Page 175 of Hateful Games

“Who all knows about it?”

“Just my core team.”

“Can they be trusted?”

I hear Nova heave a frustrated breath. “I have someone looking into them. None have raised my suspicions. We’ll never catch the traitor if they get wind we’re looking into them. And if the media got wind of it, it’ll be another headache.”

“Do what you think is best.”

“I heard you’re planning to announce the new shipping port at the reception. Don’t you think you’re jumping in bed too soon with Mihir?”

“The deal was made a long time ago, son. I’ve put it off for as long as I could,” says Danish. “We still have controlling shares; he can’t do anything. It’ll be a as much of a loss for him as for us.”

“But he has more to gain if it’s completely under his control. It did belong to the Kapoor family first. Mihir still sees it as his. Doesn’t matter that the authorities took it over for a while and we bought it fair and square.”

“Then he would’ve caused problems before.”

“You can’t be that naïve, Dad,” taunts Nova.

“And you can’t be that cynical,” comes Danish’s aggravated response. “How about you keep Rosalie happy so Mihir doesn’t cause problems in the future?”

“He doesn’t give a fuck about her. He’s ecstatic he got rid of her and made her our problem.”

Problem.

I flinch and fight tears. One word and he’s reduced me to dirt beneath his feet. He says it so callously, it guts me right open. His pretty words and possessive claims are just that… hollow promises. Nova is still the manipulative and selfish man he always was.

Like a pathetic girl, I fell for his act. How many times before I learn my lesson?

I’m just a shiny new toy he’s obsessed with.

Nothing but a nuisance that landed on his lap.

“You don’t know him like I do,” I hear Danish ominously say. “He might not care for her but he will use her if he thinks we aren’t treating her right.”

I don’t stay to listen to his reply. Instead, I run back downstairs, intent on hating Nova till my last dying breath.

***

“He’s a skittish one,” says Sami, the owner of the animal shelter.

After Nova dropped me off at home after a tense ride since we were both occupied with our own thoughts, I fed my dogs and spent time with them. After working on my current project that brought a moment of peace, I decided to visit the shelter today.

“What’s his name?”

“Jelly.”

“Really?” asks Iris, who I invited to join me. She’s also a dog lover. “What made you pick that?”

“He’s always slipping from our fingers,” answers Sami with an amused smile. “It’s easier to remember their names if it’s based on their habits. Plus, it’s fun. For example, those two,” she points at the pair lying together in the corner, “we call them Husband and Wifey.”

I can’t help but chuckle. “Why?”

“They’re our resident couple. Always attached at the hip. He’s super protective of her and doesn’t let the others, especially males, sniff around her. I’ve had to break a couple of fights.”

“Wow, he and Dash would be best friends,” jokes Iris. “Maybe we should gift them to Bianca and Dash for their wedding present. What do you say, Ro?”

Their wedding is approaching in three months and I couldn’t be happier for my best friend. She’s getting her happily ever after. While I have no clue where my life is heading.

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