Page 225 of One Hellish Wedlock
Radhika’s eyes stayed on Aanya, silently urging her to continue.
“Yes, Reyansh was interested in Noor Mahal. And yes, we made a deal. But that’s not the full picture. We met long before marriage was ever on the table… back in Cape Town. I was drunk that night, but he remembered everything. He told me he felt something even then. That’s why he searched for me. Noor Mahal came much later. And Di, he never even claimed it. Not once, even after all these years of being married.”
Radhika’s brow furrowed, trying to absorb it all.
“We began with a lie,” Aanya confessed softly. “But that’s not where it ended. During those two months you stayed with us, we acted like we were trying… but somewhere along the way, he actually started trying for real. He told me he wanted us to work. But I wasn’t ready. I found out about the Noor Mahal clause right before I left for California, and I was furious. I confronted him and ended everything. But later… seeing how shattered he was, how deeply he regretted it… I couldn’t just walk away. We stayed in touch. Our emails turned into something more. We started opening up—really talking. And over time… he became the kind of husband I didn’t even know I had been wishing for.”
Aanya’s eyes teared up as she continued.
“At first, I believed I was the one supporting Reyansh emotionally, helping him cope with the distance between us. But the truth is, he fulfilled every responsibility a husband should. Every little gesture, every quiet act of care, every timehe stood by me without saying a word… it all drew me closer to him. And somewhere along the way, I fell for him…deeply and irreversibly.”
Radhika kept listening to her.
“It took us eight long months to truly understand that wewantedthis marriage to work,” Aanya admitted. “And now… it’s obvious to everyone around us. They can see we’re meant to be. The only reason we kept it from you for so long was because we didn’t want to upset you, especially while you were expecting. We just couldn’t take that chance, Di.”
Radhika gently wiped the tears streaming down her cheeks. Every word Aanya spoke hit home, because she knew, deep down, it was all true.
“It’s over now,” Radhika said with a soft smile. “And I’m so glad you both pushed through… that you actually love each other now.”
Aanya reached forward and hugged her. Despite the warmth of Radhika’s forgiveness, Aanya couldn’t overlook what Shagufta had done. That woman had crossed a line. Revealing the truth was one thing. But doing it when Radhika was alone… when she was vulnerable and carrying a child… that was unforgivable.
Aanya knew exactly what would happen if Reyansh found out. He worshipped his sister. If he ever learned that Shagufta had risked Radhika’s life and health, he wouldn’t stop until he made her pay and Aanya wasn’t sure how far he might go.
But Reyansh was completely immersed in wrapping up his work so he could fly to California and begin their new chapter together. She couldn’t afford to disrupt his peace or risk their delicate new beginning, for the sake of revenge.
This wasn’t just Reyansh’s battle now. It was hers too. And this time she would deal with Shagufta herself.
Day 270
“Sunny, please,” Aanya insisted over the call, her voice firm but laced with desperation.
“No. Absolutely not,” Sunny replied, clearly frustrated. “What you’re asking this time is out of my hands. Last time was different. You were flying out to see Boss, and I knew my team was with you. You were safe. This isn’t the same.”
“I’m only asking for information,” she argued. “Not a full-blown mission.”
“You’re asking for details about the woman trying to tear you and Boss apart. And even if I had that intel, I can’t give it without telling him.”
“Sunny, I will tell him when the time is right. But for now, I need your help.”
He groaned on the other end. “If Boss finds out you’re planning to meet Shagufta Khanna behind his back, he’s going to lose it.”
Aanya exhaled, pushing down her frustration. “Let the guards stay with me. I won’t go alone.”
“No.”
“Sunny,” she pleaded. “If Reyansh gets involved now, he’ll react in ways that might hurt people. We both know what he’s capable of when it comes to protecting his family. Just give me a chance to handle this my way.”
“This is a mistake,” Sunny warned. “A dangerous one.”
“You are my last hope,” she whispered.
There was silence. Then a sigh.
“Fine. I’ll dig up what I can. But you have two days, Aanya. After that, I’m telling him myself.”
“Thank you,” she breathed, relief washing over her. “Is Shagufta still in California?”
“Yes. We’ve been tracking her. Last ping placed her a few miles from your apartment. I’ll send you the address once Iverify it. But you are not ditching the guards. I’ll brief them personally.”
