Adultery The Husband’s Doubt [Completed]

[heygiwriter]

Chapter 19 – The Engineered Crisis


Rohan woke before dawn, the dream of the red kurta still burning behind his eyes.
He had the map now — Prem’s blind trust, Nivi’s buried fire, Aaravind’s leash.
But Prem had slammed the door again.
“Just a homemaker.”

Rohan’s jaw set.
Fine.

He would force it open.
He picked up the phone.
First call — to the logistics client, Mr. Ruban.
“Delay the meeting. Tell Prem something urgent came up. Then say you’re open to hearing from Largebase instead — Aaravind reached out.”
Second call — to Aaravind.
“Send a fake representative to your office this afternoon. Make it look like you’re pitching hard for the logistics project. Drag it out. Answer questions poorly on purpose.”

Aaravind’s voice greedy on the other end. “And the CEO title?”

“Play this perfectly — and we’ll talk.”
By nine AM, the trap was set.

Prem called Rohan in panic an hour later.

“Rohan! Ruban just messaged — Aravind is comoing to Ruban's office this afternoon. Says Aaravind offered a better deal. What do we do?”

Rohan’s voice calm, almost bored. “Maybe he’s not interested in your pitch. Ruban doesn’t jump unless he smells less profit.”

Prem’s voice cracked. “No — he said if I’m interested, I can come to Ruban's place and present.”

Rohan let the silence stretch. “That’s a public humiliation setup. He’ll tear you apart in front of Aaravind, prove your approach is weak.”

Prem desperate now. “What should I do?”

Rohan paused. “Don’t you have a pitch team? Marketing?”

Prem laughed bitterly. “Budget’s tight — you know that.”

Rohan sighed. “Go to Ruban's office. I’ll come. With a better pitch person. Someone who convinced me once.”

Prem didn’t hesitate. “Thank you. I’m leaving now.”

Rohan hung up.

Third call — to Nivi.

Direct. No Prem.

“Nivi. It’s Rohan. Emergency. Ruban is meeting Aaravind this afternoon. Your husband’s walking into a trap. I need you for the pitch. Now.”

Silence on her end.
Then: “I’m coming.”
She asked: Did Prem wanted me?
Rohan: No, he doesnt know.. he would disapprove!
She: You know it?
Rohan: I Sensed it..
She: Then why me?
Rohan: I trust you.. .
She: Thanks.. where should i come
Rohan: I'm near your street.. 


Nivi was on cloudnine she felt it like a dream.. She thanked Rohan million times

A minute later she saw the same mercedes once she hit... the same she saw at party hall.. she looked at Rohan more than once.. she sat inside the car turned back and saw Rohan groups its printed on rear window.. 

Nivi smiled inside... she is not sure if she should open it to him now...

Aaravind’s office — afternoon.

The conference room was already in session.

Aaravind sat at the head, smug, beside a “representative” from his team — actually a junior briefed to fumble answers.
Venkat listened, asking sharp questions.

The junior stumbled — vague on scalability, weak on AI integration.
Prem arrived alone first, sweating, restless in his seat, eyes darting to the door.

Then the Mercedes pulled up outside.
Prem saw it through the glass — heart sinking.
Driver opened the back door.
Rohan stepped out.

Passenger door — Nivi.

In a deep green saree, hair tied neatly, laptop bag in hand.

Prem’s stomach dropped.

What is she doing here?
They entered.

Prem stood. “Nivi? What—”
Rohan cut in smoothly. “Where’s the pitch person?” Prem asked, confused.
Rohan looked at Nivi. “She’s right in front of you.”

Prem laughed nervously. “Don’t play, Rohan.”

Rohan’s voice steel. “I’m not. She convinced me once. 
I believe in her one hundred percent. If anyone can shut Aaravind down today, it’s her.” 

He glanced at Aaravind’s smug face. “And it’ll sting more coming from her.”

Aaravind’s smirk faltered.
Ruban raised an eyebrow, interested.

Prem opened his mouth — then closed it.
He looked at Nivi.

She met his eyes — steady, fierce.
Ready.

Ruban spoke. “Rohan already showed me your product earlier — answers weren’t convincing. Let’s try this. Three questions. If I like what I hear, the project is yours. If not — Aaravind’s.”

First question: AI market shifts in the next two years.
Nivi answered — clear, data-backed, forward-thinking.
Second: Feasibility at scale, risk mitigation.
She broke it down — practical, confident, addressing pain points Ruban had raised earlier.
Third: Cost-benefit over in-house.
She painted the story — certainty, growth, partnership.
Ruban leaned back.
Smiled.
“Prem Infinity Solutions it is.”

Aaravind’s face — thunder.
Prem — stunned silent.
Rohan — quiet satisfaction. He know even if she answered wrong the project will be prem's but it was a test for her talent and she passed it. 

Rohan and Ruban shared a knowing smile.. 

As they walked out, Ruban shaking Nivi’s hand first.
Outside, Prem approached Rohan, voice thick.

“Thank you. Really.”
Rohan looked past him to Nivi, then back.
“Thank your wife.”
He put a hand on Prem’s shoulder — firm, pulled him aside.

“I don’t know what you think she is. But she’s your best asset. Use her. You don’t even have to pay her. She’s interested. Utilise that talent.”

Prem nodded slowly. “Yeah… let’s give it a try.” Hesitated. “But—”

Rohan cut him. “I’ll bring more clients. Bigger ones.”

Prem’s eyes lit.
“On one condition.”

Prem: “Anything.”
Rohan’s voice low, final.
“Nivi must be in the room for all future meetings.”

Prem glanced at Nivi standing a distance away — green saree catching the light, head high.
He swallowed.
Reluctantly.
“Yes.”

Rohan released his shoulder.
Smiled.

The cage door cracked wider.
And Rohan now held the key.