The meeting at Kapoor Global ended with nothing decided.
No partnership.
No agreement.
Only tension.
Kiara stepped out of the boardroom, her heels echoing softly across the marble floor.
Her assistant followed behind her.
"Miss Kapoor, should I arrange the next meeting schedule?"
Kiara shook her head slightly.
"Not today."
She was about to enter the elevator when a familiar voice stopped her.
"Running away already?"
Kiara turned.
Aarav Malhotra stood a few steps behind her, his expression calm but his eyes burning with something darker.
"I don't run," Kiara replied coolly.
"Good," Aarav said.
"Because you're coming with me."
Kiara raised an eyebrow.
"I don't remember agreeing to that."
Aarav stepped closer.
"You don't have to."
Before she could respond, he placed a document in front of her.
Kiara glanced at it.
Her expression hardened instantly.
It was their marriage certificate.
Signed.
Registered.
Legally valid.
"You made a big scene at the wedding," Aarav said quietly.
"But one thing you forgot…"
He leaned slightly closer.
"We're still legally married."
Kiara's gaze sharpened.
"And?"
"And that makes you my wife."
The word hung in the air.
"I'm not interested in playing house with you," Kiara said flatly.
Aarav smiled faintly.
"Oh, I'm not asking."
His voice dropped, calm but dangerous.
"I'm reminding you."
Kiara crossed her arms.
"You publicly declared that marriage fake."
"Yes," Aarav replied.
"But legally… it still exists."
He slid the paper back into the file.
"And according to the law, my wife should be living in my house."
Kiara stared at him.
"You're doing this to annoy me."
Aarav chuckled softly.
"No."
He stepped closer, lowering his voice so only she could hear.
"I'm doing this because if we're going to destroy each other…"
His eyes locked onto hers.
"…I want you where I can see you."
The elevator doors opened behind them.
For a moment, neither moved.
Kiara studied him carefully.
Trying to understand his real motive.
"Revenge?" she asked quietly.
Aarav's lips curved.
"Let's call it… curiosity."
Then he added,
"And a reminder."
"A reminder of what?"
"That even queens," he said calmly,
"can't escape the rules of the game."
Kiara exhaled slowly.
For the first time since the wedding…
She realized something.
Aarav wasn't trying to defeat her from a distance anymore.
He wanted her close.
Very close.
Finally she spoke.
"Fine."
Aarav looked slightly surprised.
"I'll come."
The tension in the hallway thickened.
"But don't misunderstand something, Mr. Malhotra," Kiara added calmly.
"I'm not coming as your wife."
Aarav smirked slightly.
"Then what are you coming as?"
Kiara met his gaze without fear.
"Your biggest mistake."
For a moment, Aarav just looked at her.
Then he laughed softly.
"Perfect."
He gestured toward the elevator.
"After you… Mrs. Malhotra."
Kiara walked inside.
But as the elevator doors closed…
Neither of them realized something.
The real war wasn't the companies.
It wasn't revenge.
It was the fact that two dangerously stubborn people were now going to live under the same roof.
And that kind of battle…
Never stayed professional for long.