Page 59 of One Hellish Wedlock
Before Aanya could retaliate, another voice sliced through the tension.
“Enough, Nani.”
As Reyansh descended the stairs, Aanya took a sigh of relief.
“Thank God,” she muttered. “I was about to lose my mind here.”
“Reyansh—” Nani tried to intervene, but he cut her off with a sharp gesture.
“I need to speak to her. Alone.”
He grabbed Aanya’s wrist and pulled her into the drawing room.
“Ouch! Can you not drag me around like that?” she snapped, rubbing her wrist.
“What do you want me to do?” he growled. “Applaud your behaviour last night? Congratulate you for turning our wedding night into a circus?”
Her heart hammered in her chest.
“I know I messed up,” she admitted, trying to stay calm. “But—”
“I don’t need your excuses,” he interrupted. “You are who you are, Aanya. Wild, impulsive, reckless. No one can change you, not even a marriage.”
That did it.
“I don’t give a damn what people expect from me,” she snapped. “I’m done trying to meet everyone’s demands. I’m not some display piece or your personal property.”
Reyansh listened silently, though his clenched jaw betrayed the storm simmering inside him.
“And what the hell was that note?” she continued, eyes blazing. “How could you even offer me that kind of choice. To go back to my home? Why?” She took a step closer, her voice dropping into a fierce scowl. “You married me lawfully, Reyansh, not leased me like some commodity you could return when the purpose was served.”
He gripped her forearms roughly.
“Don’t give me that marriage crap,” he spat.
Her eyes narrowed.
“Oh, so that’s what you think of this? Crap?”
He scowled. “You didn’t make it feel like heaven either.”
“It’s been ONE night!” she shouted. “And you think that’s enough to condemn our entire future?”
They stood in silence, eyes locked in a blazing standoff.
“Or wait,” she hissed, stepping closer. “Is this tantrum because you didn’t get what you expected? Is that it?”
That infuriated him further. His expression darkened.
“You’re insane,” he bit out. “I’m not one of your other boyfriends, ready to take advantage of your drunken state.”
Her heart cracked. Did he just say that? The words stung worse than a slap.
“So that’s what you think of me,” she said, her voice low. “That I’m just some girl who hops from man to man, waiting to be used. Wow.”
He didn’t respond. He didn’t have to.
“If this is what you think about me, I don’t need to give you any further explanation,” she concluded.
