Page 87 of One Hellish Wedlock
“I’ve never seen her as anything more,” he continued, eyes locked on hers. “I don’t care what she feels for me. What matters is...I know what I want in my life…”
He paused, then pulled her closer, just enough for her breath to catch.
“…and who I want in it.”
His gaze didn’t waver. To everyone around them, it was just a dance.
But to Aanya, it felt like a warning and a promise all at once.
She wanted to believe him.
And maybe she would have…
If not for that one stubborn doubt still clinging to her heart.
“Then how did she know I got the job?” Aanya demanded.
“She saw you walking into the building for the interview,” Reyansh said calmly. “So, I had to mention you were job hunting. That’s it. I never told her you were selected.”
“And she just happened to be there?” Aanya scoffed. “How did she magically appear there the moment I stepped in?”
“She has an office in that building,” he replied simply.
Aanya blinked.Of course she does.So now, Shagufta had an office in the same building as Chopra Group… and Icon Interiors where Aanya was going to work. Three corners of a triangle. Just her kind of luck!
“When we stopped at the entrance to greet Shagufta,” Reyansh continued coolly, “when you were too busy whispering your jealousy to Navya to notice, Di mentioned to Shagufta we were here with the whole family… to celebrateyourjob.”
Aanya exhaled slowly. Right. She’d missed that part. She’d been too wrapped up in her own thoughts to pay attention.
“Oh,” she murmured, a little deflated.
“Anything else you’d like to falsely accuse me of?” he added dryly, one brow lifting.
She bit the inside of her cheek to hide her amusement. Maybe Reyansh wasn’t as terrible as she thought.
“Can’t think of anything... yet,” she said, tossing her hair with theatrical flair as she slipped out of his hold. “But right now, I need food.”
“Let’s go eat.” He guided her back to their table, where Navya was deep in conversation with Radhika and Rishi. The three of them seemed to be getting along like old friends.
“You two are back already?” Radhika asked, her eyes lighting up.
“Aanya’s hungry,” Reyansh replied, pulling out a chair for her. Aanya raised her brows slightly but sat, appreciating the small gesture.
“Aanya,” Navya chimed in excitedly, “I was telling Di and Jeeju about us and our favourite hangouts in California, the cafés, the stores we shopped relentlessly during sales season. And you know Di lives close to our apartment there, isn’t that amazing?”
Aanya forced a smile. She didn’t feel like revisiting those memories anymore. They belonged to a version of herself she no longer wanted to be.
“Once we go back, we’ll hang out together, the four of us,” Navya added. “You, me, Di and her little baby. Sounds fun, right?”
Radhika’s smile dimmed.
“Why would Aanya go back to California,” she raised her concern. “She’s staying here… with Reyansh. Her job is here now. Right, Aanya?”
Reyansh stiffened beside her. His glare shot to Navya, warning her to tread carefully. Aanya, quick on her feet, reached across the table to hold Radhika’s hand and diffused the tension.
“Yes, Di. I’ll be here,” she said warmly. “But we can always meet there sometime. Just for a visit, to hang out like old times.”
Radhika’s eyes softened. “Yes, we will. I can already imagine it—me, you, Rishi, Reyansh, Navya… It’ll be so special.”
