Page 198 of Lawfully Yours

Arundhati added, “And also let’s gather behavioural patterns of the kid. School counsellor reports. Teachers’ feedback. Emotional attachment indicators. Everything.”

She closed the file gently.

“And one more thing,” she said, turning to Kushal. “We’ll talk to Mrs. Batra again. Not as lawyers. As people. She’s hurt. She’s angry. But divorce is not a battleground for vengeance. It’s a transition. Let’s remind her of that.”

Kushal totally agreed while the team recognised the gravity of what lay ahead.

Then Kushal looked around the table. “Cool. So, everyone knows their part. The next hearing of this case will set the tone for the judgment. We walk in prepared, we walk out winning. Let’s get to work.”

The team dispersed with renewed focus, leaving only the two of them at the table. Arundhati moved past Kushal to gather the remaining files, but he caught her wrist deliberately.

She gave him a warning glare.

“We’re at work.”

He smirked, leaning in just enough to test her resolve.

“You think that’s ever stopped me in the last seven years?”

Before she could scold him, he stole a quick kiss.

She pushed him back with a shocked laugh.

“Kushal!”

“Yes, Mrs. Nair?” His voice dipped, sinful and amused.

“You have another meeting in three minutes.”

“I know,” he said, brushing a finger under her chin, “but you are far more interesting than any meeting.”

She truly tried to keep her face stern, but the corners of her lips betrayed her, curling into a smile he would always win with.

“You’re getting better at this flirting bit, Mr. Nair. But we are neither newlyweds nor newly in love. So, I suggest you stop doing that at the workplace at least.”

He smirked, pulling her further close to him and said, “Not my fault, Mrs. Nair. Ever since we have given our marriage a second chance, you’ve wrapped me around your little finger.”

“And you love it.”

“I do,” he murmured, leaning closer. “Just like I love watching you run this firm like it was built for you.”

Her heart fluttered…seven years, and he still had this effect.

“It was built for me,” she quipped softly. “And for you.”

“And look at us,” he murmured, brushing a stray hair from her cheek. “We are running it like a damn empire.”

A soft knock pulled them back to reality. Everyone at Verma & Associates had learned one rule by now:

Never walk in abruptly on Kushal and Arundhati’s cabin door. No matter if the blinds are drawn or not.

Kushal groaned before pulling away, allowing the so-called person to get inside. Arundhati hid her smile before continuing to pick the remaining files. It was a junior associate who had come to inform Kushal that his next meeting was up and the client was waiting in his cabin. Kushal signalled him to leave, stole a quick kiss of his wife before walking out.

Arundhati’s laughter blended with the shuffle of papers, the murmur of associates outside, and the hum of a law firm that had doubled in size and glory under their partnership…partners in law, life, and everything in between.

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

Evening - Penthouse