Three weeks later.

Aashi was learning to navigate her secret. It was like walking a tightrope blindfolded.

In public, she and Mehera were still the distant sister-in-law and the cold CEO. Barely any interaction. Minimal eye contact.

In private—late at night, in Mehera's room, with the door locked—they were something else entirely.

Mehera in private was nothing like Mehera in public.

Private Mehera was gentle. She was warm. She played with Aashi's hair and read her poetry and held her while she slept.

Private Mehera called her "meri jaan."

My life.

And Aashi was falling deeper every day.

But then came the Friday night dinner.

The whole family was gathered. Even distant relatives. It was one of those obligatory Rathore dinners that happened once a month.

Aashi was helping the staff set the table when Vikram entered.

Vikram Rathore. Second cousin. Recent MBA from London. Twenty-six. Tall. Charming. And very, very interested in Mehera.

"Badi didi!" Vikram greeted loudly, walking straight to Mehera. "Looking stunning as always."

Mehera gave him a flat look. "Vikram."

"Come on, don't be like that. I brought you that Scotch you like—" He sat down next to her. Way too close. "From London. Special edition."

"How thoughtful," Mehera said dryly.

Aashi watched from across the room.

Vikram was leaning toward Mehera. Smiling. Talking. Touching her arm.

He's touching her arm.

Aashi's chest tightened.

Stop. You have no right to be jealous. She's not yours. Not publicly.

But she is mine. She told me she's mine.

But she's sitting next to him. Smiling. Actually smiling at something he said.

Is she smiling at him?

Aashi dropped a spoon. The clatter made everyone look.

"Sorry," she mumbled, face burning.

Mehera's eyes found hers across the table. Something flickered in them—concern, maybe. Or recognition.

But then Vikram said something, and Mehera turned back to him.

Aashi excused herself from the table.

She was in the garden, sitting on the swing, hugging herself against the cool night air.

The tears came before she could stop them.

This is what you signed up for, she told herself. This is the price of secrecy.

She can't be yours in public. She can't claim you. She can't hold your hand at dinner. She can't tell Vikram to back off because she's taken—taken by her brother's wife.

This is impossible.

The patio door opened.

"Aashi?"

Mehera's voice. Low. Careful.

"Go back inside," Aashi said, wiping her eyes. "Your cousin is waiting."

Mehera walked to the swing. She stood in front of Aashi, blocking the moonlight.

"Are you crying?"

"No."

"Aashi."

"I said no!"

Mehera crouched down. Her hand came up to Aashi's chin, tilting it toward the light.

Aashi's face was streaked with tears. Her eyes were red. Her lips were trembling.

"Tell me," Mehera said softly.

"I can't," Aashi whispered. "It's stupid."

"If it makes you cry, it's not stupid."

Aashi's chin wobbled. "I... I didn't like seeing him next to you. Vikram. I didn't like him touching your arm. I didn't like him making you smile."

Realization dawned in Mehera's eyes.

"You were jealous."

"I know I shouldn't be—"

Mehera pulled Aashi into a hug. Right there in the garden. Where anyone could see.

"I don't care about Vikram," Mehera murmured into Aashi's hair. "I don't care about any of them. There's only you. There will only ever be you."

"Then why were you smiling at him?"

"Because he told a terrible joke and I was being polite. The same way I'm polite to investors I despise."

"Really?"

"Aashi." Mehera pulled back, cupping Aashi's face. Her thumbs wiped away the tears. "I am yours. Completely. Irrevocably. Painfully yours. No cousin, no proposal, no man or woman on this earth could change that."

Aashi sniffled. "You really mean that?"

Aashi sniffled. "You really mean that?"

"I've never meant anything more."

"Then... then come inside with me. Sit next to me at dinner."

"Aashi, we can't—"

"I don't mean like that. Just... sit near me. That's all."

Mehera was quiet for a long time.

Then she nodded.

"Okay."

They walked back inside together. Mehera sat in the empty chair next to Aashi's spot.

Vikram raised an eyebrow. "Badi didi, you moved seats?"

"The food is better on this side," Mehera said flatly.

Under the table, her hand found Aashi's.

And Aashi smiled