Page 69 of One Hellish Wedlock
“I mean... the deal we made to give our marriage a real chance.”
Radhika studied her for a moment, then softened. “Well, I’m glad you two even made such a deal. If you hadn’t, I would never have had the chance to know you.”
Aanya sighed inwardly, relieved that Radhika hadn’t pressed the issue. But her eyes caught something else that twisted a knot inside her stomach.
Reyansh was standing across the room, deep in conversation with a tall, striking woman. She appeared stylish and sophisticated. The kind of woman who looked like she’d be printed on the glossy pages of a luxury magazine, right beside a man like Reyansh.
“Di, who is that woman he’s talking to?” Aanya asked, trying to keep her tone casual.
Radhika followed her gaze and smiled. “That’s Shagufta Khanna. She and Reyansh were batchmates at Harvard.”
Aanya’s gaze narrowed as she watched Shagufta slip her hand into Reyansh’s, smiling at him and the next second, she even leaned in, her lips grazing the shell of his ear to whisper something only meant for him. The sight struck a nerve. The ease between them, the silent understanding, the comfortable closeness, it all screamed of a shared history. Shagufta looked like the perfect match for a man like Reyansh Chopra: poised, impeccably dressed, and every inch a public charmer.
A slow burn coiled in Aanya’s stomach. She loathed the way Shagufta clung to him, claimed him with those subtle, possessive gestures. And wasn’thethe one who said no flirting with anyoneelse in this charade of a marriage? Who was crossing the line now?
Reyansh smirked as Shagufta withdrew, his expression smug as he subtly gestured for her to move to the bar counter. She nudged him playfully, insisting he come along, but he declined with a smooth excuse and turned to mingle with other guests instead.
He knew.
He knew Aanya had seen everything. And he was letting her stew in it.
“I think I’ll have that drink after all,” she muttered to Radhika who blinked, surprised.
“Are you sure?”
“More than sure.”
Radhika, a bit confused, gave a half-smile. “Fine. Enjoy your drink.”
As Radhika walked off, Aanya’s fingers wrapped around the glass once more. But instead of drinking, she paused. Her lips mere inches from the rim. No. She wouldn’t give in. But shecouldfake it. Just enough to rattle the man who’d started this game of rules.
A few minutes later, Reyansh’s phone buzzed. He pulled it out and read the message on screen.
“I broke Clause No. 7.”—Aanya.
His eyes snapped up, scanning the room. He spotted her at the bar counter, waving at him with a lazy grin. Her teasing smile and wobbly stance said it all. He stormed toward her.
“Are you drunk?” he asked.
Aanya widened her eyes dramatically, then grinned. “I… I think so,” she slurred. “Why don’t you kiss me and find out?”
His jaw tensed. “I warned you not to touch alcohol.”
She stepped back, giggling. “You’re such a dictator. Maybe Di should know what a control freak you are…”
“Don’t you dare—” he began, just as Radhika appeared at the bar.
“Aanya? Reyansh? What’s going on?” she asked.
Aanya shook his hand off her arm and clutched Radhika’s instead.
“Di! This man is bullying me.”
Radhika tried to stifle her laughter. “Aanya, this man is your husband. Husbands don’t bully; they love.”
“No! He doesn’t love me. He fights with me over the smallest things.”
“She’s drunk, Di,” Reyansh cut in, glaring. “She doesn’t know what she’s saying.”
