The atmosphere in the Malhotra mansion had changed.
Completely.
Kiara could feel it in the way the staff looked at her… carefully, cautiously… like they weren't sure what role she actually played in this house.
Wife?
Guest?
Or enemy?
Kiara walked down the staircase calmly that afternoon.
But the moment she stepped into the living room, she stopped.
Alisha was already there.
Sitting comfortably on the couch like she owned the place.
She was scrolling through her phone, completely relaxed.
Until she noticed Kiara.
"Oh," Alisha said, her lips curving slightly.
"You're still here."
Kiara didn't react.
"Good observation."
Alisha set her phone aside and stood up.
"You know… I was actually surprised."
Kiara raised a brow.
"Why?"
Alisha walked slowly toward her.
"Most women would have left by now."
Kiara's expression remained calm.
"Most women didn't marry your fiancé."
Alisha's smile tightened slightly.
"Temporary situation."
"That's what he told you?" Kiara asked.
Before Alisha could respond—
Aarav entered the room.
He stopped the moment he sensed the tension.
"What's going on?"
Alisha immediately turned toward him.
"Nothing," she said sweetly.
"We were just talking."
Kiara almost laughed.
Aarav's eyes moved between them.
He knew that tone.
That dangerous calm.
"Kiara," he said slowly, "I thought you had a meeting today."
"I did."
"And?"
"I cancelled it."
Aarav frowned slightly.
"Why?"
Kiara looked directly at him.
"Because I realized something."
"And what's that?"
Kiara's lips curved faintly.
"If I'm going to live in this house…"
Her eyes flickered briefly toward Alisha.
"I should probably understand the competition."
The room went silent.
Alisha crossed her arms.
"Competition?"
Kiara shrugged lightly.
"Relax."
Her voice was calm.
"I'm not interested in your fiancé."
Aarav looked mildly amused again.
But Alisha wasn't.
"Then maybe you should stop acting like his wife," she said sharply.
Kiara tilted her head slightly.
"Maybe he should stop calling me one."
Aarav sighed.
"This is getting childish."
Kiara turned toward him.
"You brought me here."
"And?"
"And now you're surprised there's drama?"
Aarav ran a hand through his hair.
For a man who controlled billion-dollar deals…
Two women arguing in his living room was somehow more exhausting.
"Enough," he said finally.
Both of them looked at him.
"You," he pointed at Kiara,
"are here because of a legal marriage."
Then he looked at Alisha.
"And you…"
His voice softened slightly.
"…are my fiancée."
Kiara smirked.
"Well."
She stepped back slightly.
"That sounds like your problem."
Then she turned and walked toward the staircase.
But just before leaving the room, she stopped.
Without looking back, she said calmly—
"Let me know when you decide which one of us you actually want."
And then she disappeared upstairs.
Leaving behind silence.
Alisha looked furious.
Aarav looked thoughtful.
Because for the first time since this mess began…
He wasn't entirely sure what the right answer was.