Page 73 of Married in Vengeance

“Aarush,” Ram interjected, stopping beside them. “Virat and I need to discuss something with you.”

Aarush turned to face him, his lips pressed into a thin line. “Whatever you have to say can be said in front of my wife and my sister. This is their legacy too. Make no mistake, Gadde. I’ll accept your help for the good of my company, but my loyalties and my boundaries are very clear.”

Ram nodded, his face impassive. “Noted. Can we go somewhere to talk? It’s important.”

Without a word, Aadhya turned on her heel and walked out of the court building. Ram watched her go, a million unspoken words and emotions clogging his throat.

“Aren’t you going to apologise?’ Priyanka’s cold voice drew his gaze back to her.

“No.” He slipped his sunglasses on and moved to step around her.

“Why not? You should be on your knees begging for her forgiveness.”

“Priya,” Aarush sighed, clearly at the end of his tether.

“I want to know, Aarush! I want to know why the fuck he isn’t groveling from here to kingdom come.”

“Because I don’t deserve her forgiveness. So, I won’t ask for it.” He gestured towards the door. “Now could we please get back to saving her and your company? Right now, that’s my only focus.”

“For the life of me, I can’t decide what you are, Ram Gadde. Hero or Villain?” Priyanka shook her head, anger and confusion warring for supremacy on her face.

“Neither,” he told her. “I’m just a man. But if you really want to pick, you should go with villain. I’m nobody’s hero.”

None of them heard Aadhya approach them. Not until it was too late. She glanced from one tense face to the other, stopping on Ram’s. He couldn’t make out how much she’d heard.

“We need to talk,” she told him, her voice sounding hoarse from unshed tears.

“I agree. Virat and I-“

“No.” She slashed her hand through the air. “Not about the case. About us.”

His throat tightened. “Okay.”

“I want a divorce.”

He’d been expecting this. And still, why did it feel like the ground shook beneath his feet? His eyes roved over her pale, set face, noting the pain and fatigue lining it. His heart ached for the ruin he’d set in motion with his thoughtless actions.

But when he spoke, all he said was, “As you wish.”

Forty

AADHYA

As you wish.

Aadhya stared at the man she’d married. How little she knew him if he could let her go so easily. He hadn’t even put up a fight!

She turned on her heel and walked out of the courtroom without another word, her brother and sister-in-law hot on her heels.

“Aadhya, hold on,” Priyanka said breathlessly as they reached the ground where the cars were parked. She grabbed Aadhya’s hand and tried to tug her to a stop.

Aadhya shrugged out of her grasp and walked faster, beeping her car open. “I need to go,” she said distractedly. “I can’t do this right now.”

Priyanka caught her hand and pulled her car keys from it. “You’re not driving when you’re this upset.”

“I’m not upset.” Aadhya grabbed for her keys, but Priyanka jumped back a step, evading her. “I’m relieved.”

“Aadhya.” Aarush’s strong voice cut through their scuffle. “You’re not driving. Either Priya drives you or I do. Take your pick.”

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