HUSBAND'S POV
The moment her palm landed on my cheek, I knew I was busted.
I mean, really? This 'homely' woman-so naive, so devoted-actually believed her precious husband could never do something like this, right?
But the point is... HOW. DID. SHE. KNOW?
Anger surged through my veins like wildfire. If there hadn't been a crowd, I swear I would've wrapped my hands around her throat and squeezed until her last breath.
THAT B!TCH OF A WOMAN DARED TO HUMILIATE ME!
The facade I've been maintaining for ten years itched to rip off.
Thankfully, mother intervened and took my side, like she always did. God, I love her. She's been there for me, supporting me through everything, no matter what. Always caring. Always understanding. The best mother a man could ask for. I'm blessed, really.
I breathed myself to calmness and immediately went to my room after she left the venue. The crowd gathered there were awestruck witnessing our little domestic drama. I'm sure none of them had ever seen Chhavi this furious. Hell, neither had I!
She has always been that ideal housewife, working her ass off like a donkey, day in and day out. And on top of that, hardly complained. All I had to do was toss a few sweet words her way and in no time, she'd melt like butter on a hot day. That's what I loved about her—her easygoing nature. She never questioned what I was doing, never bothered to dig deeper.
Her entire family is like that- naive, trusting fools.
Her father, Mr. Sharma, ran a coaching institute, training kids for engineering exams. I started off as a lowly accountant there. It wasn't long before I became his most trusted employee. All I had to do was play the loyal servant- work a few extra hours, carry his bags, spy on the other staff, feed him gossip about underperforming teachers. He ate it up. Soon enough, he invited me over for dinner.
That's when I knew I'd win Chhavi over too. She was a little harder to crack, always insisting on her parents' opinion. But I planted the seed with Mr. Sharma and soon enough, he was practically begging me to marry his precious daughter. My plan worked like a charm.
My mother, of course, never approved of working women. Why should she? After all, household duties aren't her burden alone. And Chhavi, gave in without a fight. As I said I'm blessed.
Mom always wanted to move back to Lucknow, her hometown, for her old age and spend the rest of her life there. Mr. Sharma helped our entire family to settle in Lucknow after the marriage. Infact, he opened a branch of this institute in Lucknow for me to take over and I knew I was half way through success.
Chhavi was just the pawn in my game...and a useful househelp. She's an obedient wife.
I never really had to put in any extra effort to hide my true intentions. Chhavi loves me blindly—like a devoted cow, completely oblivious to the world around her.
Misha, on the other hand, is my real partner in crime. She's been in on this plan for five years now and she's the full package—beauty, brains, and oh! That body. Not to mention, she's incredibly cooperative. No drama, no unnecessary demands. She has enough wit to understand and I've promised her that once I remove the thorn on my way, I'll make her my wife. Officially.
And she's fine with waiting. I mean, it's rare to find a woman so understanding, right? Most would be clingy, moody, crazy, stupid but Misha is not like other girls.
Well, now I had to cover up fast.
I slipped into my room and immediately noticed the device on the dressing table. It didn't take me more than a second to figure out what it was.
I ignored it and straightway walked to my oh- so- important wife and back hugged her.
Ahh, the things I do to save my ass.
Well, I had to put up the same old emotional drama that's been saving me for ten years now. Whether it was convincing her to move to Lucknow or making her sign over the stocks in her name to mine, it's always worked.
I sighed inwardly, bracing myself to slip into the role again. It's almost laughable how predictable it all is—shed a few tears, act remorseful, say just the right words and she melts like butter every single time!
But this time... something was different. Normally, a few sweet words were enough to pacify her but today...she wasn't getting convinced. It was frustrating.
I mean, it wouldn't be such a big deal to just behead her, dump her body in some remote forest and let the lions do the dirty work. But I need her signature on those papers first.
That idiot Sharma made the mistake of naming his good-for-nothing daughter as the heir to his wealth.
And once I get what I need, entirely... then she can disappear for all I care.
Somehow, when things weren't unfolding the way I wanted, I knew it was time to slip away to Misha's place to talk about the mess. But the moment I rode off, I noticed a white taxi tailing me down the lane. And of course, I already knew who was inside it.
It's okay, baby. You wanna play.
Without missing a beat, I quickly got on call with Misha while driving, explaining the situation. I told her to get our alibi, Mr. Singh, into her apartment, clean up every shred of evidence and make sure she wasn't anywhere near it when things went down.
Misha responded instantly. She knew the drill. She was always a step ahead and that's why I trusted her with everything.
But the matter is serious now.
Who the hell is trying to spike my guns?
This little woman, whom I've blinded in love for years, is suddenly aware of almost everything? How?
My years of hard work... all going to waste?
Not so easily, Chhavi darling. Not so easily.
Later, just as I predicted, she showed up at Misha's place and ransacked the entire flat. Where the hell is she getting balls from? I have no idea.
The way I kept her in the dark all these years, there's no way she figured this out on her own. I always made sure to come home clean.
Time's up now. I need to take the step.
AUTHOR'S POV
Disheartened, Chhavi returned home wearily. Her eyes had run dry of tears, and her legs ached. Her feet were slightly burned from walking on the heated pavements and debris.
As soon as she stepped through the door, her mother-in-law burst out of her room, screaming.
"Kahan gayi thi re? Pure khandaan ka izzat mitti me mila diya. Aur kya karne gayi thi bina bataye?
("Where did you go, girl? You've dragged the family's honor through the mud. What were you up to without informing anyone?")
Chhavi didn't reply. She just kept walking, heading toward the stairs that led to her room.
"Bartan kaun saaf karega, tera baap?"
(Who's going to clean the dishes, your father?)
She stopped dead in her tracks for some seconds and then, slowly turned back with fury blazing in her eyes, shooting daggers at her b!tchy mother-in-law which made the hair on her spine erect.
Her hands found a vase nearby, just by the tail of the stairs and without a second thought, she gripped the ceramic tightly and aimed it directly at the head of the woman who had just degraded her late father.
This wasn't the first time her mother-in-law had insulted her family despite everything Chhavi and the Sharma family had done for them but this time, something snapped.
Her vision blurred with rage and before she knew it, the vase flew from her hand, shattering into pieces as it collided with the wall beside the woman's head.
The old woman froze. She was taken aback, wide-eyed, as if she couldn't believe what had just happened. For the first time, Chhavi had crossed the invisible line she'd always toed around her mother-in-law. She was shaking like a leaf.
Chhavi, breathing heavily, stood still, her fingers still curled which had gripped the vase just a few seconds earlier.
"Bhandh me jao."
(Go to hell.)
She spat out venomously and turned around to storm up the stairs.
--
Her husband returned a couple of hours later. He straightaway barged into their room after his mom filled him in with what ever happened earlier.
Chhavi didn't even flinch when she felt his presence. Her gaze was fixed out the window.
Without a word, he stormed toward her, grabbing her elbow and spinning her around with enough force to knock her off balance. Her back slammed against the wall and she finally looked up without any sign of shock or surprise etched on her face.
"So you'll spy on me now, hmm?"
His voice was low, threatening, as if daring her to say something that would set him off.
A chill ran down her spine but she was already past the point of fear.
"Why? Is your facade coming off?"
Her voice was steady.
"Chhavi. Do not. Dare. To. Disrespect. Me and my family. You've no idea what I can do to you. You're so ungrateful of the way me and my family treated you for ten fucking years!"
She scoffed, rolling her eyes.
"Oh how did you treat me Mr. Cheater? By sleeping with other women?"
"I've always been soft to you Chhavi. Never ever raised a hand."
She let out a bitter laugh.
"Oh! So I should be thankful to you for doing the barest bare minimum, fucker!"
"Mind your language Chhavi."
He roared, grabbing her chin, forcing her face up to meet his with a forceful pout. His grip was cruel. His fingers dug into her cheeks so hard that fresh tears sprang to her eyes.
She somehow managed to shove him off to release herself from his grip.
She stumbled back, wiping her tears with the back of her hand.
In an unyielding voice, she announced.
"I need a divorce and your resignation from my father's company. Now."
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You won't believe how much y blood was boiling while I was writing this.
||SPOILER||
"Please help me..."
"Of course, Ms. Rosy."