Chairman's Beloved Wifey

Perhaps, for her, this child was unwanted.

After a brief pause, Kartik kissed Bella's cheek gently and said with a calm demeanor, "I can afford a hundred kids, wifey."

Bella was rendered speechless by Kartik's casual remark.

So what if her husband could afford to raise a hundred children? Did that mean she should bear them all for him?

She exhaled softly, a chilly sigh escaping her lips. Kartik's shamelessness was unmatched, and his seemingly simple words often carried the weight of an ocean's depth.

With a composed yet serious tone, Bella said, "Kartik! I'm serious, please. We need to have a proper discussion about this."

Kartik, sensing her earnestness, decided it was best not to tease her further. His hand slid gently under her T-shirt, caressing her delicate waist.

In a calm, low voice, he asked, "Is it unacceptable, wifey?"

"No, Kartik, that's not what I meant," Bella replied, her voice softening. "It's just that I wasn't prepared for this. It's not unacceptable; it's just… unexpected."

Confusion clouded Bella's thoughts. Her mind wrestled with the idea of this unplanned child. She wasn't sure what exactly she wanted to convey to Kartik because, deep down, she knew it was too late to turn back. The arrow had already left the bow—what difference would a discussion make now?

Breaking the silence, Kartik suddenly said, "Then abort it, wifey."

Bella's eyes widened in shock, and anger surged through her veins. "What? Have you lost your mind, Kartik? How can you say something so outrageous? If you don't want this baby, fine. But I am not going to abort it. Whether this baby is unwanted or unexpected, it is not unacceptable. I refuse to kill my child. Do you hear me?"

Bella hadn't anticipated such a response from him. The word "abortion" from his lips was enough to ignite a fire within her. How could she even consider ending the life of her unborn child?

Kartik observed her reaction with a faint smile playing on his lips, his eyes gleaming with quiet satisfaction.

His lips moved slightly, forming three simple words: "Conclusion of discussion."

Bella let out a relieved sigh, her tense shoulders relaxing. For a fleeting moment, she had believed Kartik was serious about his suggestion. But he wasn't. He simply wanted to erase her confusion and bring clarity to her restless mind.

Looking at him, Bella said firmly, "Kartik, no matter what, don't ever say something like that again. I don't want to hear such words from you, ever."

"Understood," Kartik replied, his voice steady yet tender. "I'll be mindful from now on. Now, let's call it a night. It's late, and we'll discuss more tomorrow."

As he spoke, his rough fingers gently glided through her silky hair, a gesture of quiet affection.

This time, Bella said nothing.

Resting her head on Kartik's chest, she closed her eyes. The weight of the day had left her exhausted, and soon, she drifted into a deep slumber.

Kartik, too, placed a soft kiss on her forehead before closing his eyes.

But as soon as Bella's breathing grew steady, signaling her deep sleep, Kartik's eyes opened, their calmness replaced by a chilling darkness.

He reached for his phone on the nightstand, tapped on it briefly, and then turned to embrace Bella once more. His eyes closed again, but his mind was far from resting.

---

At the Richard Mansion

Emma lay peacefully in her bed, her breath steady as she slept soundly.

The stillness of the night was broken by a shadowy figure slipping through the window. The intruder moved with quiet precision, a gun gripped firmly in his hand.

He approached the bed, his cold gaze fixed on Emma, filled with an intensity that spoke of destruction.

Unaware of his presence, Emma remained in the depths of her slumber, unperturbed by the threat looming over her.

The man leaned down, his hand clamping over her mouth in an instant. A muted gunshot echoed in the room, the silencer muffling its sharpness.

And just like that, the serenity of the night shattered into a million pieces.

The Next Morning

Galaxy Mansion

Kartik woke early, his gaze falling on Bella, who slept peacefully in his arms. Her serene face exuded an innocent charm, though he knew her sharp intellect and fierce determination belied that appearance.

He didn't stir her from her slumber. Instead, he indulged himself, silently admiring her for what felt like an eternity. Time seemed irrelevant as seconds turned to minutes, and minutes to hours.

Leaning on his elbow, Kartik watched Bella's delicate features. She was his wife, his strength, and his mystery—a woman he could gaze upon forever.

Bella, still weakened from yesterday, seemed in no hurry to wake. The room was quiet, the faint light of dawn barely breaking through the curtains.

Kartik eventually rose, careful not to disturb her. He placed a tender kiss on her forehead, then another on her stomach, before heading to his gym for his morning routine.

When he returned, his workout completed, Bella was awake, seated on the edge of the bed, gently massaging her temples.

Kartik stood in the doorway, his powerful frame glistening with sweat. His eight-pack abs and V-shaped torso were complemented by his damp, tousled hair, giving him an effortlessly captivating aura.

"Morning sickness?" he asked, his voice calm yet tinged with concern.

Bella glanced up, her face pale. "Hmm... It's been bothering me for the past few days, but I didn't think much of it. Today, it's worse. My head feels like it's splitting."

Without a word, Kartik tossed his towel onto the couch and approached her. Her usual vibrancy seemed dimmed, and he could tell she wasn't well.

"Have you freshened up?" he asked.

"Yes, just a while ago," she replied softly.

"Good," he said, his voice gentle. "Let me give you a massage. And some coffee will help. You'll feel better soon."

A faint smile appeared on Bella's lips, her dimples softening her otherwise weary expression.

Kartik guided her to the balcony, where the morning breeze added a touch of freshness. He seated her on the plush carpet near the couch and began massaging her temples. A servant brought their coffee, placing it silently nearby before leaving.

At first, Kartik's fingers moved gently through her hair, his touch soothing. After a while, he used oil, his skilled hands easing her tension. Bella hadn't expected her stoic husband to possess such a tender skill. Kartik, as always, excelled in whatever he did.

His phone buzzed with a notification, but Kartik ignored it, focusing entirely on Bella. Only after a moment did he glance at the screen.

"Chairman sir, our cargo ship has vanished from the Southern Pacific Ocean."

His jaw tightened, his eyes hardening momentarily. But he placed the phone aside, returning to his task with a calm exterior.

Bella, her head resting in his lap, sipped her coffee contentedly. The world seemed to melt away as she enjoyed his care.

"That's enough, Kartik," she murmured after a while. "I feel better now."

"Are you sure?" he asked, his voice low and steady.

"Yes," she replied, her tone warm.

Kartik smiled faintly and pulled her onto his lap. Bella leaned her head on his shoulder, their silence speaking volumes.

She had endured more than most could bear. The loss of her father to illness, the rehabilitation of her younger siblings, and the immense responsibility of leading Raichand Industries and Richard Corporation weighed heavily on her. Yet she stood resilient, the unwavering pillar of her family.

"Ray and Adi," Bella said suddenly, breaking the silence. "When will they come home? Their studies must be complete by now."

Kartik's lips curved slightly. "Their final tests are ongoing. If they pass, they'll return in two months. Otherwise, they'll remain at the Royal Academy for another five years."

Bella nodded, her confidence in her sons unshaken. They carried the legacy of greatness in their veins.

Kartik rose and scooped her into his arms. "Let's get you cleaned up," he said simply.

In the bathroom, he gently unbuttoned her shirt, his movements deliberate yet tender. Bella blushed, her fair cheeks tinged with crimson, but she didn't resist.

Time passed unnoticed, and they emerged an hour later, Bella wrapped in a soft gray robe and Kartik in a towel slung low around his hips.

His phone buzzed incessantly on the nightstand. He answered it, listening silently before ending the call abruptly.

Entering the closet, he found Bella still dressing.

"We need to leave for Britain immediately," he said, his tone unreadable. "Wear black."

She turned, her expression questioning. "Why? What's happened?"

Kartik's eyes darkened. "Grand maa is no more," he said quietly.

Bella froze, the weight of his words sinking in. His grandmother—the Queen of Britain—was gone.

____________________________________

Who orchestrated Emma's demise?

Will Kartik uncover the truth about the vanished cargo?

To know…

To be continued...