Married to my Brother in law. In love with his Brother (CH 42 Early Access)

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✨Chapter 42: The Man She Admires

Aditya’s footsteps were soft on the marble floor as he moved through the quiet corridors of the haveli. His mind replayed the scene in the courtyard: Meenal in Rajveer’s arms, the faint chime of anklets marking the rhythm of a love he could no longer claim. The ache in his chest was sharp, a mixture of longing and regret, each beat a reminder of what had slipped away.

The faint rustle of jasmine petals drifted through the courtyard, mingling with the distant clatter of utensils from the servant’s wing. Night enveloped the haveli in a hushed stillness, broken only by soft footsteps on marble floors.

He stopped near the servant’s wing, leaning against the cool stone wall. He didn’t notice at first the small figure lingering in the shadows.

“Chotay… sahib?”

He turned, and there she was—Rita. The young widow maid, barely nineteen, fragile and thin, with wide, earnest eyes that seemed too big for her delicate face. She had been married as a child and widowed before she even understood love, and now, raising a small two-year-old daughter, she moved through the world with cautious grace and quiet strength. Yet beneath her frailty, there was a spark of determination.

“I… I didn’t mean to startle you,” she said softly, wringing her hands nervously. Her voice wavered, a fragile thread of shyness and urgency.

Aditya studied her. Her youth and innocence struck him. She had never known love, only rules and walls. And yet, she had the courage to speak her heart. She was nothing like Meenal—educated, sheltered, and a woman with grace and poise. A pang of longing tugged at his chest. He wanted to turn back, to embrace what could have been—but he held himself still, restrained by honor and past grief.

“Why are you awake at this hour?" he said lightly, though his voice carried a shadow of pain.

Rita stepped closer, hesitant but resolute. "I saw you standing outside the Thakurain room…"

Aditya clenched his jaw, a wave of guilt washing over him. "It's none of your business… go to sleep." Rita squared her shoulders, refusing to back down.

"I was with Megha Thakurian too, and I know you and Meenal Thakurain were in love and wanted to get married."

Aditya sighed, looking away. “It’s no use. Meenal… she’s with Rajveer Bhai now. And it's not your place to interfere."

"I am sorry…," Rita’s gaze lowered as she struggled to find the right words. “I know… I am just a maid in this haveli, but I can see the pain in your eyes. You deserve to be happy, Aditya." Aditya's expression softened slightly, a flicker of gratitude crossing his features. “You don’t know the whole story,” he finally said, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Yes,” she said softly, almost in a whisper. “But I know you are a good man with a kind heart. You deserve someone who will appreciate you for who you are." Aditya's eyes met Rita's, filled with a mixture of gratitude and longing. "Thank you, Rita," he said quietly, a hint of hope in his voice.

Walking away, the warmth of her words lingered in his chest, unbidden yet persistent. He knew he had a lot to think about.

He knew what he had lost, but seeing his brother brave enough to love gave Aditya a quiet hope—at least one of them had learned to open their heart.

Rita watched Aditya hiding in the dark, his silhouette disappearing into the night. She couldn't help but feel sad for him, knowing the pain he carried.

For her he was a man who always stood for others but never for himself. She remembered when the whole village had tried to ‘Sati’ her after her husband’s death; it was he who stood for her and saved her from being burned alive.

Even now, as others scorned her as a widow and outcast, Aditya never failed to show kindness and respect. Rita admired his quiet strength. She wished he could see himself the way she saw him—a hero in his own right.

And she could see the sadness that lingered in his eyes, hidden behind his selfless actions and brave facade. Rita tightened her grip on her daughter, eyes following him as he vanished into the dark, wishing he could see the steadiness in his own gaze, the courage in each step. She imagined him smiling, truly happy, free from the weight he carried, and silently willed that day to come—her tiny prayer against the darkness of the night.

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💌 Author’s Note

So, how are we, lovely readers? 🌙✨

This chapter… 💔💖 I felt every beat of Aditya’s heart—the loss, the longing, and that tiny spark of hope because of Rita 😢💛. Did you notice her in the first chapters? 👀🌸 Guess what I’ve been doing with her all along… sneaking her light into Aditya’s dark nights 💫💖!

Rita is brave, tender, and quietly rooting for him 🌸👶. Sometimes love is in the little gestures, the glances, the unspoken words 👀💫.

Now it’s your turn! 📣💌 Who do you ship? ❤️‍🔥 Aditya & Rita or Rajveer & Meenal? Or someone else? I can’t wait to hear! 💕💬

Sending you moonlight, jasmine petals, and anklet chimes 🌙🌺👣.

—With love, always,
💖Shaar Shree.