Incest Mom tricked by Bully (Mask of Desire)

[Steel]

Madhuri returned with a tray, steaming chicken pakora, a bowl of mayonnaise, and two glasses of water, setting it on the table. 

"Have it, boys," she said, her smile maternal but tinged with something else when Ishaan met her gaze. "You're growing strong, Ishaan, cricket, right?"

"Yeah aunty, just had a practice session this afternoon. Gotta stay fit," he said, stretching and flexing his arms casually, muscles rippling under his sleeve.

"You look like you keep yourself active too, office work can't be easy." His tone was smooth, a compliment wrapped in innocence, but Abhi saw the glint in his eyes, the bait being dangled.

Madhuri laughed, waving a hand. "Enough, flattery won't get you extra food!" She turned away, but her step faltered, just for a second.

Abhi caught it, the way she lingered on Ishaan's frame, her lips parting before she caught herself.

She retreated to the kitchen, and Ishaan smirked at Abhi, popping a handful of pakora into his mouth. "She likes me, bro. Did you see that?"

Abhi glared, whispering, "She's just being nice!"

Ishaan chuckled, leaning back. "Nice gets her wet. Keep watching."

Abhi's fists tightened, but he said nothing, the wolf now inside its den, and he was too tangled to stop it.

Madhuri stood at the sink, rinsing the tray, Ishaan's voice echoed in her ears, "You look like you keep yourself active too", and she hated how it lingered. "What did he mean by that?"

"He was just a boy, barely out of high college." she thought. But the way he'd said it, the confidence in his broad shoulders, she couldn't unsee it. Her fingers tightened around a spoon, scrubbing harder than necessary.

"Ugh, same old crappy thoughts again," she muttered, shaking her head.

From the living room, she heard Ishaan laugh, a deep, rolling sound that cut through the quiet house. Abhi's voice followed, softer, strained, and her chest twinged. 

Her son had been off lately, quiet, jumpy, avoiding her eyes. She'd chalked it up to high college stress, but now, with Ishaan here, she wondered. 

He was loud, brash, the kind of boy who'd drag Abhi into trouble if she wasn't careful. Yet he was polite, charming in a way that disarmed her. Too charming, maybe.