Page 113 of Obsession

“I’m fine,” she snapped. Turning to Zeeshan, she said. “You’re a fucking monster.”

Zeeshan shut his mouth, looking down at his hands.

“I always knew you were a loser. I never imagined you’d be so vile,” Mihir said. “I wish I’d managed to convince her to get rid of you.”

Zeeshan alternated his gaze between Mihir and her. “When I saw him at your office, Ananya, I hoped that you both were back together. Even after you told me that wasn’t the case, I hoped you would reconcile.”

“Sure, that’s easy for you to say,” Ananya stormed. “You’re not the one who’s lived with the trauma and uncertainty for seven long years.”

“I’m sorry, Ananya,” Zeeshan whispered. “I’m really sorry. After I heard that Mihir had died, I mended my ways. I blamed myself for what happened to him. I got better. I’ve been clean for years now.”

“None of that matters anymore,” Ananya said tiredly. Her head was starting to hurt now.

“What do you want to do with him?” Mihir asked Ananya. “I can make him disappear. I can hurt him for hurting you.”

“Us… he hurtus.”

Zeeshan shrank in fear. “Please, I really didn’t mean to?—”

“—Shut up!” Ananya snarled.

She looked at Mihir. His expression was stern; his eyes hard. She knew he meant what he said. One word from her, and the world would forget that Zeeshan ever existed.

She shook her head. “Let him go. I don’t care.”

Mihir shook his head. “No evil deed goes unpunished, Anna. Either you choose his punishment, or I will.”

She stared at Zeeshan. He was trembling now. She caught Mihir’s hand. “Just let him go, Mihir. I’ve had enough.”

Mihir’s fingers wrapped around hers, warming her tired heart. Annoyed with herself, she tugged her hand out of his.

Mihir spoke in rapid Russian to his men. She heard him say Ivan’s name a couple of times. Of course, he’d want to find out how Ivan had been involved in the attack on him. Perhaps Zeeshan could give those long-sought answers. Right now, however, she just wanted to go home.

Mihir faced Zeeshan. “My men will ask you some questions about who contacted you and who your suppliers were in London. Answer them truthfully, and they will let you go, because that’s what she wants. But I want you out of Dubai. You have twenty-four hours to pack up and leave. I don’t want you living in the same city as her.”

Ananya stood. Without giving Zeeshan a chance to say a word, she walked out of the conference room. Visuals from the past flashed through her mind at a dizzying speed. At one time, Zeeshan was such an integral part of her life. So were Asha and Devina. And while Zeeshan had insisted that Devina was innocent, Ananya did not trust him any more to let her off the hook. She decided that, at some point, she would talk to Devina. She needed to confront her about the past, and how she’d abused Ananya’s friendship. Just not today. Her mind was already full to the brim after the news of her pregnancy and Zeeshan’s admission.

Mihir followed her into the elevator. Her head was all over the place. Exhaustion fell heavily upon her. The truth of the past was finally out, its turbulences finally laid to rest.

Now, she had to think about the future. Her hand curved protectively over her belly. This baby was her future, and she needed to think what was best for the baby first.

31

In the elevator with Anna, Mihir’s heart was beating out of control. He rubbed a hand down his scar. Fuck, he’d been so wrong about everything.

He glanced at Anna. She stood beside him, still as a rock, her expression blank as she stared at the elevator doors. She appeared calm, composed even, but her tightly clenched hands and rigid jaw betrayed her inner turmoil.

All his past interactions with her flashed through his mind. Each time she’d met him, she’d left looking wounded and hurt by his behavior. Now, finally, he knew none of it had been a pretense. He was ashamed to have suspected her of faking innocence.

Seven years. They’d lost seven fucking years of their lives thanks to the choices made by one man—a man she’d trusted and called a friend.

The elevator doors opened into a plush, opulent lobby. Anna stepped outside with him and stopped short.

“Why am I here?” she asked, her voice tight. “I thought you were dropping me at the reception.”

“I want to talk to you for a moment,” Mihir said.

She glared at him. “I have nothing to say to you.”

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