Married to My Brother-in-Law, In Love with His Brother (Early Acess Ch 3)

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The house was quieter than death.
Not the silence of peace, but the kind that echoed with things unsaid.

Meenal sat cross-legged on the cold stone floor, the baby nestled in her arms, his tiny cries now reduced to shallow breaths. She hadn’t slept. She hadn’t cried. She just rocked him gently, back and forth, as if the rhythm might bring her sister back.

The room still smelled of sandalwood, turmeric, and blood.

Every now and then, the child whimpered, and Meenal would murmur a prayer—half to soothe him, half to keep from breaking.

A shadow fell across the threshold.

"You haven’t eaten," Aditya said softly, his voice stripped of its usual teasing.

She didn’t look up. "He hasn’t either."

Aditya crossed the room slowly, a wrapped bundle in his hands. "I brought milk. And warm roti. You need your strength, Meenal."

"I don’t want anything," she whispered. "I want her back."

Aditya crouched beside her, the scent of smoke and earth clinging to his kurta. He didn’t speak. He just reached out and gently touched the baby's cheek, his thumb brushing a tear that Meenal hadn’t realized had fallen.

"You don’t have to be strong all the time," he said.

"Then who will be?" Her voice cracked. "My sister is dead, Aditya. And Thakur Shahab walked away without looking back. And I’m here—left with this child and no answers."

The baby stirred in her arms. Aditya watched them both for a long moment.

"I’ll stay," he said quietly. "Whatever you need. However long it takes."

Meenal looked up, finally meeting his eyes. The warmth was still there—no longer flirtatious, but steady. It was steady. Anchoring. Exactly what she needed.

"He is my responsibility; my sister entrusted him to me before she died," Meenal whispered, tears welling up in her eyes. Aditya nodded, understanding the weight of her words. "But that doesn't mean that you do it all alone," he replied softly, reaching out to gently touch her shoulder. "I'm here for you, every step of the way." Meenal fought the urge to lean into his warmth, the guilt already curling in her stomach. But the child in arms stirred, reminding her of her duty and the promise she made to her sister.

"So what are you going to do now?" Aditya asked, gently brushing the baby 's hair out of their face. "You can't stay here forever, and now with Bahbhi's death, people will start asking questions about your stay here." Meenal looked up at Aditya, tears welling in her eyes. "I don't know," she whispered, feeling overwhelmed by the uncertainty of her future without her sister by her side. "She didn’t leave him to his name, Aditya. She left him to me. And I won’t let even his father rewrite that."

"But…"

Before Meenal could answer, footsteps echoed in the corridor. Heavy. Certain. The door creaked open, revealing a tall figure with piercing eyes.

Rajveer.

He appeared in the doorway—dressed in ceremonial white, every fold pristine. His face was unreadable. Not grief. Not guilty. Only control.

“You’ve held him long enough.” His voice was steel wrapped in silk. “He belongs to me now.” Meenal felt a shiver run down her spine as she realized the true extent of the danger she and her sister's baby were in. Only control.

The words hit Meenal like a slap. Her arms wrapped tighter around the baby, as if her grip alone could keep him safe. "What?"

"You are her sister. But I am his father." His voice was cold. Detached. "He belongs to me. To my name."

“The Thakur name must continue,” Rajveer said, not looking at the child, but through him. “He is my son. That is all that matters.”

He didn’t mourn her. But he claimed the child like a throne.

Meenal rose shakily, her body shielding the infant. "You didn’t even look at her. You didn’t cry. You left. And now you're here claiming my sister's last piece of happiness as if it's yours." Meenal's voice was filled with anger and protectiveness. "Can you take care of him when you couldn't even take care of my sister when she was pregnant?"

Rajveer's eyes stared back at her, his expression unreadable. His eyes were red-rimmed, but Meenal didn’t believe it. Not from this man. Not from someone who didn’t even hold his wife’s hand as she died. He never loved my sister; now he shamelessly claims her child as his own.

Aditya stepped forward, trying to resolve the tension. "Bhai…how can you take care of a newborn alone?"

Rajveer’s gaze flicked to him, sharp. "This is not your concern."

"But Bhai…," Aditya's voice wavered, unsure of how to proceed.

Aditya’s hand curled into a fist behind his back. Torn between blood and heart, he said nothing. But Meenal saw the war waging in his eyes.

Rajveer's jaw clenched, a sign of his inner turmoil and conflict.

The tension crackled like a monsoon storm.

Meenal stood between them, breath caught, heart slamming against her ribs. She didn’t know what would come next. But she knew this: this child was all she had left—and no one would take him.

"You’re not taking him," she said quietly, her voice trembling but resolute.

Rajveer’s eyes narrowed. "And who will stop me?"

Meenal stepped closer. "Try me." She remembered her sister’s final breath, the fragile weight of the promise whispered in her ear. She was no longer the girl who followed quietly. Not anymore.

For a moment, the world held its breath. Then Rajveer turned on his heel, his voice tossed over his shoulder like a blade.

"This isn’t over."

The silence he left behind was heavier than any scream.

Meenal clutched the baby to her chest, her eyes brimming now, tears finally falling.

Aditya touched her shoulder again. “I’m here,” he said.
This time, she believed him.
And for the first time since the silence began, she breathed.

*****

Author’s Note:

How’s everyone feeling after this chapter? 😱💔 The emotions were intense—Meenal’s pain, her fierce strength, and that showdown with Rajveer?! 😤🔥

What did you think of how she stood her ground? 🙌 Was your heart pounding too? And Rajveer… cold as ice, right? 🥶

I need to hear your thoughts! 💬 Did this chapter break you a little? Or make you fall even harder for Meenal? Drop a comment and tell me everything! 👇💕

🕊️ Stay with Meenal. Stay for the baby. Stay for what’s coming next... because Chapter 4 is about to change everything. 👀✨

💬 Tell me—did your heart break a little too?
Were you rooting for Meenal? Did Rajveer make your blood boil? I want to hear everything you're feeling. Drop a comment below ⬇️ and let’s talk.

Until next time,
Much love,
📝💫 — Shaar Shree