Page 16 of Mrs. Rathore

“I’m Rhea,” she said, turning to me with a bright grin. “Your sister-in-law. Or in simpler terms, the only sane one in this family.”

“I’m Avni,” I replied, my voice hoarse from silence. It had been a week since the accident. A week since I’d spoken more than a few necessary words. A week since my world fell apart.

Words didn’t come easy anymore. Not when my dreams were buried under bandages and shame.

“But I already like you, Rhea.”

“You know,” she said with a laugh, “you’re the only person who ever managed to make my arrogant brother feel like he’s lost.”

I looked up at her quietly, studying her features. She had Aryan’s eyes - sharp, expressive but her smile was all her own. Genuine. Warm. Comforting.

Not like Aryan’s. I didn’t even know what his smile looked like.

Because I’d stolen it.

I stole his love. His dream girl. His future.

If he was the villain in my story…

Then maybe I was the thief in his.

Perfect.

“Where are you taking that cripple?”

The sharp voice sliced through the air like a whip. I turned my head slowly, then came face to face with the same woman who insulted my mother’s saree the moment I arrived here.

“Mom, don’t call her that!” Rhea snapped, her voice low and furious.

Mom?

I stared at the woman. She was chubby, with a permanent scowl and a mouth that was clearly her deadliest weapon. Aryan’s mother? She looked nothing like him. Where he was all sharp elegance and self-control, she was loud, careless, and overflowing with judgment.

Did I just insult my mother-in-law in my head? Probably. But I had my reasons.

It took only a few moments with her to understand exactly who she was. First: she judged people by their appearances but not by their hearts. Likely because she didn’t have one.

Second: she cared for no one but herself. Empathy wasn’t something she lacked because it had never existed for her. Third:her voice was more grating than a crow’s caw; in fact, I would have gladly listened to a chorus of crows over another word from her.

“Did I say something wrong?” she asked, frowning in mock innocence, as if she hadn’t just called me a cripple.

“Look at her,” she continued. “Dragging herself around, ruining my son’s life. She might’ve married him, but she’ll never be his wife.”

“Mom, that’s enough!” Rhea growled, turning my wheelchair and wheeling me away.

I placed a hand over hers, offering a small smile. “You don’t have to fight your mother for me. Don’t ruin your relationship because of someone like me.”

Rhea scoffed. “Are you pretending to be good, or are you really this good?”

I tilted my head. “Depends on how you see me.”

“I see my bhabhi right now.” She smiled softly but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. Still, there was something genuine about it. She really wanted me to be part of her family. And yet… I was just here to flip her brother’s life upside down. For a few months, I would be Mrs. Aryan Rathore and then what?

“Where are you taking me?” I asked.

“To your family and friends. One last time… before we leave for your new home.” She hesitated before adding, “The Rathore Villa.”

And just like that, her words landed like a slap across my face. A silent, invisible strike that left me breathless. I was leaving.

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