was low and sharp.
