Page 32 of Married in Vengeance

“A lot, but I’d say you’re still winning that particular race.” she replied candidly. “I’ve had a fuck all day and I don’t feel like getting into it with you. So, can you finish with whatever patriarchal bullshit you want to spew? And then I can tell you to fuck off and we can go about the rest of the evening doing whatever we want to do.”

Ram stared at her wondering if the top of his head was going to just fly off with rage.

“Patriarchal bullshit?” he repeated slowly.

Aadhya nodded. “How dare you not pick up my calls? How dare you not call me back? I’m your lord and master. How dare you not rush to heed my summons?”

Ram arched a brow. “Lord and master?”

“Uh huh. In those delusions you foster, I’m guessing it’s exhibit 101 or something.”

Ram pinched the bridge of his nose, praying for patience. “My father would like us to attend a charity event tonight.”

Aadhya sighed, her shoulders slumping. “Right.”

Ram took note of her dark circles, tired face and the fingers that she kept flexing at her side. “But if you’re too tired-“

“Give me an hour. I’ll be ready,” Aadhya interrupted, turning away from him.

“I thought you had a fuck all day.”

“I did.” Aadhya started walking, forcing him to follow.

“If you’re tired, we don’t need to go.”

“Of course we need to go.” She pushed the solid oak front doors open. She didn’t bother holding them open though because they almost smacked him in the face. He barely got his hand up in time to keep from getting a broken nose.

“You look exhausted,” he began.

“Ram.” Aadhya turned to face him. “We both know what’s expected from us in our families. Why are you arguing about this?”

Flummoxed, he stared at her. “I guess I never expected you to do what’s expected of you.”

“Hmm.” She looked at him thoughtfully. “So, these delusions of yours, how detailed are they exactly?”

Ram gritted his teeth to keep from snapping at her.

“Was that it? The reason you were calling?” she asked.

“Of course,” he replied. “Why else would I?”

Aadhya laughed, a sad, mirthless sound. “Of course. Why else would you?” She turned away from him. “Like I said, one hour. I’ll be ready.”

He watched her climb the staircase, her feet dragging with exhaustion.

“Aadhya?”

She turned her face slightly, her tired profile visible to him.

“Why was your day fucked up?”

She glanced over her shoulder, her furious glare incinerating him. “You lost the right to ask me those questions when you married me under false pretences. So, let’s get to this portion of the conversation. Fuck off, Ram Gadde.”

Eighteen

AADHYA

She was sotired it felt like even her eyeballs hurt. She pleated her saree for the umpteenth time and tucked it in, checking the folds in the mirror. Shit. They still weren’t right.

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