( This is the correct order )
Anaya woke up with a strange feeling in her chest.
Not fear.
Not sadness.
Not even anxiety.
It was something softer.
Something warmer.
And that scared her more than anything else.
---
She found Aarav in the kitchen, already dressed for work.
"You're up early," she said.
"So are you," he replied.
"Couldn't sleep," she admitted.
"Same," he said.
They stood there, neither moving, neither speaking.
"I'll make tea," she finally said.
"I already did," he replied, handing her a cup.
She blinked. "You remembered."
"Yes," he said. "You take less sugar."
Her fingers tightened around the cup.
That wasn't part of the contract.
---
Later that day, Anaya went out with her cousin, Riya.
"You look different," Riya said.
"Different how?" Anaya asked.
"Happier," Riya replied. "Or at least… lighter."
Anaya looked away. "Don't read into it."
"Too late," Riya smiled. "Tell me about your husband."
Anaya hesitated. "He's… changing."
"Changing how?"
"He's trying," she said. "And that makes everything harder."
"Harder than what?" Riya asked.
"Harder than hating him," Anaya replied.
Riya studied her. "Do you love him?"
Anaya didn't answer.
Not because she didn't know.
But because she was afraid she did.
---
That evening, Aarav came home later than usual.
"You're late," Anaya said.
"Yes," he replied. "Work."
"You're usually not this late anymore," she said quietly.
"I know," he replied. "I had a meeting."
She nodded, but something felt off.
Not wrong.
Just… distant.
---
During dinner, the silence felt heavier than usual.
"Did something happen?" Aarav asked.
"No," Anaya replied too quickly.
"Yes," he said. "Something did."
She hesitated. "I just… missed you today."
The words slipped out before she could stop them.
He froze.
"You… what?" he asked.
"I mean," she said quickly, "you're usually home earlier. It felt strange."
"But you said you missed me," he said.
She looked down. "I didn't mean it like that."
He leaned forward. "How did you mean it?"
She swallowed. "I don't know."
He nodded slowly. "That's honest."
---
Later that night, Anaya sat on her bed, staring at her phone.
She had typed Aarav's name.
Then deleted it.
Then typed it again.
Then put her phone down.
In the other room, Aarav stood by the window, staring at the city lights.
He hadn't expected to hear that word.
Missed.
It felt too intimate.
Too real.
Too dangerous.
And yet…
It felt good.
---
The next morning, Anaya was in the kitchen when Aarav entered.
"Good morning," she said.
"Good morning," he replied.
"You didn't come to say goodnight last night," she said.
"I didn't want to disturb you," he replied.
"You wouldn't have," she said.
He paused. "Noted."
She smiled faintly.
---
Later that afternoon, Anaya slipped on the stairs.
Not badly.
Not dangerously.
Just enough to lose balance.
Aarav caught her instantly.
His hands were firm.
Steady.
Protective.
"You okay?" he asked.
"Yes," she replied, her heart racing — but not from the fall.
He didn't let go immediately.
Neither did she pull away.
For a moment, they stood there, too close, too aware.
"I should let go," he said.
"Yes," she replied.
Neither moved.
---
"I'm starting to care," Anaya whispered.
He looked at her. "So am I."
"That wasn't part of the deal," she said.
"No," he agreed. "But neither was pretending we don't feel it."
She stepped back slowly.
"This is getting complicated," she said.
"Yes," he replied. "But it's also getting real."
She looked at him. "Real doesn't mean safe."
"No," he said. "But it means honest."
---
That night, Anaya couldn't sleep.
Neither could Aarav.
Because something had changed.
Not dramatically.
Not loudly.
But permanently.
---
They were no longer just living together.
They were no longer just trying.
They were no longer just surviving a contract.
They were starting to matter to each other.
And that…
Was the most dangerous thing of all.
---
Reader Note (Optional but helpful )
There was a numbering mix-up. This chapter is actually Chapter 20. Thank you for your patience!