The drive back was silent.
Not awkward.
Not angry.
Just heavy like both of them were carrying thoughts too sharp to say out loud.
City lights passed by Mira’s window in long streaks.
She replayed Serena’s words again and again, each one settling deeper than she wanted to admit.
“You okay?” Aarav asked finally, eyes still on the road.
Mira nodded.
“I’m not broken,” she said. “Just… aware.”
That answer made his grip tighten on the steering wheel.
When they reached the penthouse, Aarav didn’t turn on the lights.
He stood near the window instead, staring out at the city like it owed him answers.
“She won’t stop,” he said quietly.
“Serena never backs down once she feels challenged.”
Mira walked closer but kept her distance.
“She didn’t expect me to stay,” she said.
“That’s what bothered her.”
“Yes,” Aarav replied.
“And that’s what makes you dangerous to her and to me.”
Mira frowned.
“Why to you?”
Aarav turned.
His expression wasn’t cold this time.
It was conflicted.
“Because I’m used to calculating loss,” he said.
“And you’re not a loss I can afford.”
The honesty in that sentence scared both of them.
Before Mira could respond, Aarav’s phone buzzed again.
Another message.
Unknown Number:
Tomorrow morning.
Board meeting.
Emergency agenda.
Aarav read it once.
Then again.
“They’re moving faster than I thought,” he muttered.
Mira crossed her arms.
“Serena?”
“Through others,” he said.
“She never gets her hands dirty.”
Mira took a breath.
“Then let me come with you.”
Aarav looked up sharply.
“No.”
“Listen to me,” she said, firm but calm.
“You said lies will surface.
People will talk.
If my name is going to be dragged into your world, I refuse to be invisible.”
He studied her really studied her.
“You don’t understand how ruthless that room can be,” he said.
Mira met his gaze.
“I understand what it means to stand alone,” she replied.
“And I won’t let you do that anymore.”
Something shifted.
Not romance.
Not comfort.
Partnership.
Aarav nodded slowly.
“Alright,” he said.
“But once you step in… there’s no stepping back.”
Mira smiled faintly.
“I already crossed that line.”
Far across the city, Serena watched a news channel silently.
A headline flashed briefly before changing.
She smirked.
“Good,” she whispered.
“Let’s see how long courage lasts under pressure.”
Back in the penthouse, Mira looked out at the sleeping city and felt it for the first time
Not fear.
Responsibility.
And that was heavier.
Mira slowly turned from the window and looked at Aarav.
“Tomorrow,” she said softly, “people will judge you without knowing the whole story.”
Aarav gave a short, humorless smile.
“They already do.”
She walked closer, stopping just in front of him.
“Then let them,” she said.
“Truth doesn’t need permission to exist.”
For a moment, Aarav didn’t respond.
Then he reached out not to pull her close, but to rest his forehead lightly against hers.
“I never planned to involve you,” he admitted.
“You were supposed to be temporary.”
Mira didn’t pull back.
“So was fear,” she replied.
Outside, thunder rolled faintly in the distance.
Not loud enough to scare anyone but loud enough to warn.
Tomorrow wouldn’t just test Aarav’s power.
It would test Mira’s place in his world.
And neither of them knew yet
who would bleed first.
Hey my lovely readers,
this is Aarushi Singh Rajput your Aaru 🫶
Chapter 13 is about standing your ground
even when the ground starts shaking.
I’m still learning, still shaping this story,
so please comment, review, and point out my mistakes.
Your guidance truly helps me grow as a writer
1. Was Mira right to insist on entering Aarav’s world openly?
2. Do you think Aarav is protecting Mira—or depending on her now?
3. What do you think will happen in the board meeting: exposure, betrayal, or a twist?
