Page 145 of One Hellish Wedlock
Aanya’s tears dried, but her heart remained full. She had no idea whether she’d truly forgiven him, but it no longer mattered. She could feel the shift in his voice, the sincerity in his tone. That was enough for now.
After they spoke for a while longer, she ended the call. Anand looked down at his phone screen and kissed it.
“My baby girl,” he whispered.
From the hallway, Kyle silently withdrew. She had overheard the entire conversation. And for the first time, she saw her husband genuinely happy and at peace. If this was what healed him, she wouldn’t interfere.
Back in California, Aanya pulled out her phone again and typed a new email to her husband.
Reyansh,
I spoke to Dad. I’ve never felt so light, so relieved. Thank you for nudging me to make that call. You made my day. For the first time, he sounded like the father I always wanted. You made that possible. I don’t have enough words to thank you.
Aanya
Reyansh, still at the office, smiled softly when he read her message. She had taken his advice. She had confronted her pain and softened it. He replied quickly.
Wife (Hope you don’t mind me calling you that),
I didn’t do anything special. I’m just trying to pave a path to your happiness. You deserve every bit of it. Tell me something about your childhood. You’ve never shared that part of you. I’d like to know it.
Your Husband,
Reyansh
Aanya chuckled softly. So, he wanted to know about her past? Well, she could give him a peek.
Husband,
Estranged Wife might be the more accurate title for now, but I’ll let you choose.
You’ll be shocked to know how I was as a child. Here’s a quick glimpse:
My first word was “Dad.” Not surprising he was dearer to me than Mom somehow.
I loved chocolates so much that all my baby teeth decayed by age six. Dad banned candy for a year.
My first crush was Nikhil, my primary school bench partner. I adored him until he switched schools. He’s now married with two kids… check my social media, he’s still cute.
Once, on a trek with Dad, I slipped off a cliff. Got caught on a tree branch and was rescued an hour later. Still gives me chills.
