Chapter 4 – New Beginnings and Old Wounds

Siddhant sat alone in his office, the city lights castinglong shadows across the sleek floor. The quiet hum of the night only remindedhim of the silence left in Roli’s absence. His heart still throbbed with astrange mix of anger, confusion, and pain.

He replayed every moment they had shared, every glance,every smile—wondering where it had all gone wrong.

Roli wasn’t just an employee. She had become the center ofhis world, the one person who softened the edges of his rigid life. And yet,she was gone. Without a word to him, without warning.

His mind raced with questions that had no answers.

Was she really only after money? The thought hurt himmore than he wanted to admit.

Did she never feel anything for me?

But there was no use dwelling on “what ifs.” Siddhant’spride would not let him fall into that pit. No. Instead, he would channel hispain into something else. He would expand his empire, open the new branch inher fiancé’s city, and maybe—just maybe—find a way to reclaim what he lost.

Meanwhile, hundreds of miles away, Roli stared out thewindow of a sleek, black car speeding down a busy highway. The city skylineblurred past as her fiancé’s driver navigated the streets with practiced ease.

Her heart pounded not from excitement or joy, but from agnawing emptiness she couldn’t shake.

The engagement was arranged. Her family had made sure it wasthe perfect match—wealthy, powerful, and respected. Everything she should havewanted.

But she found herself wondering if she had made a mistake.The memory of Siddhant’s intense hazel eyes haunted her. The way he looked ather like she was something precious, not just another employee.

Was that real?

Or had she just been fooling herself?

Roli swallowed the lump in her throat and forced herself tolook ahead. No time for doubts now. She had made her choice.

Back at the office, Alice noticed Siddhant’s growingrestlessness. The usually confident and composed man was now distracted, hissharp gaze often lost in thought.

One evening, as the office emptied and the night deepened,Alice approached his desk.

“Sir, you’ve been working late all week. Maybe you shouldtake a break,” she said softly.

He looked up, surprised to see her concern.

“Roli’s absence has affected me more than I thought,” headmitted quietly.

Alice nodded, her eyes showing unexpected sympathy. “I knowyou liked her. Maybe more than you realized.”

He sighed. “I don’t understand why she left without a word.”

“She probably had her reasons,” Alice said, though thebitterness in her voice was unmistakable.

Siddhant looked at her, curiosity flickering. “What do youmean?”

She hesitated, then spoke. “Roli wasn’t the only one withsecrets.”

He frowned, leaning back. “What secrets?”

Before she could answer, the phone on his desk buzzed. Heglanced at the screen—an unknown number.

“Should I take it?” he asked.

Alice nodded. “Maybe it’s something important.”

He picked up. “Hello?”

A familiar voice whispered on the other end. “Siddhant...it’s me.”

His heart stopped.

“Roli?” he breathed.

There was silence, then she spoke again, her voicetrembling. “I didn’t want you to hear it from anyone else... I’m coming back.There’s something you need to know.”

The news of Roli’s return spread quickly through the office,stirring curiosity and tension.

Siddhant couldn’t focus. His mind was torn between hope andcaution. Why was she coming back? What was the truth she had kept hidden?

The day she walked back into the office, the air seemed tocrackle with unspoken emotions.

Roli’s eyes met Siddhant’s across the room. No words wereneeded—both knew the story was far from over.

As she stepped closer, she whispered, “I never wanted tohurt you.”

And for the first time since she left, Siddhant believedher.

But trust, once broken, is never easy to rebuild.