12 . The unexpected owner

It was morning, and with it came a new beginning in Chahat's life.

Today she was going to sign the agreement for her new shop, so she was filled with joy. Her happiness was visible to everyone—and everyone was happy for her, except for one person—Ashwat.

Yes, even today, he didn't care what was going on in Chahat's life. The only things that mattered to him were himself and Anira.

Ashwat finished his breakfast and was about to leave when he suddenly heard Chahat's voice talking to Aksh.

"You have to come with me today, Aksh. I have to show you my shop!"

"I want to go with you myself, bhabhi! Just give me two minutes—I'll be back dressed and ready!"

Aksh said this while laughing and excitedly hopped off toward his room.

Chahat smiled seeing him so happy and couldn't help but laugh out loud. Watching her laugh like that, Ashwat's eyebrows furrowed. He couldn't stop wondering why she never laughed like that with him.

Why was she smiling so much at Aksh?

Irritated, Ashwat turned away and stomped off.

Shortly after, Chahat and Aksh left the house.

---

They reached the shop where Chahat planned to open her bakery.

Aksh really liked the place.

The man handling the agreement paperwork was already there.

Chahat signed the papers while Aksh curiously picked them up to read. As he scanned through, his eyes suddenly stopped at the owner's name.

He was stunned.

He couldn't believe what he had just read. He handed the papers to Chahat and asked her to read the owner's name out loud. When she read it, even her eyes widened in shock.

There was only one name written on that paper—

"Ashwat Dhanraj."

Chahat looked at Aksh in disbelief, and just then, the man said,

"Here he is—the owner of the shop."

Hearing this, Chahat turned her head toward the door—and her eyes widened further in shock.

Wearing a black three-piece suit and dark sunglasses, Ashwat himself walked in through the door.

His commanding walk was enough to make anyone swoon—and Chahat was no exception.

He walked confidently and stopped right in front of her.

There was a smug smile on his face—the kind of smile that made Chahat feel irritated deep inside.

She stood speechless, staring at him with wide eyes, when the man introduced them,

"This is the owner of the shop—Ashwat Dhanraj. Well then, I'll take my leave now."

After he left, Ashwat gave Chahat a small smile and began strolling around the shop, looking at it.

Chahat was still in shock. She couldn't understand why Ashwat would buy this small shop. Was it because she wanted to start her bakery here?

Was he trying to help her?

Before she could ask anything, Aksh stepped forward and said firmly,

"Ashwat, what are you doing here? And how did you suddenly buy this shop? As far as I know, you have no interest in these things!"

Ashwat gave a slight smile—but no one noticed.

Chahat was still waiting for his answer.

Instead of replying, Ashwat looked at Aksh and said in a commanding tone:

"Go home. I need to talk to Vrinda."

"But—"

Before Aksh could object, Ashwat gave him a stern look, and he went quiet.

Aksh looked at Chahat, who was still staring at Ashwat, then silently left.

Chahat came and stood in front of Ashwat and suddenly shouted:

"What's your problem now? Why did you have to buy this shop? As far as I know, you already own a big company with tons of shares and stocks—so what was the need for this?"

Ashwat didn't answer.

Instead, he started unbuttoning his shirt and said,

"Isn't it a little too hot in here? Why don't we go somewhere else to talk?"

Chahat glared at him.

She could see through him. He clearly didn't want to answer her directly.

"Fine. Let's go," she said, and walked out of the shop.

Ashwat followed her.

As she reached for the shutter, Ashwat quickly moved ahead and pulled it down himself.

Without looking at her, he went straight to his car and sat inside.

Chahat shook her head in disbelief.

What had gotten into him lately? Why was he behaving so strangely?

They both sat in the car and Ashwat drove off.

---

Now they were sitting in a coffee shop.

Chahat was just about to question him again when Ashwat ordered coffee.

When the cups arrived, he gestured for her to drink and started sipping his own.

Chahat stared at him in frustration.

What did this man want? Why was he dancing around her questions?

She had had enough.

She glared at him and asked in a slow but firm tone:

"Are you going to tell me or not? Why are you doing all this? What do you want from me now? Why did you buy that shop? You don't even need it—you already have millions. So WHY?"

Ashwat gave a faint smile and placed his coffee cup down.

"I felt like it... so I bought it."

Hearing this, Chahat completely lost it.

What was wrong with him?

"Why are you doing this? Are you trying to help me or something? But you like Anira, right? Then why are you helping me? Just divorce me and go to her!"

As soon as she said this, Ashwat said something that made Chahat's eyes widen in shock.

She couldn't believe what she had just heard.

How could Ashwat say something like that?

---

What did Ashwat say that left Chahat so stunned?

Why is Ashwat doing all this?

What does he truly want?

To find out more, keep reading — Rebirth in Novel