Written Between the Lines - Chapter 8

 

Chapter 8: Cracks in the Foundation

The following week was chaos.

Between high-stake investor meetings, back-to-back presentations, and the upcoming global summit, Mehra-Singhania Global was under a spotlight. And right in the middle of it all… was Rhea.

She was sharp, efficient, and always around Aditya — in meetings, calls, late-night strategy sessions.

Aditi told herself it was fine.
She was his wife, not his shadow.
She trusted Aditya.

But trust wasn’t always enough when insecurities whisper louder than logic.

The Tipping Point

Aditi walked into the office late one evening to collect some forgotten files. She paused at the glass cabin — Aditya and Rhea were inside, laughing over something on his laptop.

Rhea leaned in close.
Aditya didn’t move away.

That moment — just a second long — felt like betrayal.

Not because of what happened. But because of what it looked like.

Aditi walked away, quiet, unnoticed… heart heavy.

That Night at Home

Aditya entered the apartment past midnight, tired but relieved.

“The Singapore pitch went well,” he said casually, unbuttoning his cuffs.

Aditi was reading, or pretending to.

“Great,” she said, flipping a page she hadn’t read.

He sensed the coldness. He paused.

“Something wrong?”

“No. Why would anything be wrong? You had Rhea with you, right?”

He froze. Looked at her carefully.

“You’re upset.”

“I’m not,” she said too quickly.

Silence. Heavy. Awkward.

“You think there’s something going on between me and her?”

“I think she wants there to be.”

That hit harder than expected.

“Do you trust me?” he asked.

“I want to,” she replied honestly. “But I’m still learning how.”

Aditya sighed and stepped closer.

“Then let me make it easier.”

He picked up his phone, dialed Rhea.

“Hey, Rhea. About the Singapore project… I’d prefer if Aditi took over the next phase.”

Rhea paused. Then laughed lightly.

“Of course. Looks like I’m losing to the real boss.”

He hung up.

Aditi stared at him.

“Why did you—?”

“Because I’ve worked too hard to get this —” he looked at her, his voice sincere — “whatever this is between us. I’m not letting anyone else ruin it. Not even an old friend.”

Aditi’s eyes glistened. She didn’t say anything — just slowly walked up to him and hugged him tight. It was the first time she held him without hesitation.

And he held her back — like she finally belonged in his arms.

But as they celebrated their silent victory…

Rhea sat in her car, watching the building from a distance.

“The cracks have started showing,” she murmured. “Now let’s see if your perfect little empire can survive the storm.”

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