Page 276 of A King's Oath

Samarth and she both clamped up. Until her parents met with Samarth and his parents, Brahmi couldn't know her Nanaji and Naniji were coming.

“Papa’s work friends.”

“Horses?”

Samarth laughed — “I also work in places other than riding schools.”

“Like?”

“Like, oil drilling.”

“What’s that?”

“We use big machines to go under the sea and drill into the land below. It has lots of oil and minerals.”

“Do you go underwater?”

“No, I have some people who do.”

The car turned and Brahmi slid from her lap to the space between them, her eyes and mouth wide. “It’s like a Disney castle…”

“You like it?” Samarth rubbed her back. She nodded.

“How will we manage this?’ Avantika leaned into his ear.

He nodded. “We’ll manage.”

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The bungalow Samarth had chosen for them was as cosy as their cottage but not as small. There was a lake behind it, a garden of pink periwinkles in full bloom. They hadn’t even entered the bungalow when Brahmi ran away.

“Brahmi!”

“Let her go,” Samarth followed her inside the vintage hall done up in rich dark wood and gold accents.

“There’s a lake there, Samarth…”

“And there’s tight security. They are here but out of your and her view. Don’t worry.”

“What will they be thinking about us?”

“I am working with PR to draft a press release. It’s on hold until your parents’ arrival.”

“What will it say?”

“The truth — that you are my girlfriend and Brahmi is my daughter.”

“And where were we for seven years?”

“I threw you out of my palace eight years ago and you never looked back. Avantika, the truth in its entirety will be released. My image will take a hit. That’s not a problem. I am not planningto stay here for long. This will in fact be for good. They will forget me and move onto Sharan easily in the future.”

“All this is happening so fast…”

A chain rattled on the door.

“Haan?”

“Rawal?” A lady’s husky voice boomed.

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