The house didn’t quiet down immediately after the decision. It lingered. Voices overlapped in low murmurs, chairs shifted, someone tried to lighten the atmosphere with a joke that didn’t land. The weight of what had just been decided sat heavy in the air, refusing to move.

Kiara didn’t stay. The moment the elders started discussing “arrangements,” she turned and walked out, her steps quick, controlled, until she was out of the main hall. Only then did she stop. The corridor was empty. Silent. Her breath came out sharper than she expected.

“This is insane,” she whispered, pressing her fingers to her temple.

An engagement. In a week. Her laugh came out hollow this time.

“They’ve actually lost it.”

“You’re not the only one who thinks that.”

His voice. Of course. Kiara dropped her hand and turned slowly. Aarav stood a few steps behind her, having followed her out. His expression was calm, but there was a tightness in his jaw that hadn’t been there before. For a second, neither of them spoke.

“Congratulations,” she said flatly. “You got exactly what you wanted.”

His brows drew together slightly. “I didn’t want this.”

“Really?” she let out a dry laugh. “Could’ve fooled me. You didn’t exactly fight it.”

“Neither did you.”

Her eyes flashed. “Don’t.”

He held her gaze. “You walked out.”

“Because arguing with people who’ve already made up their minds is pointless,” she snapped. “Not because I agree.”

“Same here.”

The words came quick.  And for a brief second, something almost like understanding flickered between them. It vanished just as quickly.

Kiara crossed her arms. “Then why didn’t you say that?”

“I did,” he replied evenly. “It just didn’t matter.”

Silence stretched between them again. Frustrating and unresolved.

“This is still your fault,” she said finally.

Aarav let out a short breath, more annoyed than amused. “We’re back to that?”

“Yes, we are,” she shot back. “If you hadn’t grabbed my hand—”

“If you hadn’t walked away mid-conversation—”

“It wasn’t a conversation!” she cut him off. “You were talking at me like I don’t know what I’m doing.”

“And you were dismissing everything I said without listening.”

“Because you weren’t saying anything worth listening to.”

That did it. Something in his expression hardened.

“Right,” he said, voice dropping slightly. “Of course. Because you’re always right.”

“At least I don’t act like I own every room I walk into.”

“And at least I don’t pretend I deserve it without proving it.”

The words hit sharp and direct.

Kiara stepped closer, her anger flaring instantly. “You don’t get to question my capability.”

“And you don’t get to hide behind confidence to cover your mistakes.”

Her breath caught for a second. Not because she agreed. Because he sounded so sure.

“You don’t know anything about me,” she said, quieter but colder.

“And yet,” he replied, meeting her gaze without hesitation, “I’m still not wrong.”

That silence again. But this time, it was heavier and more personal.

Kiara let out a slow breath, forcing herself to step back before she said something worse. “This is exactly why this won’t work.”

Aarav didn’t respond immediately. Because he knew she was right.

“That’s not the point,” he said finally.

“No,” she agreed bitterly. “It’s not. The point is reputation. Image. Control.”

Her voice dropped slightly.

“And we’re just… convenient.”

Something about the way she said that lingered. For a brief moment, Aarav didn’t have a response. Didn’t argue. Didn’t correct her. And that irritated her even more.

“Say something,” she demanded.

“What do you want me to say?” he asked, tone steady. “That this is fair? That it makes sense?”

“Yes,” she said sharply. “Say that. Since you’re so good at justifying everything.”

“I’m not justifying it.”

“Then what are you doing?"

“Trying to accept it.”

The words landed differently. Not defensive. Not arrogant. Just… factual.

Kiara stared at him.

“That’s your solution?” she asked. “Just accept it?”

“For now,” he said. “Until we find a way to deal with it.”

She let out a quiet, disbelieving scoff. “There is no ‘dealing with it.’ It’s an engagement, Aarav. Not a meeting you can walk out of.”

“I’m aware.”

“Are you?” she challenged. “Because you seem very calm for someone who’s about to get forced into a marriage.”

His jaw tightened slightly.

“I don’t panic over things I can’t change immediately.”

“Well, maybe you should,” she snapped. “Because this isn’t something you can control.”

That struck a nerve. His gaze sharpened.

“Neither can you.”

The words hung between them.

Kiara looked away first this time, running a hand through her hair in frustration. “I had plans,” she muttered. “Actual plans.”

Aarav’s eyes flickered, but he didn’t interrupt.

“I wasn’t supposed to—” she stopped herself, exhaling sharply. “This wasn’t how it was supposed to happen.”

There it was. A crack, it was small and brief but it was real. For a second, Aarav almost said something. Something neutral. Something that didn’t turn into another argument. But then she looked back at him, and the irritation returned just as fast.

“And all of this,” she added, her voice sharpening again, “because you couldn’t keep your hands to yourself for two seconds.”

And just like that, whatever hesitation he had disappeared.

“Don’t start that again,” he said, tone colder now.

“Why not? It’s true.”

“It was a reaction.”

“It was unnecessary.”

“So was walking away.”

“I wasn’t obligated to stand there and listen to you.”

“And I wasn’t obligated to let you walk off mid-discussion.”

“It wasn’t your right to stop me.”

“And it wasn’t your right to dismiss me."

They were back there again. Right where they started. Same anger. Same clash. Nothing resolved.

Kiara shook her head slightly, stepping back. “This is pointless.”

“Yes,” Aarav agreed. “It is.”

A pause and then,

“So here’s how this works,” he continued, voice controlled again. “We get through the engagement. We keep things… presentable in front of family and media.”

Kiara’s eyes narrowed slightly. “And?”

“And outside of that,” he said, meeting her gaze, “we stay out of each other’s way.”

She stared at him for a moment. Then let out a short laugh.

“That’s the first sensible thing you’ve said.”

“Good,” he replied. “Then we’re on the same page.”

“Oh, don’t get ahead of yourself,” she said coolly. “I’m still going to call you out when you overstep.”

“And I’ll still do the same.”

“Of course you will.”

Silence settled again. But this time, it was… different. Not calmer. Just clearer.

Kiara gave a small nod, more to herself than to him. “Fine.”

Aarav didn’t respond. He just watched as she turned and walked away. Again. This time, he didn’t follow. Didn’t stop her.