Page 67 of One Hellish Wedlock
Kyle nodded, satisfied. She had connected the dots. It couldn’t be a coincidence that Radhika was here just when Reyansh and Aanya gave their marriage a second chance… or at least as they claimed.
Just then, Aanya joined the group.
“Dad,” she greeted, her eyes lighting up.
“Aanya, my baby,” Anand exclaimed, embracing her. “You look lovely in this gown.”
“Thanks, Dad. It’s Reyansh’s choice,” she replied with a casual smile.
A server appeared with drinks. Reyansh motioned for Anand and Kyle to help themselves. Radhika was called away by Rishi to greet more guests, and Aanya seized the chance to bring up what mattered most.
“Reyansh, did you mention to Dad that you’re ready to move forward with the new venture?”
Reyansh offered his signature lopsided smirk.
“That’s right, Mr. Malhotra. My assistant will reach out shortly. We can arrange a meeting early next week if your schedule permits.”
“Absolutely,” Anand replied with enthusiasm. “Just tell us which day and we’ll be there, right Kyle?”
“Yes,” Kyle said as she sipped her drink, eyes narrowing at Aanya, who now casually slid her arm around Reyansh’s. The movement was natural, but Kyle didn’t miss its intentionality. Neither did Reyansh. He understood exactly what Aanya was doing and played along.
“Excuse us,” he said to the Malhotras. “The media’s waiting to take a few clicks.”
He grasped Aanya’s hand and pulled her away from Kyle’s prying gaze. Once out of earshot, Aanya exhaled deeply.
“She’s sharp,” Aanya muttered. “If she even gets a whiff of this arrangement, she’ll make a scene.”
“She’ll find out eventually. What then? When Di leaves and this... ends?” Reyansh asked pointedly.
His reminder cut deeper than she expected. Of course, it would end. This was always temporary. Still, his tone stung.
“I don’t care what she finds outthen,” Aanya replied flatly. “My only goal was to secure my father’s business deal. I’ve done that.”
Reyansh didn’t like how unaffected she sounded. Before she could walk off, he caught her wrist.
“Has thisalwaysbeen business for you?” he asked, eyes narrowing.
Aanya read the shift in his gaze, then pulled free from his hold.
“Youare asking me that? Weren’t you the one who started all this? Marrying me wasn’t out of love, Reyansh. You did it for your own reasons. I simply followed your lead of treating relationships like transactions.”
“Who told you that?”
“No one had to. It was obvious. You never tried to get to know me. Not before the wedding, not after. That speaks for itself. So why pretend now?”
He clenched his fists but said nothing. They were surrounded by guests. Any public fallout would become tomorrow’s headlines.
He signalled Sunny to let the media in. The photographers swarmed inside, ready for the couple to pose.
“They’re here,” Aanya whispered through a strained smile. “Let’s give them what they came for.”
Reyansh slipped an arm around her waist, pressing her body closer as flashes erupted around them. The proximity didn’t faze her, but it made his thoughts spiral. So much had been left unsaid between them... and maybe that was why their marriage had never found solid ground.
“Mrs. Chopra, what kept you away from your husband all these months?” one reporter called out.
Aanya blinked. She wasn’t prepared for real questions. She had only expected smiles and pictures. Before she could stammer a response, Reyansh stepped in.
“My wife is an interior designer. She had some ongoing projects abroad that needed her attention.”
