Married to My Brother in Law, In Love with his Brother (Early Acess Ch 28)

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Chapter 28 What we don’t say

The grandfather clock announced midnight with twelve soft, deliberate chimes. In this house, even time knew how to behave—quiet, measured, and deferential.

Meenal stood near the intricately carved teak doorway, her fingertips barely grazing the polished wood. The silk of her saree whispered against itself with each breath she took, perfectly pleated, perfectly controlled.

Rajveer remained seated, his posture composed but taut, like a man who had long learned how to sit inside his own discomfort.

Neither spoke.

The stillness of the haveli was different at night. Without servants bustling through corridors, without visitors sipping tea in the courtyards, without family obligations filling every hour—it felt almost intimate. Almost dangerous.

At last, Meenal broke the silence, her voice soft but steady.

“It wasn’t supposed to become this.”

Rajveer exhaled. A controlled, quiet sound. “No.”

“I was your sister-in-law,” she continued. “But fate made us husband and wife."

“That was the way of things.” His tone was neither defensive nor resigned—merely factual. A man raised to inherit duty as naturally as wealth.

Meenal allowed herself a small, bitter smile. “The way of things,” she repeated. "Or because Di died while you looked the other way.”

Rajveer’s jaw tightened, but he did not refute her.

He looked at her then, sharply. “Do you think I have any control over death?"

“No, you don't?” Her laugh was a quiet, elegant thing—measured, like everything else she allowed herself. “But you could at least have shown her love and care in her final moments or time with your baby."

He stood, the movement precise, controlled despite the dull ache in his healing shoulder.

“I thought I was doing everything right; I gave luxury and comfort a status of Takurain."

"You offer her a position,” she corrected. “Not love.”

The words hung heavy between them. Outside, the wind stirred the tall mango trees that lined the inner courtyard; their leaves whispered secrets meant for no one’s ears.

Meenal’s voice softened. “I don’t blame you entirely. We were trained for this. But you could at least have shown her love and care in her final moments or time with your baby. The least you could do was to be present for her when she needed you the most."

Rajveer’s gaze darkened with regret. “I know. And every night, her face waits for me—quiet, patient. I never meet her eyes.”

"But you have tried to change; you are the same as you were when Di was alive, and now you are repeating…” She replied but then paused. “I don't ask anything; this marriage for me is as good as over. But Arun needs a father figure in his life. Please, for his sake, try to be there for him in the ways you couldn't be for Di."

He hesitated, then stepped closer—close enough that she could smell the faint trace of his sandalwood cologne. It reminded her of wedding nights, of heavy jewelry, of rooms filled with expectations. The room from which he pushed her away when she tried to enter.

“If you could ask for more,” he said carefully, “what would you ask?”

Her breath caught. She stared at him, truly at him, for the first time in a long while. The man before her was not only her husband but also once her brother-in-law too. The memories flooded back, mixing love and betrayal in a confusing swirl.

“I’m afraid to ask,” she whispered.

Rajveer’s fingers hovered near hers, the briefest brush of skin—a touch both scandalous and sacred in its intimacy.

“I cannot erase what we were taught,” he murmured. “But I can choose what comes next.”

Meenal pulled her hand away, uncertainty and longing warring within her. The uncertainty of their relationship that even 3 years of marriage could not erase lingered between them, a heavy silence filling the room.

"I made many mistakes in the past. I was never a good husband to Megha." Rajveer paused, his eyes filled with regret and longing. "But I want to be better for you, Meenal. I want to try again."

Meenal's heart swelled with conflicting emotions as she looked into Rajveer's eyes, seeing both his past mistakes and his genuine desire to change. She stepped backward, needing space to process the whirlwind of emotions coursing through her. "What do you mean by 'try again'?" she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper. Rajveer took a deep breath, his expression earnest as he replied, "I mean I want to make things right this time, to show you the love and respect you deserve. To love you." He said the last part under his breath, almost as if he was afraid of the vulnerability it revealed.

Before either could say another word, the knock came—firm, deliberate. The door creaked open just enough to reveal a shadowy figure standing in the doorway. With hands clenched tightly, as his eyes watched the scene unfold before him, the figure spoke in a low, gravelly voice, "I hope I'm not interrupting anything important." Rajveer and Meenal turned to face the unexpected visitor, their expressions a mix of surprise and curiosity.

Aditya.

Meenal breathed in sharply, her heart racing at the sudden intrusion. Rajveer, on the other hand, maintained a calm exterior, hiding any hint of unease and jealousy that may have been brewing within him.

"What are you doing here, Aditya?" Rajveer asked, his voice steady.

Aditya's eyes remained on Meenal's jaw clenched tightly, his gaze unwavering as he replied, “Bhai, the village head’s son arrived. He’s waiting to discuss the land dispute.” Rajveer nodded, a flicker of concern crossing his face before he composed himself and gestured for Aditya to continue. "Let's go to Agan then," Rajveer said, leading the way towards the meeting area. Aditya followed closely behind, their footsteps echoing in the empty hallway.

Meenal finally exhaled, only then realizing how long she'd been holding her breath.

But as Aditya’s footsteps faded, she couldn’t shake the feeling that his gaze had lingered a moment too long.

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✨ Author’s Note:

My dear readers 💖,

In What We Don’t Say, we see the weight of silences — those words we leave unsaid, out of fear, guilt, or pride. Meenal and Rajveer have built a marriage on duty, but can they rebuild it on something deeper? 💔

This chapter was especially close to my heart — because sometimes, love isn’t grand gestures. Sometimes it's quiet, raw honesty. The struggle between past mistakes and present hope unfolds gently here — and maybe you noticed: even time itself dared not interrupt them tonight. ⏳

And then, of course, Aditya arrives — adding just a touch of the storm that’s brewing ahead. 🌪️

💭 I’d love to hear your thoughts:
— Do you think Meenal should give Rajveer a second chance?
— And what was Aditya really thinking, standing there in that doorway? 👀

The emotional storm is only beginning, my loves. Stay with me. 💞

With love, longing, and unspoken words,
— Shaar Shree ✨