khushbuShah

A decade ago, "Arjun Malhotra", a ruthless billionaire, and "Meera Sharma", a determined woman with dreams of her own, shared a connection that was undeniable yet destructive. Arjun, terrified of emotional attachment, refused to acknowledge his love and instead made a cruel, inappropriate proposal that shattered Meera’s heart. Choosing self-respect over love, Meera walked away, vowing never to look back.  

Time moved on. Meera built a peaceful life with "Raghav", a kind-hearted man who gave her stability and love. She embraced motherhood, raising their daughter, "Aarini", and balanced her responsibilities with quiet strength. Meanwhile, Arjun buried himself in power, wealth, and fleeting distractions, yet nothing filled the void she left behind.  

Fate has other plans when Meera unknowingly takes a job at "Arjun’s firm", unaware that he is the one pulling the strings. The moment he sees her again, Arjun’s obsession reignites—this time, he refuses to lose her. Using his power, influence, and emotional manipulation, he weaves himself back into her life, determined to break the barriers she built.  

As Arjun orchestrates subtle manipulations—forcing late-night meetings, creating moments of doubt about Raghav, and playing on Meera’s emotions—she finds herself caught between the shadows of her past and the life she built. Her once unwavering resolve begins to tremble as old wounds resurface, and the man she once loved becomes an inescapable force in her world.  

With Raghav sensing the growing strain and Arjun relentless in his pursuit, Meera stands at a crossroads. Will she fight for the love she chose, or will the haunting pull of her past consume her once again?  

"Shadows of Us" is a gripping tale of love, obsession, and the dangerous allure of unfinished emotions—where the past refuses to stay buried, and the heart is forced to confront the shadows it once ran from.

Shadows Of Us

Meera glanced at her watch. It was already past 9 PM, and the office was nearly empty. She sighed, rubbing her temples. She was reviewing a report when her phone buzzed.

Raj: "Mr. Malhotra would like to see you in his office. Urgent."

Her stomach sank. What could possibly be so urgent this late at night? With a resigned sigh, she grabbed her notebook and headed to the top floor.

The corridor was eerily quiet. When she reached Arjun's office, the door was slightly ajar. She knocked softly before stepping inside.

Arjun sat behind his desk, his jacket draped over the back of his chair and his tie loosened. The room was dimly lit, the glow from the city skyline casting long shadows. He looked up, his eyes sharp and focused.

"Come in, Meera." he said, gesturing to the chair across from him.

She hesitated but finally sat down. "Raj said this was urgent. Is there an issue with the project?"

Arjun leaned back in his chair, his gaze never leaving her face. "The project's fine. I wanted to discuss something else."

Her brow furrowed. "Something else?"

He folded his hands together, his expression unreadable. "How are you adjusting? To the workload, the environment?"

Meera's shoulders stiffened. "I'm managing well, thank you."

"That's good to hear." he said, his tone casual but laced with something deeper. "And how's Aarini?"

The mention of her daughter caught her off guard. "She's fine." Meera said cautiously. "How do you know about her?"

"I make it a point to know everything about my employees." he replied smoothly.

Meera frowned, her grip tightening on her notebook. "She's my daughter, Arjun. My personal life is none of your concern."

Arjun's lips curled into a faint smile. "Your personal life interests me more than you think."

Her heart skipped a beat, but she masked it with a cold glare. "This is inappropriate."

"Inappropriate?" He stood and walked around the desk, leaning against its edge. "Do you think it's inappropriate to care about someone who once meant everything to you?"

Meera shot up from her seat, her voice trembling with controlled anger. "You don't get to do this. Not now, not ever. I'm married, Arjun. I have a family. I'm happy."

Arjun's eyes darkened, and for a moment, he said nothing. Then, he stepped closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous softness. "Are you really happy, Meera? Or are you just telling yourself that?"

Her breath hitched, but she quickly recovered. "You have no right to question my life. Whatever we had - whatever you think we had - is over."

"Is it?" he asked, his tone challenging. "Because if it's truly over, why do you look at me the way you do?"

She froze, his words cutting through her like a blade.

"You're imagining things." she said, her voice wavering despite her best efforts.

Arjun smirked, sensing the crack in her armor. "Am I? You can lie to yourself, Meera, but not to me."

She turned away, clutching her notebook tightly. "This conversation is over. I won't entertain this again."

As she reached the door, his voice stopped her.

"You were never just an employee to me, Meera." he said softly.

She didn't turn around. "And you're just my boss now. Nothing more."

With that, she walked out, her mind swirling with emotions she didn't want to name.

Back home, Meera tiptoed into Aarini's room. Her daughter was fast asleep, clutching her favorite stuffed bunny. Meera knelt by the bed, brushing a stray curl from Aarini's face.

"You're my world." she whispered. "And I won't let anyone disrupt the life I've built for you."

In his office, Arjun poured himself a drink, his eyes fixed on the city lights. He replayed their conversation in his mind, the fire in her eyes, the tremble in her voice.

"She still feels it." he murmured to himself, a determined glint in his eyes. "And I'll make her admit it."

Chapter 19: Cracks in the Armor