Page 24 of Twisted Bonds

She smiled, knowing that other than Shivay, no one else would enter her office without knocking. Shivay must have known she had just finished the last interview for the day.

“How did the interviews go?” his deep voice asked.

She looked up, and her heart raced, seeing the handsome face of her devil husband. He was wearing a business suit since he was working in the corporate headquarters. But she knew that as soon as they reached Singoor, he would change into the traditional wear and take on the clan head duties.

Even after a decade, Ishani still found Shivay Thakvar’s transition from a billionaire corporate businessman to a powerful clan head fascinating.

“Shivay!” she gasped with a laugh when he scooped her up from the chair and carried her to the office sofa. He sat down with her on the lap.

Ishani let out a content sigh. All the tiredness from the day disappeared in her devil husband’s arms.

“All of the candidates are well qualified,” she said. “It’s getting hard to pick. They all want to work in Singoor.”

Shivay’s mouth twisted. “That sounds like a good problem to have,” he said.

“Easy for you to say!” she scolded with a laugh.

“Well, my sweet wife. I know that whoever you choose will be the best.”

Warmth spread through her heart, knowing he was always supportive and encouraged her decisions. He had never looked down on her for not having a formal education. In fact, he proudly declared to everyone that his wife had the capability and grit to set up and run the Singoor institutions.

“I love you,” she said, leaning and giving him a soft kiss on his cheek.

His eyes flashed, and his hands slid over her bare skin on the exposed midriff of her traditional dress. Her skin broke into goosebumps.

“Shivay,” she gasped with a laugh, knowing where it was going. Shivay Thakvar wanted to claim his wife.

“Shivay,” she breathlessly said when his hand slipped under her long, traditional skirt. “We have to leave early today. I need to help Ma with the preparations for tomorrow.”

But her devil husband was determined. He cupped her face, and when she looked into his eyes and saw his love and desire for her, she lost the fight.

She gave in to her devil husband.

***

It was evening by the time the helicopter landed in the Thakvar province, and the SUV drove through the mansion gates and stopped in front of the fountain.

Ishani stepped out of the SUV and smiled at the sight that met her eyes. The mansion was bustling with activity and was decorated with flowers. The staff were busy at work, making preparations for the upcoming festivities.

“Ma! Papa!”

Nine-year-old Nitya and six-year-old Madhav came running towards them with excitement. They must have been playing outside in the mansion garden after returning from school.

Shivay picked up Nitya into his arms and ruffled Madhav’s hair.

Warmth spread through Ishani’s heart, looking at Shivay with their children. He was always gentle and patient with them. Despite his busy schedules, he spent a lot of time teaching them horse riding and sword fighting.

“I helpeddadiwith the flower arrangements!” Nitya said proudly with excitement.

“That’s so wonderful,” said Ishani with a smile.

Ishani knew her mother-in-law loved to arrange flowers and decorate for events. Nitya must have helped after returning from school.

“I plucked marigold flowers fornani,” Madhav said.

Ishani’s heart melted at her son’s considerate gesture. Marigold flowers were her mother's favorite flowers. Although Ishani wanted her mother to stay with her, her mother preferred to mostly stay at the Gujjar mansion with her people. Her mother was coming to stay for an extended visit the next day.

“Naniwill love them,” Ishani told her son.

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