Page 53 of One Hellish Wedlock
Kyle nearly dropped her purse. “Reyansh! What a surprise. What are you doing in a women’s store?”
“My wife needed a few things.”
Kyle blinked.Wife?Did he just saywife?
Aanya joined them with a bright smile. “Baby, I’m done—” she paused, feigning surprise. “Oh. Kyle. What a coincidence.”
Kyle’s eyes widened as she noticed Aanya slip her fingers into Reyansh’s, and to her greater shock, Reyansh didn’t resist.
“H-hi,” Kyle stammered. “So this is real? You and Reyansh are... together again?”
Aanya nodded confidently. “Yes. We’re working on our marriage. Right, Reyansh?”
He offered a smug, unreadable smile.
Kyle still couldn’t process what she was seeing.
“We have to leave,” Aanya added. “Reyansh’s sister is in town for her birthday. It’s in two days. We’ll send you the invitation. Please come with Dad.”
Kyle managed a stiff nod. “Of course. We wouldn’t miss it.”
“Wonderful,” Reyansh added. “Bye, Mrs. Malhotra. Give my regards to Mr. Malhotra.”
“I will.”
The two of them exited the store, leaving Kyle behind in a daze. She kept staring at the door long after they vanished from sight.
Something was off. Reyansh Chopra wasn’t a man anyoneeasilywon back. Not unless there was more to the story than met the eye.
But for now, she was glad. If they truly had reconciled, it meant the business deal with the Chopras would go through, exactly what she and Anand needed.
CHAPTER 10
Malhotra House
“That’s the best news you’ve given me in a long time, Kyle. Aanya and Reyansh…together?” Anand exclaimed, his face lighting up with rare joy.
Kyle, however, didn’t mirror his enthusiasm. Her brows remained arched in suspicion. “This has to be some sort of secret arrangement between the two. They’ve shown zero interest in each other for a year and half. And now, suddenly, they’re a loving couple?”
Anand sighed, the joy in his expression dimming slightly. “Why are you being so judgmental? Don’t you want to see Aanya happy?”
“You think I wouldn’t be happy if she reconciled with Reyansh?” she argued. “I just didn’t expect this to happen so quickly. Don’t forget, they had an ugly fallout before parting ways. How can it be so easy to patch that up? Something doesn’t add up.”
Anand hesitated, the logic in her words gnawing at his optimism.
“And let’s not forget,” Kyle continued, “she wasted her first few days back insulting Reyansh right in our office. You remember how we had to pressure her to apologize? And now, suddenly, she’s moved in with him and playing the perfect wife? I’m telling you, this isn’t about love or reconciliation. She’s doing it for you, for the joint venture with Chopras.”
Anand paced a step and then paused, visibly thinking it through.
“But why would Reyansh agree to it?” he asked finally. “What’s in it for him?”
Kyle’s response was immediate. “Maybe he is doing this for his sister. I heard she’s pregnant again. And you know how inseparable those two are. Maybe Radhika wanted him to mend his marriage. And he’s obliging for her.”
The theory hit too close to truth, and Anand felt a deep unease settle in his chest.
“If that’s the case... I’m worried about where this whole thing will lead,” he confessed.
“Exactly,” Kyle agreed. “If this is all temporary, Aanya will be hurt again.”
