I fell in love with my husband’s younger brother. Whenever I was sick, I’d call him home to check on me. Then one day, while he was checking on me,…
I’m 35 years old. I married a gentleman, a civil engineer, in Mumbai at 25. Life may not be great, but it’s not miserable either. It’s just… After 10 years together, I feel like I’m living with a roommate—no emotions, no romance, no care.

My husband, Rajesh, is quiet and cold. He works all day, comes home at night, hugs his phone, and goes to bed early. I tried to coax him out of his shell, but eventually, exhausted, I left him.

Then—my husband’s younger brother—returned from his studies and seven-year residency in Singapore.

Arjun—a 30-year-old man, young, attractive, intelligent, and extremely sophisticated. My mother-in-law always said:

“If only a daughter-in-law could marry Arjun, she would be happy all her life…”

I just smiled, but my heart ached. Rajesh was once an ambitious man like Arjun. But the years have worn him down, and Arjun is like a ray of light in my gloomy home.

Since Arjun returned, I’ve been suffering from frequent headaches, dizziness, stomachaches… all sorts of ailments. Partly because of my health, but also because I’d find any excuse to call Arjun to visit. Every time he arrived with a medical bag, gently asking questions, placing his hand on my forehead to take my temperature, I felt my heart pounding. I knew it wasn’t right, but I couldn’t control my emotions.

Then one day, it was raining heavily in Mumbai. I called Arjun because of severe stomach pain. He came in the rain, soaked, and ran anxiously inside the house.

I sat on the sofa, clutching my stomach. Arjun sat down in front of me, gently placed his hand on my wrist to check my pulse, then held my hand—for a longer time than usual.

I looked up, his eyes met mine—very different today. Now it wasn’t the face of a doctor, but the face of a person struggling with something in their heart.

He didn’t say anything. But he didn’t let go of my hand.

I was breathing heavily, my heart was pounding, and it felt like electricity was coursing through my body. I pulled my hand back and walked away.

Arjun…don’t act like this…

He stood up, looked at me for a long time, and said:

I’m not happy, you know. But if we continue like this, we’ll both be proven wrong…

He left the house, leaving a storm in my heart that was even worse than the rain outside.

From that day on, Arjun never came back. I told myself to forget it. But in my heart… there was a wound that was hard to heal.

“Brother-in-law” – just those two words, but they forced me to live forever in pain, regret, and an unnamed longing…

Part 2 – The Storm at Sharma Villa
For three weeks after that rain, Arjun and I practically avoided each other. During family gatherings at Sharma Villa, he would simply speak cold, polite words and then quickly leave.

But my heart was different… every time I met his eyes, a storm would rage.

Until, one Saturday evening, my mother-in-law – Savitri Devi – suddenly called all the children and grandchildren to a family meeting. The reason: an important matter related to the Sharma family inheritance.

The large living room was brightly lit. A stack of papers and a land certificate were neatly arranged on the large wooden table. Rajesh sat next to me, while Arjun stood in front, his arms crossed over his chest, his eyes avoiding mine.

Savitri Devi said softly:
– Rajesh is the eldest son, but Arjun will manage the entire hospital and the family’s property.

The entire room fell silent. Rajesh knocked loudly on the table:
– What are you saying, Mother? You’re the heir, why did you give all this to Arjun?

Savitri said calmly:

Because Arjun deserves it more. And you… your wife…

She paused, her eyes fixed on me, her voice as cold as ice:

– …crossed the line with her husband’s younger brother.

I was stunned. Rajesh turned to look at me as if he had just heard something unbelievable. Arjun took a step forward and interrupted:

– No! You misunderstood.

But Savitri took an envelope from her sari bag and threw it on the table. Inside were several photographs – of Arjun and me, of that rainy day when he held my hand and stared at me for so long.

The entire family was stunned. My heart sank.

Rajesh stood up:

– So this is why you always pretend to be sick and invite Arjun home?

I tried to open my mouth:
– It’s not what you think…

But Savitri interrupted:
– I don’t care what you two have done. This alone was enough to tarnish the family’s honor.

Rajesh ran out of the room. I wanted to run after him, but my feet felt stuck to the marble floor.

Arjun looked at his mother, his voice hoarse:

– If you try to separate us, you will fail.

The room fell silent. I was stunned. “Us”? Did she just… admit it?

Savitri smiled coldly:

– Okay. Then get ready, because from now on, this will not be a game of love… but a life-and-death battle for power and honor for the Sharma family.

His eyes were cold, and I knew