Page 224 of One Hellish Wedlock
Radhika smiled at that.
“Fine. Now drink this,” she said, handing her a glass of warm milk. They both sat on the small wooden stools, sharing the quiet peace of a lived-in home.
Aanya turned toward her sister-in-law. “You never stop caring about people, but you want them to stop caring about you. That doesn’t feel fair.”
“I’m the elder one here. That’s my job, to care for you and Reyansh.”
Aanya reached across the table and clasped Radhika’s hand.
“I really admire you so much, Di. You were the one who saw my strength before I ever did. You helped me stand tall when no one else believed I could. Even Reyansh hadn’t seen it then. I owe everything to you.”
Radhika gently tapped her hand with a smile as Aanya continued.
“You gave a lost girl a family. And I’ll never forget that.”
“I’ll take that credit,” Radhika grinned. “But I only lit the spark. You and Reyansh built the flame. That was your effort, not mine.”
Aanya’s heart clenched. The guilt she had pushed to the back of her mind returned in full force. They had never told Radhika the truth that this entire ‘reunion’ between her and Reyansh had started as a facade. A two-month lie to protect Radhika’s emotional well-being. It had been a deal, plain and simple.
But Radhika who was closely watching her, read her expressions and she finally revealed it.
“I knew it.”
Aanya blinked. “What?”
“I knew your so-called ‘reunion’ was just for my sake, an act to appear united. You and Reyansh had to pretend to be together for me. And once I was gone, the plan was to go your separate ways. I was aware of everything.”
Aanya’s lips parted. She felt the ground slip beneath her.
“You knew about it? Since when?” Aanya asked, stunned.
“When you and Reyansh went to Cape Town, that same weekend I got to know it all,” Radhika replied calmly.
Aanya blinked in disbelief. That trip had been brief, and they’d been careful not to say anything over the phone. There was no way Radhika could have overheard them. And yet...
“How is that even possible, Di?” she questioned. “We weren’t even there… then how did you find out?”
Radhika’s face darkened with the memory. “It was the second day after you left. Nani had to attend a ceremony at her friend’s home, so Rishi drove her. I was home alone. That’s when Shagufta came.”
Aanya’s fingers curled into a tight fist at the very name.
“Shagufta?” she snapped, almost hissing.
“Yes,” Radhika said with a bitter edge. “She knew you both were out of the country and took full advantage of the timing to spin her version of the story. She told me what she claimed was the truth…that your marriage was nothing but a deal. She even showed me a copy of your mother’s will, highlighting the clause about Noor Mahal’s ownership. It convinced me that Reyansh married you just to reclaim the palace, and you agreed in exchange for a business opportunity to elevate Malhotra Industries. She had evidence, Aanya. And I... I was devastated.”
Aanya stood speechless as Radhika’s eyes welled up. “I didn’t believe her at first, but those papers... they made it real. And when I realized your marriage started on business terms, I lost hope. How could I believe either of you were serious about making this work? That night… I broke down.”
Radhika paused recalling she was pregnant that time when all this had happened.
“My health deteriorated. I had severe cramps, and when Rishi returned, he rushed me to the hospital.”
Aanya’s hand flew to her mouth. It all came flooding back. She had called Rishi during their trip, and he’d mentioned that Radhika wasn’t well… but she hadn’t guessed this was the reason.
“Oh my God, Di… that happened because of us?” Her voice cracked. “It was me and Reyansh who put your life at risk. I’m so sorry.”
Radhika didn’t reply. The silence said it all. It had taken everything in her to process what she’d heard and still carry herself with grace.
“But trust me, Di, that woman only told you half the truth.”
