Morning came without mercy.
Grey light seeped through the curtains of Aarav’s penthouse, exposing everything the night had tried to hide fear, truth, and a bond that had formed too fast to be safe.
Mira stood near the window, staring at the city below. It looked innocent in daylight.
Almost kind.
She knew better now.
Behind her, Aarav tightened the cufflinks on his shirt, every movement sharp, controlled armor back in place.
“You’re quiet,” he said.
“I’m thinking,” Mira replied without turning around.
“About how quickly life changes when someone finally tells the truth.
That made him pause.
“You regret staying?” he asked, carefully.
She turned to face him.
“No,” she said.
“But I’m done being protected by silence.”
Before Aarav could respond, the doorbell rang.
Once.
Then again.
Not impatient.
Confident.
Aarav’s expression darkened.
“Stay here,” he said.
Mira ignored him and walked forward anyway.
“You don’t get to decide that anymore,” she said calmly.
Aarav studied her for a second then nodded.
“Alright,” he said.
“Stand beside me.”
That’s when the door opened.
The woman stepped in like she owned the place.
Elegant.
Sharp.
Dangerous in a way that didn’t need volume.
“Hello, Aarav,” she said smoothly.
“Still allergic to surprises?”
Mira felt it instantly the tension wasn’t new.
It was history.
“And you are?” the woman asked, finally looking at Mira.
Aarav answered before Mira could.
“She’s not part of your games.”
The woman smiled.
“Everyone is part of the game,” she said.
“They just don’t know it yet.”
Her gaze locked onto Mira.
“I’m Serena Vale,” she said.
“His wife. On paper.”
The room went still.
Mira felt the words hit her chest but she didn’t step back.
“Ex-wife,” Aarav corrected coldly. “Long divorced.”
Serena laughed softly.
“Divorce doesn’t erase promises,” she said. “Especially the bloody ones.”
Mira looked at Aarav.
“You were married,” she said.
Not accusing.
Just grounding herself in truth.
“Yes,” he said.
“And it was the biggest mistake of my life.”
Serena’s smile faded just for a second.
“You chose power over loyalty,” she snapped. “And now you’re choosing her.”
Mira finally spoke.
“He didn’t choose me,” she said evenly. “I stayed.”
That amused Serena.
“Brave,” she said.
“Or foolish.
We’ll find out.”
She stepped closer, lowering her voice.
“Enjoy him while you can, Mira.
Men like Aarav don’t love.
They consume.”
Aarav stepped forward.
“Leave.”
Serena adjusted her coat, eyes glittering.
“Oh, I will,” she said.
“For now.”
At the door, she paused.
“This city has a way of exposing secrets,”
she added.
“Be careful what you’re standing beside.”
The door closed behind her.
Silence followed thick and dangerous.
Mira exhaled slowly.
“So,” she said.
“Your past just walked in wearing confidence.”
Aarav ran a hand through his hair.
“She’s the reason my world turned dark.”
Mira looked at him steadily.
“Then don’t shut me out when it gets darker,” she said.
“Let me decide when to leave.”
Aarav met her gaze.
For the first time, he didn’t feel alone in the storm.
But outside the building, Serena smiled into her phone.
“Phase one,” she said softly.
“Complete.”
Hey my lovely readers,
this is Aarushi Singh Rajput—your Aaru 🫶
Chapter 10 was about masks falling
and choices that can’t be undone.
I’m still learning, still shaping this story,
so your comments, reviews, and honest feedback
mean everything to me.
Please tell me what you felt, what confused you,
and what you want more of.
1. Did Serena’s entry change how you see Aarav?
2. Do you think Mira handled the truth with strength or stubbornness?
3. Is Serena here for revenge, power… or something even more personal?
