Page 62 of One Hellish Wedlock
Radhika turned to him, her mock scolding tone lightening the tension.
“Rey! Your wife was having a nightmare, and you were snoring away like a bear? That’s not how a husband should be!”
He gave her a sheepish look. “Looks like I still have a lot to learn from Jeeju.”
Radhika chuckled. “Go now. Take her back upstairs and make sure no dream ever dares to scare her again.”
He nodded, sliding his arm around Aanya’s shoulder and quietly guided her back to their room. Once inside, she immediately slipped into bed.
“You want to talk about it?” he offered gently.
She shook her head. “No. I just want to sleep. Good night.”
He didn’t push. But as he watched her turn away from him, he silently vowed that whatever her past held, he would find it. She’d always been a closed book he never took the time to open. Maybe now, it was time to start reading.
Chopra Mansion
When Reyansh returned from work that evening, his gaze immediately fell upon the living room, where Aanya sat comfortably on the couch with Rishi, the two of them engaged in an animated discussion. Aanya scribbled notes diligently on a pad as Rishi spoke, her face glowing with enthusiasm. She looked so at ease, so genuinely happy, something Reyansh couldn’t help but notice only ever happened when he wasn’t around.
Rishi caught sight of him and grinned.
“Rey, good timing. Ask your wife not to pour so much of herself into tomorrow’s celebration,” Rishi joked.
Reyansh dropped his laptop bag beside the couch and took a seat next to Aanya. She quickly closed her notepad, her lips tight in an effort not to give anything away.
“What kind of efforts?” he asked, looking pointedly at her when she remained silent.
“Aanya’s planning a midnight surprise for Radhika’s birthday,” Rishi replied.
Reyansh’s eyes narrowed as they fixed on his wife. “A midnight surprise?”
Aanya stood abruptly, dodging his questions. “If I tell you now, it won’t be a surprise, will it? You’ll have to wait.”
Rishi laughed. “Must say, Rey, you’ve got a sharp one. Your wife has some impressive planning skills.”
Aanya flashed him a warm smile before hurrying up the stairs. Reyansh followed her to their bedroom in a few minutes,where she was now standing in front of the closet, flipping through hangers.
“What’s cooking, Aanya?” he asked, loosening his tie.
“Cooking?” she repeated with a chuckle. “That, you’ll have to ask Di. She and Nani are handling dinner tonight.”
Her nonchalance only irritated him more. She kept skimming through the wardrobe, clearly unimpressed with her options, and completely unaffected by his mood.
“I hope you’ve arranged something nice for me to wear for tomorrow’s party. These are lovely, sure, but none scream birthday celebration,” she muttered, flicking through the dresses.
Reyansh moved in closer and grasped her shoulder, gently turning her to face him.
“Are you ignoring me?”
She met his eyes steadily, holding his gaze a few beats longer than necessary. “It was mentioned in the contract that I’m not supposed to ignore you in front of your sister and brother-in-law,” she said coolly. “But when we’re alone? That’s another story.”
His grip loosened because she was right.
“Someone looks desperate for my attention now!” she added with a playful glint in her eyes.
“I am not desperate,” he retorted. “But let me make one thing clear. Don’t plan anything for my sister without lettingmeknow first. You need to inform me before doing anything for her.”
The words weren’t what he truly meant. His pride got in the way. The truth was, it hurt seeing her so lively around everyone but him.
