Page 19 of One Hellish Wedlock
“No, Kyle,” he said, halting mid-step. “You both were the ones who insisted I come here and finalize the details of the venture. But your daughter has made it clear where your priorities lie. I don’t offer second chances. Consider this deal terminated.”
Kyle gasped, and Anand paled. Aanya sauntered forward, flopping dramatically into the seat Reyansh had just vacated. She propped her feet on the conference table and gave Reyansh a mock salute.
“Goodbye, Mr. Chopra. The Malhotras arenotinterested in any future ventures either.” She blew him a kiss and gestured toward the door. “Don’t forget your way out.”
“Aanya, shut up!” Anand shouted, his voice shaking.
Reyansh’s entire posture was taut with rage. He turned and stormed out. Kyle hurried after him, trying to catch up, but he ignored her completely. She stopped short, watching helplessly as he vanished down the hall, then turned back toward the room, her face flushed with fury.
“You foolish girl!” she hissed. “We waited ten months to get him back to the table.Ten months!And you destroyed everything in ten minutes. Couldn’t you hold your tongue for once? Couldn’t you waitfiveminutes?”
Aanya stuck her fingers in her ears. “Your voice gives me migraines, Kyle. Lower it before you give yourself a heart attack.”
Anand, who had been watching in silence, suddenly exploded. “Enough, Aanya! Kyle is right. You don’t care if this deal falls apart. Butwedo! That money funds this entire empire. The same money you burn through like water.”
Aanya’s smirk faltered. Her gaze flicked to Anand’s pale face, his one hand clutched his chest, trembling. Suddenly her defiance wavered.
“Anand!” Kyle shouted, rushing to his side with a glass of water. “What’s wrong with you? You look terrible. I’m calling the doctor.”
“No,” Anand rasped, shaking his head. Aanya stood frozen, her eyes locked on him.
“Dad…” she stepped forward, but he brushed off her hand.
“Don’t. You don’t care whether I live or die, I’m the last of your worries, Aanya.”
Her fists clenched. She could’ve said the same to him. Where washewhen she needed him? But now wasn’t the time to play that game. He looked genuinely unwell, and her fury cooled just enough to hold back.
“Even if I tell you I care, you won’t believe me,” she said tightly. “I didn’t come here to ruin your meeting. I just want to know where things stand with the paperwork. I’ll be gone the moment it’s done.”
Kyle straightened and stared her down. “You want your paperwork completed? Fine. But first, get Reyansh to come back and agree to the deal.”
Aanya blinked. “What?”
“You heard me. You destroyed the meeting. Now fix it. Until Reyansh agrees to continue this venture, you won’t get a single penny.”
Aanya looked between her father and stepmother, horrified. “This is blackmail.”
“No, it’sconsequences,” Kyle snapped. “You made this mess. Now clean it up.”
Aanya stared at her father, silently daring him to object. But Anand said nothing. His silence hurt more than any words could.
Betrayed and boiling, she turned on her heel and stormed out of the conference room, fuming, frustrated, and more alone than ever.
CHAPTER 5
Back at Navya’s House
Navya stood with her arms crossed, quietly listening to Aanya’s rant the moment she returned from the Malhotra office.
“They weren’t wrong, Aanya. Youdidruin that meeting,” Navya said cautiously. “You can’t expect them to sit back and smile after the stunt you pulled.”
Aanya clenched her jaw. “So, you’re blaming me too now? God, Navya! Why does everyone expect me to carry the burden of everything? If those damn papers had been ready, I wouldn’t have had to barge into their holy meeting in the first place.”
Navya exhaled and stepped closer. “Aanya, paperwork on such sensitive matters doesn’t happen in a snap. It takes time.”
Just as Aanya reached for a chilled beer to cool her fury, Navya snatched it out of her hand.
“First fix the mess you created, baby. Then drink as much as you want.”
