Page 85 of Fixation

Her sharp words reminded him that she didn’t trust men easily; she’d told him that once. Armaan had confirmed it again. Why though? Why did she feel like this?

“Why the name Singh?” he asked, undeterred.

“None of your business,” she snapped.

Vedant stared at her. “I missed you so much.”

Her eyes widened, but she stayed silent.

“I behaved awful, Reina, and for that, I’m truly sorry.”

Her expression hardened. “Apologynotaccepted. Can we go now?”

“Nyet.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “What more do you want?”

“I want you back, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get you back.”

She flinched. “What?”

“You heard what I said.”

“Of all the arrogant things I’ve heard in my life, this surely takes the cake,” she shot back. “You simply waltz in here after three weeks and want me back. Why? Did you get bored of Laila as well?”

He frowned. “Laila? Why are we talking about her?”

Her eyes narrowed to slits. “Don’t pretend that you and she didn’t laugh at my expense after you drove me away. She told me that I was a plain Jane, the same words you used on me. She had a huge crush on you, and you knew it. She told you about my issue with Dr. Williams when it was not her place to do that. So yes, of course, we are talking about youraffairwith Laila.”

His eyes widened. She thought Laila and him… Her assumption was so far from the truth and totally ridiculous. He burst out laughing.

Reina punched him in the chest, the same place where he’d been shot. It didn’t hurt. Not even a bit. But he winced. Pretended that it hurt him, and sure enough, her face crumpled.

“Shit. Is your chest hurting?” She massaged it. “Where does it pain?”

His heart warmed, knowing that she still cared for him. It gave him hope. He took her hand and shifted it to the left side of his chest, where his heart was beating wildly, for her. “Here, it’s been hurting here ever since you left me.”

Anger filled her eyes. She tried to move her hand away, but he held it firm.

“I never had an affair with Laila,” he told her. “In fact, I called her that night to tell her to leave the next morning. I didn’t want her around me because she was too clingy and making it obvious that she wanted to sleep with me.”

Reina stilled for a short second before she struggled against his hold. But he held firm.

“Lies,” she replied. “You always addressed her as Dr. Jones, but that night you took her name, suggesting a familiarity between you two. When I was leaving, I saw you on your terrace, and then Laila approached you and you both returned inside. So forgive me if I don’t believe you now.”

He frowned. “That night, I was battling with myself. I hated that I had to let you go. Her name must have slipped out of my mouth. I swear on everything I hold dear that she left the room five minutes after you left. Then I went to the terrace, and she returned, asking me to reconsider letting her stay. I refused and she went away. That was it.”

Reina stared at him, studying his face, as if searching for the truth.

“I’m sorry, Reina,” he whispered. “I made an awful mistake. I said things to you that I didn’t mean. I should never have pushed you away.”

“And I don’t believe this sudden change of heart. So, let me go.”

“It took me three weeks to find you. And I came here the minute I learned who you were and where you went. Trust me, Reina. I had a reason to behave as I did then. If you only hear me out?—”

“—I will never trust you. I should never have allowed you to get close to me. While you didn’t know me, I knew who you were all along. You are an Oshnov, and hence, I never should have trusted you. Fucking assholes.”

He dropped her hand, feeling burned. Then he shook his head. “Armaan proved himself to you all. I believe your whole family loves him. So why still tag us as bad people?”

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