3 Days Later – Rathore Mansion
Sanaya's POV
Turns out being bedridden isn't as boring when the entire Rathore family turns your recovery into a project.
I wasn't allowed to touch my phone.
Or get up without someone shadowing me.
Or even think about work.
Pihu became my roommate for three days, sleeping beside me and stuffing my face with soup and Bollywood gossip. Viraj brought me chocolates and even sneakily showed me cringe reels when Maa wasn't watching. And Abhiraj? He stayed late after work every night and brought files to "work from home" so I wouldn't feel alone.
But Abhimaan?
He was different.
Quiet, attentive, always watching me like I might vanish if he blinked. He didn't say much—but when he sat beside me, holding my hand without a word, I felt everything.
One evening, he kissed my forehead and whispered, "Come back to the office only when you feel ready. Not for them. Not for me."
And that's when I decided—I would.
Not for him. Not for Freya.
For me.
---
Rathore Enterprises – Monday Morning
Sanaya's POV
The office buzzed as usual, but there was a slight tension in the air. A whisper in every corner. Eyes followed me as I walked in. Some curious. Some respectful.
Some... regretful.
Like they now knew what had happened.
I spotted Tanya waving at me, relieved.
"You okay now?" she whispered.
I smiled. "Better than ever."
Freya wasn't at her desk.
Interesting.
Then I saw Abhimaan enter through the main hallway. His presence, as always, silenced the floor like magic.
He looked right at me.
And nodded once.
It was enough.
-
Sanaya's POV
It was supposed to be a normal project meeting.
At least that's what I told myself when I followed Tanya into the conference room.
But of course, the devil had her own timing.
Freya was already there, seated arrogantly, twirling her pen like she owned the place. Her eyes flicked to me—and I knew something was coming.
Abhimaan entered shortly after, followed by Abhiraj, who stood beside him with his usual calm but unreadable expression.
As I took my seat in the corner, Freya scoffed.
"Oh look," she said loudly, voice dripping with mockery, "the intern who cries her way into meetings."
Everyone went still.
Abhimaan's eyes narrowed. "Freya—"
She cut him off, standing abruptly. "No, no. Don't stop me today. I want to say it in front of everyone. I saw her with you the other day, outside the elevator. Practically throwing herself on you like some desperate street girl."
My throat tightened. Tanya gasped beside me.
"You should learn your place," she hissed, walking toward me. "Oh wait—do you even have one here, sweetheart? Or are you just warming Abhimaan's bed for a permanent role?"
"Enough!" a voice boomed from behind.
It wasn't Abhimaan.
It was Abhiraj.
His chair screeched back as he stood, eyes burning.
"No one—and I mean no one—is allowed to talk to her like that."
Freya blinked. "Oh please, don't pretend to be the noble savior now. She probably seduced you too. Is that why you're taking her side? What, is she passing herself around the Rathore brothers?"
A collective gasp echoed.
Even the AC felt silent.
Abhiraj stepped forward, deadly calm.
"Watch your tongue," he said, voice low but terrifying. "She's not some random intern. She is my sister-in-law."
Freya's face twisted. "W-what?"
"I said," Abhiraj growled, "she's my bhabhi. Abhimaan's wife. Legally. Officially. Proudly."
I felt the floor sway beneath me.
But that wasn't all.
Because next... came Abhimaan.
He walked up slowly. Steadily. His voice sharper than ice.
"And if you ever—ever—speak about my wife like that again, Freya, I won't just throw you out of this office... I'll make sure your career ends before it even starts."
Freya stood stunned, breath shallow.
"I thought you were smarter," he added. "Turns out you're just entitled."
Then he turned to the staff. "Let this be clear—Sanaya is my wife. And whether she's in the office or at home, she deserves respect. Anyone who fails to give it... won't last here."
Freya stumbled back, eyes wide. "Y-you never told anyone..."
"Because she never used my name for advantage. Unlike you, Freya."
---
Sanaya's POV
My hands trembled—but this time, it wasn't out of fear.
It was from the storm that passed through me—and the armor I never knew I had: the Rathore family.
Viraj leaned near me and whispered with a grin, "Remind me to never piss off Abhiraj bhaiya."
I smiled weakly.
But deep inside?
I felt something else.
Finally seen. Finally safe.
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