Morning sunlight slowly filled the Malhotra mansion.
Kiara woke up earlier than usual.
For a moment she forgot where she was.
Then her eyes landed on the large glass windows… the unfamiliar room… and the memories of last night.
Aarav.
The balcony.
The tension.
She sighed softly and got out of bed.
Aarav was already gone.
Of course he was.
Control freaks usually woke up early.
Kiara walked downstairs, adjusting the sleeve of the white shirt she had borrowed from the closet.
The staff immediately straightened when they saw her.
"Good morning, ma'am."
Kiara nodded politely.
"Where is Mr. Malhotra?"
"Sir is in the dining hall."
Kiara walked toward the dining area.
But just before entering, she stopped.
Because she heard laughter.
A woman's laughter.
Kiara stepped inside.
At the table sat Aarav.
And across from him—
A beautiful woman in an elegant beige dress.
She looked completely comfortable in the house.
The woman noticed Kiara first.
"Oh."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"You must be Kiara."
Kiara's gaze slowly moved to Aarav.
He looked completely calm.
"Kiara," he said casually,
"meet Alisha Malhotra."
Kiara raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Your sister?"
Alisha laughed softly.
"No."
She leaned back in her chair confidently.
"I'm his fiancée."
The room went silent.
Kiara's eyes flickered toward Aarav again.
But his expression didn't change.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Kiara walked forward slowly and sat down at the table.
"Well," she said calmly,
"That sounds complicated."
Alisha looked confused.
"What do you mean?"
Kiara picked up the glass of water in front of her.
"Because legally…"
She glanced at Aarav.
"I'm his wife."
Alisha's smile froze.
She turned toward Aarav instantly.
"Aarav?"
Aarav sighed quietly.
"Yes. The marriage is technically still valid."
Alisha stared at him.
"You married her for revenge, remember?" he added calmly.
Kiara watched the scene silently.
Alisha looked annoyed.
"So she's just… staying here?"
Kiara answered before Aarav could.
"For now."
The tension at the table thickened.
Alisha crossed her arms.
"This is ridiculous."
Kiara smiled slightly.
"I agree."
Then she leaned slightly forward.
"But don't worry."
Her eyes moved from Alisha to Aarav.
"I'm not interested in your fiancé."
Aarav's gaze lifted slowly.
Kiara's voice remained calm.
"I prefer men who know what they're doing."
For a moment…
Aarav actually smirked.
Alisha noticed.
And that irritated her even more.
"Whatever this situation is," Alisha said sharply,
"it needs to end soon."
Kiara stood up from the table.
"It will."
She looked at Aarav one last time.
"But until then…"
Her lips curved faintly.
"You might want to keep your personal life organized, Mr. Malhotra."
Then she walked out of the dining hall.
Leaving behind an irritated Alisha…
And a strangely amused Aarav.
But upstairs, as Kiara closed the bedroom door behind her…
Her calm expression faded slightly.
Because hearing the word fiancée had stirred something unexpected.
Something she refused to name.
Downstairs, Aarav watched the staircase thoughtfully.
Because one thing had become very clear.
This game between them…
Was no longer just about revenge