Page 28 of One Hellish Wedlock
Aanya picked up the TV remote, clearly signalling that their conversation had come to an end.
“Reyansh will call you tomorrow to talk business. That’s a promise.”
Kyle observed her carefully. Something was off with her. Aanya had never been this… sure.
“I hope you keep your word,” Kyle said tightly. “Come, Anand. You’ve got that meeting with the Chinese delegates in an hour.”
Anand hesitated, casting one last hopeful look at his daughter.
“Will you come stay with us?”
“I don’t think so,” Aanya said coldly. “I’m happy here.”
The rejection drained the colour from his face, but he didn’t argue. He gently brushed her head with his palm before turning to leave with Kyle.
As they exited, Aanya felt a lump rise in her throat. Was this the same father who once convinced her for every little thing as a child? Who wouldn’t rest until she said yes? She wished he had tried a little harder. Even though she was staying at her best friend’s house, she felt like a drifter with no place she could truly call home.
Chopra Mansion
Reyansh sat at the breakfast table, sipping his coffee while his grandmother watched him closely. She had been waiting for the right moment to speak.
“Have you spoken to her?”
Reyansh looked up, confused.
“About her stay here during Radhika’s visit?” she clarified.
“Yes. Not directly, but I’m seeing her tonight. We’ll talk then.”
Nani looked unconvinced.
“Reyansh, think this through. Radhika’s happiness is important, but Aanya is not the kind of girl who belongs here. I won’t tolerate her tantrums or her blatant disrespect. Who’s going to handle her?”
Reyansh reached across the table and placed his hand gently on hers.
“Iwill. Aanya will stay within her limits. Radhika will never know it’s all just a charade.”
“But what happens after Radhika leaves? She might want to talk to Aanya again… see you two together. What excuse will you give then?”
“We’ll say it didn’t work out,” he replied simply. “It might sting Di, but at least she’ll know we tried.”
Nani still looked troubled.
“I hope this plan of yours works, Reyansh. I don’t trust that girl. She’ll ruin everything.”
“I said I’ll handle it,” he repeated firmly.
Satisfied for now, Nani dropped the subject. But there was one last question she had kept buried for too long. She asked it now.
“Why haven’t you divorced her yet?”
Reyansh froze, the spoon halfway to his mouth.
“It’s not necessary,” he muttered.
“Why not? Cut this farce and be done with it.”
He swallowed hard.Farce?Perhaps. But when the Malhotras had first proposed the match, he’d been eager to say yes for reasons that seemed less relevant now, but were very real then. Still, breaking the marriage had never occurred to him.
