Page 89 of Right Where I Belong
From her side, Dilnaz looked as awestruck as her. The car rolled to a halt, and Sabrina stepped out, her heels clicking against the gravel. She tipped her head back, still caught in awe at the sheer scale of the house.
A butler in an immaculate uniform awaited them. He gestured toward the lawns, ensuring they followed as he set forth ahead. Relief settled over her when they rounded the corner and saw her staff already at work—tables dressed, fairy lights strung, canopies set, a bar coming to life under warm yellow lamps. She exhaled a sigh of relief, grateful for her diligent staff. Tonight would just about be a success after all. Lifting her chin, she, too, got into action.
Hours later, with several minor mishaps behind them, Sabrina paused to look at everything around her. The lawns glittered with dark chandeliers suspended under darker canopies. Waiters glided through the crowd with trays of champagne and hors d’oeuvres. Although it was still early in the night, several guests had already arrived. Men in tailored suits and women in sequined gowns laughed, sipping cool drinks under the golden glow of lights. The dark green and gold themeshe’d chosen for tonight looked great. In fact, everything around her looked spectacular. She was proud of her team for making this event come together so immaculately despite the last-minute venue. In her eyes, it all seemed perfect.
She looked to the side and frowned. A regal woman dressed in a sequined sari, her chin lifted in practiced poise, was walking toward her. Sabrina stilled, her breath stalling in her throat.
Mamta Wahi. Aditya’s mom was here? But wasn’t she having a celebration for her birthday? Then what was she doing here?
Aditya’s mother stopped in front of her, and Sabrina greeted her with a warm smile.
“Good evening, Mrs. Wahi,” Sabrina said, keeping her tone light.
Mamta Wahi’s eyes raked over her, taking in her simple black dress and the barest trace of makeup on her face. A sneer flickered across her lips as if she found Sabrina sorely lacking. Unfazed, Sabrina waited for her to finish her assessment.
“So, you’re the caterer tonight,” Mamta said coldly. “I expect everything to be flawless. My guests should leave my house remembering this party for days.”
Herguests?Herhouse? Sabrina blinked, the truth slicing through her like a blade. This was Mamta Wahi’s birthday party. Which meant… this wasAditya’shome.Her chest tightened. She hadn’t known.
Her eyes darted to the mansion behind her. Now bathed in golden light from the dozens of carefully placed lamps, it glowed like a jewel against the darkness of the night.
Turning back to his mother, she said, “You went through a lot of effort to get me here. I suppose Mr. Dutta works for you.”
“He does,” Mamta replied smoothly, her chin lifting.
“Why the subterfuge?” Sabrina asked, meeting her gaze head-on. “I would have catered the event in any case.”
Mamta’s lips curled. “Because my son wouldn’t have allowed it. I’m sure he wanted you as a guest tonight.”
“Clearly,youdidn’t want that. And by disclosing the venue at the last minute, you wanted to throw me off my game. You wanted me to fail.” She straightened her shoulders. “But don’t worry. I will ensure your party is a success, and your guests leave your home remembering this party for days.”
Mamta smoothed a hand over her perfectly coiffed hair, studying Sabrina. That’s when Sabrina noticed the enormous yellow diamond glinting on her finger. Surely, this was the heirloom Aditya had mentioned. He must have gifted it to her today.
Seeing her attention on the ring, Mamta lifted her hand. “Beautiful, isn’t it?”
“It is stunning.” Which was the absolute truth. Set on a bed of smaller diamonds, the yellow diamond glinted beautifully against the lights.
“Aditya is a good son,” Mamta said, her voice measured, almost reverent. “You know, he moved heaven and earth to find this ring for me? It once belonged to my family, before we… lost it. But now, years later, he’s found it again for me.” She smiled faintly into the distance before fixing Sabrina with her cold, sharp gaze. “I saw you in Singapore and realized how you were trying to ensnare him. He’s rich and handsome, so why would you not want him? More recently, I’ve learned how he’s been spending most of his time with you and your son. The thing is, Sabrina, he’s allowed to have his fun with you. But he will never marry you. You see, Aditya will do anything to seemehappy. He will never go againstme, andIwill never acceptyou. So when the time comes, who do you think he will choose—you or me?” Her voice dropped, turning lethal. “Let him go, or I will ensure he leaves you.”
Sabrina’s heart thundered. His mother’s words stung. She gave the older woman a sad smile. “Mrs. Wahi, whoever told you about Aditya spending time with my son and me, perhaps missed telling you that I already broke up with him.”
Mamta’s eyes widened before a satisfied smile set on her lips. “Does that mean you will never go after him again?”
“Aditya is so wonderful,” Sabrina said softly. “He’s the best thing that has ever happened to me, but because of my own fears and insecurities, I let him go.” Her eyes hardened. “But know this. If he finds it in his heart to ever forgive me and give me a chance, then no one, not even you, will be able to stop me from being with him.”
Mamta’s lips pressed into a straight line, but Sabrina held her gaze. She had already lost him once to her mistakes, but if fate handed her another chance, she wouldn’t squander it. No matter the obstacles, she would fight for him. Because she knew now, with absolute certainty, that she wanted Aditya Wahi. And if he would have her, she would never ever let him go again.
32
Where had his mother disappeared? She wasn’t answering her calls. It was her birthday, and all the guests were asking for her. Aditya had just returned from the house, where the staff had informed him that she was outside, and that she’d left her phone behind. Aditya had looked for her everywhere, but she wasn’t to be found.
He quickened his pace, moving toward the catering tent. Perhaps she’d gone to check on the food. He smiled. His mother was a perfectionist. It was typical of her to personally see to everything, ensuring everything was on point.
Earlier that evening, he had finally gifted the ring to her, and she’d been so delighted. He was glad to have found that piece of their family’s history for her. He turned the corner and paused. Up ahead, his mother was talking to… Sabrina?
His heart slammed into his ribs. What the hell was Sabrina doing here? He quickened his pace, shock propelling him forward. His mother’s cruel words to Sabrina reached his ears, making him halt in his tracks. And then, he heard Sabrina’s response.
…if he finds it in his heart to ever forgive me and give me a chance, then no one, not even you, will be able to stop me from being with him.
