Because Kushal had refused the divorce.
And after this, it would go into a full-fledged courtroom battle. She needed evidence. Something strong enough to prove that their marriage had no future. But Kushal was too damn smart to give her one.
If things continued like this, they would end up fighting this case for years. She let out a slow breath, and her eyes flickered to her phone again.
His words from earlier in the day rang in her ears.
“Unblock my number, Arundhati.”
She stared at the screen as her finger hovered over his contact. It was the logical thing to do. Whether she liked it or not, they needed to communicate for Anant’s case.
Not for anything else.
Just for this case.
With that thought, she finally unblocked him before tossing the phone aside and pulling the blankets over herself.
Tomorrow would be another war.
And this time, she had one less wall between her and Kushal Nair.They would have to communicate!
Chapter 2
Next Day – Kushal’s Penthouse
Kushal cuddled the pillow harder, trying to ignore the insistent ringing of his phone. The sound drilled into his already aching head, a brutal reminder of last night’s drinks.
He hadn’t intended to get drunk. But he had needed something strong. Something to drown out the memories that had come flooding back the second he and Arundhati were forced to work together again.
Together in their marriage, when they had lived under one roof in this very penthouse for five months, the only thing they had truly done together was sleep on the same bed every night. No intimacy. No confessions. Just two powerful, stubborn people steering an arranged marriage they hadn’t asked for.
They had kissed, though.
A couple of times.
And despite everything, despite the war they were fighting now, Kushal missed those kisses.
Not that he would ever admit it.
His ego wouldn’t allow it.
The phone kept ringing, the sound growing sharper, more impatient.
He groaned, shifting onto his side, blindly reaching for his phone on the bedside table. His fingers grasped the device, and he half-opened one eye to glance at the caller ID.
His chest tightened, but his lips curved into a lazy smirk.
Arundhati.
Of course, it was her.
He exhaled slowly, pressing the phone to his ear, still clutching the pillow with his other arm, and answered in a low, groggy voice.
“Hmm.”
He didn’t miss it.
The beat of silence from the other end.