The office was quieter that evening.
Too quiet.
Like something had shifted… and everyone could feel it.
Rhea was gone.
No official announcement.
No explanation.
Just… gone.
Anika sat at her desk, staring at the screen.
The design was complete.
The deal was secured.
Everything should've felt right.
But it didn't.
Her mind kept replaying everything—
The rumors.
The accusations.
The meeting.
Rhea's look before leaving.
Her chest felt heavy.
For the first time—
She wasn't strong.
She was tired.
She closed her laptop slowly.
Her hands trembled slightly.
"Why does it still feel like I'm the one who lost…" she whispered.
Her voice broke.
And that was it.
The moment she stopped holding it in—
Everything came crashing down.
Tears filled her eyes before she could stop them.
She quickly stood up and walked toward the empty corridor.
She didn't want anyone to see her like this.
Not here.
Not in this office.
But she didn't know—
Someone already had.
"Anika."
His voice.
Soft.
Not commanding.
Not cold.
She froze.
But didn't turn.
"Go away," she said quickly.
"I'm fine."
Silence.
Then footsteps.
Closer.
"Look at me."
"No."
Her voice cracked.
"I said I'm fine."
Arman stopped right in front of her.
Close enough.
"Anika."
She shook her head.
"I don't want you to see me like this."
That hit harder than anything else.
For a second—
Arman didn't say anything.
Then quietly—
"I already have."
Slowly…
She looked up.
And the moment their eyes met—
Her composure shattered completely.
Tears slipped down her cheeks.
Uncontrolled.
Unfiltered.
Real.
"I didn't do anything wrong…" she whispered.
Her voice breaking.
"But they still—"
She couldn't finish.
Arman's expression changed.
Completely.
No arrogance.
No distance.
Just… concern.
"They questioned everything," she said softly.
"My work… my effort… my character…"
Her eyes dropped.
"Do you know how that feels?"
Silence.
Then Arman answered.
"Yes."
She looked at him.
Surprised.
He stepped closer.
Not invading.
Just… there.
"When people doubt you," he said quietly,
"it stays longer than their words."
Her breathing slowed slightly.
"And you don't forget it."
She nodded.
Exactly.
For a moment—
They just stood there.
In silence.
But it wasn't uncomfortable.
It was… understanding.
Then suddenly—
Anika wiped her tears quickly.
"I hate this."
"What?"
"This," she said.
"Feeling weak."
"You're not weak."
"I am right now."
"No."
His voice was firm.
She looked at him.
Confused.
"You're human," Arman said.
And somehow—
That simple sentence broke her even more.
Without thinking—
She stepped forward.
And hugged him.
Tightly.
Like she needed support.
Like she was done being strong for one moment.
Arman froze.
Completely still.
Because this—
This wasn't something he expected.
Or knew how to handle.
But slowly…
Very slowly…
His hands moved.
Resting lightly on her back.
Not pulling her closer.
Not pushing her away.
Just… holding her there.
And for the first time—
There was no tension.
No arguments.
No ego.
Just silence.
And comfort.
After a few moments—
Anika pulled back slightly.
Embarrassed.
"I'm sorry…"
Arman shook his head.
"Don't be."
She looked down.
"I didn't mean to—"
"You didn't do anything wrong."
The same words she had said earlier.
But this time—
They felt different.
She looked at him again.
And for the first time—
She didn't see a cold CEO.
She saw someone who understood.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Arman didn't reply.
But his gaze stayed on her.
Softer than ever before.
And in that moment—
Something changed.
Not loudly.
Not dramatically.
But deeply.
Because this wasn't hate anymore.
This wasn't rivalry.
This was something else.
Something neither of them had control over.