My Cruel Love
A Glimpse Of The Past : Hidden Wounds Begceed
Maya stood in the spacious, modern kitchen of the Shahriar Mansion, surrounded by sleek countertops, high-end appliances, and an air of quiet luxury. She took a moment to absorb her surroundings before getting to work. Ruby had already shown her where everything was.
Although Maya was a capable cook, the thirty-minute time limit made it hard to decide what to make.Finally, she grabbed some vegetables and decided to prepare a simple dish of rice and lentils—something like a soft, mildly spiced stew she had grown up eating.
Would someone like him even eat this? she wondered, then shook her head. Who cares? He gave me thirty minutes. This is the easiest thing I can make.
Despite her doubts, this dish had always been her comfort food—rain or shine, she never got tired of it.
She took off her scarf and tied it around her waist like a makeshift apron, slipping into the rhythm of cooking. The household staff observed her with a mix of curiosity and confusion, wondering where this graceful girl had come from—and why she was in their kitchen.
Ruby, too, was puzzled.
She looks like someone out of a fairytale—why is she doing this kind of work? Does she not have a family? What's her story?
She was even more confused because Arman never allowed just anyone to cook for him. A private chef had always been on staff. Yet, today, he had instructed that Maya would be cooking and no one should interfere.
Thirty-five minutes later—five more than she was given—Maya was finally done. Ruby called Arman to let him know the food was ready and asked if he'd like it served in his room or at the dining table. He replied curtly that he was coming downstairs.
Moments later, Arman entered and sat at the dining table. Maya quietly began serving the food. He glanced at his watch, then snapped, "Five minutes late. I don't tolerate tardiness.
Maya lowered her gaze and muttered, "Sorry, sir. It won't happen again.
At first, Arman was intrigued by the aroma. Smells good, he thought. Maybe she actually knows how to cook. But when he saw the dish, his expression shifted to disbelief.
"What is this? Seriously? Rice porridge? I don't eat this kind of food! What are you even doing?
"You didn't tell me what to make," Maya said, keeping her voice calm. "You only gave me thirty minutes. I had no idea what you liked, so I made what I know best.
Turning to Ruby, Arman growled, "Where were you? You know I don't eat this kind of thing.
Ruby kept her head low. "You only asked me to show her the kitchen and said she'd be cooking. You told me not to interfere.
Frustrated, Arman rubbed his temples. Maya stood quietly in the corner, unsure what to do next.
Just then, the doorbell rang—a much-needed interruption. Ruby hurried to answer it and found Abir standing outside. He walked in, looking exhausted.
"Ruby, can you get me a cup of coffee, please? I'm wiped.
He headed straight to the dining area, sat across from Arman, poured himself a glass of water, and took a sip—only to nearly choke when he noticed someone standing beside Arman.
His eyes landed on Maya, and he froze.
Water sprayed from his mouth, and the glass slipped from his hand, shattering on the floor. A shard hit his foot, drawing blood.
But he didn't even flinch. His eyes were locked on Maya, his face pale with shock. He stood frozen, lips parted in disbelief.
Maya, who had been watching quietly, startled at his reaction. Ruby rushed in with a half-made cup of coffee, alarmed by the sound of breaking glass.
"Sir! Your foot!" she exclaimed, kneeling to check the wound. She quickly removed the shards and pressed her scarf against the bleeding.
Abir winced, finally registering the pain. "Ahh!
"What just happened?" he asked, confused.
"You're bleeding," Ruby said. "A piece of glass cut your foot.
Abir blinked, still disoriented. "Cut? But how.?
Ruby looked at him, confused by his stunned reaction. Maya stepped forward to help, and the moment she did, Abir recoiled as if he'd seen a ghost.
"G-Ghost? No. wait. Arman's ex-wife?!"
Maya flinched, caught off guard by his outburst.
Ruby froze in confusion. Ex-wife? Then who exactly is she? she thought, baffled.
Arman had been silently watching the entire scene unfold. Already irritated, Abir's dramatic reaction pushed him over the edge. He slammed the table.
"That's enough! Stop your nonsense, Abir. Ruby, I'm going to my room. Bring me some soup.
He stormed away. Ruby darted off to prepare the soup. Abir remained seated, stunned. Maya's presence had shaken him to the core.
Ruby returned with a first-aid kit and handed it to Maya. "Please, Maya. Can you dress his wound? I need to make the soup or he'll get furious."
"Okay, Ruby," Maya said gently.
Turning to Abir, she added, "Come on. Let me help. It's bleeding pretty badly."
Abir limped over to the sofa. Maya knelt before him and began cleaning the wound.
In a quiet but serious tone, Abir asked, "What are you doing here, Maya?
"That title doesn't apply to me anymore," she replied. "Just call me by my name.
"Fine. Maya. But why are you here? This doesn't make any sense."
"I needed work. Arman offered me a job. That's all."
"You're educated. You used to work for a company. Why this? Why here, of all places?
"I'm not at that job anymore. And the offer here is. decent."
"No," Abir said. "There's more to this. You're hiding something. Working here—for him? Your ex-husband? This isn't just about needing work."
Abir had known Maya since her marriage to Arman. Back then, both Arman's elder brother and Abir used to visit Maya's family, bringing financial support when needed. After the elder brother passed away, Abir continued the visits. Even when Maya never used the money, she accepted it out of duty. When the divorce papers arrived, she returned every saved penny—Abir had delivered it all.
At that moment, Ruby returned. "Arman said arrangements have been made for Maya to stay in the mansion. Since she didn't bring any clothes, she's to borrow mine until more are provided."
Maya froze. Stay here? That wasn't part of the plan. She turned to Abir, distressed.
"Please, talk to him. I can't stay here."
"But you said you're working here. Everyone working here stays on-site—except for me. You'd have to stay too."
"No, Abir. Please. Just think about how shocked you were to see me. Imagine how the rest of the family will react. I can't face them."
Ruby, who had been listening in, looked more confused than ever. A minute ago he was acting like he saw a ghost. Now he's talking to her like an old friend?
She hesitated, then asked, "Sorry, but... do you two know each other? And what's going to happen when the rest of the family comes back? I don't get any of this. Big Madam called earlier—they're arriving tomorrow morning.
That was the final blow. The thin layer of courage Maya had wrapped around herself crumbled instantly. She had only come because she believed the family was away—something she'd read in a news report. Now everything had changed. What felt manageable moments ago now felt like a rising storm.
To Be Continued..