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Divorce?

“I wasn’t—” she stuttered. “I mean… I was just wondering why he even bought a house here in Serene Meadows. He doesn’texactly seem like the kind of man who’d enjoy quiet suburban life.”

Aunty hummed knowingly. “Meera, one of his staff members mentioned that he works twenty hours a day. Never smiles. And if the gossip is true, he bought this villa just to spite his ex-wife. She wanted to settle down here after the divorce, so he bought it before she could.”

Nandini blinked.Spite.

That explained some of the darkness she’d glimpsed in his expression. Though, it didn’t quite explain why he was working out half-naked in the afternoon, in weather cold enough to freeze Delhi’s fountains.

“He wasn’t always like this,” Lakshmi Aunty continued. “When he first bought the place, he was... polite. Distant, but polite. Then, when he started noticing the leaves and fruits falling into his pool, he spoke to your daadu, asking him to cut down the tree...”

“And?” Nandini prompted.

“And that’s when your daadu went into a full-blown verbal war with him.”

Nandini knew how much this tree meant to her grandpa, so it was obvious that if anyone suggested cutting it down, he wouldn’t tolerate it.

Lakshmi Aunty went on, “Then came the legal notices. The complaints started becoming petty—more about ego than the actual issue. It was as if they both had to prove something.”

She absorbed this, her protective instincts kicking in. Her grandfather had his flaws, his stubbornness chief among them. But he didn’t deserve to spend his retirement fighting ridiculous property battles.

And yet, here they were.

She set her jaw.

From now on, she wouldn’t let Shaurya bully her grandpa.

Even if it meant going to war with a man who looked like he’d been carved from granite and cursed with the kind of beauty that commanded boardrooms… and tempted sin.

Even if it meant ignoring the way her pulse jumped every single time those stormy-dark eyes turned her way.

Some things were worth fighting for.

Even if the enemy was unfairly gorgeous.

**************

The next morning, Nandini made her way to the Serene Meadows Clubhouse, a charmingly vintage yet well-maintained community space where residents gathered for events. Sunlight poured through the large windows, illuminating the long wooden table where a group of women and a few younger residents sat, deep in discussion. They had all assembled here to discuss the preparations for the much-awaited New Year’s Eve party.

As soon as she stepped inside, Priya Mehra, her childhood friend and Mrs. Mehra’s daughter, rushed toward her with an excited squeal.

“Nandini! Finally, you’re back! And just in time for the best event of the year.”

Priya hugged her tightly before dragging her toward the group.

Mrs. Mehra, the unofficial queen of event planning in Serene Meadows, beamed at her. “Nandini beta! It’s so good to see you! We’ve been missing a creative mind for planning this event, and now that you’re back, we have just what we need. We’re a little short on helping hands to arrange everything and make this year’s party even more happening than the last.”

“I figured,” Nandini said with a smile. “So, what’s the plan? How extravagant are we going this time?”

Mrs. Mehra clapped her hands together. “This year, we’re keeping it private, elegant, and cosy. The party will be in theclubhouse garden—fairy lights all around, live music, a warm, cosy bonfire, and of course, games followed by gift exchange for the kids. And at midnight, we’re adding a wish lantern release.”

“Oh, and don’t forget the dance floor!” Priya chimed in excitedly. “We’re getting a DJ this time.”

Nandini nodded, impressed. “Sounds perfect! Who’s handling the food?”

“The caterers are already booked,” Mrs. Bhalla from Villa 3 replied. “Now, we just need to finalise the guest list, seating arrangements, and contributions from each villa.”

Nandini scanned the table. At least one person from every villa in the community was here. Almost.Only one was missing.