Page 95 of One Hellish Wedlock
Aanya walked toward her room. Tonight, she’d have to deal with both her father and Reyansh under one roof.Wow!
Malhotra Mansion
Anand and Kyle greeted their guests with smiles and warm welcomes.
“Aanya, my sweetheart,” Anand said, pulling her into a hug. “Kyle told me about your job.”
“I had messaged you, Dad. You didn’t check?” Aanya asked, a hint of disappointment in her voice.
“I just returned from South Africa an hour ago,” he explained. “I didn’t even look at my Indian number. But I’m so proud of you. Truly. You’re finally taking your place in the world.”
Aanya smiled faintly, touched despite herself. At least he sounded sincere.
“That’s why I was so excited when Kyle suggested this dinner,” he added. “Where’s Reyansh?”
“He’s on his way,” Radhika answered.
“Great. Come in, come in.”
While Radhika and Rishi exchanged pleasantries with Anand and Kyle, Aanya looked around. The house was different again. Changes everywhere. She couldn’t help wondering was her room still hers? Or had Kyle claimed it too? The thought was bitter. That room had always been her escape... and Kyle had always been the one to invade it.
The doorbell rang, pulling her from her thoughts. Moments later, Reyansh entered the living room. Anand greeted him with genuine enthusiasm.
“How’s South Africa?” Reyansh asked immediately.
“Progressing well,” Anand replied with a nod.
Reyansh’s gaze flicked toward Aanya, who sat stiffly at the edge of the couch, her attention locked on her phone. She looked like she didn’t want to be there.At all.
“Excuse me,” Reyansh said, walking over to sit beside her. His voice dropped. “So... how’ve you been?”
Aanya met his eyes, little surprised.
“Why are you asking like we’ve been apart for years?”
“Haven’t we?” he shot back, with a sarcastic tilt of his brow.
She narrowed her eyes at him as he continued.
“You barely speak to me at home. You’re gone before I wake up. You don’t respond to my texts. And by the time I return, you’re either asleep or pretending to be.”
So he knew she pretended to be asleep to avoid him?
“What’s your point?” she asked, uneasy.
“Why don’t you show me your room?” he suddenly said loudly enough for everyone to hear.
Aanya blinked. What was going on?
“Yes, Aanya,” Kyle interjected. “Won’t you show Reyansh your room?”
“My room?” she echoed sarcastically. “Is it still where it used to be?”
An awkward silence fell over the room. Radhika tensed beside Rishi. Reyansh, however, looked oddly satisfied. Aanya caught the flicker of embarrassment on her father’s and Kyle’s faces.
“I was just kidding,” Aanya lied smoothly. “Come on, I’ll show you. Di, want to come along?”
Radhika shook her head. “No, you two go. I’ll check it out later.”
