Page 102 of One Hellish Wedlock
“I appreciate your knowledge too, Aanya. Just because you don’t see something, doesn’t mean it’s missing. Maybe… you’re looking in the wrong direction.”
She let out a bitter laugh and locked eyes with him through the mirror.
“Or maybe I’ve just stopped looking altogether. I’m tired.”
He didn’t miss the dig. And he deserved it. When she’d needed trust, he’d given her suspicion. When she’d wanted light, he’d led her into darkness. Every time she’d tried to build a meaningful connection with her father, or with him, it had collapsed in rejection. If anyone had earned the right to be exhausted, it was Aanya. And maybe it was time he started undoing the damage he’d caused.
“Then this break is perfect for you,” he said quietly. “It’ll clear your head... and your sight.”
She scowled, but he smirked back. Before she could argue again, she remembered something.
“I don’t think we can travel on the same date to South Africa.”
“Why? You said Prem approved two days.”
“He did. But the client I met today wants a meeting on the same day we’re supposed to fly out. It’s important. I convinced Prem to approve a full three-day leave with the condition I attend that meeting. Plus, Saturday is Navya’s birthday. I can’t miss it.”
Reyansh exhaled hard.
“I already scheduled my Saturday meetings in South Africa based on your confirmation,” he muttered. “Fine. I’ll ask Sunny to push everything a day. We’ll fly Sunday.”
“No,” she interrupted. “You go ahead. I’ll come later.”
“Aanya—”
“I’m not a child,” she snapped. “I can travel solo. I know how.”
He didn’t like the idea, but he knew she was right. Rescheduling would disrupt his meetings. He sighed.
“You sure?”
“Positive. Unless you think I’ll break the contract and chug tequila at Navya’s party in your absence,” she said with a sarcastic smirk.
He stepped forward, deadpan.
“About that... I’ll arrange Sunny to accompany you. Keep an eye.”
Her mouth dropped open. “You don’t trust me?”
She hurled a pillow at him which he caught effortlessly, grinning.
“I was kidding. No one’s watching. Enjoy the party. I’ll see you in Cape Town Sunday. And now that you’ve got three full days off... we’ll have plenty of time to catch up.”
She narrowed her eyes. His motives remained unclear, but something in his gaze said this trip meant more than he was letting on.
Reyansh returned to packing, though a sliver of doubt crept into his mind. Had she overheard his conversation with Nani about the divorce? Maybe not, because if she had, there was no way she’d be acting this calm around him.
Aanya, on the other hand, had heard every word. She just chose silence. Why add fuel to an already dying flame? Their so-called marriage was always destined to end in a clean break. Two people walking away to reclaim their separate lives without dragging each other down.
And just like that, her thoughts drifted to Shagufta Khanna.
“I hope Shagufta told you I called on your phone.”
“She did,” Reyansh replied flatly. “And I told her not to answer my calls again.”
She didn’t reply. Just stared.
“You don’t believe me?” he asked.
