"That sounds fine," Nimisha replied.
"Perfect! We'll coordinate next week." Kritika's smile was genuine, which somehow made it worse.
Kabir leaned forward, his attention on Nimisha. "Mrs. Ranawat, do you attend many of these charity events?"
"When required."
"How modest. I'm sure your presence is more than just a requirement." His smile was smooth, practiced. "Beauty like yours must be quite the draw for donations."
Samarth's hand, which had been relaxed on the table, curled into a fist.
Nimisha noticed. Everyone noticed.
"My wife's appearance is irrelevant to the family's charitable work," Samarth said, his voice cold enough to frost the windows. "Our reputation and genuine commitment to the causes we support are what matter."
"Of course," Kabir said quickly. "I meant no disrespect."
"See that you don't."
The threat was subtle but unmistakable.
Tanisha touched Kabir's arm, her expression slightly worried. "Tell Papa about the school project you're funding. He'll love that."
The conversation shifted again, tension easing as Kabir launched into a description of his philanthropic work that sounded impressive and completely manufactured to Nimisha's ears.
But she said nothing, played her part, smiled when expected.
Samarth barely looked at her for the rest of the meal.
When dinner finally ended, the men retreated to Raghbir's study for whiskey and business talk. The women moved to the sitting room for tea.
Nimisha excused herself, claiming a headache.
No one protested.
She made it to the hallway before she heard the click of claws on marble behind her.
"You should be with your master," she told Bruno without turning around.
The dog fell into step beside her anyway.
They walked in silence to the main doors, and she stepped outside, needing air, needing space from the suffocating weight of that dinner.
Bruno followed.
The night was cool, the gardens dark except for strategically placed lights along the pathways.
"Your master barely acknowledges I exist," she said to the dog, her voice breaking slightly. "But you... you defended me tonight. Why?"
Bruno sat, his massive form a dark shadow beside her.
"I'm nobody. Nothing. Just the wife he was forced to marry." She laughed bitterly. "I don't even know why I'm talking to you. You're a dog."
Bruno's eyes gleamed in the darkness, ancient and knowing.
"A very judgmental dog who apparently has opinions about my throwing arm."
His tail thumped once.
