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Chapter 36 The Brother’s Shadow

The quiet knock on the door was gentle, but it pierced the fragile bubble around them.

Rajeev stood slowly, his hand lingering on Nandini’s bandaged one before letting go. “Stay here,” he said softly.

Nandini’s heart tightened. Her gaze followed him as he opened the door to reveal his older brother.

Raghav stepped inside, his tall frame filling the doorway, eyes sharp as they landed on Rajeev, then softened as they shifted toward Nandini.

The brothers exchanged a silent nod—one that carried unspoken layers. Worry. Anger. Determination.

Nandini’s gaze dropped, her pulse fluttering beneath her ribs. She could feel Raghav's scrutiny, though his voice remained calm. As she tried to cover her with her pallu.

“How is she?” Raghav asked quietly.

“She’s healing,” Rajeev replied. His voice was measured, but steel hummed beneath it.

Raghav moved deeper into the room, his voice lowering, as though even his words might fracture the fragile peace. “She is pregnant,” he said. And in that look, far more was said than words could express. Rajeev nodded his head; he knew hiding wouldn't work. Raghav knew more than Rajeev ever let on.

Nandini kept her gaze fixed on her trembling hands, her throat tight, the words she longed to say tangled beneath her breath. She felt a wave of anxiety wash over her, unsure of how Raghav would react to the news. Rajeev's eyes held a mix of concern and determination, silently urging Nandini to speak her truth.

"Bhai,” Rajeev said evenly. “I asked something from you. I went to visit you in town. Did you…?”

“I’ve done what I needed to. For now, all you can do is wait. The time to reveal it will come.” Raghav interrupted, his voice heavy with emotion. Rajeev nodded, understanding the weight of his brother's words. The tension in the room was palpable as they all waited for the truth to come to light.

Raghav glanced at Nandini again, this time with open concern. “Nandini...” he began gently, “you have done nothing wrong.”

She swallowed hard. Her instinct was to correct him, to protest. But Rajeev spoke first, stepping protectively closer.

“She knows that. And if she forgets, I remind her.”

Raghav nodded slowly, but his expression darkened. “Vikrant’s is bigger than we thought. And Nandini is at the center of it all." Rajeev's grip on Nandini tightened, a silent promise to protect her no matter what.

The walls seemed to close in around Nandini, each breath harder to draw.

“What do you mean?” Rajeev’s voice sharpened.

“Shh,” Raghav warned, lowering his voice. “Not here. Too many ears.”

Rajeev’s jaw tightened. “I will protect her with my life if I have to," he vowed, his eyes never leaving Raghav's. Nandini felt a shiver run down her spine, seeing Rajeev so keen and determined to keep her safe.

“Don’t be reckless.” Raghav’s gaze hardened, cold with warning. “Use your brain before making any rash decisions. We need to be smart about this." Rajeev nodded, his expression hardening with resolve. "How should I do it, bhai… Tell me I am just a child in front of you. Help me."

Raghav sighed, his gaze softening slightly. "You're not a child, Rajeev. You're my brother and Nandini's husband. But when they come, I will stand in front of you to protect you; you must be ready to act on your own. Trust your instincts and remember everything I've taught you." Rajeev nodded, determination shining in his eyes as he prepared himself for the challenges ahead.

Raghav’s gaze hardened. “We need to be smart about this, Rajeev. Every move you make now will be watched.”

Rajeev nodded, jaw clenched. “Tell me what to do, Bhai.”

Raghav exhaled slowly, choosing his words with care. “You protect Nandini at all costs. But understand this—Vikrant doesn't want Nandini or care about her safety. He wants to use her to get to you. Stay focused and be prepared for anything." Rajeev's grip on his weapon tightened as he nodded, ready to face whatever challenges came his way.

The room seemed to shrink around Nandini, the air suddenly thinner.

“What are you saying?” Rajeev asked, voice low. “Why me? Vikrant and I were never even close, even as cousins.”

Raghav’s eyes hardened. “Because you have what he never could.”

He glanced at Nandini, who visibly tensed, her face paling.

“He wants to break you both,” Raghav continued grimly. “To make sure she’s too broken to ever stand beside you, and you’re too tormented to fight him.”

Rajeev’s heartbeat thundered in his ears.

“We men are strange creatures, Rajeev,” Raghav said quietly. “We ignore what we have. But once we lose it—”

“We’ll destroy everything just to reclaim it,” Rajeev finished.

Raghav nodded.

“And Vikrant is no exception,” Raghav added. “If he can’t have her, he’ll make sure no one else can.”

"But isn't he the one who abandoned her in the first place?" Rajeev asked, his voice filled with disbelief. Raghav shook his head. "That's the thing about possessiveness, Rajeev. It doesn't always make sense."

Then came the crash—sharp, violent—glass splintering below. A muffled shout. Heavy footsteps.

All three froze.

Rajeev’s hand instinctively reached for his weapon.

Raghav’s face went rigid. “It’s starting,” he whispered.

Then came a second knock—this time not gentle. It was harsh. Demanding.

A voice from behind the door—low, unfamiliar, cold:

“Open the door. What are you doing inside?”

*******

💥 Author’s Note

Welcome back, dear readers! ✨

This chapter was INTENSE, wasn’t it? 😱
Family secrets, dangerous alliances, and the kind of tension you can feel building with every word. Rajeev's loyalty. Raghav's quiet strength. And Vikrant... well, let’s just say his shadow looms larger with every chapter. ⚔️

🔍 In The Brother’s Shadow, we see the layers of this family drama start to peel back. What exactly is Vikrant after? How far will Raghav go to protect his brother? And Nandini—caught in the middle of it all—how much more can she endure?

👉 The storm is brewing. The door has been knocked. And what lies beyond? You’ll have to read on to find out…

💬 I’d love to hear YOUR thoughts:

• Do you think Raghav’s warning is enough?

• Is Vikrant’s game just beginning?

• Can Rajeev protect Nandini… or will fate test them even more?

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👉 Stay tuned for Chapter 37 — the confrontation you’ve been waiting for is just behind that door…

#FamilyDrama #DangerLooms #ProtectNandini #DarkSecrets #SerialFiction #WebNovelLove

With tenderness, hope, and fire,
Dil Ke Karib — by Shaar Shree ✨