22-12-2025, 11:15 PM
Chapter 22 – The Breaking Point
The weeks blurred into a rhythm Nivi had never known.
Client meetings. Pitches. Wins.
Rohan brought one big fish every week — carefully selected, high-value.
Nivi closed them all.
Her confidence grew with each handshake, each signed contract.
One afternoon, after sealing a particularly large deal in a quiet hotel conference room overlooking the city, Rohan lingered as the client left.
He turned to her, casual.
“Why not start your own marketing agency?”
Nivi froze, laptop half-closed.
“What?”
Rohan leaned against the table, arms crossed.
“You manage it. We go for the big pitches together. Partners. 50–50 ownership.”
Her breath caught.
The old dream — college talks, late-night sketches of logos and plans — flooded back.
Eyes glowing, she whispered, “I… I’ve always wanted…”
Then hesitation. “Prem…”
Rohan nodded, reading her. “I know. He may not approve. That’s why I said partnership firm. Call it namesake. We split revenue quietly. He’ll think it’s just more work for Prem Infinity. He’ll be in — indirectly.”
Nivi shook her head slowly. “You don’t know him.”
Rohan’s voice lowered. “I know he’s insecure. Overprotective. But don’t waste your talent, Nivi. You dreamed this once.”
The words hung heavy.
The man I loved… never understood.
She looked away, throat tight.
Rohan took a breath. “If you stand in everyone’s shoes, every vision feels right to them. Don’t overthink. Let’s do it.”
He paused.
“We pitch some companies on our own. Land deals. Allocate smaller clients to other firms, take our share. Clean. Profitable.”
Nivi’s eyes glowed brighter.
“I’m ready to jump in.”
Then softer: “But I’m scared of Prem.”
Rohan met her gaze. “You loved him enough to marry him against the world. He’ll understand. Eventually.”
She didn’t answer.
But the seed was planted.
That night at dinner, Nivi tested the water.
Casual.
“Rohan had this idea today… what if I partnered with him on the marketing side? Just time, no money. Separate agency.”
Prem’s fork paused.
“You’re already busy with Prem Infinity. That’s enough.” A small laugh. “Don’t think you’re some super-smart businesswoman now.”
The words stung — sharp, deliberate.
He said it lightly, teasing. But Nivi heard the edge.
Control. She smiled tightly. Silence.
Later, in bed, Prem asleep, Nivi stared at the ceiling.
For the first time, she wanted to stand against him.
Just once.
She picked up her phone.
Texted Rohan.
He said no. Shot it down.
Rohan’s reply came fast.
That’s why I said don’t reveal yet. We’ll take care of it. Trust me.
She set the phone down.
Panicked.
Excited.
Rohan unleashed his plan immediate morning...… An unexpected plan to keep them in closer orbit and that makes Prem powerless and has to agree with what he say…
Next Evening.
The knock came sharp at 9 PM.
Prem opened cautiously.
Two men in security officer khaki, one holding papers.
“Court eviction notice. Vacate immediately.”
Prem’s eyes narrowed. “At night? Show me your IDs. This is illegal — I’m calling the station right now.”
He pulled out his phone, dialed a station number.
Aaravind stepped from the shadows, grinning, goons behind him..
One “officer” flashed a badge quickly. “Emergency execution. Landlord filed.”
Prem: “Bullshit. Let me verify—”
Aaravind laughed. “Call whoever. These officers are on special duty tonight… because I paid them extra. Money talks faster than your complaints, Prem.”
The goons moved forward, starting to grab boxes.
Nivi clutched Aara, eyes wide.
Prem tried the call again — line engaged, or snatched briefly.
Realisation hit. Bought.
Corrupt. Outmatched.
“You think I’ll watch calmly while you snatch all my clients?” Aaravind’s voice was venom, low and furious.
Prem: you are crossing the limit.. I can sue you in court …
Aravind: You move legally.. I will move the company's legal notice.. And demand the 10 cr.. I planned it carefully to humiliate you.. The landlord got the cash and gave me instant registration in the morning… Move out now..
His voice shook with rage, but he saw Aara scared, Nivi pale.
He couldn’t risk violence. He dialed the only number left.
Rohan.
…
Rohan arrived twenty minutes later.
Stepped out of the Mercedes, surveyed the scene.
To Aaravind: “You paid these men? How much?”
Aaravind smug. “Enough.”
Rohan nodded slowly. “I’ll remember that.”
Then to Prem, voice low: “No point tonight. Take what you need. Come with me.”
He lifted sleeping Aara gently from Nivi’s arms.
The goons hesitated — something in Rohan’s calm made them pause.
Aaravind snarled but didn’t stop them.
Rohan’s men arrived minutes later — real professionals — began packing efficiently.
Nivi, Aara followed Rohan to the cars.
Prem drove the swift..
As they drove away, Nivi looked back at their home — lights blazing, Aaravind’s silhouette in the doorway.
Then at Rohan — steady, in control.
Safe.
For the first time in years, truly safe.
But not at home.
In his world.
The weeks blurred into a rhythm Nivi had never known.
Client meetings. Pitches. Wins.
Rohan brought one big fish every week — carefully selected, high-value.
Nivi closed them all.
Her confidence grew with each handshake, each signed contract.
One afternoon, after sealing a particularly large deal in a quiet hotel conference room overlooking the city, Rohan lingered as the client left.
He turned to her, casual.
“Why not start your own marketing agency?”
Nivi froze, laptop half-closed.
“What?”
Rohan leaned against the table, arms crossed.
“You manage it. We go for the big pitches together. Partners. 50–50 ownership.”
Her breath caught.
The old dream — college talks, late-night sketches of logos and plans — flooded back.
Eyes glowing, she whispered, “I… I’ve always wanted…”
Then hesitation. “Prem…”
Rohan nodded, reading her. “I know. He may not approve. That’s why I said partnership firm. Call it namesake. We split revenue quietly. He’ll think it’s just more work for Prem Infinity. He’ll be in — indirectly.”
Nivi shook her head slowly. “You don’t know him.”
Rohan’s voice lowered. “I know he’s insecure. Overprotective. But don’t waste your talent, Nivi. You dreamed this once.”
The words hung heavy.
The man I loved… never understood.
She looked away, throat tight.
Rohan took a breath. “If you stand in everyone’s shoes, every vision feels right to them. Don’t overthink. Let’s do it.”
He paused.
“We pitch some companies on our own. Land deals. Allocate smaller clients to other firms, take our share. Clean. Profitable.”
Nivi’s eyes glowed brighter.
“I’m ready to jump in.”
Then softer: “But I’m scared of Prem.”
Rohan met her gaze. “You loved him enough to marry him against the world. He’ll understand. Eventually.”
She didn’t answer.
But the seed was planted.
That night at dinner, Nivi tested the water.
Casual.
“Rohan had this idea today… what if I partnered with him on the marketing side? Just time, no money. Separate agency.”
Prem’s fork paused.
“You’re already busy with Prem Infinity. That’s enough.” A small laugh. “Don’t think you’re some super-smart businesswoman now.”
The words stung — sharp, deliberate.
He said it lightly, teasing. But Nivi heard the edge.
Control. She smiled tightly. Silence.
Later, in bed, Prem asleep, Nivi stared at the ceiling.
For the first time, she wanted to stand against him.
Just once.
She picked up her phone.
Texted Rohan.
He said no. Shot it down.
Rohan’s reply came fast.
That’s why I said don’t reveal yet. We’ll take care of it. Trust me.
She set the phone down.
Panicked.
Excited.
Rohan unleashed his plan immediate morning...… An unexpected plan to keep them in closer orbit and that makes Prem powerless and has to agree with what he say…
Next Evening.
The knock came sharp at 9 PM.
Prem opened cautiously.
Two men in security officer khaki, one holding papers.
“Court eviction notice. Vacate immediately.”
Prem’s eyes narrowed. “At night? Show me your IDs. This is illegal — I’m calling the station right now.”
He pulled out his phone, dialed a station number.
Aaravind stepped from the shadows, grinning, goons behind him..
One “officer” flashed a badge quickly. “Emergency execution. Landlord filed.”
Prem: “Bullshit. Let me verify—”
Aaravind laughed. “Call whoever. These officers are on special duty tonight… because I paid them extra. Money talks faster than your complaints, Prem.”
The goons moved forward, starting to grab boxes.
Nivi clutched Aara, eyes wide.
Prem tried the call again — line engaged, or snatched briefly.
Realisation hit. Bought.
Corrupt. Outmatched.
“You think I’ll watch calmly while you snatch all my clients?” Aaravind’s voice was venom, low and furious.
Prem: you are crossing the limit.. I can sue you in court …
Aravind: You move legally.. I will move the company's legal notice.. And demand the 10 cr.. I planned it carefully to humiliate you.. The landlord got the cash and gave me instant registration in the morning… Move out now..
His voice shook with rage, but he saw Aara scared, Nivi pale.
He couldn’t risk violence. He dialed the only number left.
Rohan.
…
Rohan arrived twenty minutes later.
Stepped out of the Mercedes, surveyed the scene.
To Aaravind: “You paid these men? How much?”
Aaravind smug. “Enough.”
Rohan nodded slowly. “I’ll remember that.”
Then to Prem, voice low: “No point tonight. Take what you need. Come with me.”
He lifted sleeping Aara gently from Nivi’s arms.
The goons hesitated — something in Rohan’s calm made them pause.
Aaravind snarled but didn’t stop them.
Rohan’s men arrived minutes later — real professionals — began packing efficiently.
Nivi, Aara followed Rohan to the cars.
Prem drove the swift..
As they drove away, Nivi looked back at their home — lights blazing, Aaravind’s silhouette in the doorway.
Then at Rohan — steady, in control.
Safe.
For the first time in years, truly safe.
But not at home.
In his world.
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