Page 21 of Obsession

“So, you’re perfectly fine with both our families learning about the fact that you and I are married through Noir? You do know that it will affect you too,da?”

“And I’m willing to face the consequences of that. After all, I’m doing this for my sisters.”

“It’s always been about your family, isn’t it, Anna?”

She frowned. “What does that mean?”

At his silence, she pushed her half-eaten croissant aside.

Mihir frowned. Then he shook his head and pulled her plate to him. “I can’t believe you’re still wasting food like this.”

“I’m stuffed.”

He popped the remainder of the croissant in his mouth. “Do you know how many people don’t get to eat?”

“It’s not my fault that I get full in just a few bites.”

“Then why order, Anna? I can’t keep eating your leftovers.”

Her pulse skittered. She stared at him, her heart running away. How many times in the past had this exact same conversation taken place between them? They were sitting together like this after years, and it hadn’t taken them long to revert to what had once been normal between them. She always ended up wasting food, and he always complained when he had to finish it. But he still finished it, every single time. Just as he had now.

He looked up from the plate and saw her watching him. Realization dawned in his eyes. She knew he remembered too and was just as shocked by it. His mouth opened and closed. His expression softened for a tiny moment, before he pushed the plate aside and drained his coffee in a single gulp.

“If we’re doing this, then I have some conditions too,” he said, his voice gruff. “I want my ring back.”

She shook herself from her thoughts and threw him an innocent look. “What ring?”

He pointed at her chest, where his ring dangled from a chain. “That one.”

“Alright, then allow me to interview you. You know I’ve been wanting to for the longest time.”

“Just so you can question me about the private details of my life? No, thank you.”

“You know, all those years back, you never told me everything about yourself. I hadn’t even known you were Alexander Oshnov’s adopted son. I simply assumed you were from the UK, and you never corrected me. Of course, I’m curious.”

“I’m glad I didn’t. You didn’t deserve to know me.”

Her heart scrunched from the pain his words caused her. She hated that his behavior still hurt her. So damn much. She hated that she’d been so much in love with him, that she’d given him every detail of her life, and he’d held everything of himself back.

“At least tell me why you’re so mad at me,” she said quietly. “What did I do that you let me believe you died?”

The heat of his anger scorched her skin. “Are you seriously pretending you don’t… I’m not discussing this.”

“Mihir,” she softened her voice. “I really don’t know…”

“Nyet! No. This topic is off-limits, and so is the interview. That is non-negotiable,” he said. “You want me to agree to your terms, then give me the ring back.”

His refusal to talk about the past angered her so damn much. She must have never been important to him. That’s why he refused to clear the air with her still.

“Sorry, no,” she said, her voice rising. “I’ve had this ring for years now. It’s more mine than yours. You didn’t even know I had it until you saw it around my neck, isn’t it?” Ignoring his glare, she continued. “You want to agree to my terms, then do it without this condition. Else tell me why you are so mad at me.”

He flicked his fingers, and the same waitress came running. “Get me the cheque; we’re done here.”

A knife twisted in her chest. No matter how many times she told herself that she wouldn’t get affected by him, he still managed to hurt her, every single time. God, she was so done feeling like this.

“I called you to this location, Oshnov, so I will pay the bill.”

“Since I was the one who initiated the meeting, I will pay.” He looked at the waitress. “The card machine, please.”

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