The Silence Before the War

The truth had been laid bare.

But instead of bringing the Oberoi siblings closer, it felt like a bomb had detonated in the middle of their family.

Ayush paced furiously. "So you’re telling me that for years, we were living under a false reality? That our lives—our decisions—were just a game of survival you were playing with Devraj Malhotra?"

Arnav’s face was unreadable. "Yes."

Aryan, usually the troublemaker, stood unusually still. His fingers twitched at his sides, his face a mix of confusion and anger. "Why tell us now?"

Anirudh sighed. "Because Devraj has finally made his move."

Ayush turned to his second brother, eyes blazing. "And you knew, didn’t you? You knew and you let this go on!"

Anirudh clenched his jaw. "I knew enough to understand why Arnav kept it hidden. You think I liked being kept in the dark? You think I didn’t want to fight back? But war isn’t as simple as your ego, Ayush. It’s blood. It’s destruction."

Ayush scoffed. "And yet, here we are! Arnav’s secrets didn’t stop anything! Devraj still came for us!"

Arnav finally spoke, his voice sharp as steel. "Because you let him in."

Ayush froze.

"What?"

Arnav took a step forward, his eyes deadly. "You trusted Devraj. You let him poison your mind. And now? He knows exactly where to strike."

A sickening realization crept into Ayush’s stomach.

Devraj had planted seeds of doubt on purpose.

By making Ayush question Arnav, he had forced this exact moment.

A moment where the Oberoi brothers weren’t standing together—but against each other.

Avni’s Outburst

A sudden crash made everyone jump.

Avni had thrown a glass to the ground, her face twisted in frustration. "Enough!" she shouted.

All eyes turned to her.

"You’re all fighting like idiots while the real problem is out there." She pointed towards the door. "Devraj is the enemy, not Arnav. Not Ayush. So either you stop blaming each other, or we’re going to fall apart before the real battle even begins."

Her chest was heaving. Her usual arrogance was gone.

For the first time, she looked like their little sister.

Someone who had just learned the horrifying truth that her parents were murdered.

Someone who was scared.

Arnav’s eyes softened. "Avni…"

She turned away, her voice shaky. "Just… fix this. Before it’s too late."

The Choice

Ayush looked at his siblings—at Aryan’s torn expression, at Anirudh’s exhausted eyes, at Avni’s barely-contained anger.

And then he looked at Arnav.

For the first time, he truly saw him.

Not just as the ruthless dictator. Not just as the unshakable eldest brother.

But as a man carrying the weight of their survival on his shoulders.

Ayush exhaled.

"...What do we do now?"

Arnav’s lips pressed into a thin line. "We prepare."

His next words sent a chill through the room.

"Because Devraj won’t wait. He’s coming for us."

To Be Continued