Page 205 of One Hellish Wedlock
Kyle nearly dropped her spoon. She glanced at Aanya, who sat blushing beside her husband, clearly overwhelmed as Reyansh proposed for her hand to her father.
“Aanya,” Kyle said, gently interrupting the moment. “Is this what you want too?”
Aanya blinked, caught off guard. This was the first time Kyle had ever asked her whatshewanted. A part of her wished someone had asked her the first time they married her off to Reyansh. But maybe it had worked out for the better, because back then, she would have said no. And that ‘no’ would have cost her the chance to fall in love with this man sitting next to her.
“Thank you for asking me this time, Kyle,” she said softly. “And yes. I do want to marry my husband…again.”
Anand struggled to keep his tone even. So much had changed. He now sat across from both women he cared deeply for, and they were not just cordial, they felt connected too. Kyleoffered him a warm glance, and he mouthed a silent thank you in return. Reyansh and Aanya both noticed the exchange, quietly realizing that the bond between them had mended. Words weren’t needed to confirm it.
“So, when do we do this?” Anand asked, clearing his throat. “Tomorrow?”
“Yes,” Reyansh replied without hesitation. He lifted Aanya’s hand to his lips and kissed the back of it. “I don’t want to wait any longer.”
Aanya playfully withdrew her hand and pinched his thigh under the table.
“Now who needs to behave?” she whispered against his ear.
Reyansh smirked and turned back to her father. “Sunny has arranged everything. The ceremony will take place at a private beach. I have talked to the Priest here. He suggested the most auspicious time—5:15 p.m. tomorrow. It will be an evening wedding.”
Aanya was stunned. She hadn’t expectedthislevel of preparation from Reyansh.
“A beach wedding?” Kyle echoed, delighted. “I remember Anand telling me that Aanya love beaches.”
Aanya was surprised. “You two talk about me?”
“We do,” Kyle said, her tone warmer than ever. “He’s always spoken about you even at times when I refused to listen. But I won’t make that mistake again. You’ve done so much to hold this family together, Aanya. You’re not just important to your father anymore. You’re important to me too.”
Kyle reached across the table and touched Aanya’s hand. Aanya clasped it back, speechless but deeply moved. She had her father back and also a stepmother who no longer pushed her away. And finally, she had a husband she had fallen for, irrevocably. She couldn’t have asked for more.
****************
After dinner, the two couples stood outside the elevators, ready to part for the night.
“So,” Anand began with a teasing glint in his eyes, “Reyansh, Aanya... I hope you both know that couples aren’t allowed to stay together the night before the wedding.”
Aanya’s mouth dropped open in disbelief. Reyansh too stiffened beside her.
“That’s true,” Kyle chimed in, playing along. “Aanya can sleep in our room tonight.”
“No,” Reyansh cut in. “You’re forgetting that Aanya is already my wife. We are staying the night together and that’s non-negotiable.”
Anand and Kyle exchanged a glance and then burst into laughter.
“We were just testing you two,” Anand said, patting Reyansh’s back. “No one’s tearing you apart. Good night and we’ll see you both in the morning.”
Aanya’s cheeks were red. She hadn’t expected her father to tease them like that. And watching Reyansh’s possessive reaction… it made her blush even more.
Later that night – Hotel Room
When Aanya came out of the bathroom taking a quick shower, she found Reyansh on a video call with Nani. He was speaking about their remarriage.
“Yes, she’s here,” he said, glancing at Aanya as she moved around the room, fixing the bed. “One second... Aanya,” he called.
She turned to him.
“Nani wants to speak with you.”
Aanya felt heat rise to her face. This time, he was doing it all right, including taking the consent of their families.
