Page 81 of One Hellish Wedlock
She felt the pull of his anger, but refused to show weakness.
“Andyoudon’t try to rule me. How many times doIhave to tell you that? Go pour your frustration on someone who understands it better. Like your bestie, Shagufta.”
There it was… her jealousy. Again. And he caught it immediately.
“You don’t have to drag Shagufta between us,” he replied coldly.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” she mocked. “I guessI’mthe one standing between you two, then?”
His jaw twitched. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“Don’t play innocent. You know what I mean. She’s your type. Stylish, poised, perfectly tailored for the cover ofBusiness Times. You both look stunning together on her social media feeds. So tell me why didn’t you marryherinstead? She would have gladly played the obedient little puppet you’re so desperately trying to turn me into.”
“How do you even know what she posts on social media?” he snapped.
“Her profile is public. And she sent me a friend request which I declined, by the way,” she said proudly.
He muttered something under his breath, clearly fuming.
“Oh, she didn’t tell you that?” she continued sweetly. “I thought you two sharedeverything.”
“You’re pushing it, Aanya,” he growled. The tension between them reached a boiling point.
“That’s who I am. I don’t like rules, Reyansh.Especially yours.Maybe you can control me inside your mansion, make me pretend in front of your Di, but beyond that? You don’t own me.”
That did it.
Without another word, he grabbed her hand and dragged her toward the exit. She protested, struggled, but he didn’t relent. He hauled her to his waiting car, flung open the door, and practically pushed her inside.
“What the hell are you doing?” she yelled.
He slid in beside her, slammed the door, and signalled the driver to take them home. When the car pulled away from the curb, Reyansh loosened his tie, his gaze burning holes in the leather seat.
“You—” Aanya opened her mouth, but before she could get a word out, his palm clamped over her mouth.
“Stop talking,” he hissed. “You’ve said enough.”
She blinked in surprise, momentarily stunned. His fingers, unintentionally or not, grazed the corner of her lips. For a brief second, everything stilled around them. Her breath caught in her throat as their eyes locked. There was anger in his grip, yes, but there was also something else too. She could feel the heat between them in the way his palm lingered a second longer than it should have.
And then, slowly, he withdrew his hand, his jaw tight as he turned to stare outside the window, breaking whatever spell had passed between them.
She crossed her arms and leaned back looking away from him too. Say what you want about their twisted marriage but at least she’d secured a ride home.
And maybe, just maybe, she was starting to learn how to win battles in a war she never chose to fight.
Chopra Mansion
Radhika was taken aback to see Aanya walk through the door with Reyansh. She had been anxiously waiting to hear the outcome of her interview. Hence, Aanya didn’t keep her in suspense.
“I got it, Di,” she said with a wide smile, pulling out the offer letter and waving it with pride.
Her face lit up instantly. “I’m so happy for you!” she exclaimed and embraced her tightly. Reyansh watched from the side, confused and slightly unnerved. His sister knew about this?
“You knew about this?” he asked his sister whose hesitance confirmed his suspicion.
With a clenched jaw, he turned on his heel and strode toward his room. Radhika reached out to stop him, but he didn’t turn back.
Aanya watched Radhika’s face fall and felt a pang of guilt. “Di... I’m sorry. He’s angry at you because of me.”
